Sunday 14Jan1996
It was my first official overseas trip after getting promotion in the new department. The flight known as MH004 departing Kuala lumpur at 10.30am. Seat No 5K in the B747-400 aircraft. It was the first class seat. It was an enjoyable journey of 13 hours in a first class compartment with my colleague Thong and the rest of passengers, including one of the Malaysian minister who was on the business trip to London to attend the gathering of all Commenwealth's ministers for a conference.
I arrived on the same day 4.30pm at London Heathrow airport. The driver assigned for the trip waited us upon arrival. Thong and i had to stay at the
Highway Man Hotel, dunstable for 2 days until we get the rooms at the other hotel located next to the office of OAG in Dunstable, UK.
Monday 15Jan1996
The course, LINKS started on Mon15Jan1996 trained by Diane, a young and pretty lady.
We had our first lunch treated by the company, OAG together with Bib, my staff who was on the same trip for her to complete her bi-annual task in Dunstable to prepare for the production of an airline schedule publication. The lunch were hosted by Joanne and Diane. It was a typical English lunch at a well-known restaurant cum bar in the small town of Dunstable, Norman King. Guess what, it was
Fish and Chips since we were facing difficulties in getting halal food in these small town, unlike in London.
Not to forget the weather. It was a winter season. The day i arrived in Dunstable, it was 13 degree celcius and the following day was 11 degree celcius.
Tuesday 16Jan1996
Left my wife and 7-month-old son at my inlaw house in Cheras Jaya whilst i am away. Of course, i missed them. Started my day by calling them using the typical British phone card that cost me 10 GBP (Great Britain pound sterling).
Again, the other objectives of the course is the intent to learn on how to produce the airline schedule locally by learning the existing system produced by OAG. Thong, my colleague who was the IT expert paid attention to the course as well as myself.
One thing about the trip was the lunch treatment. The second day,we were accompanied by Anne and Jacky (the boss of the section ). This time, it was outside the town. with the country view, the place known as Travel's Inn.
At the end of the day, we received the completion certificate as well as token appreciation from the company.
Wednesday 17Jan1996
we have to check out and moved the other hotel, known as The Old Lodge. It is located nearby the office and right in front of the old church and cemetry. Quite scary. It was made to know that the UK royal families used to stay in the hotel years ago. Surprisingly, you can see the body statue of King Edward and Queen Elizabeth I.
It was our rest day as the course completed. We accompanied Bib at the office for her to complete the task. In the evening, we went to the nearby famous supermarket/grocies store in 90's -Sainsbury. It was the most popular supermarket before the new giant appeared, Tesco.Next to it was the American famous fast food- Mc Donald.
