Taking off to Germany

In the boarding room for Etihad Airways, at 15.00 o’clock, we entered the plane. We lined up according to the ticket zone; the pearl and gold passengers for the executives one, the business class, and last, my class, economy.

Entering the plane, for the economy class, you will see the chairs are 3-3-3 formated. Just like every accommodation on international flight, every chair has it own monitor which provide lots entertainment. You can watch movies, hear music, play games, read the map of your journey plus there were camera of the plane that give you forward and down view.

The other accommodation wasn’t too bad either. We will receive shocks, eye’s cover, refreshing tissues, great culinary, water, coffee, tea, juice, hot chocolate, sandwich and chocolate too. The temperature wasn’t too cold inside the plane. But wearing jacket from the beginning would be an advantage.

The toilet, once again, is international standard. But for those who don’t used to use dry toilet, it would be a little bit stressing. But there were mini sink, little cup, waste bin and some liquid soap, and of course lot of tissue. Well, be prepared!


The plane taken off at 16.00 o’clock, the journey was about 7 hours. We arrived at Abu Dhabi international airport for a transit at 20.30 o’clock (local time). Indonesian time is 3 hours longer than Abu Dhabi’s time.

I was using Indonesian telecommunication provider, which is Telkomsel, Simpati. And no need to worry, you can still use it abroad. It could automatically search for local network, and you can still send or receive messages.

That’s one thing I’m proud about with our telecommunication technology. One of my friends was using Indosat, XL prepaid. It was ok too. I can’t tell about the other prepaid cell phone card, but maybe, it’s the same. Of course, there’s no doubt that you can count on all regular subscription cell phone card, for example Kartu Halo, Matrix, etc.

Abu Dhabi International Airport

Arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport for a transit, we went directly to Etihad Guess Transfer. It was not exactly to reporting our arrival, it was more like the Etihad person gave us some information about our next flight. So, if you can read the information sign on all over the airport, you practically no need to go to the Etihad Guess Transfer.

You will a little bit amazed by what you’ll see. It’s not like an ordinary airport. One of my friends said that she feels like in Teletubbies’s house. Hehehe.. :p Well, here you can see the picture of it. Quite unique, still, it fits international airport standard. Plus, there were mushola, where we can pray. Not too wide, but clean and comfortable.

There was a sign that said it was forbidden to sleep at the mushola. It seems that as a big international airport which being transit for lots of flight, they understand that the mushola is the most likely place to wait and sleep, as it more comfortable than if we have to sit on the lounge. But still, rules were made to be broken, didn’t they? :)

The toilets were ok. They were always clean, because the cleaning service seems to be standby 24/7. But maybe that caused her temper so high. You will probably see a cynical face. Or maybe it was just the lady I saw, and maybe the other is ok.


Anyway, the taking off time is coming. We went to the waiting room; kind of checking in again, and wait about an hour a half before the real take off. Entering the plane, it’s quite the same with the previous plane.

The economy class enter the plan last. The sits are 2-4-2 formation. I got the 4 sits, and I admitted, that it was kind of narrow. But well, the facilities were likely the same, so, didn’t matter. But the food is likely more international than the previous.

When the previous flight you might seems to “ever taste the food before”, and this time is almost totally extraneous. For you who can eat almost anything, that wouldn’t be a problem. But for you who can’t enjoy western food, well, if you don’t bring any food from home, you will have to push yourself eating it. The travel will really exhausting.

A lot of people wating at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Some of them are TKW-Tenaga Kerja Wanita Indonesia (Indonesian Woman Labour)

The flight was about 7 hours. At 5.13 local time in the morning, we arrived at Frankfurt International Airport. There’s something special about that day. It was 26 Ocotber 2008, exactly the day when all Europe region expanded their clock to be an hour longer in order to enter the winter season.

It’s kind of a unique action for us I believe. But the thing has happened every year for a very-very long time ago.

Lined up at the Non-EU Immigration counter.

Being landed, we lined up to the immigration counter, having a stamp for the passport. We lined up at the Non-EU counter. But you will get a little interviewed there.

For those of you who intend to study, you will need to show your acceptance letter. But for us, wives who want to accompany our husbands, with residence visa, we have to show our invitation letter. So, prepare them well.

We’re so close to the Deutschland. After getting the immigration stamp, we can pick our baggage, and step out side. Just as simple as that. There were no further investigation. Deutschland, komme ich!