So the day that's helped me survive the past 1.5 years in NUS is here! And yup, been looking forward to exchange since day 1 in business school. I'm going to spend my 4th semester in Vienna University of Economics and Business which is the literal translation of its original name in German - Wirtschaftsuniversität - or WU in short (yes, German words are miles long).
One of the rare moments that my family is in one country at the same time :')
I left for Vienna on a pretty damn amazing Qatar Airways plane witht he best looking cabin crew and the best part of the ride - I had the whole row to myself! This - you will never get with the airline Singapore prides itself of (good for them). Probably also because the flight was on a Tuesday morning - I believe not a peak hour in the long-haul line.
See ya in Munich!
Just before my departure I took a screenshot of my very optimistic home screen
Damn right
because 2016 is so gonna be my year. I could smell it already
So pleased that the flight was empty! A whole row to myself is just what I need for a long-haul flight 
Well-entertained and well-fed
I realized that Qatar Airways flight didn't have a window screen but instead, we can adjust the blue filter through a button. I was so amazed - I'd never seen such a thing before LOL
Magnificent view through my window - without the filter on
With the filter on - look at those gorgeous snowy mountain tops!
I reached the Doha airport at 1pm and my body clock was at 7pm. I saw the jetlag coming as I felt sleepy and disoriented from the bright sunlight shone through the translucent ceilings of the airport.
I was hungry as it was time for lunch - more like dinner on my body clock. They had a decent selection of food - Italian, Western, Indian, Asian... but I settled for a I settled for a familiar taste of burger king
hearty lunch, not
Centre piece of the airport in the main hall - Mr Bean's Teddy Bear maybe?
Walked around the airport enough to remember what's where
Did I mention that I had 13hours to kill in this airport? I reached at 1 and my flight to Vienna was at like 2am. I went over to the Qatar Airways counter and found out that they offer a short city tour for passengers on a long layover in Doha. I participated in one and got a glimpse of Doha.
Port of Arabia Shopping Centre
So many high end shops, so little shoppers
But I guess they spend a lot once those few do shop there
Beautiful Arabian architecture
Everything gold and gaudy
View of the New Doha at night
By the time I returned to the airport it was 11 and I still had 3 hours before my flight departed. I slep tin the main area where there was a bunch of seats we could hobo in. The airport was so crowded - I guess their peak hour is at 11pm where there are many connecting flights that fly around midnight and reach the destination in the morning/afternoon.
And amidst the crowdedness of the airport, I was so happy to have found a seat to nap in and had a nice short nap...not
I woke up at 1.45am
and it was too late
The gate was closing
The airport was almost as empty as it was during the day
I knew I fucked up
The gate was far and by the time I walked to the main square of the airport, I asked someone if I could do anything at that point of time. They told me to just tell the ground staff that I miss the flight and that I have no money, so they can put me in the next flight for free
So I walked to the Qatar airways ground crew counter and told them what happened. They were going to charge me $250 if I want to get transferred to the next flight. I didn't want to spend that much and just told them that I had no money - which was almost true as I had limited cash with me. Alas that wasn't even the main concern. The 2am flight was the only Qatar Airways flight bound for Vienna on the 3rd of August. I have to wait for the next flight scheduled at 8.15am on the 4th of August. I didn't mind spending another day at the airport to wait for the flight but apparently the immigration officer wouldn't allow anyone to stay in the Doha airport for more than 24 hours - and the gap between the flight timings are more than 24 hours.
They offered me the STPC - which is the Qatar Airways programme for passengers with long transit time - I would guess it's free for Business and First class passenger but not economy, of course - that'd be too much to ask for from what you paid. So I paid $150 for a night's stay at Horizon Manor Hotel which was their partner hotel, which also includes transfer to the airport. It was a fine price as before agreeing to the offer I'd checked hotel rates in Doha through booking.com and found out that hotels in Doha aren't at all cheap.
Before heading to the hotel, I had a typical Qatar breakfast which comprise
sunny side ups, bread and a plate of veggies which of course I didn't touch at all
yup
New Doha at dawn
The Horizon Manor Hotel room that I stayed in was located near the souq. A tour of the souq was included in the Qatar Airways city tour I'd taken earlier so I wasn't too keen on going there again. Besides, after all the drama in the morning, last thing I need was something else happening to me and I avoided that by staying in the hotel room all day.
My dinner because #lazyday
hair and brows on point but i missed my flight
lonely lonely day calls for a selfie?!? yas
yup.
at least missing my flight did her good
The next morning I woke up at 4 because I was THAT excited to leave for Vienna. I've never been THAT excited about ANY flights in my life EVER before. Exaggeration much? Nope. Not if you know how I felt.
FINALLY FLYING TO VIENNA GUYS
Never been happier upon passing through the immigration
Never been this relieved on a flight. Ever.
Best meal on the flight. Ever
And I finally reached Vienna :')
And I finally reached Vienna :')
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