Rajeev's World: The Beginning Of Yet Another Southern Sojourn....

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Beginning Of Yet Another Southern Sojourn....

So, it was time to head back my virtual second home in India, Trichy!

Though it was raining all through the morning today, it was exceptionally heavy when I left office at 1.15 PM to head to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport's Terminal 1B.

Before boarding, I got about 30 minutes to catch up with some grub - a Jamaican Jerk Chicken sandwich with some rather fresh and tasty, non-greasy French fries.

In a few minutes, I boarded the aircraft and had some lovely views silhouetted through a rain-drop laden window.

I love the heavies - Air-India's Boeing 777

And this one - Jet Airways' Airbus A330...

And this Airbus A330 from India's de-facto "national carrier" Emirates.... patiently waiting for us to taxi to Runway 27-09

Holding short of Runway 27-09...

Air-India's A319 on short-finals to Runway 27-09.... This one is still in the erstwhile Indian colours

Finally on 27-09, on full throttle, ready to dart into the skies!

Air-India's hangars, once home to the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747-400... today you only see twin-jets here...

As we took off, a Jet Airways Boeing 737 was heading out of the hangar

Contrasts - open spaces abutting the runway and the claustrophobic slums behind..... These encroachments are to blame for the pitiable state Mumbai's airport is in today....