Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

Arzu’s Amazing Concert

February 20, 2017

A very good friend of mine, Arzu Yuvarlak, on Sunday 19 February held and performed Turkish Classical Music Fundraising Concert at the Australian Turkish Thrace Association in Melbourne.

Arzu was fundraising so she could continue her studies at RMIT University while awaiting a final decision on her visa status.

Arzu is currently seeking asylum in Australia and until very recently has been living here with no Government financial support for almost 5 years. Late last year the Australian Red Cross started supporting her health needs and in January 2017 the Australian Government started providing a small fortnightly amount for Arzu to attempt to live on.

While I can’t go fully into Arzu’s case history given the Department of Immigration is still considering her application, I can say she was born on the border with Syria and faced significant and serious issues back in Turkey.

Like everyone in this situation having to give up everything and being placed in a limbo status for years on end is never an easy decision and usually highlights a difficult if not desperate situation for someone in an ethic minority group. As an asylum seeker Arzu has no right to work in Australia and earn an income.

Despite this she has contributed to our community by implementing a free music education program to school children. Arzu is a talented musician, which I got to see up close during this amazing concert. It’s a privilege to work with and support someone so talented.

Arzu has survived so far by having the local Arts and Turkish community and her friends support her including assisting with accommodation and living expenses.

Your Help is appreciated While the concert is over her fundraising page is still available and for people in Australia you can also directly transfer money to a bank account operated on Arzu’s behalf (Name: Arzu Yuvarlak BSB: 944300 Account Number: 011777125).

I hope you can support Arzu or others like her struggling to shine in a world with Governments that increasingly condemn those that have to flee dangerous situations.

Arzu’s Story
Lounge Review – QANTAS Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge

February 17, 2017

When visited: February 2017
Time of day: Morning
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Access Rules
– You need to be departing on a QANTAS flight in Business Class on the day you access the lounge (not after the flight).
– You are QANTAS Platinum or a Oneworld Emerald status member and departing on a QANTAS flight or codeshare on the day you access the lounge (I accessed as Platinum member flying in economy to Sydney).

Access to the QANTAS Club Lounge

Access to the QANTAS Business Lounge (inside QANTAS Club)

Lounge Location
The QANTAS Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge is located in Terminal 1. After clearing security you turn left and will find the entrance to the QANTAS Club Lounge. After entering the QANTAS Club Lounge you walk to the end of the lounge area and there will be a door to the QANTAS Business Lounge.

Lounge Area
The QANTAS Business Lounge area is larger than it first appears with many small hidden seating areas. The food serving and bar area has a more formal bench area with napkins and cutlery set out, the rest of the lounge is less formal. There is an area to look out at the tarmac and the planes.

Food
I was at the lounge during breakfast time. There was scrambled eggs, toast, an area to make sandwiches, fresh fruit, a machine to make pancakes and a couple of cakes and pastries / bread based products. More than enough and better than the plane even on short business class flights, definitely better than economy class offerings.

Drinks
Various juices, soft drink, a blender to make your own vegetable smoothie, coffee, tea and water. The bar for alcohol doesn’t open until noon.

Facilities and Services
The are several showers (no need to book), toilets, areas to watch TV (on cable news channel), computer area with printers and photocopiers, multiple tea / coffee stations and charging stations for most different cable connections. There are also some available power outlets to plug in your laptop or other equipment. Free Wi-Fi is offered. There are various free newspapers you can take away and magazines (which you should leave in the lounge).

What’s Good
A more exclusive place than the QANTAS Club Lounge while it still gets a lot of people it’s not as rushed or a push for space. The food is excellent for breakfast and the computer areas lets you print up last minute documents.

What’s Not So Good
The QANTAS Business Class Lounge is located at the furthest point from the entry to the QANTAS Lounge making it an even longer distance to the gates. Make sure you leave before they call the flight for boarding.

Summary
Really worth the visit if you are flying business class on QANTAS or hold the right membership level. There is no charge for food or drinks nor is tipping expected (or anywhere really in Australia). This is pretty much the best domestic lounge I’ve visited anywhere in the world (obviously there are many better International Lounges).
World Trip 2012-13: Flight Journal

February 13, 2017

Back in 2012 I undertook an amazing trip which saw my on 24 flights with 10 airlines across 17 legs which was 76,155 km in the air or 114 hours 45 minutes I visited 19 countries over 139 days. Countries (in order): Singapore; Malaysia; Thailand; Germany; England; Spain; Iceland; Chile; Argentina; Antarctica; USA; Mexico; Cuba; Belize; Guatemala; Honduras; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; and Panama. (more…)
The Joy of International flying: Africa Edition

February 10, 2017

Now that I have my flights booked I wanted to work out how long (distance and time) I’ll be in the air – it’s the nerd in me 🙂 This trip I’ll actually be enjoying First Class and Business Class treatment which is strange when you consider I’ll be camping a lot in Africa!

Leg 1 Africa
6,025 km Melbourne (MEL) to Singapore (SIN) – 7 hours 45 minutes (Emirates A380 1st class Seat 2A)
Transit time: 1 hour 45 minutes
5,846 km Singapore (SIN) to Dubai (DXB) – 7 hours 35 minutes(Emirates A380 1st Class Seat 2A)
Transit time: 11 hours 40 minutes
3,548 km Dubai (DXB) to Nairobi (NBO) – 5 hours 10 minutes (Emirates B777-300ER 1st Class Seat 1K)
15,420 km Total

Leg 2 Australia
1,271 km Cape Town (CPT) to Johannesburg (JNB) – 2 hours 10 minutes (Comair B737 Business Seat 1F)
Transit time: 2 hours 50 minutes
11,044 km Johannesburg (JNB) to Sydney (SYD) – 11 hours 45 minutes (QANTAS B747-400 Business Seat 5B)
Transit time: 2 hours 25 minutes
706 km Sydney (SYD) to Melbourne (MEL) – 1 hour 35 minutes (QANTAS B737-800 Business Seat 3A)
13,021 km Total

So that is 28,441 km and 36 hours travelling on all flights. That’s a long time, however I’m looking forward to those lie flat seats / beds, entertainment system, fine food and beverages.
India and Japan 2015 Trip – Flight Journal

February 10, 2017

Back in 2015 I sent 31 days travelling to India and Japan. I was flying over 4 legs across 7 flights and 4 airlines, all in economy travel. I had lounge access in Melbourne and Sydney only as at the time I only had QANTAS Club Membership (so only access to QANTAS lounges). I would have had time to visit the Singapore QANTAS lounge but the inbound flight was running late.

Leg 1
7,387 km Melbourne (MEL) to Hong Kong (HKG) – 9 hours 35 minutes (QANTAS A330)
Transit time: 3 hours 5 minutes
3,751 km Hong Kong (HKG) to Delhi (DEL) – 6 hours (Cathay Pacific A330)

Leg 2
2,040 km Delhi (DEL) to Kochi (COK) – 3 hours 10 minutes (Air India B787)

Leg 3
505 km Kochi (COK) to Colombo (CMB) – 1 hour 10 minutes (Sri Lankan Airlines A320)
Transit time: 6 hours 5 minutes
6,897 km Colombo (CMB) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) – 8 hours 50 minutes (Sri Lankan Airlines A330)

Leg 4
7,798 km Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Sydney (SYD) – 9 hours 40 minutes (QANTAS B747)
Transit time: 2 hours 50 minutes
706 km Sydney (SYD) to Melbourne (MEL) – 1 hour 35 minutes (QANTAS B767)

Total 29,085 km and 67 hours