I'd been eyeing this spot where the pigeons like to gather for ages. I got lucky; the weather was fine, the lighting was right; all that was to do was getting a shot of the pigeon taking flight.

I was never a privileged kid. That is to say, there were no piano classes, no getting the toys I wanted and no annual long-trip-on-plane to fancy countries far away from Malaysia. The farthest I'd flown was to Sabah. And if you're well-versed in Geography, Sabah is part of Malaysia.

Today, that's going to change. Today is a special day for it represents a watershed in my personal aviation record and then some. Today, I shall be be on the plane for at least 12 long hours. Today, I shall be leaving on a jet plane. Today, I shall be flying- to London!

Forget about what I said about hating flying; that was written in jest. I'm actually quite fond of getting on an airplane. I don't fancy the stuff they try to pass off as food but the ride itself thrills me to no end. From the climactic take-off to the satisfying landing, flying is fun! The only thing better than being on a flying contraption is getting a seat next to the window of the flying contraption. On domestic flights with family, I would always wield my eldest-son-cum-official-photographer authority and demand that I be given the window seat.

You're missing out on the finer things in life if you're up there and not being able to enjoy the view. It's like that old Chinese saying; you're in a cave filled with treasures but you're not taking anything valuable. On that particular flight to Sabah, I was given the middle seat. I wasn't too happy about being in a treasure cave and not getting the diamonds and the genie lamp. So, in the middle of the flight, I switched to an empty window seat I spotted while on my way back from the toilet. I was duly rewarded; as it was an early morning flight, I was greeted with a heavenly view of the sun lighting up the clouds below. Now, how many can boast of watching sunrise from a plane?

I wonder what goodies await during my first long-haul flight. I'm definitely excited! Here's goodbye to my dearest family, friends, good ol' Malaysia and short plane rides.