Blogs from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Middle East - page 8

So, I've just been on two gruelling 7 hour flights. Brisbane to Singapore and then Singapore to Abu Dhabi. At least the entertainment system is some distraction from the monotony of trying to position my extremities in such a way that they don't go dead. Been watching two quality TV shows, True Detective and House of Cards, both of which I have intended to watch for some time. It's 1 in the morning and the airport is buzzing, a real melting pot of people, it's obviously a huge transport hub. It was sad to say my goodbyes to Mum and Dad today (they returned to Alice, while I went overseas... I wonder who I'd rather be). They have been so good to me over so many years and to almost officially move away from that dependence ... read more

Temp: 81F 27C Miles travelled: 77 nautical miles The day of embarkation. We could see the MSC Lirica tied up in Port Rashid. This is the cruise terminal that serves Dubai. Although there were some very stunning yet very affordable hotels further down the coast near the Burj Khalifa and even further down near the Palm Jumeirah, we consciously ensured our hotel was in the vicinity of the port to allow us a relaxing morning and to minimise the transfer from our hotel to the ship. Although we were less than a few kilometres from the Port Entrance, as we were on the other side of the Creek, this still involved a 20 minute tax ride under the tunnel that lay further downstream. Our ship was berthed in front of the Costa Fortuna, part of the ... read more

Argo 2 has been achieved lol, ok ok I'm being dramatic, but before the escape from Uzbekistan we had read many many blogs infact all that was out there or "allowed" to be out there and it all seemed like it would be a REALLY crazy adventure, but gladly it didn't turn out to be all that difficult or complex. Reflecting on Uzbekistan....The things I liked... The bread!! The regular people were nice The students are good students some are asses but for the most part they are good students in the big picture of things they are trying to get out and make something of their lives and realize it's just not possible under the current regime. Things are relatively cheap, except for luxury items such as special cheeses etc etc. The fruit selling babushkas ... read more

PE vremuri visam la formula unu (sa fiu copilot:). Azi nu indraznesc nici sa ma asez intr-un simulator:) Dar Ferrari world in Abu Dhabi merita vizitat, chiar daca visele sunt de domeniul trecutului. Masini ca o bijuterie, atractii, filme, plus un bonus, ""saptamana vitezei", adica spectacole impresionante, ce ti-ai mai putea dori pentru ca sa te simti iarasi tanar? Miriam s-a dat de 2 ori in cel mai rapid carusel din lume, Formula Rossa, intr-adevar o experienta unica! Am intalnit o alta famile de expatriati, din Germania, cu un baiat de aceeasi varsta cu Miriam, asa ca noi am putut doar "privi" relaxati cum bolidurile ajung la o viteza de 240 km/h.... read more

After a final cuddle from Mav Jnr. we were on our way through 'the doors' into international land. A smooth 14hr flight, albeit slightly cramped from cattle class, we arrived. First stop, Abu Dhabi. Hot, sandy & lots of pollution in the air. Come night time and the city lights up, no power conservation going on here! Staying at the Sofitel on the coast of Abu Dhabi, spectacular hotel, no cash spared in this place! Visited the Sheikh Zaved Grand Mosque, wow. These guys don't muck about, extravagant, marble & gold everywhere. $500 million budget when they built this place! Drivers are nuts and the money spent on cars here is unbelievable! Porsches, Land Cruisers, V8 Nissan Patrols and the odd Toyota Corolla. All the staff at the hotels/shops seem to be from everywhere else in ... read more