I finally went up in the observation deck in the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. The view was good, but nothing to celebrate about. The windows were also a little dirty making photos less sharp.
Category: UAE
Houston to Abu Dhabi
I am traveling to Abu Dhabi today (luckily before the British Airways industrial action which cancelled many flights).
Abu Dhabi to Dubai
Today I drove from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to get my flight to London. I decided to do some touristy things today that I never do although I’m always in Dubai. On the way up at the border I stopped at ‘Last Exit’. It’s a bunch of food trucks…. Even a Hardee’s and KFC… I…
Abu Dhabi
Today I drove from the desert to Abu Dhabi. I’m staying at the Yas Hotel (used to be called the Viceroy) which is at the Viceroy) which is at the Formula 1 track. e Viceroy) which is at the Formula 1 track.
Round the World… segment 3: DXB (Dubai) to HKG (Hong Kong)
After a nearly 4 hour car ride to the Dubai Airport from the empty quarter of Abu Dhabi I am flying on Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan. If my flight is on time I plan to escape the airport briefly as I have 6 hours between my flights. The seats…
Round the world… segment 2 LHR (London) to AUH (Abu Dhabi)
The food available in the British Airways lounge was not very good. You might have noticed… my ticket says British Airways, but the plane says Air Belgium. I’m not exactly sure why, but British Airways has wet leased the plane including the flight attendants and pilots from Air Belgium. The…
The impossible turn (yes, again) Abu Dhabi, UAE to Doha, Qatar
I embarked once again to Doha from Abu Dhabi. Oman Air has gotten smarter and now flies a much larger plane between Muscat and Doha. The plane on the tarmac got a bit warm. I managed to make it to Doha without any problem. I’m staying at the Marriott Marquis City Center. They upgraded…
Abu Dhabi and Yas Island
My day started with a quick visit to the US Embassy (I don’t mean the one with the golden arches). I was inside for maybe 5 minutes and left with a second passport. It’s only good for 2 years, but at least now I have something I can send away for visas. In the…
Ritz Carlton [Abu Dhabi, UAE]
I was lucky enough to escape the desert for a few days. The rate at the Ritz Carlton was insane… 385 dirhams a night… It’s nearly impossible to stay at a 3 star hotel in the states for that. A few pictures from and of the room… …
Houston to Abu Dhabi [via Amsterdam on KLM]
Today I return to Abu Dhabi via Amsterdam on KLM’s new 787-9. They used to use the Queen of the Skies (747) on the Houston to Amsterdam route. Progress is not always a good thing. The benefit of the 787 for passengers is higher cabin pressure and humidity. Obviously the airlines like the fuel efficiency…
Visiting the states
Technically I will be in 3 countries today….Oman, UAE and USA. I’m flying to Abu Dhabi today from Oman. It is only a 1 hour flight. Then I am going to the US Embassy to a second passport. I visited the US Embassy…. It took all of 15 minutes to be…
Dubai via London
I am on a very late flight to London (British Airways) that leaves at 10:25 PM. I’ll have 8 hours in London (not ideal, but long enough to have some sort of adventure, even though it will be snowing. I’ll eventually arrive in Dubai… To add to the mystery of airfares the same flights…
Dubai to London
I’m flying on British Airways this morning on my way to Lincoln, UK (via train after arriving in London). I stopped at the Dubai Mall for dinner before going to the airport as my flight didn’t leave until 0220. No passport stamp leaving the UAE since I used their egate system with my Emirates…
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Last November they finally opened the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, many years late. The roof structure itself is a work of art. This was my first opportunity to visit since it opened. The main museum was a bit disappointing as the information plaques were on the floor which made it nearly impossible to read. …
Qatar to UAE – the impossible turn
This used to be easy. One short direct flight. Now it involves through Kuwait or Oman. I was pleasantly surprised that the plane from Oman to Dubai was a new 737MAX. This was my first flight on a 737MAX.
The impossible turn…. or Abu Dhabi to Doha, Qatar
My attempt to return from Abu Dhabi to Qatar saga… Check in at Etihad… – Can only get boarding pass to Muscat, Oman – Bags can only be checked to Muscat, Oman — This means that I have to: —– Purchase a visitor visa for Oman (5 Omani Riyals) —– Go through immigration in…
More of Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit
After finding out that the Yas 3000 (Formula 3000) cars were on the South Circuit of Yas Marina Circuit which goes under the Viceroy hotel I couldn’t resist signing up. I’ve driven these cars before, but on the North Circuit which has a hairpin turn. This time the South Circuit is much faster and flowing. …
Abu Dhabi and Yas Island
Today for lunch I tried a Phillipine fast food restaurant that I head about by watching Anthony Bordain…. Jollibee. I had the spaghetti and yum burger. It was good. For dinner I ate at Texas Roadhouse in Yas Mall. They have nice USDA beef. After dinner I signed up to drive…
Departure from Doha, Qatar
I embark today on a visa run to Abu Dhabi. Normally this is a simple 40 minute direct flight, however with the GCC countries no longer being neighborly I had to fly through either Kuwait, Jordan or Oman to get to Abu Dhabi from Qatar. My first flight on Oman Air was slightly delayed….
Just another day in the office…
On my way to Houston from Abu Dhabi. First flight to Amsterdam on KLM was slightly delayed. It was on a nice new Boeing 787. I can tell the difference as my eyes aren’t as dry as on any of the other airplanes. Now I’m sitting in the upper deck of a Boeing 747. It’s…