Tag 9 (2024) Bye Bye Dubai - back home

October 19, 2024

Today was meant for sleeping in - we were out late last night. After a shared breakfast, we pack our bags, say goodbye to the family, and first look for a gas station - I need to fill the car up before returning it.

It's easier said than done. Although we quickly find a gas station on the maps, reaching it is a challenge as we have to cross several main roads with not very accommodating drivers...

Eventually, we manage, and we head to the airport with a full tank. The return at Europcar is seamless.

However, problems await us at the 'fully automated' baggage drop: it first refuses my passport, then my boarding pass, and my luggage doesn't seem to like the conveyor belt either. My sister-in-law has the same issue. We need several attempts, but I at least manage to check my suitcase eventually. Unfortunately, my sister-in-law can't proceed without assistance from an employee. Her passport isn't recognized, her boarding pass supposedly doesn't exist, and even with the employee, it takes three tries to check her bag...

There's room for improvement here!

Once we finally overcome this hurdle, we go through passport control and security check, then sit at the gate, treating ourselves to a snack at the big M and waiting for boarding. Unfortunately, the system hasn't seated us next to each other. When I received the info for online check-in, all seats were already reserved.

My sister-in-law ended up with a middle seat in row 8, while I'm sitting by the window in a three-seat row far up front. Unfortunately, no one can switch; next to her sits a mother with two children, while I sit next to a couple. Well, it is what it is. It's the first time that the seating hasn't worked out. We'll survive - there's in-flight entertainment 😅

We land punctually in the evening at Frankfurt Airport.

It was lovely!

See you next year!