Day 1 (2023) - off to Abu Dhabi & Dubai

5th April 2023

Day 1:

Today we're heading to Abu Dhabi & Dubai for the 7th time! It's insane 🤩 Almost like our second home when it comes to vacations. This year, we'll spend the first 5 days in Dubai and then almost 2 weeks with the family in Abu Dhabi. Our taxi will pick us up at 8:30, and after a 15-minute drive, we'll reach Frankfurt Airport. At the check-in counter, it's time to wait!

Yesterday during online check-in, seats were automatically assigned to us, which means 3 of us will be seated in rows 8-20, and our son hit the jackpot with row 48. Reserving seats would cost over €200 for 4 tickets on both legs of the journey. No way. So, now we're going to ask for different seats at the check-in counter. The nice lady at the counter tells us that according to the system, we're all seated together in row 20. Oh, really? She says the system automatically assigns seats for families after check-in. Ha, that's how we know it too. We've never paid for seat reservations before - it has worked 90% of the time 😅

Then it's a quick security check. At the gate, I treat myself to a drink, at exorbitant prices, of course. While a small bottle of water supposedly costs €4, there's an offer package (2 bottles of water, a small pack of Pringles, and a Mars) for €7.20. What a bargain 🙈 Well, in the plane, thanks to Etihad, drinks and food are usually free during the flight 🤩 Boarding starts at 10:30, off we go to Abu Dhabi 🤩

So, we're seated on time in the plane when the captain announces that due to a 'cargo problem' (?), we will only get a takeoff slot in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Oh no...😳

Well, I'll see it positively: the legroom in Etihad economy class is amazing, stretching out my legs is no problem, so one more hour to watch movies - thanks to in-flight entertainment 😅

First, we taxi across the airport with the plane until we find a parking position somewhere away from everything, where we wait for our takeoff slot.

We take off with a 45-minute delay and land at 19:30 with only a 10-minute delay in Abu Dhabi. From the window, we see Abu Dhabi in the light of the full moon during the approach.

Our Dreamliner parks in an outside position, so we take a bus to the terminal, and the first surprise when we disembark: it's NOT hot!!!

The last few times we were here during the Hessian autumn holidays. And they started in September, and even in the evenings, it was still over 30 degrees. According to the plane's information board, it's only +24 degrees in the evening at 19:30. I can handle that!!! 🤪

At immigration, I'm the only one who can use the Fast Track through eye scanning, as my passport hasn't been renewed since the last Abu Dhabi trip. It doesn't work for the rest of the family; they have to join the endless line at immigration, while I've 'entered' after 2 minutes and already picked up the suitcases from the baggage carousel. I was one of the first at the baggage carousel. Even 10 minutes later, no one from the immigration from our plane has arrived here yet. Almost 30 minutes later, the rest of the family made it through immigration as well. Next stop is Europcar, where we booked a Nissan Sunny again. Not pretty, but practical and by far the cheapest option for a family of 4 here.

Off to Dubai, where we will spend the first 5 days of our vacation in the hotel before heading to Abu Dhabi to be with the family.

Just before Dubai, we stop at 'Last Exit,' where we enjoy delicious 'Arabic' food from the food truck in a stylish environment (from chicken burgers to mozzarella sticks and fries a la poutine with truffle sauce. Yummy 😋

For the first time, 3 of us are sitting outside at the picnic table wearing sweaters or jackets. I can't believe that I don't have to sweat here for the first time. +24 degrees, exactly my comfort temperature 😅

We reach our hotel for the next 5 days around 11 PM. The centrally located 4**** Tryp Hotel Dubai is not far from the palm. Perfect for our planned activities.

After a nightcap, it's time for bed - tomorrow is sightseeing day ☺️