After a long wait at the Johannesburg airport, I was finally able to board my flight to Abu Dhabi. I quickly realised once I got on the plane that I had the middle seat in my row which is definitely the worst seat on a plane - you don't get the window view/head rest and you don't get the aisle to stretch your legs. Instead you're squished between two strangers. It wasn't the worst flight however, I was flying with Etihad and their seats are pretty comfortable and have this cool head rest thing so I was able to get a few hours of sleep. After watching Suicide Squad I dozed off for the next few hours until we finally landed at Abu Dhabi at around 5:30am local time, or 3:30am Johannesburg time. I was very, very tired.
I had been a bit anxious about this short trip, more anxious than I had been about my 2 weeks planned in Namibia. While Africa, or at least southern Africa, I feel as though I know somewhat well, the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East are new territory for me.
After arriving at the airport, I had booked a bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai - I have a 3 and a half day stop over so the plan is to spend 2.5 days in Dubai and my last day in Abu Dhabi. Etihad provides a free shuttle bus between the two cities if you flew with them, so I got to ride in a comfortable coach for the 1.5 hour trip. The bus also had usb ports to charge your phone and WiFi! Amazing! I was able to keep in touch with everyone back home while catching my first glimpses of the UAE, but soon enough I was asleep and woke up just as we reached Dubai.
We reached at around 9am and I was able to call an Uber. There were cabs available but from what I read online the location of the backpackers I wanted to stay at was a bit obscure, so I thought it much easier if I had an Uber driver with google maps to take me. He showed up soon in a Lexus and we were on our way. They drive on the right hand side here - the first country I have visited that does this.
We soon arrived at the address of The Domme Backpackers which I had booked. However we had reached an apartment complex and there were no signs anywhere. The Uber driver asked around and we were at the right address apparently, but no one seemed to know about the backpackers. It was clear my driver wanted to go so he soon took off and this other man helped me, telling me that I would need to go to the third floor of the building, as the address was "332". Up we went, and as we walked around the building looking for the room I was becoming more and more worried ... where was this place? This did not look like a backpackers at all this was a residential area... should I try and find somewhere else to stay? But where can I go in Dubai that won't completely break my budget??
We reached room 332 however, and there enough was a sign welcoming me to The Domme Backpackers. I was still confused but this was definitely it. Basically, the backpackers is one room inside the apartment complex, with two of the largest rooms used as dorms. It was a bit disheartening being there, it didn't quite look like the pictures, and while I wasn't expecting the Burj Al Arab (the 7 star hotel in Dubai), it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for after a long trip.
I booked it anyways, it seems okay, the people are friendly and Dubai is an expensive place so I can't really be to choosey. In South Africa and Namibia I had been paying an average of $15aud per night for a dorm room ... here in Dubai it would cost me $35 per night. So for the next 3 nights I shall stay at The Domme Backpackers here in Dubai, and then on Tuesday head to Abu Dhabi, where I think I might splurge a bit and get a hotel so I'm well rested before my 14 hour flight back to Melbourne.
After having a shower and organising myself a bit, I took a walk down to the metro station to buy a Nol Card so I could use Dubai's driverless trains. The train station was only about 1km away and the walk was quite pleasant. Its the middle of winter here in Dubai so it was only about 25 degrees Celcius today - a lot nicer than walking around Windhoek!
Dubai's metro is pretty simple, there are only three lines (I think), and I just wanted to get to the Dubai Mall - the biggest shopping mall in the world. After a bit of confusion - I realised I had to take the green line to the next station and then change to catch the red line - I was on the metro heading into the city! It only took about 15 minutes, but soon enough I was walking into the Dubai Mall.
It is honestly just like any other shopping mall, except bigger. There's a massive aquarium on the lower level (so many fish in such small area ...) and lots, and lots, of shops. I didn't end up buying anything (to save money and also because I don't think I have the space to bring anything else home with me... I've got to try and squeeze two bottles of wine into my checked in luggage that I bought at the duty free in Joburg ...) except some Indian food for lunch. I have to start getting to used to more expensive meals now sadly (back to eating at Australian prices).
The top of the Burj Khalifa
I was at one point planning to head to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, but when I went to buy my ticket it was peak time which was quite a bit more expensive. The tickets are around $50aud to go up but it would cost me close to $75 to go up if I wanted to go up now. Otherwise I would have had to wait a few more hours for the cheaper tickets, and to be honest I just want to sleep. I'm planning on going up tomorrow morning though, so lets hope for clear skies!
Its past 9pm now in Dubai and it's Saturday night ... I think this is finally an acceptable time for me to get some sleep. I am very, very tired and am probably going to have big day tomorrow visiting all the tourist sites (going to try and catch a glimpse of this 7 star hotel). Dubai has been very pleasant so far, the weather has been nice, the people have been friendly (twice today people have asked me for directions ... do I look like I know what I'm doing???) and I have felt pretty safe walking around and taking in the scenery. I'm excited to see what happens tomorrow!
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