How to almost not make it to Istanbul at 140 km/h

I was woken by nagging mother at some ungodly hour as we needed be back to Abu Dhabi International Airport by 8.00 am to catch our 9.20 am flight to Istanbul.  We had to drive back the 200 kms to Abu Dhabi, deliver the rental car back and then take a taxi to the airport.  We had worked out the time needed to get there in plenty of time for all this to happen.  However, we did not count on a heavy fog which made it impossible to see more than 10 metres in front for about 150 km of our journey to the Abu Dhabi.  This single lane each way with no barrier down the middle.  Many heavy trucks were coming towards us through the fog.  After about an hour, we began to panic realising that the chances of making the flight were getting slimmer by the minute.  A call to the 24 hour service for a rental car turned out to be a 9 to 5 number.  Not helpful.  A call to airline confirmed that the last time to check in our luggage was 8.20 am.  The GPS told us that we arrive at 9.10 am if we did not deliver the rental car!!!  Oh dear!  Finally, got hold of the rental car company and they promised to have someone pick up the car at the airport.  By now some patches of fog had lifted so we could increase our driving speed.  We have been advised that the speed limit posted did not really mean what it said.  There was a 20 km per hour lee way - so 120 limit really meant, 140 km per hour before you are in voliation and could be given a fine.  Considering our circumstances, we decided to take advantage of this UAE law flexibility.  The GPS told us that we would be arriving at 8.50 am now.  We only needed to make up 30 minutes in 30 minutes!!!  We did  our best - Abu Dhabi Airport signs gave us hope that we nearing our destination - only 5 minutes before check in closed. 

A sign indicated that we should turn off to the airport on the right but the GPS told us to go straight - as the we had trusted the GPS till now, we followed the instructions - bad idea!  Immediately, we realised this but it absolutely impossible to change at that point.  The GPS was now telling us that we had 5 km to go before turning off.  This was the point where we realised that we would not be going to Istanbul today.  There was an opening between median strip barriers clearly marked no U-Turn.  Desperate, we now broke UAE law and made a U-Turn.  It was 8.30 am - check in was closed.  We drove past Terminal 1, then Terminal 2 and now here was Terminal 3. My mum got out, grabbed the luggage and made a dash for check in, jumping to the front of the queue.... "Sorry, Istanbul flight has closed."  "Please, please...."  A quick call and our luggage was accepted, but now we had to clear immigration and get to the gate which was a 15 minute walk.  A mad dash through the airport and we were last to board and just in time!!!!  Phew.

Me driving! :D

Our Resort

Sand Dunes

Sand Shoes

Sunrise from the resort room was spectacular with the colours and shadows of the early morning light creating different effects on the rise and fall of the sand dunes.  We had arrived in the dark of night and could now see how isolated our resort was - surrounded only by desert sands and nothing else.  From the highway, we had driven 14 km through nothing but sand.  We discovered this by taking a walk all the way round the resort up and down the sand dunes.  Sometimes the sand was hard and a small footprint was left on the surface showing where we had been.  Other times, my leg sunk almost to my knee as the soft sand gave way on the edge of the dune.  I began to regret wearing my boots as they became heavier as they filled up with more sand with every step, like the way water rushes in when you step into a pond.

Having explored the immediate surrounds, we asked a hotel staff member for advice on what could be seen nearby. He suggested we visit an oasis and  palace and also look at the world's largest sand dune.  When we asked how we could view the largest sand dune, he told us we were already in it!  Directions to the oasis and palace were sketchy and once we realised there were no roads and we would need to drive over the world's largest sand dune in small car not built for such a purpose, we abandoned the idea rapidly! 

Taking to the right side of the ungraded road, we decided to see where the roads would lead.  This was my first opportunity to drive on the opposite side of the road in a left-hand drive vehicle.  More sand dunes, the occasional camel, small farms of palm trees and workers villages came into view between the mounds of sand.  On reaching the main road, we also found a small town with identical homes, a small mosque and not much else.  Heading back to the resort, we watched the sun set over the sand dunes.

Ships of the Desert or was that Dessert?

Waking up to Abu Dhabi, from the window of my hotel room, I was able to see the great expanse of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.  Taking up the space of five football fields, it can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers at once.  This very traditional mosque has the best of everything, the worlds' largest chandeliers and the largest hand made rug, inlayed designs in marble. All supported, by Sony and Panasonic. No more calls to prayer by some poor old bloke singing at the top of his voice out to the local comunity with the aid of the latest Japanese technology. In closer insection the chandelier is made up of thousands of LEDs and payer room has the latest plasma television.


We left Abu Dhabi on a ROAD TRIP!
Leaving the edges of Abu Dhabi and not going around any roundabouts the wrong way, we found we were journeying down a straight line through the desert for almost 200 kilometres.  Sand dunes all around, a neverending line of large power cables disappearing over the horizon, the occasional patch of farmed palm trees gave the expectation of a fairly monotonous journey.  What was that in the distance?  A pyramid?  A jumbo jet? A jumbo sized car? Am I seeing things? As we got closer I found out it was not a mirage.


Lone men in traditional arab garb came in and out of view as we drove by.  There was nothing as far as the eye could see apart from the sand dunes. So many questions! Where did these men come from? What were they doing? Where were they going? Why are they crouching on the ground?  No clues that we could see.  Suddenly, two men standing by the side of the road, dismantling a large wooden crate.  No vehicle, no buildings, nothing in sight apart from the sand.  What were they going to do with it?  How were they going to get it anywhere?  Further down the road, a boat just resting on the sand in the middle of nowhere... by now we are about 100 km from the nearest stretch of water....  Finally, something we were half expecting, camels.... walking in a neat line one after the other, over the sand dunes... No humans on their backs nor walking by their sides... they knew where they were going and what they were doing.

Journey's end, we reach the Qasr Al Sarab Resort - at last, buildings in the middle of the sand dunes.  A most impressive room in a very impressive resort.  Off to dinner finishing with a very fitting Camel milk crème brulée.

My Mother!

Three ages, all in one photo

It was a pretty awesome swing.

Random Jumbo Jet in the Desert

Camels

One of the people walking dwon the road in the middle of nowhere

Fish Toes

Last day in Singapore.... must dos not done... take the Singapore Wheel to view as far as the eye can see including views to Malaysia and Indonesia.  Well, if it had been a clear day...  Great view of Singapore anyway.  One hour left before check out and making our way back to Changi Airport.... what one last experience can be squeezed into this short period of time and will not be spoilt by this wet weather?  It had to be... the Fish Spa!

These turkish fish like to nibble away at the dead skin cells of human feet... leaving the feet silky smooth like a babies bottom. The sensations of hundreds of fish nibbiling on your feet and legs was not one I got accustomed to in the 30 mins I was in there. But it's one of those experiences you need to try before you die.

Botanic Gardens

Awesome Flower!

Turtle

The Bumface Tree

Singapore Flyer

Fish Spa

Changi Airport, gates as far as the eye can see. It can take up to 20 mins to walk to a gate!