Novotel Abu Dhabi Centre Hotel

It took 31 hours of travel to get to the UAE. New York to Hong Kong to Singapore to Dubai then 90 minute drive to my hotel. I took the long way around to meet up with my travel partner in Hong Kong. It would have been easier to fly straight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but...<br><br>My first visit to Abu Dhabi. This is the richest city in the world if you consider per capita ...

... a pretty language even if it means safety instructions take twice as long to get to us. We were on 'Coral class' which is a euphemism for economy, but was still great. After a 15 hour (!!) flight from Sydney we are now in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. There are duty free stores selling pink camel toys, and many local-grown dates. the airport terminal is incredible - like a circular space ship with tapered column in the middle, completely covered in ...

... whose base is Abu Dhabi. Had we known that Etihad, no doubt realising how boring Abu Dhabi is, provide free buses down the highway to the much more fun Dubai, we would have skipped this strange little non-city. It's not dirty or tired, or smelly or anything, it just lacks any sort of redeeming or charming character. It feels like a city that's been thrown up recently in a flurry to provide for lots of wealthy people who suddenly want ...

... side of the argument a little. I do have a friend who took up the veil and spoke often of how it liberated her. I told my hostess about this, and the African tribes things, but she was having none of it. She won the debate fair and square I think with her view that it wasn´t essentially not for a woman to take on the responsibility of man´s desire. Fair point. I had a glass of wine to celebrate. Actually walking later in ...

... you if you're ok (?) and even calling you to check That you're happy.a bit too much sometimes! Our room was perfect, there is even bar in the pool..just look at the pictures! We went to the desert in a jeep, went dune bashing and camel riding..the camel didn't like me much but at least he didn't spit at me like he did at Mark.. Finished up the day with a arabic bbq and some shisha...The sand was so fine I think I still have some left in my teeth!

... were lots of other travellers around, but they were all on an earlier flight. So soon it was just me and two other women. A member of airport staff came round clearing us back into the main area. I pretended to be asleep and, because of the cultural rules, he couldn't touch me to get me to wake up. I had to bite my cheek not to laugh. Oh, sue me, it was funny!<br><br>He then tried to get the other women to tell "their friend" to move, but they refused, being obtuse ...

So here I am making an epic journey to a new home after 3 years, 4 months and 5 days in Dubai. Funnily, I thought Dubai would be the end of the road for me, however, it was meant to be - I was meant to move to country number 10... With me I've brought Minu and Sébeau my cats who became my family in Dubai. My friend Tia ...

... are equals so we can't show them any extra respect than we would a man so I guess it's out of the question...at least that's what a feminist would argue!!! I'm all for it...I think women and men are different and women should get a few breaks here and there, but that's me. What do you guys think??? Anyways, the drive was gorgeous and we got to see a lot of cool looking high rises. Then we got to see where all the workers live and it's not to nice!!! The buildings even said "Workers ...

... at home sitting on cushions on the ground around our dining table. We checked out the market stalls before Mandy and I got some Henna on our wrists. Mandy was pretty ****** off with her Henna design and especially so when it rubbed off all over her pants. The belly dancer was good, but not as good as Shane was. That could be me being biased, but I have to say there's nothing like seeing a 6"1 bald man flick is 'hair' around while gyrating his belly ...