Dubai

Nov 1st - Nov 7th 2024

Friday 1st November 2024

Home to Heathrow

Started the day working. 3 patients and we were done and dusted by 11:40. Came home for some lunch and a bit of a nap before the taxi from Grendon cars came at 14:30. Not our usual driver but his wife (the boss) and she’d brought the 9 seater van so there was plenty of room for us, the case and the wheelchair. All in all came to £140 which was cheaper than parking at LHR and with an Emirates chauffeur home - a no-brainer. 

Very simple run down to Heathrow - went on the back roads and got to the Crowne Plaza Terminal 4 by 15:40. Unloaded the wagon and a chap from the CP came out to grab the case. Very nice hotel. It’s a CP and an HIE all in one. Checked in and managed to destroy a few of their Halloween decorations on reception (accidentally you understand). 

Chap then brought our case up to the suite. We were in 6059 - right at the end of the corridor. Nice room. Very quiet with a lounge, bathroom and bedroom. Left the unpacking and went down to join Stuart in the Club Lounge. 

It was a Coke hotel so luckily I’d brought some Pepsi Max in a classy plastic bag. Had a beverage and a catch up and went back to the room around 17:00. Did some unpacking while Nikki had a doze. Nipped back to the Club Lounge to see what nibbles were on offer but decided not to stay. 

We’d planned to check out our route to T3 for the morning. Along the tunnel, down in the lift, on to the Lizzie Line and one stop to T3. Had a quick chat with Emirates about the procedure for the wheelchair in the morning and then went to The Oceanic land-side for our tea. Very good food indeed - like an upmarket Harvester! 

Wandered back to the hotel and were ready for bed around 20:30.  

Saturday 2nd November 2024

Heathrow to Dubai

Up at 04:45 for a 05:45 start. Absolutely horrible!! We never sleep too well the night before an early flight. 

Nikki made the coffee and we dined royally on the free Kit Kat and biscuits on the coffee tray! She had a shower while I started on the packing - and then it was my turn in the bathroom followed by the rest of the packing. 

We were downstairs a bit early and it was totally deserted. Stuart rocked up about 5 minutes later and we started the walk to T4 and the Lizzie Line. When we got to the platform we twigged the next train wasn’t for 28 mins. Boo! The train itself arrived about 15 mins later so we sat on it until 06:30. 

We had 3 Ali G soundalikes in the carriage. Turned out they were Heathrow workers finishing a night shift and they were getting hammered. Very friendly though! Insisted on wishing us Happy Diwali multiple times and one of them helped us off the train with our case!

Got to the Emirates check-in which was perfectly straightforward - as was security. Based ourselves in The Bridge Bar for an excellent breakfast. Sausage and bacon roll for Stuart, Eggs Florentine for Nikki and toast and croissant for me - along with OJ and coffee. Very friendly staff. 

Made our way to Gate 7 for EK008 and got checked in to the holding area. Waited about 20 minutes with the huge A380 outside the window before the SA chaps came for us. We were held on the airbridge but were first to board. I took Nikki’s wheelchair right into the plane it was so roomy!  

We were in 38J and 38K and Stuart was further forward in 33J. Premium economy feels so roomy. Very comfortable cream leather seats with the TV in the seat back. Headphones are a bit cheap but everything else feels very classy.

Took a while to load everyone through the various air bridges and we pushed back around 09:30 - so about 20 mins late. Quite a short taxi to the runway. With the A380 you hardly feel like you’re moving. Off down the runway and lumbered into the air. 

First up they came around with a warm flannel so had a good wash! Then it was breakfast. A sort of custard flavoured yoghurt with some delicious fruit - melon, strawberry, blackberry etc. then warm croissant and coffee. Really nice. Got ourselves sorted and settled down for a movie. 

Tried connecting to the internet with sporadic success. That’s $16.99 I’ll never see again. Toilets were at the front up 3 steps. There are 3 toilets there - one of which is tiny. Chatted with Stuart for a bit and wandered up and down PE. Very nice cabin. 

Lunch came about 2 hours before landing. Superb veggie curry but a very odd salad and desert. Liked the pile of bread that came with the curry. Nikki had a glass of wine and I had a Diet Pepsi. 

We were due to land at DXB at 20:00 and we touched down just after. Such a smooth landing and a very quick taxi to the gate. All the air bridges were rapidly connected. Had a slight wait while they dug the wheelchair out of the boot - though to be fair - quicker than EasyJet on an A319 - and then we were off. 

Disabled passengers were taken through security on their own - so me and Stuart went through the normal channel. Took about 10 minutes. At the baggage belt his case was 4th off but ours took an absolute age. Once we got them all the SA lady took us to the dedicated taxis for People of Determination! 

Got loaded up and pulled off before much shouting and banging on our windows from the other taxi drivers - our driver had forgot to load our case. Whoops. Took about 20 minutes down to the Staybridge Suites at Internet City. Seems whatever time of day the main Sheikh Zayed E11 road is packed. 

We were met by a chap outside who helped with the cases. Check-in took a while even though we were the only people there but we got sorted. 

Chap brought us up to 1809 on the 18th floor. Huge suite with a lounge, dining area and full kitchen. Dumped the case and got the shorts and sandals straight on. So humid. 

Decided we’d go to the corner shop and get some nibbles rather than go for a full meal - as we were still stuffed from the food on the plane. The shop right next to the hotel was closed so we went to the bigger one on the other corner. Got a load of Pepsi Max - or Pepsi No Sugar as it’s called here. We also got some crisps and doughnuts and went back to the first floor of the hotel for a very ad hoc picnic. 

Chap arrived with a hired stroller for Nikki. Getting on for 23:30 by this time so called it a day. Back in the room we properly unpacked and hit the hay around 00:30.

Sunday 3rd November 2024

Dubai

Absolutely superb night’s sleep. The bed is huge and really comfortable. 

I woke up around 07:40 and made some coffee. Discovered what I thought was milk the previous night at the shop wasn’t milk. It poured into the coffee and then just sat at the bottom of the cup regardless of how much I stirred it!

We sat on the balcony in the warm marvelling at the views for a while. Straight ahead is The Palm Jumeirah. To our right in the distance is the Burj al Arab and to our left is Jumeirah Lake Towers. Quite hazy but gloriously warm. The sun comes up behind our hotel so thankfully for me it’s not blazing sunshine on the balcony.

Nikki went for a shower and I sorted through all our pills and decided to do some washing. After more mooching around I went for a shower and we went for breakfast at 09:45. Wasn’t expecting much as it’s all included but was very pleasantly surprised. Lovely samosas and crispy hash browns!! Some fruit and decent coffee and juices. 

After breakfast we decided to give the metro a go and head up to the Mall of the Emirates. We went out of the back of the hotel and followed the block around before coming to the Internet City Station. Really warm and humid and so lovely to walk into the air-conditioned station. A lift took us up to the bridge level and then we used the travelators to glide above the Sheikh Zayed Road to the station concourse on the other side.

Bought our AED25 travel cards which came with AED19 credit each. It was AED3 each down to the Mall and the same back. Train wasn’t packed but it was certainly busy with lots of people going to or from work.

We had a good walk around the Mall and stopped for a beverage in the food court before checking out the enormous Carrefour. We picked up a few bits for the room. 

Came back on the Metro and got ourselves a sandwich from the coffee shop in the lobby - which took forever to come. Had a relaxed lunch in our suite while watching Kamala on SNL. Most enjoyable. 

Decided we’d have some downtime and then meet up again around 18:00 for dinner. Nikki sat on the balcony in the warm and spoke to her Mum on FaceTime while I watched TV for a bit and then dozed on the couch. 

I ordered an Uber for 18:05 and we met in reception. Very nice Uber Van - loads of room. We’re off to the buffet at Anise at the Intercontinental Festival City. We first stayed in this hotel 15 years ago and were just blown away by the buffet - so it was a much anticipated return. It’s also the hotel where my Mum & Dad stayed when we surprised them on their 50th wedding anniversary so lots of memories. 

We went to the hotel’s Vista Bar early so we could watch it getting dark over Dubai - but the dark had beaten us to it. We had a fabulous 45 minutes sat outside on the terrace watching the new musical fountains (and fire machines) and the skyline lighting up including the Burj Khalifa in the distance. Very nice rosé wine for Nikki, non alcoholic beer for me and coffee for Stuart. 

Went in to dinner at 19:30. Our initial scan of the buffet left us feeling it wasn’t as quite as good as we remembered. We had some salad to start with hummus and pita. Then I discovered the Indian station. Cracking Dhal and Paneer dish alongside a chickpea curry. Plus when I asked where the naan bread was they insisted on cooking a plate full fresh and bringing it to our table. Maybe that should have warned us what was to come. 

After a break I fancied a single slice of pizza so went with Stuart to where that was being cooked. Also there were bits of beef. Stuart asked the chef if he could have a small bit with a couple of potatoes and I said I’d grab a slice of pizza for me and Nikki when they were ready. Chef told us to sit down and he’d bring it over. About 10 mins later half a cow arrived for Stuart along with 20 roast potatoes, 2 corn on the cob and a mountain of carrots. I mean seriously enough to feed a whole family of 8 for Christmas Dinner with sandwiches for Boxing Day! We were enjoying his discomfort when two entire family sized pizzas arrived for me and Nikki. Jeez! It wasn’t happening. We all picked at our food for half an hour and it just wasn’t getting any smaller! 

Gave up by 21:15 and called an Uber. Another nice van turned up and whisked us back down to Internet City. Quick coffee and bed by 22:30. 

Monday 4th November 2024

Dubai

Another cracking night’s sleep. Took me a while to drop off but when I did I stayed well and truly dropped off until just after 07:00. We sat in the lounge with the balcony door open enjoying the Monday morning sounds of Dubai. 

We went down for breakfast after showers at 09:15. It wasn’t such a good spread today - the veggie samosas were now chicken and the hash browns had been replaced with spring rolls. Had some cornflakes and then spring roll with eggs. 

Planning for the day led us to aim for Atlantis The Palm. We knew we had to be back for 13.15 to change for afternoon tea at the Burj Khalifa. Worked out it was 45 mins and 3 changes on the metro down to Atlantis or an air conditioned van for AED63 and 15 minutes. 

Got there and wandered down to the massive aquarium for a gawp. I’ve seen it a few times now over the years and it is still jaw-dropping. So many sharks, rays, and fish of all types and colours. The whole place feels very Las Vegas! 

We retraced our route and ended up in Coldstone - the first one we ever visited 15 years ago. Still amazing watching them throw the ice cream around! I had vanilla with Snickers; Nikki had vanilla with Kit Kat and Stuart went for mint with M&Ms and sprinkles. Superb! 

Had a half hearted look at the monorail but instead called another Uber van to take us back to the hotel. Had a bit of downtime and a change before meeting in the lobby for our 13:15 van up to the Burj Khalifa. 

Journey was swift apart from the last mile or so. Loads of traffic in that district. We got dropped off at the front doors of the Armani Hotel and were then directed inside and down in a lift to the Atmosphere reception. We were escorted to a lift which whisked us up 123 floors. Then there was a flight of stairs to go down so they took us a back way to another lift and through the kitchen and out into the lounge itself. 

The views were jaw dropping - it just didn’t look real. It was quite misty but you could easily make out the buildings in the far distance and we could certainly see down all 122 floors to the ground. Jeez! 

Our table of 3 was right by the window looking south over Dubai and west out to sea. We could see the Burj Al Arab and the coastline and straight down to the Dubai Mall. 

Chap came with some cold flannels and some hibiscus drink. Very nice. Then they explained the afternoon tea. We had non-alcoholic Champagne for me and Stuart - and the proper stuff for Nikki. They brought a big metal desert stand with egg, & cucumber sandwiches plus some pastry things filled with cream cheese with balsamic beads. Also on there was a decent selection of cakes! 

I have to say the toilets were amazing - views right out from 3 windows with the sinks in front of them! 

We whiled away a good few hours before going back down in the lifts and calling an Uber from outside the Armani Hotel. It took ages to come because of the traffic so we spent the time taking pictures of the Burj Khalifa. 

The journey back down to the hotel took a while as we were up against the start of rush hour. Back at the hotel we went on the hunt for Pepsi Max. No luck in our 3 local supermarkets so we ended up getting it from Deliveroo from Waitrose. Mind you at £0.52 a can - not bad. 

Had some downtime and then convened in our suite for some tea thanks to Deliveroo and Johnny Rockets. We were interrupted by fireworks in the distance over the Burj Al Arab so watched them for a while on the balcony. We then ended up watching the Trump movie The Apprentice until 22:30. And so to bed perchance to dream.

Tuesday 5th November 2024

Dubai

Absolutely awful night’s sleep. My cold has arrived with a vengeance. After a number of trips to blow my nose on what now felt like sandpaper tissues - I decided to give up and get up! Sat in the lounge from 05:00 and watched the news - quietly. 

Here we go - US election day - the main reason we come to Dubai in the first place. It’s all about watching the results come in at a decent time - and also with the added benefit of it being warm.

Sun started to come up around 6:15 so I relocated to the balcony to watch it arrive. Beautiful morning - a bit misty but most enjoyable to watch the area coming to life. In the distance there’s a school and I could see football training going on from about 6:45 - before the heat fully arrives I guess. Nikki got up by 08:00 and joined me on the balcony for morning coffee. Most enjoyable. 

Went down for breakfast around 09:30 and we made our plans for the day. Voted to head for the Dubai Mall at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa. We used the Metro to get there but it was quite busy. 

When we arrived at the Mall station we realised it was still quite a long way to the shopping centre - and by God it was. Long air conditioned tunnels - thankfully with moving walkways so not bad. The Mall itself is HUGE. Loads of shops and a bit more boutique than the Mall of the Emirates. We checked out the Ecco shop but found the shoes were actually more expensive than in the UK. We also saw the aquarium just below the biggest TV screen I’ve ever seen - along with 2 divers holding up an advert. Very Dubai! 

Found the food court and, as Nikki was a bit chilled by the a/c, we sat outside with a huge Pepsi Max and a bag of chips for the table. Realised that when you looked up from our table there was an incredible view of the Burj Khalifa peeping over the roof. 

After our break we went to M&S and bought a cardigan for Nikki and some jeans for me followed by a nose around the M&S Foodhall - I know - pathetic! We also found a pharmacy for some cold meds and Olbas Oil. 

Decided to get an Uber van back to the hotel. Very well organised system for where they pick you up at the Mall and the Uber turned up in about 10 minutes. 

Simple journey back down. Couldn’t make our minds up about lunch so ended up having some muffins in the lobby. I then had a long nap with CNN on in the background. 

Met up again at 19:00 downstairs. We were going across to the hotel nearby for dinner - but I wish we hadn’t. It was on the 6th floor of the Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments. Absolutely soulless - no atmosphere at all. A very tired looking buffet so we went on the menu they were reluctant to offer. I had to show them that I’d seen it on the internet before it was eventually produced. I had humous to start with a biryani for mains. Really quite dreadful. Nikki’s salad was plastered in onions and Stuart’s Spag Bol was tepid to say the least. Oh and it was dry so no glass of wine for Nikki. Soon got out of there - never to be repeated.

Back to our room to check in for our flight home on Thursday and to double check our seats via YouTube and called it a night around 22:30

Wednesday 6th November 2024

Dubai

A better night thanks to the godlike offerings of Olbas Oil - but still sniffly. Got up around 05:30 and got straight in to the news shows. Far too early for any major results but a feeling that Kamala was doing better than expected in some places. 

YouTube wanted to give me a month’s free trial of ad free so I sorted that and then set up all the major networks channels in favourites. The positive Kamala vibes didn’t last long. By the time we went down to breakfast the momentum had switched Trump’s way. 

After breakfast at 07:45 our Watch Party commenced with appropriate refreshments. I took Nikki down to the pool and got her settled then came back up and waved to her from the balcony. It was still technically possible for Harris to pull off a victory but her road to 270 soon got narrower and narrower. 

By lunchtime Dubai time it looked a foregone conclusion. Fox called it first while the other networks held off. We watched Trump’s speech (ramble) and ordered lunch from a salad place. Went and got Nikki and brought her up for lunch while me and Stuart waited for Kwame to Deliveroo our nosebag. 

After lunch me and Nikki went back down to the pool and had a dip. Pool man insisted on taking our pictures for us. Back to the room for a nap the second the sun came around the building. We then sat on the balcony and watched the sun set and Dubai heading home. 

Met Stuart downstairs at 18:30 for the manager’s reception. A few nibbles and what seemed to be some games but couldn’t understand what the host was saying. Stayed for about 10 minutes before making our excuses. 

Walked down to the Metro. Horribly busy. Managed to get to the platform by being loud and stern with people. The first train was too packed to even get on with the wheelchair. When the second one came I just yelled “Move down the carriage please” in my best, loud voice and it seemed to work. Total crush though. We were only going 2 stops and were glad to get off at Mall of the Emirates. 

Used the moving walkways to get into the Mall and found the food court. Me and Nikki had fancied a KFC burger - ordering and delivery took ages but at least they had Pepsi Max (Black). Stuart had a burger from Hardees and we whiled away the time people watching. Dubai has changed a lot since we were last here. Back then every other person was wearing Burka or Dish Dash. This time hardly any were. 

Walked up to Coldstone and had another really good ice cream before jumping back on the now quieter Metro back to Internet City.

Thursday 7th November 2024

Dubai to Home

Again another snuffly night so was up and about a good 40 minutes before our 06:30 alarm call.

We’re flying home on Emirates flight EK003 in Business Class at 14:30 local time and the airport is about 25 minutes away. BUT our plan is to get there early and to make the most of Emirates’ legendary lounge.

Did some mild packing and balcony sitting before going down at 08:00 for breakfast. Last chance to wear shorts and sandals! By 08:20 we were done so back up to the room to finish the packing.

I’d booked an Uber for 09:30 figuring we’d get to the airport by 10:00 and into the lounge by 10:45ish. As it was by 09:10 we were in reception and our Uber turned up by 09:15. The run up to the airport was very straightforward - no queues at all.

When we arrived at the BC check-in area a chap popped our cases on a trolley and led us through to a huge, but deserted, Business Class check-in. Nobody else there at all. The lady checked us in within 5 minutes and said as we were early we were welcome to wait in the lounge. We just acted surprised that they had a lounge. Yes please!

Security was a doddle - again no queue and within about 10 minutes of being dropped off we were airside and heading to the lounge.

It runs the entire length of the terminal and is on its own floor. The ground floor is the main concourse, first floor is First Class and top floor is Business Class. We went to the reception which is in the centre and were invited to go left or right - same both sides. We had an explore first looking at all the food offerings before deciding to have a drink. We were sat near a departures board and had some Pepsi Max while Nikki had her first Champagne of the day - Moet. Many more to come!

We then saw our gate had been announced and by chance realised we were sat right next to it at Gate 14. We moved to a group of four comfortable chairs around a table and got settled - plugging in phones etc. We then had an announcement that there was a fire in the building and we were to standby - we did - but never heard anything more.

Me and Stuart then went for a proper look around all the food places. Came back with more Champagne for Nikki along with some nibbles - baclava and a nice pecan thingy. More wandering ensued and we found the designated quiet area - not realising there were people lying on day-beds behind these wooden screens. 

Back with the food offerings which were now changing from breakfast to lunch. At the place near us they had some nice stone baked pizza along with pasta - gutted I didn’t go for the salad and humous I found later on!

By this point it was getting close to boarding time - when I came out of the loo I had a text saying boarding was open. We walked the 100 feet or so to the boarding gate and were told it wasn’t open just yet. Bit of confusion but all sorted in the end. Chap tagged the wheelchair and we took the lift down at Gate 14 straight on to the airbridge for Business/First Class. Very nice!

A helpful FA gave Nikki her arm and helped along to 16E while I grabbed the cushion and sorted the wheelchair. I was in 16F and Stuart in 16A in a 1-2-1 formation. Business Class seat was very nice indeed. We spent the first few minutes pressing all the buttons and generally making ourselves at home. 1 plug, 2 USB ports, 1 HDMI port plus a tablet AND a controller for the main, huge TV screen. I worked out that the seat went into full slouch mode and enjoyed that with my feet up on the foot rest.

Our FA came around, addressed us by name and introduced herself before offering us a warm towel and a drink - I had orange juice and Nikki had Champagne. Most enjoyable. Eventually we pushed back from the gate - which we watched on the cameras. We taxied out to the runway and we watched take-off on TV. Plane hardly seemed to be moving enough to get off the ground.

Once up in the air I started to feel a bit unwell - like I’d eaten too much and didn’t feel like food. Probably from the fact I’d eaten too much in the lounge maybe! I put my bed into recline mode and started watching a film but generally dozed for a while. I was offered dinner but declined - must have been ill!

After a couple of hours dozing I started to feel a bit better so joined Stuart on a wander back to the bar area. The FA there made me a very nice Mint Tea and we sat in the bar and watched the world go by. 4 toilets there and the ones next to each fuselage have windows in them - new one for me! The other two don’t have the fuselage curve in them which I preferred.

Back to our seats for afternoon tea. Asked that me and Nikki could just have the cheese sandwiches and the scones - Nikki’s was fine but mine came with the meat ones too so I sent them back. Scones delicious so sat and watched live CNN on the TV as President Biden spoke to the nation after Trump’s big win.

Watched a bit more TV and we were ready to land. Seemed to happen very quickly - one moment we were over Essex, the next the seatbelt lights were on and we were on final approach. Once we landed we were held on the ground for about 15 minutes as our gate wasn’t ready.

Getting off from Business Class was much easier as there were fewer people plus we had our own dedicated air-bridge. Chap came with the airpot wheelchair and we were taken to the top of the air-bridge. Bit of confusion as to where our chair was but a lift door opened and there it was. We made our own way down to passport control. We’d been given Fast Track but when we got there we were directed to the disabled line which was empty and were told to keep the Fast Track for another time!

Very friendly Border Force man got us through quite quickly and when we got to the baggage hall our cases had been taken off the belt and lined up in the Business Class collection point - rather swish.

After a quick toilet break, we went through and found the Emirates Chauffeur area - a bit of confusion as to which booking was for which car but we got there. Stuart’s car came first so we bade our farewells - I nipped back up to M&S for some supplies and by the time I got back, our car was there.

Chap got us loaded in a nice Mercedes 6 seater van and we shot off like a scalded cat. I don’t think he left the fast lane once on the M40 between the M25 and Bicester and he wasn’t hanging around! Once we got to the village roads though it was the complete opposite - 15mph!

Arrived home at 20:30 and took the case up before having 30 mins on the couch with a drink and bed.

Excellent trip!