Rewinding back to yesterday...
The flight - If you know me well you will know I absolutely hate flying and my usual routine for flying is two double amarettos, an tablet for anxiety and many tears and that's before I even board! However yesterday, after getting up at 7am with about four hours sleep (the waiter from the night before decided to ignore our request for DECAF coffee, resulting in my brain working overtime at 2am!), and a tearful goodbye with Dad, I decided 9am was a little early for alcohol... So I just went for a single amaretto!
If you haven't flown with Emirates before, you need too. As soon as I stepped on the plane I felt reassured. I was welcomed by beautiful flight attendants in gorgeous Emirates uniform, given three seats to myself and a warm cloth to freshen up before take off. The plane was so massive I didn't feel take off or landing apart from some very slight turbulence half way through. The faultless service was continued with endless complimentary drinks (mainly G & Ts), afternoon tea, raspberry cheesecake, blankets to have a nap with, baileys coffee, and when it got slightly darker, the lights dimmed and tiny lights appeared on the ceiling - similar to the 'star cloth' Miss F and Miss T! I'm aware I'm starting to sound like a review on Trip Advisor but the flight has magically cured my fear of flying... For now. Get on an Emirates flight Nicky Austin!
The arrival - After disembarking the plane, I made my way through passport control, where I had my passport stamped with a 30 day visa and got told I had a beautiful name! After waiting about 45 minutes for my case (which seemed like a lifetime!) I wandered through Dubai airport to meet my lovely new boss Michelle. My first impression of Dubai was how clean and how hot it was. We drove through this city of lights to the other side to the Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai , which takes roughly half an hour to get across, completely mesmerised by the amount of lights and palm trees. Here is where I had my first taste of the Dubai lifestyle... we drove up to the hotel doors and Michelle told me we would be going here for drinks as Dubai doesn't have pubs just posh hotel bars and to hop out of the car as it was valet parking! Here is where I met Kiera (who I'm sharing my apartment with) and Matt, (Kiera's boss). The girls enjoyed a free evening as it was ladies night and it was buy 'three for free', so for all those rumours out there that girls can't drink in Dubai, stand corrected!
After a tiring a day, I arrived back at my new home, my apartment in The Greens, which is lovely and spacious - a three bed place with three bathrooms, a kitchen, and a lounge. So much space for just the two of us, so anyone fancy a holiday, there's a guest room for you all!
Today...
After a good nights sleep, I spent most of the day with Michelle, sorting out arrangements for the start of term on Sunday - The Dubai working week is Sunday-Thursday. I was made to feel so at home by Michelle, her lovely mother in law and her new gorgeous baby Harlee, and spoilt with lunch and tea at her beautiful Villa.
I'm pretty much unpacked and super tired after a busy couple of days. Tomorrow I'm heading out with Michelle in my new hire car to give driving over here a try, which will be interesting to say the least!!
Below are a few pictures of my new home in the desert and to show you how much I'm missing the English weather...
Night all! Xx
The beautiful hotel...
No comments:
Post a Comment