Dubai (30th August – 3rd September)

The shortest part of our long journey home. This is just four nights in Dubai.

We had a flight booked from London to Abu Dhabi but Covid rules in Abu Dhabi meant that we would have to quarantine for 7 days. Since our flight to New Zealand leaves Dubai in 4 days this was not going to work.

Fortunately the rules allow us to transfer directly from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and Dubai does not require us to quarantine.

So we are in a very fancy looking apartment on the 19th floor of 77 storey building below. The views are fabulous and the apartment looks great. However, it is what Nigel’s sister would describe as ‘fur coat and no knickers. It looks good but some of the basics are missing.

The bed is a fabulous grand king size. It looks magical, but the sheets and duvet cover are too small. The pillows were so bad that we put the pillow cases on the settee cushions and used them instead.

The bathroom taps are elegant tower affairs but if you try to wash you hands under them water splashes all over the floor.

The kitchen looked great but there is nowhere to drain the dishes. No tea towel or dish cloth for that matter.

Oh first world problems. We do suffer.

It’s 45 degrees outside so we are not walking around too much. We have made one trip to Dubai Mall for a little shopping.

Other that that we have simply arranged for a courier to bring our belongings that were left in Sue’s office in Abu Dhabi, repacked our bags, arranged transport to the airport and had our PCR Covid tests done.

On our last night, one of Sue’s colleagues made the long trip from Abu Dhabi just to say goodbye. Thank you Eve. It was fabulous to see you and we look forward to seeing the whole family in New Zealand one day.

We are now in the Emirates lounge killing time as we wait to board. We really are on our way home.