Travel

[Alter Ego]

I’m a little intimidated to start this report.  I arrived home over a week ago and still can’t believe everything I did.  In fact, it really felt like I took two completely different vacations, for the luxurious “newness” of Abu Dhabi couldn’t be more different from the loud and crowded streets of Kathmandu.

So why did I do this?  How did I decide to go to Nepal (and not to trek!)?

A few years ago I went on a group tour to Kenya - it was actually the start of my solo traveling and, in particular, of my traveling the globe for wildlife.  During this trip, one of the women commented about Tiger Tops in Nepal and this stuck with me.  I started following them on social media and, over time, saw them transition to a “kinder” safari option - after the earthquake, they used that time of rebuilding to rebrand themselves and no longer offer the elephant safari rides. Oh - but don’t worry - I still went on safari with their resident elephants and...well, you’ll just need to wait and see.

Next, I needed to select an airline.  In addition to a great price, Etihad ended up having the best flight times.  In particular, the shortest layover on my return flights.  Three nights in Abu Dhabi was therefore easily added to my trip.

If I haven’t mentioned this before, my favorite vacation includes both city and wildlife.

But first, I need to kick these two out of the collapsed top of my eBags TLS Mother Lode Junior 25 inch Wheeled Duffel.  

It it must be comfy - they don’t otherwise sit together like that!

After the cat hair has been cleaned out of my luggage and my bags packed, I’m on my way!!

[Alter Ego]

The flight itself was uneventful.  The start of the flight though...

It was very orderly getting on the plane, lining us up by zones so our passports could be checked once more before boarding.  No problem finding space for my carryon.  Then, the woman next to me needed to go to the bathroom. No problem.  Stood up such that I was now looking behind me only to see several of the flight attendants congregating in one area.  Sat down and 4 of Chicago’s finest walked on board.  A few minutes later, they left with two people. It was all quietly done.  Can’t say what happened, but I can say that I heard one of the flight attendants ask another if she knew who “first heard the statement.” Flight left late as their bags needed to be taken off the plane.

After that, I did what I usually do on long plane rides - blatantly watch cartoons and other movies catered to someone far younger than my age (Coco, Justice League, Maze Runner, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.) I’m not proud.

Quickly got through immigration, followed the instructions from TripAdvisor to catch a cab, and soon arrived at my hotel, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.  I have no idea which one it is!!  LOL

Lobby

View from my room

My my room wasn’t ready until after 3 - and I even got a little upgrade! Stopped for lunch while I waited.

Let me be honest, the hotel itself wasn’t that expensive.  Food was very very expensive. $20 glass of wine expensive. Abu Dhabi is expensive in general, but this is a hotel used to people with expense reports!  Food budget blown’

OH!  Smoking is very prevalent. Was never asked if I wanted nonsmoking and I saw ashtrays on every other table.

[Alter Ego]

Bonus view - taken by the elevators on my floor.

The white buildings are the Presidential Palace.  The brown building at the bottom right of the photo is the Emerites Palace hotel.

[Alter Ego]

My days were planned well in advance.  

There were supposed to be three new world class museums built in Abu Dhabi - the Louvre, The Guggenheim, and a National Museum.  Only the Louvre has been completed and I’m not sure what the status is of the other two - there’s definitely still construction going on, but I understand there is no completion date.

Knowing the Louvre is open until 8 on Sunday, but closed on Monday, meant that it was my first stop.  And, it’s a perfectly nice museum.  But...well, a few years ago the art world was rocked when a Leonardo DiVinci painting was sold for a record $450M.  The rumor was that it would end up here.  But, it’s not.  So, although a very nice museum, there’s no one piece that makes it special.  In fact, it’s the architecture that is its claim to fame.

There are, if I recall, 12 rooms that were pretty white and spacious. They also had a special exhibit in a separate building.

I liked the ceilings!

Always look up!

[Alter Ego]

Various photos from the Louvre Abu Dhabi 

[Alter Ego]

Like I said, it’s the building itself that’s the star.  However, I went too late!  Best to go when the sun shines down through the roof of the building.

Was nice though, with the full moon.

But...there’s another negative to going so late.  When I arrived, there were tons of cabs. At 7:30 ... not so much.  Waited maybe 30+ minutes in a long line while cabs would trickle in.  No Uber.

i did enjoy the museum.  You also can’t tell by my photos, but most people were well dressed. Many women in dresses, etc.

[Alter Ego]

I took three tours with Emirates Adventures, found on TripAdvisor.  The first was a full day private tour.

And the first stop?  The incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the 2nd largest mosque in the world, with capacity of over 41,000.

in fact, will even post a selfie to whet your appetite.  Will try to continue tomorrow.

Gosh, at this rate, will take a week to finish!!  This is why it’s better to do live reports!!

[World Traveler]

@Alter Ego Oh, oh, oh, I am loving your report so far! The cartoons comment made me laugh! 

I think I'm a bit surprised at you for doing some organized tours. You are such an independent traveling that it just doesn't seem like you. LOL! But there are definitely benefits to some group tours, right?

My sister went to Nepal a few years ago and loved it, so I am eager to see that part of the trip too.

Keep the posts coming.......and I agree, I think it is easier to post while traveling (if you have wi-fi) than doing it all when you get home.

[Alter Ego]

@World Traveler

This trip was solo - my tours in Abu Dhabi (well, two) and Nepal were private.  Just me.  But, I have nothing against group tours and many of my future trips will probably be in groups. Really depends on where I’m going.

[World Traveler]

@Alter Ego Oh, I thought I read in one of your posts that you did some organized tours on this trip, that was what I was referring to, not meeting a bunch of people at the airport and traveling together, staying in the same hotel, etc., like I do. 

"I took three tours with Emirates Adventures, found on TripAdvisor.  The first was a full day private tour."

Well, I'm not quite awake, so I must have misread what you meant. ha!