At home at last

Arrived home in Canberra and it was good to see the house our two boys we had left behind.

The house was in one piece (actually quite neat and tidy) so very pleased with Mizaan and Burhan.

Thanks to everyone we met and (apologies to those we didn't). The experience was very fulfilling and I will remember it for a long time (or until dementia sets in).

This is likely to be the last post on this blog. Thanks for following us on this trip. Feel free to explore the other posts and leave comments.

Arrived safely in Sydney

Alhamdolillah we have arrived safely in Sydney. Bhaijan, Shujaat Bhai, Uzma Apa and Usman came to pick us up.

The trip was comfortable although we found the Etihad service a bit wanting this time.

Sumaiya had to go and get coffee for us and they served the snack when most of the passengers - except me - were sleeping.

Once Muhsina woke up Sumaiya had to demand that they serve her the snack.

After the next meal, when the stewardess came around to take drink requests the guy next to me said "actually, can I have another meal please" and he was given one.

The plane was delayed in departing by two hours but made up one hour during the journey. Once again we selected row 36 which gave me 36D and as it was the bulkhead, more legroom. There was a baby in the same row but he/she was very well behaved.

We have only the last leg of the journey to complete - Sydney to Canberra - today inshaallah.

flight delayed

We are in Abu Dhabi airport and our flight is delayed at least an hour maybe more. :-(

--
Manar Ahmad

Our time in Dubai

 We landed in Abu Dhabi and immediately caught a bus to Dubai where we were picked up by Shaju.  We arrived in our apartment at Golden Sands Apartments 10 behind Burjuman shopping centre and near Spinneys supermarket.

It was a nice large three bedroom apartment which we had booked through booking.com for about 2000 Dirhams for three nights.

The next morning we headed to Dubai Mall where we had breakfast before meeting Obaid Soomro and family and going to the Observation Deck of Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world.





 For Juma prayers Shaju took us to Al Faisal masjid and then after going to Hussain's house we went to Karachi Darbar for lunch.  After that we headed off to the Desert Safari which was an ejoyable experience.

The next morning Sumayya (the daughter of a friend of Dr Quasim in Nigeria) and her husband, Naeem, came to visit us in the apartment. Obaid saheb then came to pick us up and we went for lunch at Asif's apartment where we met his newly born son, Misbah.

Then it was off to do some shopping (well more like walking around) at Diera Mall.  We managed to spend a bit of money but didn't find that Dubai was much (if any) cheaper than Australia, especially for electronics.

After that we went to Sharjah and walked along the canal and the coast to the TGIF for dinner.  In between was a beautiful water fountain "dance".  We walked back and then Obaid saheb was kind enough to drop us back to the apartment.

Today we intend to spend some more time at Dubai Mall before catching a bus back to Abu Dhabi for our final flight back to Sydney.

Over Turkey

Over Turkey coastline and the Mediterranean whilst flying to  Abu Dhabi.

You will notice that the "horseshoe" coast in the photo matches the coast on the map.

Reached Dubai. sleepy. more info tomorrow

--
Manar Ahmad

At Paris airport

We are at the gate now about to board the flight after visiting what I think are best and cleanest airport toilets   I have ever visited. Didn't think it was decent to take a picture though.

--
Manar Ahmad