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Dubai 2019
  • Ron's Odyssey
  • Ron's Odyssey

Dubai 2019

Vacation to Dubai with my daughters, sister and nieces. Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 6, 2019
    Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Waiting for the Airport Taxi

    August 6, 2019 in Nigeria ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Initial taxi I arranged with dissapointed and didn't bother to inform me. Called him at 9:33am to confirm he will be here by 10am only for him to pretend not remembering. I was so pissed, called the clerk at the airport to dispatch another taxi to me.

    Finally left the house with another Sienna at 11:14 am    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    MMA2 Lagos

    August 6, 2019 in Nigeria ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Flight took off from PH on schedule and landed in Lagos at 2pm. MMA2 parking was congested so the plane taxied to the old terminal and we were subsequently transported by bus to MMA2 where my suitcase took slightly longer to be delivered.

    Imaobong launched her Mastercard buying KFC meal for us. She found the experience interesting.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Citiheight

    August 6, 2019 in Nigeria ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Checked into Citiheights hotel in Ikeja. Still as lovely as ever. We were assigned rooms a bit far from each other. We ate in as I wasn't ready to take a taxi to Jevinik. Food was average nothing fantastic. The hotel allowed us checkout at 1pm and I arranged for the hotel bus to pick us up on our return trip.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Off to the Airport

    August 7, 2019 in Nigeria ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Woke up shortly before 6am. Had Nigerian breakfast before leaving the hotel at about 1:14am. Drive down to MMA was free flowing, taxi wanted to extort more money from me instead of the 6k I paid previous day from MMA2, he thought he could nake more money because we were travelling out, why do people think like that 😡, anyway. By 1:30pm we were on the queue waiting for Emirate checkin.

    Juila and the twins joined us 30mins later.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    On board Emirates about to depart lagos

    August 7, 2019 in Nigeria ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Boarding started quite early at 4:30pm just when we were about to go have a KFC meal, nevertheless we still went for it, rushing and getting back to the boarding queue at 5:00pm. Boarding was smooth and fast and we were asked to continue to the plane.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Dubai

    August 8, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 38 °C

    The Emirate flight departed Lagos shortly after 6pm and arrived Dubai a few minutes before 5am. Flight was a bit turbulent flying through Niger and Sudan. We were seated in the middle 4 seats of row 46 while the Okons were in the 3 seats in row 45 to our right. The walk from the plane to the passport control point was very long took us almost 30 mins.

    Immigration was a breeze, no questions asked. Passports scanned and stamped. Our luggage came out on time. The driver of the cab company I hired was waiting at the arrival hall with a name tag. I had already contacted him on WhatsApp when we landed.

    Dubai was very warm when we stepped out of the airport.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Grocery Shopping

    August 8, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 37 °C

    After checking in we slept till 3pm before setting off to the Mall of the Emirates shortly after 4 to change some money @365, buy sim card, book appointment with optician and buy groceries. Had a MacDonald lunch. Uber to the Mall cost AED 26 while taxi back was AED 12 same distance.

    Had rice and stew with beef and fried chicken prepared by Imaobong and Enobong. The stew was a bit pepperish due to the tomatoe blend we brought from naija, but it was a delicious meal.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Optician et al

    August 9, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 42 °C

    Started the day off with a visit to the optician to change my glasses and Imaobong's as usual this is very expensive in Dubai and I wonder why? The vetifocus lense which makes the lense thinner than normal is difficult to get in Nigeria as such I have very little options. Sadly I watched as a lot of money left my pocket. Good thing is that the eye test is here is better than what is obtainable back home.

    After which we spent a lot of time in Splash shopping. I was able to get a lot of buy 3 for the price of 2 offers for my shirt and t-shirts while the girls got a few tops. From splash we had a late lunch at KFC before heading off to Dubai mall using the metro to continue shopping at bath & bodyworks and payless shoes, leaving the mall at about 9pm    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Sharaf DG station

    August 10, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 42 °C

    5 mins walk from the apartment. Waiting on the train platform for Affiong and the twins to join us. Waited for over 20mins and 5 trains later before we saw them. We then took the next train to Burjuman Metro Station before commencing another long work in the hot sun to the Computer Plaza. Google maps miscalculated as there was a closer Metro station to the Computer PlazaRead more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Computer Plaza and McDonald

    August 10, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 39 °C

    Visited the computer plaza to fix the kids school laptops. One laptop has a malfunctioning pad and keyboard while the 2nd has a broken screen.

    Crossed the walkover to get to KCF / McDonald for lunch.

    Stopped at shoemart on the way to Al Fahidi metro station. Took the metro to Burjuman and walked down to Ansar Gallery for some good bargain shopping.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    The Green Planet

    August 11, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    Waited more than 2hrs for my sister and nieces to meet up with us before leaving for The Green Planet. Green planet is a multilevel rainforest zoo for small animals and reptiles. Lots of colourful birds, monkeys and reptiles. We took the Metro from Sharaf DG to Business Bay and then a bus from Business Bay to Dubai oil before walking the last 700m to the Green Planet.

    From the Green planet we headed out to Dubai Mall for a Burger King lunch.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Dubai Mall

    August 11, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Very crowded mall due to the public holoday. Shopping with women is a test of patience, they pick, test and drop for the flimsiest reasons while men just go straight to what they want, confirm size, check if price is within the budget and pay😡

    The traffic of people leaving the mall to the metro station was overwhelming at one point Mall security had to intervene by creating a seperate route for men and a different less crowded one for women and family all in an effort to prevent a stampede as people rush to the take the metro home. Fortunately for us the platform for UAE Exchange on the red line wasn't crowded as against those heading in the opposite direction.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Mall of the Emirates

    August 12, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    Spent most of the day recuperating from yesterday's outing. Enobong prepared Ogbono soup which we ate with eba for lunch having slept breakfast time away.

    At 5pm we took a walk to the mall of the Emirates to return some previous Splash purchases and buy swimming wears. Uddy met her classmate at Forever 21 store. Bought ingredient to make jollof rice with before strolling back to the apartment.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Day at the pool

    August 13, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    Greater part of the day was spent soaking in the hotel swimming pool after collecting our glasses from vision express. The water was hot unlike most pools.

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Off to Abu Dhabi

    August 14, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 39 °C

    Today is dedicated to the main attraction of this vacation, "Warner bros " at Yas Island Abu Dhabi. We woke up at 6am to get ready. Affiong and the twins joined us at our hotel at 8:30am from there we walked to entrance A of the mall of the Emirates, where the complementary bus to Yas Island was waiting. We were told to go wait bu Entrance D of the mall for puckup but after talking to the driver he allowed us in. At 9:22 the bus turned round to entrance D to pick passengers unfortunately it didn't have enough seats for everyone.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Warner Bros.

    August 14, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 41 °C

    Visited Warner Bros at Yas Island Abu Dhabi using the free complementary bus provided. The park was worth every Dhiram spent on gate fee. Just like in all the other world class theme parks we have visited the park was divided into sections; Metropolis, Cartoon Junction, Gotham City, Dynamte Gulch, Bedrock and Warner Bros. Plaza. Each section had roller coaster rides alond with 3D rides. I didn't go on any of the roller coasters but enjoyed the 3D ride most especially that of the Justice League and the Green Lantern. The theme park is fully indoors and cooled.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Repaired Laptop / Max / Dubai Mall

    August 15, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 35 °C

    Picked up the repaired laptop. The repairer complained that the hard disk had bad sectors which had to be replaced claiming it solved the touch pad and keyboard problems. I doubt harddisk can affect quirky touchpad and keyboard but then he might have a case on the hard disk as the kids often don't shut down the laptop but just close the lid and put in the bag which could lead to the drive head damaging the platter as the laptop is moved.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Yas Waterworld

    August 16, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 40 °C

    The highlight of our Dubai vacation was the visit to Yas Waterworld. The kids have been asking for a trip to a waterpark for ages but I always declined as I felt they weren't good swimmers which made it risky, however this time around they were a lot older (teenagers) and could stand comfortably in a 1mtr pool. We boarded the complementary bus to Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi a 1hr drive with free wifi. As usual weather was very hot. We changed to our swimming wears, I paid for a small locker which I later upgraded to a medium size locker to keep all our things and slippers. The kids had a blast going on all the slides and ride and pools. I took a ride round the 2 streams in the park on an inflated pontoon. It was a cooling and refreshing ride as well as spending considerable time dozing off on the lounge chair provided by the stream under the shade.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Birthday Dinner for the twins

    August 17, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 35 °C

    Today is the twins birthday and Enobong had earlier suggested prior to the commencement of this Dubai trip that we all go for a birthday dinner. So we plan to visit Africana Home Restaurant which Uddy had found for us through recommendation from her friend. The hotel delivered meal we ordered from them some days back was really nice so we all looked forward to a sumptuous meal.

    The day started off quite late due to exhaustion from the previous day's visit to Yas Waterworld. Enobong came down with stomach cramps so we had to leave her in the apartment while we dashed off to Lulu Hypermarket in Al Barsha at about 4pm to buy school supplies Uddy wanted. I stopped up my mobile data at the Mall of Emirates as well as collecting AED 500 from an ATM machine in the mall using my FirstBank Mastercard. I was charged NGN 1,000 and vat of NGN 50 for the withdrawal.

    We took a taxi to Affiongs hotel apartment. The receptionist didn't allow us go to her room without first dropping my passport with him which I refused. We eventually took 2 separate taxis to Africana Home Restaurant in Diera for the birthday dinner. We were expecting a Jevinik type experience but were disappointed to find out it had a bulky like setting where you pick your food displayed behind a glass and pay before being served. The seating area upstairs was nice anyway. The others picked on Uddy for suggesting such a place for the birthday dinner upsetting her. The meal was very sumptious and we all enjoyed it but the taxi rides to and fro was quite expensive but was part of the birthday package. Overall it was a nice day.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Kite Beach Day

    August 18, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    Our Chief planner Uddy had dedicated today as a beach day, due to the blazing heat in Dubai we planned it as an evening event. At 4:30pm Affiong joined us, the twins were meeting up with their Indian family friends and couldn't go with us. So off we went to the bus station at Sharaf DG after consulting the movement wizard "Google Maps". The bus schedule was quite confusing as we couldn't identify the stop recommended by Google Maps so we crossed over to the other side of the road only to discover it was an abandoned bus stop. We retraced our steps to the initial bus stop and as I was about to call a taxi on Careem we saw the recommended bus 81 coming, Affiong suggested I ask the bus driver which I did showing him the stops breakdown on my phone, he checked the onboard computer and confirmed we were on the right bus. So off we went. Interestingly Google Maps not only shows you the route but tracks the bus stops as well, with it you can never go astray. Kudos to a great app.

    The bus stop to the kite beach required some considerable amount of walking along a well paved and soft running track of 3.3km along the beach.

    Unfortunately we got to the beach at almost 6pm, didn't see anyone flying a kite, few persons were in the water swimming close to the shore and the waves were quite strong. Had a refreshing slush drink of blueberry and strawberry at a mobile kiosk on the beach.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Desert Safari

    August 19, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 36 °C

    Today was dedicated for our desert safari experience. I booked online for a deluxe desert safari package and negotiated a discount of AED 10 per person on the advertised price.

    Shortly before 4pm the driver from Sky Land was already parked downstairs waiting for us in a Toyota jeep. Off we went to pick up Affiong and the twins before heading out to the outskirt of Dubai close to Sharjah. The road leading to the desert seperated Sharjah on the left from Dubai on the right.

    As we got to the desert about to get off the tarred road, the driver got down to remove some air from the tire to increase it's surface area (friction) with the ground. We then proceeded up the sand dunes to a hill where he parked for us to snap some memorable pics. A jeep from the same company was already there with it's passengers snapping pictures. While we waited 4 more jeeps from Sky Land joined us before we then proceeded for the dune bashing which involved driving precariously up and down the sand dunes, making sharp and tight turns and steep climbs and declines. The experience was similar to going on a roller coaster and hair raising but was a lovely experience as the driver expertly maneuvered the vehicle. It was a 30mins ride before we finally got to their desert camp.

    At the camp we upgraded for a fee to the VIP upstairs patio which gave us a bird's eye view of the camp as well as the stage, this also came with steward who attended to all our food and drinks request, serving us immediately unlike the other guests who had to wait till 7:30pm and queue up for their food and drinks.

    For starters we were given some local "puff puff" like snacks. Dinner was barbecued chicken, chicken suya served with white rice & yellow basmati rice, with beans and 2 other unknown sauces with lots of salad. The food was filling even though the kids didn't eat much and for desert we were served fruits with custard in a saucer.

    For entertainment there was a tanoura dance followed by a belly dance show and finally a fire dance. The kids did Henna painting on their hands. The free one was small and with black ink which was hardly visible so they opted to spend more for the bigger one with black paint. While they were busy painting their hands I went on the free camel ride. Later on the kids tried shisha.

    Overall the desert safari was a pleasant experience    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Etihad Museum

    August 20, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Today was designated as Museum day, the plan was to visit Dubai Musuem and the new Etihad Museum but alas the lazy vacationers didn't wake up till 1:30pm and by the time they bathed, dressed up, cooled breakfast and eat it was already after 3pm. We eventually left the house about 3:30pm, first stop Mall of the Emirates to change some money and a quick detour into Marks & Spencer to buy my pyjamas before proceeding to the metro station, topping up our NOL cards before boarding the train to Business Bay as advised by Google Maps. At Business Bay we were meant to take Bus 9 to Etihad Museum, haven shelved the idea of also going to Dubai Musuem due to the time and the fact that we visited it back in 2014. After waiting for over 30 minutes with no bus 9 in sight we hailed a taxi to the musiem, unknown to us we were waiting at the wrong bus station and ought to have crossed the road to the other side to catch the recommended bus.

    Etihad museum is sited in a very modern and contemporary building and is a tribute of a grateful nation to the 7 founding fathers, the Sheikhs of the different Emirates who came together to form the United Arab Emirates. Apparently Qatar and Bahrain were part of the initial agreement but later pulled out to form their independent countries.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    IKEA for inspiration

    August 21, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Today is the last day of our Dubai vacation. I started the day early with a visit to the computer plaza to pick up my daughter's laptop which i had dropped for screen replacement. After being made to wait for 30mins i was presented with the fixed system without the touch function. I was so mad at the incompetent folks in the store. None of the 3 laptops i gave them were fixed to my satisfaction. Due to the annoyance I missed my metro stop in the way back to the apartment.

    Left rhe apartment at 3:30pm for IKEA the world famous Swedish furniture store using a combination of Metro and bus. The idea wasn't to buy as shipment cost of the heavy otems outweighs the cost savings of buying in Dubai against back home, but to get inspirations on how to furnish and arrange my home.    Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    Goodbye Dubai

    August 22, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Woke up 6am to get ready for the trip, showered and ate left over jollof rice. By 8:45am we were down in the lobby to check out and get back the security deposit. The drop off bus driver was in the lobby waiting for us and assisted with the loading of our suitcases onto the bus. We then picked up Affiong and the twins and headed off to the airport.Read more

  • Ron's OdysseyDubai 2019Traveler

    At Dubai Airport awaiting departure

    August 22, 2019 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    Tax refund was effortless. The officers scanned the tax refund stamps we were given at the store asked for my debit card (gave them the GTB one) which he snapped the front of and then told me the money will be refunded to the card within 10 days. Unfortunately the bulk of my refund was to come from the eye glasses but the store didn't upload the detail into the system. The official snapped it and said he will lodge a complaint with the store (fingers crossed)

    Going through Immigration was a breeze for us but Affiong and the kids were told their visa had expired. They had a 14day service visa and today is the 14th day so I wonder how it was calculated, anyway they had to pay a fine of AED 340 each.    Read more

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