The Dubai Diaries at Home: Kayaking in Hatta & At The Top, Burj Khalifa

Last month my best friend Lucy came to stay for a little getaway in the sunshine, and we made sure to make the most of her time here in Dubai.

Having already visited before, there were plenty of things she’d done already, but still many more to tick off the list!

Hatta Kayak

From Dubai it’s just under a 2 hour drive to Hatta, the mountainous region in the Hajar Mountains. If you’re driving make sure to avoid the route that takes you via Oman – otherwise you’ll accidentally end up at the border like we did and add an extra hour onto your journey, oops!

Once you arrive you can easily follow the signs to Hatta Kayak, which takes place in the dam.

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April Roster

It’s that time of the month again! Are you ready for my April roster? March was my top bid, and although I was happy to receive most of the flights I asked for, I actually have another great month ahead!

I have two new destinations (that I didn’t even bid for!) and some other great flights that I did ask for. In April I’ll be flying to:

  • JED – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (turnaround)
  • COK – Cochin, India
  • ATH – Athens, Greece
  • BKK – Bangkok, Thailand
  • MEL – Melbourne, Australia
  • HKG – Hong Kong
  • SEZ – Mahé, Seychelles

Only one turnaround, a fairly quick one to Jeddah and back. After that it’ll be my first time to India! I have done plenty of turnarounds to India and back, but this is the first time I’ve actually been rostered to stay there. If anyone has any tips of what to do or what to see in Cochin, please let me know!

Then it’s off to Athens – the last time I was there was winter last year so I’m hoping that Spring will have sprung and it’ll be beautiful and sunny.

Next up is a flight to Bangkok, which was one of my bids. Recently almost all of our Bangkok flights have been operating without a first class, which means I haven’t been there in ages. I’ve been craving some delicious Thai food and of course a wonderful Thai massage, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing once I’m there!

After that I’ve got a layover in Melbourne – if you’ve read my blog for a while you may remember that my cousin Sarah lives there, and as it’s over a Friday and Saturday we should be able to get a good catch up in.

Then it’s a trip to Hong Kong, which was also one of my bids, to see my friends Kirsty and Dan and their baby Theo. I can’t wait!

My last trip of the month is a short but sweet layover in the Seychelles – another new destination to tick off the list! It’ll only be an afternoon and evening there, but I’m fully intending to make the most of my short time there. Let’s hope the weather is nice!

So there we have it, another exciting month to look forward to. Thanks as always for reading!

P.s. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world! 🙂

Cocktails & Catchups in Barcelona

Not too long ago I was rostered a lovely trip to Barcelona, and with my sister living in Valencia, it made perfect sense for her to come and stay on my layover there!

She took the train from Valencia to meet me, and was waiting in our hotel after we landed.

After a coffee in the room (who else loves it when hotels have a Nespresso machine in the room?!) and a catch up, we were ready to head out for some exploring.

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The Dubai Diaries at home: Dubai Frame & Sundowners at Souk Madinat

As much as I love travelling and exploring new destinations around the world, I live in a city that has so much to offer! My best friend Lucy last came to stay 2 years ago, so in search of some winter sun, she flew out to stay with me in Dubai for a few days.

I had planned a few things for us to do, as we’d already ticked off a few items on the list previously, but with an ever-changing city, there were still more to be seen!

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March Roster

Once again roster day has come round quickly, and with March being my top bid month, I was keeping my fingers crossed for some good flights.

Considering I have leave in the middle of the month, I actually got 3 of the flights which I asked for, which I am really happy about! I even have a new destination at the end of the month, which is always great 🙂

In March I’ll be starting off the month landing from a flight to Zurich, and then heading off to:

  • BCN – Barcelona, Spain
  • NRT – Narita, Japan
  • NRT – Narita, Japan
  • Leave
  • DEL – Dehli, India (turnaround)
  • DEL – Dehli, India (turnaround)
  • MCO – Orlando, USA

I bid for all of those destinations except Dehli, so I’m very pleased with most of my roster!

Barcelona is one of my favourite European cities, and even more excitingly I’ll only be working half of the trip, as we get to fly back to Dubai as passengers, also known as deadheading! This is usually due to an aircraft change or extra flight.

Then two trips to Narita – I’m keeping all of my fingers crossed it’s not too early for cherry blossom season. I’ve been to Tokyo with my family in the past, and have done a flight to Osaka with Emirates, but this will be my first time operating the flight to Narita. Any tips are more than welcome! 🙂

After that I have 5 days leave, and will probably head home, as it’s been a while since I’ve been to stay with my parents. My brother and his girlfriend will also be there at the same time (they live in Munich) with their puppy!

I get back from my leave to two not ideal trips to Dehli – departing at night and getting back after sunrise. Who knows – maybe somebody will swap with me for a layover, but I’m not very optimistic!

To round off the month, I have a 50 hour layover in Orlando! It’ll be my first time there, and I’m hoping to go to Disneyland 🙂

An exciting month ahead, with a couple of new destinations for me.

P.s. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world! 🙂