Hold on tight, because I’m about to take you on a thrilling adventure to Abu Dhabi, UAE! From the longest flight I’ve ever taken to exploring the stunning city, I’ll share all the exciting details that will have you itching to book your own trip.
My journey started with a connecting flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi with Ethiad. As I packed my bags, the excitement and anticipation were palpable. I was nervous about forgetting something, but I knew that I had everything I needed. Once on board, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my seat was at the front of the plane. The airplane was spacious and clean, and it even had a head adjustment feature that doubled as a pillow. The food was decent, but I was more excited about the Qibla direction feature that pointed towards Mecca. How thoughtful!
I intended to read my book, but before I knew it, I was asleep for nine hours straight! When I woke up, I felt refreshed and ready to take on Abu Dhabi. As soon as I stepped off the plane, the beauty and cleanliness of the Abu Dhabi International Airport took my breath away. Arabic calligraphic writing adorned the walls and floors, and groups of people dressed in white were heading to Mecca or Medina for their pilgrimage. It was a sight to behold.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Hotel
As we arrived at our 5-star beach hotel, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, we were blown away by its beauty. I had seen photos of the hotel online before, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded my expectations. Typically, hotel photos can be misleading, but this was not the case with our hotel in Abu Dhabi. It was even better in person and truly an experience worth having.
We were welcomed by a staff member dressed in traditional Emirati clothing, holding a coffee pot and serving coffee to guests. I purposely waited to check in last so that I could savor the coffee and Turkish delights, various sweets, and dates that were on offer. The check-in process was also unique in that there was a dedicated section with individual tables and chairs for each guest, providing a private and elegant experience.
After indulging in some coffee and sweets, I received my room key and made my way to the 46th floor, which was the highest hotel room I had ever stayed in. As I opened the door to my room, I was greeted by a spacious and elegant interior. I quickly went back out to make sure I had captured photos and videos before settling in. My luggage had already been taken care of with a fancy card.
The room was equipped with a king-size bed, antique-looking furniture, and marble bathtubs with an embedded TV and speaker. The view from my room of the city and beach was simply breathtaking. All in all, I felt like a very important person during my stay at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Hotel.
Luxurious Dinner at the Saint Regis Abu Dhabi Hotel
After settling into my luxurious room at the Saint Regis Abu Dhabi Hotel, I decided to go out for dinner. It was already 11 pm, so I messaged my fellow educators to see if anyone wanted to join me. There were several restaurants within the hotel, but I chose the one is called, Azura Panoramic Lounge which had a panoramic view of the city with an elegant seating area.
I should mention that our group leader had informed us that all of our meals during the program were covered, except for alcoholic beverages. As a non-drinker, that meant I didn’t have to pay anything for my food. So, when the waitress came over to take my order, I felt like I could order anything I wanted from the incredibly fancy menu.
After 15 hours without eating, I decided to go with a heavy meal and ordered the mixed grill, which came with lamb chops, young chicken, and beef. The smell was incredible when the waitress handed it to me. I consider myself a great BBQ cook and use special ingredients when I marinate my meat, but this dish had a taste that was beyond my expectations. I couldn’t resist and ate every bite, despite knowing I had to wake up early at 7:15 am for breakfast.
A little after midnight, I went to bed feeling incredibly comfortable in my luxurious surroundings. I set my alarm clock for the morning prayer and got ready for breakfast, which I was already looking forward to.
Next in Expeditionary Learning!
In my next post, I’ll share all the exciting things we did, from visiting the American Community School of Abu Dhabi to meeting with ministers ( Minister of Culture and Youth, the Director of Humanities and Languages Curriculum in the Ministry of Education, and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) and taking a tour of Qasr al Hosn. And let’s not forget about dinner at the Emirates Palace! So come along and join me on this incredible journey to Abu Dhabi, where every experience was a treat for the senses.
Expeditionary Learning 