Voyages et escapades de Sag La Tortue

Flight

I love being in a plane. Actually, I should say that I love any kind of transport. It makes me feel like a real traveller. But I hate crossing the border and check in at the airport. I am quite stressed about anything that could  be out of the rules. Like forgetting a knife in my handbag, or bringing a bottle of water, etc.

So, I was standing at the desk for the check in, I was tired because I didn't sleep well with my departure, I was sad to leave Africa, I was thinking of my next flight to Myanmar. Then, the receptionnist told me: "But you don't have the VISA for Abu Dhabi!"

I don't know if someone could have seen something on my face, I tried to stay calm, but my body was almost falling down et my heart beat so fast. Fortunately, my brain saved me, and I said :" I think I can get it when I arrive" The woman verified the information and also for Bangkok. "You don't need a visa for Thailand either"

I knew all about that. But I had not checked again the last days.

I didn't organise anything for the rest of my trip. I was so in the present, in the very moment in Africa that I wasn't able to think about what is gonna happen after! Then, some more management from me would have probably saved my energy. I mean, I could have probably printed my voucher in Maputo, but I didn't. I could have changed the money at the border, but I didn't. I could have read the VISA obtention rules for Abu Dhabi, but I didn't.

I was lazy.

I was diving with a turtle.

I was having bath in the Indian Ocean.

I was enjoying life.

I was having beers on the beach with the red fullmoon, lighting everthing.

I was spending my last days in Africa, trying to forget that I will leave soon.

So finally, she registered me for the flight.

My backpack:

I am happy because I thought I have too much stuff. I bought a pull, a blanket and have some more things than when I arrived. On the other side, I sent some things to France...

Finally, my bag's weight at the airport: 11,5 kg

Well done! I had 9 kg in Paris... When I see the women with 16kg, without the laptop and the big camera, I think it is not bad.

8H of flight. 2h hours of jet lag.

And, Arrival at Abu Dhabi at night at 19H.

I was in the arrival hall.

I arrived without phone, the one I used to have in Africa was broken by the salted water of the ocean, I didn't have a credit card, I didn't know which currency is used here, I didn't have my cousin address, I didn't have his phone number (I didn't know he had broken his phone either!), I didn't know who was supposed to pick me up at the airport and anyway I couldn't have recognized anyone. I was so tired that I saw in double.

But, I didn't know who I should contact, nor how I should contact him or her...

At the end, Jill arrived, and we took a taxi to go to town.

Amazing life.

8h hours before I was in Africa, I spent 3 months in all poor conditions, and now, I am in a great and modern appartment at the 12th floor of a new tower in Al Reem Island. There is a pool, a supermarket, air con, intelligent elevator, big cars...

Are we all in the same world?

It is hot here, but not the same way as in Africa. It is hard when you are outside. That is the reason why, there is almost no one in the street. Everybody has a car, usually a big car, to go anywhere. So you can live here with the feeling it is not so warm. You are at home, with A/C. You go to the parking through the intelligent elevator, then you drive in your A/C 4x4, go to the A/C mall for shopping, with the feeling that it is not so hot...

I have to say, I have no problem travelling in the local minibuses in Africa, but I LOVE BIG CARS! I am crazy here you know.

Do you know the TV car magazine called "Turbo" on channel M6? I have always wondered why they show cars that nobody can buy and that are so useless in France. Now, I know that some people in the world buy these big cars and 4x4, and drive and use them!!! So, almost all cars are a jewellery. I can see them for real! Waouh! Crazy life, crazy world! I have never seen so many Porshe and 4x4 Mercedes and so many others...

What can I say about UAE?

I would say that everything is so different, so big, so extrem that it doesn't seem like a real world. I think it is impressive, but I would say that I don't feel good with all this. It is funny, for sure. But it is too much for me. I can't even walk in the street or just enjoying the beach, because it is too hot to walk , and the beach are a little bit dirty. I can't feel confortable to drink a beer. Everything is far, because the town spread along 50km I think. The only point that suprises me is that I am not shocked by the woman wearing all with the burqua or I don't know the name.

You can loose the sense of real life here. You can go skiing one afternoon, then spend a whole afternoon for shopping, you can stay see the most expensive hotel, 7 stars, in the world, you can go inside the highest tower in the world. I feel like in a movie.

And what?

You don't talk to people in the street. You don't have any contact with the population. You can't have a simple walk along the sea. There is something like cast. First, the emirati, then , the european, white and sudmerican people, and after, the pakistanese, and after, the philipinese.

Strange atmosphere. But wonderful towers.

I was lucky to be welcomed by Jill, then meet some Frenchies who live here. Then, they organised everything for me. Laurent picked me up and we visited Dubai. We were in the most biggest Mall in the world, where there is an aquarium with the most biggest glass window to see the fishes. And suddenly, what I see: The Galeries Lafayette, feel like home!

Then, I went to Grand Mosque. One of the most beautiful place I have seen. This Mosque is really impressive. Since I have been travelling, I have visited more religious places than in my whole life! But the mosque here is fantastic! I must say that it is the only building I really like here.

Then I met my cousin, who lives here. Funny coincidence, he just moved in his new flat, so that I spent more nights in his appartement than him! It is a little bit weird to think that he was with the family in France some days ago... And now we meet in the middle of the UAE.

Then, the desert safari!

In a white Lexus RX400, go trough the dunes!  amazing experience! Love that!

One day, I will try to drive in the dunes too! Lot of fun!

We had free drinks, dancer, dinner, camel walk... All included!

And sunset!