Abu Dhabi Travel Info

I really messed up my stay in Abu Dhabi so for anyone with a long layover here are some things I learned that will hopefully help you.
- You don't need a Visa if from the US you can go straight to passport control. I arrived at 8:20pm and it took about 5 min to go through. There was no line. Once you go through you will collect your bags and then follow signs to the taxi kiosk- to your left. There are also 5 ATM machines located right by the kiosk. I got money out then went to the little store next to the kiosk and bought a water bottle for 3 so that I could have change. When I took out 300 it gave me a 100 bill and a 200 bill. Then back to the taxi area.
Again, no line. Apparently the line can get long bc they had it set up like an amusement park.
Once you go outside a man is there and just points to a taxi. I was in one of those huge black van taxis all by myself so apparently size and amount of people doesn't matter. The taxi started at 25 and was metered. At night, with no traffic it cost me 40 to go to the Crowne Plaza at Yas Island. Was about a 10 min ride. For reference the hotel charges 115 for pick up so just do the taxi route.
For days before I was nervous and stressed about coming but it turns out that was for no reason so don't be nervous to come alone.
The Crowne Plaza is about $60 American a night and is a nice hotel. It has a swimming pool that opens at 7-am but be ye warned this is the first thing I learned in my mess ups. Nothing opens before 10am and on Fridays it's even worse.
For a traveler with a short time and jet lag, this is a real bummer.
Bigger bummer the Grand Mosque is closed Fridays for worship until 4:30. It's open until 10pm and I so wish I could have made it the night before. I've heard it's amazing to see both day and night. They have free tours at set times as well.
If you are like me and have limited time in the morning I would suggest looking into a tour. I wish I had bought a desert safari tour which seems to be the only early morning thing available.
If you stay on Yas Island there is a private beach: Yas Beach. Your hotel has vouchers that will let you in, get you a towel, and a sunchair. It's free. This opens at 10 and is in walking distance from the hotel.
There is also a massive mall about 1.5 miles away- also opens at 10. Its 2.5 million square feet.
Food seems to be really expensive at least here in the hotel.
If you have more time there are multiple amusement parks here on Yas Island that look fun but I imagine would require at least half a day or longer.
The ride back to the airport in a taxi is way cheaper- 22
apparently if you start at the airport it begins at 25 and when you start anywhere else it begins at 5 and is like 1.85 per km

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Abu Dhabi

County 34: United Arab Emirates

Today I survived my longest flight to date. 17 hours plus we had an hour on the tarmac bc someone missed the flight so they had to go into the belly of the beast to find and offload her luggage. But we are about to land in Abu Dhabi. I was super stressed and uneasy about it all day but not I'm kind of excited and wish I had more time here. Though, it's currently 42 degrees celcius- that's somewhere way over 100.
I rarely feel like the minority in life but I'm currently the only white person on this flight. I'm sure there is a way I could say that more politically correct but it's just how it is and being the minority is uncomfortable especially when everyone is speaking a different language, dressed different and the culture and customs are something you know nothing about.
I really want to go see the Grand Mosque it's one of the biggest in the world and houses the world's largest carpet. Really though it's an architectural dream. Stunning. Problem is it isn't open to tourists on Friday. Every other day of the week they have free tours but Friday it is closed for worship. Problem- Friday is the only day I'm going to be here.... I could run off this flight high tail it through customs and go straight there tonight before it closes at 10 but the plane doesn't land until 8:30... not sure that is even possible or worth the crazy cab fair or my safety, but I really want to see it! The dilemma. This is when I wish I had a travel partner. Takin the solo white young female out of the equation would make decisions easier at times.
Everytime I get on one of these flights I tell myself I'm not going to do the crazy long one again but hen enough time passes that I forget and just the joy of travel remains. I think maybe it's like child birth you forget so that you do it again. I'm glad I have a day and a hotel before my next flight to Kathmandu! Gives a nice break.

I didn't make it to the mosque. No time. Also coming to a country you know nothing about, even if you are well traveled, is still scary. I took the cab by myself and then got to this awesome hotel. The room is really nice and I've got a bed and air conditioning! It's 4am and I'm just waiting for the sun to come up so I can walk to the beach. I feel much better today and wish I was staying for a few days! I guess I'll just have to come back. My return flight also stops here but sadly just from 1am-8am so no time to party. Anyway we shall see what today holds as soon as the sun makes an appearance.

So on Fridays things are closed and other things don't open until 10am. Sadly, I've really messed up my stopover in Abu Dhabi but I'm learning from it and if it ever happens again I'll know. Plus if you ever come to Abu Dhabi then I'll be able to tell you.
I headed to Yas beach. A private beach out here and I was able to get in through my hotel.

Guys, it's hot. I can't even describe it hot. Like we have 110 at home but that's nothing on this 110. I couldn't even keep my eyeballs open. After a swim and short trip I had to go back to the hotel because I was dying.

The water was really pretty but also very warm. On my way back I'm pretty sure I messed myself up or got heat sick. Yeah probably that from a lack of eating, drinking and sleeping. But man I still feel really horrible- nauseous, eyes burning, just done. But the beach spot was relax and pretty. Now I'm in air conditioning waiting to get on another flight. I might get in trouble. Everyone had to put their stuff in the actual: this is the size your carry on has to be box. You know the boxes that are never used bc people's carry ons are always way larger. Well I'm standing in this huge line of people trying to shove their carry ons in and they don't fit and one of the flight men makes eye contact with me and just waves me through. My carry on is small but it's not think enough to fit in there- I also had a backpack and purse.... well now that I'm in the airport no one has big carry ons and no one has two... so... either imma be in big trouble or I've been saved. Joke is going to be on me when it doesn't fit in the overhead bin. 😂
The real dilemma here is do I eat and risk puking or not eat and risk no food on the plane.
Also, I ramble. Mostly because when I write these, I'm bored. Sorry.

And lastly look how cool this is in the airport celiling.

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Washington

Seattle. I'd always wanted to go so when Coralee mentioned an MSA conference that was in Seattle I wanted in. Angela and I flew up a few days early to be tourists and then Coralee and Austin met up with us Friday night. We spent our days exploring: Pike's Market, the waterfront, Chiluly Museum, The Armory, Parks, Pioneer Square, Underground Tunnels, Gum wall, Bainbridge Island- which has the best chocolate melting cake at Mora.

We stayed in this cute airbnb. They had smore stuff set up with a welcome sign and cute fire pit in the backyard. We ate at pikes so many times bc it's so good! Also there is this Russian place called piroshky or something- you need it- so good!

Friday we went to night one of the conference with bowling, pool, and games.

Met some new people.

This giant underbridge troll was awesome! We explored this when we ditched out of the saturday part of conference early. Then met back up ans went to an airplane hanger for bubble soccer snd a lake.

Sunday morning we went to a beautiful waterfall and for a short hike.

Then off to church. Monday and Tuesday Coralee and I went to Olympic National Park to hike and explore the rainforest with her friend Lindsey.

The park was realky pretty! We even stopped in Forks- home of Bella and Edward.

The water was so clear abd beautiful at all the lakes and waterfalls. It was so pretty.

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Yosemite

Friday we went on an adventure. Bryson and Sam met at my house at 7am and off we went to meet up with Angela who then began our drive to Yosemite. We started in the Wowona area and did the Wowona Swinging Bridge. It was a 1/4 mile walk and then we spent a long time playing in the pools in the river. The water was FREEZING. Beyond cold. The kind of cold you get in and become instantly numb. Took me about an hour to get the guts to go all the way in but it was worth it since it was so hot outside, that, and the water was crystal clear awesome green colors.

We then headed to dinner and to do some grocery shopping for the weekend. Finally we arrived at our airbnb in Mariposa. The rest of the group: Abby, Schroder, Andrew, and Kory arrived around midnight.

The next morning we got up and headed to Glacier Point. It took a long time to get there and we had to use the shuttles because the park was very crowded however that was helpful because Angela is scared of mountain roads and switchbacks so it was a nice break for her. The lookout at Glacier Point is worth it and you should all go. The Panorama Trail which we couldn't find on a map and no one seemed to know about also starts from Glacier Point. So in the future pack your lunch and day packs, head to Glacier Point and do the Panorama Trail. We then headed to Taft point which is a view that is straight down cliffs. Those with serious fears of heights need not apply.

After a hike back we re-boarded the shuttle and made out way down the mountain to Bridal Viel falls- this was like being in Disneyland. There were SO many people and it was SO crowded. We decided to just avoid the Yosemite Valley entirely until a different time of year- something I would suggest for anyone coming in July.

We headed home and made dinner, played board games, and watched the sunset from out patio.

Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Tenaya Lake- about an hour point five into the park. The lake is also COLD and the air temp is much cooler up there. We had to walk through snow, yes SNOW, in JULY, to get to the lake. That was trippy. There is a beach end on one side of the lake and it is clear water. Just note there are mosquitoes, lots of them so bring bug spray! It was very pretty. We then did a little hike on the Murphy Trail, also full of snow. For this hike I wish I had my bathing suit because there is a fun river to play in however here there are SWARMS of mosquitoes like I have never seen before. Abby got bit over 20 times on one arm alone.

The boys then left to drive home and we headed to the meadows. You need to go to Tuloume Meadows and a little further past them to this river spot. PICTURE PERFECT. Insanely gorgeous and peaceful. I would suggest having a picnic here, then hiking, then jumping in the lake.

We then headed to a hotel for the night in Fresno where we had goofy girl talk and laid there trying not to die since the air wasn't working.

Monday morning we got up early and headed to Kings Canyon and Sequoias National Park. We saw the General Grant tree- I think we might be the only ones who can walk a circle loop trail and miss the tree... it's only the biggest tree in the world. So we had to do the loop again to find it. It is crazy how large the trees are! The weather was perfect, we had shade, and there were very few people in the park. We really enjoyed out time Monday. After this we made our way into the Sequoias and saw General Sherman. He is massive! We also did a drive through a tunnel made from a fallen tree, went to Crescent Meadows and walked the peaceful trails.. this spot is a must. Oh and Morro rock! It is this massive rock- more like a mountain that you climb through, in, and on the sides, up 400 stairs to a crazy steep high view of everything. Make sure you do this!

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Tonsai Bay

This is our cute little hut on the beautiful Tonsai Bay. We are set amongst limestone cliffs and incredibly lush jungles.

Our view from breakfast this morning was incredible.

Pictures don't do justice.

We sat and ate watching the incredible views and then headed around the cove to Railay beach arguably one of the best beaches in Thailand. Though I'm on the Pha Nang team. As we walked we realized the tide wasn't as low as we thought so we had to do a Little Rock climbing to get there.

Oh and let's not forget that our resort is full of monkeys.

So we make it through and it opens up to an insane beach and there is no one there.

We were surrounded on both sides by these limestone cliffs.

We then went kayaking which was hilarious trying to get the three of us to paddle together. But there were caves which were amazing! When we made the bend to pha nang beach... wowza! So beautiful!

Also the views on the kayak!

And where were we kayaking to? A penis cave, and yes we found it.

This doesn't show much but...

So that's in the top ten weirdest things I've ever seen. Okay so let's continue. The water here was so warm and nice and then we had to try and kayak back at this point our arms are killin. Oh and... um kayak=Hell sunburn and hilarious feet burns.

Mikelle is suffering from really bad heat rash and swollen legs and feet it's terrible!

After the kayak we went to the beach, drank coconuts and played in the sand. Then we ate Thai food on the beach with views. Finally we hiked back through the rocks.
also check out the dinner views:

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Songkran Water Festival

Today we woke up and headed into town on a long boat to do the Tiger Cave Temple.

i knew we were going to have to hike 1267 steps but I didn't factor in that the steps were going to be 18 inches high and STRAIGHT up!

It was also 80+ degrees and 90% humidity. It was very, very hard. I've never sweat that much, ever. Drenched.

Not happy going up. Coming down was also very hard bc our legs were shaking so much it was hard to step. But the view from the top:

Those mountains!

And a giant gold buddha

So then our taxi took us back. And the Sangkran water festival began! This is one of the best travel memories and one of my favorite things I've done because it was pure play! The entire country has MASSIVE water fight. We bought supersoakers and joined in the fun!

We then proceeded to go around town and battle. People also had wet chalk they would rub all over you and your face.

People filled their truck beds with huge tanks of water. There were refill stations all over. People with hoses and buckets.

Everyone was playing.

We had SO much fun!

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THE Story, Thailand Edition

Every trip has a story, a Hell story. This was ours.
One. We bought our ferry ticket from a man who ripped us off. We get on the ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi and it's not nice. The seats are so close togetherness we need to sit slightly sideways. Then Anna has a cockroach coming out of the lifejacket in front of her. Then one at our feet. Ok, fine.
We get to Krabi. Now we are supposed to take a long boat to Tonsai Bay. But... there are no long boats.
Two. We are at the wrong port! So now we are bombarded by the taxi men who of course know we are in the wrong spot and are trying to take advantage of the sitch. I bargain, we take a 30 min taxi ride to the port we are supposed to be at. Head to the longboat ticket office since we had the wrong ferry ticket and our boat wasn't included in the price. This is when we realize we aren't at the ferry port but just some longboat port in town.
The prices go up after 6. It's 6:07. The man then says we have to wait for 8 people.
The clouds are rolling in. It's actually kind of cold. We are lost and cranky, it's getting dark.
15 min later 2 people come. We all start to realize that we aren't getting to 8 people. Then the man realizes it too and charges us more.
Three. The boat. He takes off towards the ocean and leaves us to drag our suitcases. It becomes apparent very fast that the boat isn't coming in... we are going to the boat. Mind you this is the first time we aren't in our bathing suits. Dresses. Underwear. Clothing. AND luggage. Hmmm... so we pick up our suitcases over our heads and head into the not calm but stormy water. Instantly the wave goes right up the dress but one can't react or the suitcase is going in the ocean.
Then the man takes his sweet time to get the ladder. Meanwhile the arms are shaking, the ocean is lapping at my dress and I don't know wether to laugh or cry.
In the boat.
We start going.
Then we start going towards a random wall.

It's getting dark and we can see another boat in the sketchy dark with a man. He pulls up and we are going uhhhh. I start to think about precautions- ok I've got bug spray, I can use it like mace. They keep talking. The man gets in our boat.
ok, he's just picking up a friend.
We get to Railay beach where the other two people were going and the man tells us to get out. OH NO. We are going to Tonsai beach- apparently he didn't hear that.
Three. Getting to Tonsai beach.
He then loads our boat over filled with people going back to where we came from. Every person who got in soaked us and our luggage even more. We finally start moving. It's now completely black and the man has his flashlight out directing the boat. We are headed to light but not near it. It once again becomes apparent that he's not going to dock for us. Out into the ocean again, luggage over our heads, though this time it's totally dark and we have no idea where we are going. We make it out of the water and now are on the low tide mud. Laughing to keep from crying. Suitcases still being held.
We see a light and head towards it.
Concrete!

We start asking where this hotel is and afternwalking the wrong direction learn that we have to go back to the beach and down all the way to the other side.
No.
step 4: cross the beach
Remember it's black. It's also low tide and who knows what we are walking on. Pick up the suitcases again. Cursing, laughing, tears.

This is us walking across the sand in the dark all the way to the other side of this beach island.

We were so done. So over it. Finally we see a light. It's our resort.
Sweating, covered in big bites, mud, dripping sea water, we roll into the front of this resort.
We made it. The elephants were here to greet us.

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Phi Phi Day 2

Last night when we went to bed at 7:30 I don't think we understood what they meant by the party side of the island. It was pretty much like being in a concert until 2am. The music was insane! Then at 5:30am a crazybthundersyorm rolled in. The thunder had me flying out of bed. Downpour. Lightening. It was like the storm I experienced in Costa Rica in the rainforest. We had tickets for a boat tour at 6am and didn't know what to do. Luckily the thunderstorm stopped and it was just drizzling so we headed to the meeting point.

Up first: Maya Bay. When we first got here there were not many people at all. White sands and blue green waters set admits cliffs of black and green.

So beautiful. Then the people started to come and the rains. As you can see in my portrait two above we got some heavy rain.

Omg the boat we are on had cockroaches and there is one under my seat. Vomit.
so anyway this morning was ironic bc it was cold. Yesterday was so hot with hot water and low tide. Today was overcast with rain, deep water, and cold ocean. By cold I mean not really cold. Anyway it was actually amazing. We were living life. And the rest of the day after the rain was nice! Ok so then we head to this cove to snorkel.

Wowza. Lots of colorful fish.

Then there was this monkey stop which of course I have an ethical problem with. Better hope that the tours never stop coming or these human dependent monkeys they created will have some trouble. But they had baby monkeys, lots of them.

And luckily the humans stayed in the boats- away, so there was no abuse or chains or stupid photos of monkeys on your head. And yeah, if you have any of those photos or one petting a tiger, I'm judging you, big time. You should also go read up on those types of photos and places and then never do that again.
Once we got back we ate more delicious Thai food and then got massages. $9 an hour, count me in. So relaxing.
Mango smoothies laced with coconut milk to finish off our time at Phi Phi and we're off to Krabi.

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