Oh well! Long transit times can be a total pain, especially when you are in no mood to do much at the airport. So the million dollar question is – why such long transit hours? As if it’s so difficult to guess!! Sometimes in life one has no choice, isn’t it? With the travel season in full swing it does become almost impossible to get tickets of your choice at a decent price point. Hence the good girl in me who likes to save decided to take this route and spend six hours at Abu Dhabi… twiddling thumbs! Well, literally! Because I figured that being on the cell phone typing away to glory is nothing but twiddling thumbs, isn’t it?
It’s a nice airport, albeit small. But it has everything that one looks for in order to feel comfortable, especially when the flight and travel gods aren’t exactly being nice to you by providing decent and shorter connections.
9 Reasons why I love Abu Dhabi airport #AbuDhabi Click To TweetSo here’s what I liked about the airport:
1. Free wi-fi – can you beat that? The moment I got through security check that’s the first thing I was looking for. I already mentioned my perception of myself (the good girl who likes to save, remember), so wi-fi is a boon to send “safely landed now waiting and eating” messages back home to all the eager loved ones who are waiting on you!
Btw – I nearly embarrassed the guy on the food counter by looking shocked and repeating the same question three times “free wifi?”. He almost thought I had lost it, I looked so overwhelmed.
2. No Starbucks – saving is the theme of the day! I didn’t have to drink my regular chai latte no water no foam (just kidding okay!!). Before you start believing that I am such a miser let me tell you that I love Starbucks, especially for the charging points, wi-fi and no-nonsense co-passengers who are drowning themselves into their laptops! Well I was disappointed with no Starbucks at the food court, but since I managed the ‘free’ wi-fi and charging point, skipping chai wasn’t a big deal.
3. Charging point – a point that works with Indian chargers. Now isn’t that a dream come true? For someone who is twiddling thumbs and spending tonnes of battery life with each passing minute? This is one thing I dread not finding especially when I am on my way to Europe or the Americas!
4. Helpful staff – the Etihad staff is super helpful. The person at the Jet Airways counter – Lloyd – in Mumbai was very cooperative and went out of his way to make me and my life comfortable. However he couldn’t access the Etihad airline seating arrangement and hence couldn’t change my aisle seat into a window one. I can’t even begin to tell how badly affected I am on not being able to get a window seat. But the lovely lady – Selma was not only super sweet, but I fell in love with her ever fluttering eyelids and bewitching smile, the long eyelashes and beautiful eyes which were enhanced by outstanding make-up. She went out of her way too and ensured I got the window seat on the emergency exit row, to take care of my long legs in the 6 hour long flight to Rome. Am going to send recommendation letters to both airlines for both (Lloyd and Selma) for their outstanding customer service.
5. Shopping – am sure you are not shocked to read this one. Any sane girl (well almost) would get excited to get to such a lovely airport and roam around the length and breadth to figure out the best deals on anything and everything under the sun. It’s a great shopping stop undoubtedly. But since I mentioned earlier, I’m on a saving trip, so no shopping for me this time. The real reason being that I have no space in my bags and am too exhausted to lug around extra bags. One heavy backpack and an even heavier cabin bag just does me in. So for this time, shopping is a no no. Though I must admit, it’s a fabulous shopping place.
6. Skype – managed to speak to my dear husband for a looong time thanks to the wi-fi. And a good wi-fi connection (which is almost impossible in India these days). Should this have been a continuation of point 1 and been 1a instead of 6!? Please assume it is point 1a if you are finicky and fussy about the continuation bit (thank you!).
7. Russian co-passenger – who barely speaks English. She came looking for her life saviour too (yes you got that right – the charging point). And yes – there are points to accommodate chargers from all countries. I love this non-racist approach of the Emirates folks. Trust me, this has proven to be such a pain point for me during my earlier travels. Oh, but we were talking about the pretty Russian who speaks broken English, but managed well. Was good to have a small conversation with her and yes, she saved me a bit from getting sore thumbs (talk about saving today!!). This is the best part about travel. You meet people who you would remember for life!
8. Food – the food court has a decent spread to take care of many culinary tastes. Though most of it is non-vegetarian (and not meant for me), it is a good court where you will not starve. Talking about starving, well – non-availability of my type of food lead to bigger savings (the dirham and dollar types. 🙂 well, am kidding again. I did manage a cookie and a drink, because I prefer eating light during long travels.
I think eight is a good number but this post would be incomplete if I didn’t write another crucial point.
9. Blogging – now, would it have been fair if I missed this one. For argument sake, you could say that this is also a continuation of point 1 – wi-fi. But hey, blogging does require extra motivation and a lot more twiddling of thumbs (willingness and ability to make it easier for economics students) resulting into a sore hand literally. Plus, whether wi-fi is available or not, one could still type on the phone or the laptop if one wanted to. The other argument could be that this one flows from point 3 – the charging point. Juice is necessary to keep the cell/ top battery going. But, well does it matter?
As you can see, or rather read, my mind is reaching a point of shutdown and I think it’s time for my flight as well. So let me bid adieu for now and connect back when I re-surface somewhere at some other time in some other destination.
Until we meet again…
Cheers,
Archie!
Ps – I didnt have the patience to go around clicking pictures. The moment I found myself a nice seat in a cozy corner I decided to stay put, stick it out (my butt with the rather hard but warm wooden chair) and write a post instead. Howzzat?
Featured Image source: Flickr
Very neatly put.. No pictures needed Archie.. 🙂
Thank you so much UK 🙂
I do agree with Starbucks point (especially). You know what Archana, actually this post shows your dedication towards blogging. As I am glad that you are regular on this and I love to read the your posts. 🙂 Well, about the pics. at the end… I want to express exactly what UK already commented… abso no need of pictures since your write-up suffice the message needs to be conveyed
Hey thanks so much Tara… very very sweet of you to say all this… am feeling on top of the world… much love and hugs 🙂
I had such time at the Dubai Airport; hope you continue to have an awesome journey 🙂
Thanks Teny… it was a nice journey 🙂
I love abu dhabi airport too!
http://www.docdivatraveller.blogspot.in
That makes it two of us doc! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Loved this post! You simply rock! Your dedication to blogging is admirable!!!! Kudos!!! Much love and a safe journey!!! God speed!!!
Much love to you too my dear girl… and thanks for all those good wishes and encouragement 🙂
Nicely explained. Informative too….
Thank you so much CT 🙂
You have an amazing talent and capability of turning things your way in any situation, Archana:) Hats off!!
Now that is some compliment… and is making me grin from ear to ear… thanks much Amitji 🙂
so, you blogged from the airport. I don’t think i know anyone who has similar dedication towards blogging.
This is a wonderful writeup! totally loved it 🙂
Thanks so much… happy to see you on Drishti after soooo long… 🙂 Do keep stopping by and sharing your feedback often… makes us feel really good 🙂
Great description of airport. Felt almost there. Happy onward journey.
Thanks much Abhijit sir 🙂
Enjoyed your write up especially thumb jokes. Really appreciate your blogging dedication. 🙂
I was hoping to hear that Ravish… thank you so much for your constant motivation and appreciation… means a lot to me… 🙂
So, Abu Dhabi it is this time, you know i never read such details about a airport put in so neatly ! Well done Archana considering you were at the airport writing this. Was a wonderful and quite informative read actually.
Thank you so much Azzu… glad you liked it bro! 🙂
Well looks like you made the most of your time in the airport. Very impressed! Curious where you are off to. Waiting for your next post.
Well I tried my best Kal… Thank you… Was on my way back home… Uncle Sam! 🙂 Will do a travel post soon… Do keep stopping by and gracing Drishti with your presence often 🙂
The best part about travelling is meeting people… and you really need to be a solo traveller to do that 🙂 nice write up… have a great time in Rome!
You bet, totally agree with you Anks… thanks dear… glad you liked it… Rome was just a stopover…
Great set of reasons to like the airport.
Thanks for stopping by Rajesh 🙂
You’re really a dedicated blogger… 🙂 nice write-up…
You made me smile… thanks Mani 🙂
Amazing post! I can relate to it totally! I was waiting for quite sometime at Singapore Airport once and once at Australia airport and remember being happy about the free WiFi
Hello Manasi… glad you liked the post…
Welcome to Drishti and hope to see you here often 🙂
Agree- Love the airport!
Thanks for stopping by Sunainaji 🙂 and welcome to Drishti…
You are making good use of your six hours at the airport! Enjoy your trip!
Yep Mridula… had to do something worthwhile after all… thanks dear 🙂
Recently my daughter traveled to UK with a stop over at Abu Dhabi Airport… She narrated a similar experience…. Thanks for sharing the Post!
Am sure she must have enjoyed the airport equally… thank you Sreedhar sir 🙂
I enjoyed reading every bit of it.. It was as if I was there being able to picture the place in my mind.. It’s pretty emboldening piece which would make one plan a trip as I am yet to leave Indian Borders ( Except if a visit to Nepal can be considered like that).. You are a wonderful writer..Archana.. Well, I had to wait last week at NDelhi Airport for 6 hours.. and trust me you said it so right: One tends to make friends whom one finds difficult to forget and let me add, and also one finds it difficult to meet again… Thanks a lot.. BTW Starbucks is my favourite too.. I often have client meetings in Starbucks..
RS
Hey RS 🙂 super happy to see you on Drishti… Thank you so much for such generous words .. your addition is perfect and so true… well to add to that… I have the habit of taking down phone numbers and email addresses of people who create an impression on my mind and then I have this uncanny knack of keeping in touch… 🙂 so sometimes, those people stay with me for life… 🙂
And here’s a high-five for being a Starbucks fan!! Cheers 🙂
Cheers!!! Have a happy time…
RS
🙂
Hi Archana… i Dont agree with your views – and you are paiting a rosy picture… as this is one of the worst airports in the world… i have travelled to 24+ countries and this is worst… let me start…..
1. There are no food courts here (all you have is a small place with 4 shops – even the smallest of indian airports have bigger food courts)
2. There is very very little place to sit… especially in terminal 1 (you can sit only once your flight has been announced, and boarding commences)
3. this airport is heavily crowded – and have an old mentality, where they still think indian are labour class – and the staff has a similar approach – they are rough, un-communicative and get sadistic pleasure out of irritating passengers)
4. They have not come to terms with the fact that, the profile of this airport is changing – and as a first cut, they need to be firing all the people and getting in more customer centric person.
5. I have lost my luggage and missed my flights – only when i transit through this airline
6. The duty free shopping area is a tiny area
7. The staff is so rude and unhelpful – people miss their connecting flight via this airport – and etihad doesnt have a process to handle them – i missed my us flight due to their delays – and they left me hanging there without any support for 14 hours…and only when i shouted… they gave me acces to the lounge towards the end… they can process tansit visa for indians.. but the rude staff will never do this… because it saves them money
Archana, i am not able to relate to your post at all – dont know under what circumstance you wrote this – did you tell them in advance that you are blogging, as i have been tranisiting thorugh this “joke of an airport” multiple times and have consistenly rated it bad… there are enough reviews on web giving this fact.
Hello Ravi, welcome to Drishti 🙂
So sorry to hear about your bad experience buddy! As for me, I had a great time as you have already read…. also, it’s fine if you could not relate with my post at all… to each one his own, isn’t it?
I can boast of having travelled to many more than 24 countries and as many airports, and I still maintain that I had fun at Abu Dhabi..
Cheers and hope you keep visiting us…. 🙂
PS – There was no special circumstance under which I wrote this post, atleast none other than what I have mentioned here…. as for you wanting to know whether this is a sponsored post – the answer is ‘NO’…. We do sponsored posts with a lot of pride and have no qualms about mentioning the same 😉
Thumbs twiddling with the joy of free wifi 😉 Superb post Archana. I loved it absolutely. 🙂
Thanks so much Dipanwita 🙂 Glad you did!