Exhilarating is an Understatement.

Thursday- 22 September- Abu Dhabi


So the plan for our one day in Abu Dhabi was -do everything in one day.

1st stop: YAS Marina Circuit
I have never been to a Grand Prix Circuit, so i didn't have any real expectations. But my golly was i taken aback. We took a tour off the entire circuit. I must add the Emirati's from Abu Dhabi are very big on Heritage so every part of the circuit has something to do with their histroy. They wanted to make the circuit one of the most challenging from all in the world so it is shaped like a gun. The head of the "Gun" is the trickiest turn on a circuit requiring a driver to slow down to almost 60 KM/h. Cool right.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place in November the last Competition of the year. The ADMM bid $85mil to host the last competition in 2010. just 44 000 spectators can squeeze into the circuit grounds with a ticket costing 2000 AED ( R4000). Big Money Indeed.

We visited the stands, saw some cool cars, the Go karting Box and even got to stand on the podium that Sebastian Vettal (Red Bull), Winner of the 2010 Grand Prix stood on. Double Cool right.

Wat is fantastic about this circuit is they have two seater and three seater Formula 1 car, obviously a down graded version to the original car but still cool. So i got to ride one-with a driver of course. Excitedly i put on the suit, put on the boots, the mask , the gloves and the helmet and got into my hot seat. What an exhilarating experince. Lapped the circuit thrice. felt like i was flying. The smell of Burnt tyres never smelt that good. Truly felt like a Ms Vettal in the car ;)

I really tried to get out the car in a sexy pose take off my helmet and let the hair fall, with a sexy cleavage or something... Didn't happen- i was so excited and overwhelmed by the adrenaline i couldn't even walk straight. Still Awesome Experience!!!!

2nd Stop: Ferrari World Bitches :)
(Calm Mahreen Calm)

Starved from no eating so we had a mighty large pizza from "Mamma Rosella". Yum! I love Carbs!

Now everything in Ferrari World is Italian- Obviously So. The only thing that will tell you we are in Abu Dhabi is the Scarves and the Turbans.

Let me say here i received some really tragic news this morning that the Formula Rossa was under maintenance. For once in my life luck was on my side the ride just starting running as we entered the place. What ride you may ask The fastest Friggen Roller Coaster in the world. Accelerating to speeds of 250-280 km/h and reaching up to 52 m into the sky its a truly an F1 experience that can't be missed.

My mom made me go alone. I was terrified that i actually needed to run to the bathroom before i got on.

Goggles-check, Seat Belt-Check, Random Guy i might grab onto during the ride-Check -- And off we go.

I have never been that scared, that nauseous, that amazed, that excited in my life before- I love it. I even got a leg cramp from all the emotion. Truly a memorable experience.

Silly me ate before and got a bad headache so i couldn't try the other rides. But paying 200 AED ( R400) for that- Well worth it.

After driving some Ferraris around the track- remote control ferraris (i got you right) we took a trip around Italy - in a Ferrari (i got you again right? right.). In a built up track you can experience miniature sized attractions of Italia. The leaning tower of Piza, The colosseum, Vatican City. I thought it was rather charming.

3rd Stop: Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Since i got to do everything i wanted to do, it was only fair to let mom do the one thing she wanted to. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque or the Grand Mosque

Breath taking.

The Mosque is over 22 000 Square Meteres in size and can house over 40 000 worshipers at a time. The mosque is really something out of this world. And only sight can do justice to its beauty. With a large number of pillars and beautifully constructed domes the mosque towers over Abu Dhabi city and lights up its skyline. It really looks like a palace out of a middle eastern movie.

Sadly we didn't get to go inside.

But that was a magical sight to end of a truly Magical Day.

Next Stop: NYC BABY!!!!



(I forgot to add the big boys of the world come and watch the Grand Prix from their big boy yachts parked at the Big Boy man made Marina right on the Big Boy Yas Marina Circuit- 100x cool)

Abu Dhabi- En Route to NYC

The Idea of Starting a blog was always appealing but similarly intimidating. So Finally I signed up- But had nothing to write about. I also felt my writing was too little..But blogging is just that right..it is a little piece of you. (And that something i felt was missing from my webpage -a real time experience of me)

So Here goes..

I have always kept journals of my travels so this would be the perfect opportunity to start. I am that kind of girl that lives in the past- in past memories and great experiences. So capturing every minute is something that love to live and re-live..  

21 September: JHB-> AD

For a few years now mom and I have been planning to visit "The Big Apple". So When the opportunity arose we grabbed it...like really grabbed it.

Now the prospect of travelling to the United States does not seem that appealing . I do think they are the least intelligent, least democratic , and least attractive people in the world. But in my head New York- the concrete jungle, is set far apart from this notion. I do know, however, I will r be facing the reality sooner than later.

 This cynicism I blame on other peoples stories, but mostly for being this critical Media girl-Thank you Rhodes (but thats is another story all together).

We flew Etihad airways to Abu Dhabi to break what would be almost a 22 hour flight to the USA. We left at 13:30 pm and arrived at 10:00 pm SA time

I must compliment Etihad airlines on their excellent service. There seats are spacious and comfortable, decent blankets and a wide variety of movies to chose from -well done. After seeing and religiously complaining about air-hostesses that don't smile and look like they are from the East Rand. Etihad has prim proper ladies (and men) that just had the Smiles coming- Double Well done. (pretty air hostesses with big smiles make my heart sing). But Mostly I would like to thank them for the drop dead gorgeous steward on my flight that i stared at for the full 8 hour flight. And i'm that girl that sleeps as the plane hits the run way and wakes up 10 minutes berfore landing. Really it was love at first sight (and my heart really sang).

The City of Abu Dhabi, Just like Dubai (not sure why i was expceting anything less) is just as full of affluence. Big Buildings and fancy cars are what you are faced with as soon as you exit the airport.

Checked into the Radisson BLU hotel on Yas Island. YAS Island is where the ABu Dhabi Grand Prix is held, which will take place in november this year . If only our plans fell into place a few months later. The Radisson is a beautiful Hotel situated across the famous YAS Hotel. and the YAS Marina Circuit.. The YAS Island is a real island just the Marina is Man Made.

SO its 1:30 am on wednesday night. The Abu Dhabi weekend starts tomorrow. The plan is to go to Ferrari World where the worlds fastest Rollercoaster resides. YEsss!

If all pans out..it will be epic.

Good Night.