Well after having interviewed for Emirates through skype from inside my bedroom in February 2013, I was successful in getting to the next stage of proceedings. And a second bite at that after I cancelled first invite to Dubai due to my wife expecting our first born during that time.
So was flown in on Business class on Emirates A380 with the cabin crew at my every calling. This luxurious life was definitely going to spoil me. Though think I deserve this given the few very hectic months I have had. Alhamdulillah Allah provides ease.
It was a beautiful relaxed journey given my 5am early morning wake up for an 8.40 departure from Heathrow. The entertainment system 'ICE' was the best I have come across on any flight and boy have I travelled a lot in my time. I arrived to Dubai at around 8pm Dubai time and to hotel around 9ish. I was definitely feeling extremely tired and had very little time to rest and stupidly went back to the airport to get a sim wasting valuable rest time especially with a 8am start at Emirates HQ. After having a subway sandwich at the airport headed off on the shuttle bus, a gratuity service from Premier Inn hotel.
A 6.30am wake up call from my S3 and it was all go once again. At 8am I just about got to Emirates HQ for the assessment day. Which completely threw me and after four hours or so I was out for the Emirates tour which was a gruesome 5 hours looking at schools, apartments, medical centre etc. Later when I arrived at the hotel I found out they would no be asking me to return the next day. That made the post the tour something very painful. Allah is the best of planners and it was for the best even though I don't know why. That's the beauty of the deen when you have emaan you never feel too down in the dumps.
So with two days to relax well try too I had to plan the business side of the trip. Yes business you heard right. So the following day with another early but not totally ridiculous time had a continental breakfast and was off to Al Khaleej Centre to visit the bank having confirmed early morning with the bank manager. Having sorted things out there prayed had mcds and off to Nakheel. Did some serious walking round in mid sun from Palm Jumeira to the metro station (next time I will know not to bother).
The metro system was pretty impressive albeit ram jammed at times.With a unlimited day ticket at 16aed around 3 pounds it was pretty good. The metro goes to all the major places with the exception of the coast and beach i.e Burj al Arab, The Palm. I didn't really fancy going on my own to The Palm or top of the two Burjes. InshaAllah another time with my family.
You don't see the Emirate on any of the public transport or taxis. Mind you with only making up appropriately 11% of the UAE population they are one of the smaller minorities in their own country. Some may say, Tower Hamlets and Dubai have one thing in common after all (given the latest news).
Braved into the malls when I had some spare fime. And not just any malls one of the two finest on the planet, The Emirates Mall and the Mall at Burj Al Khalifah. Now I have found the 11% (see above for reference) in the Malls. The idea to go to the malls after a few minutes was a big no no especially a man on his own and the only thing stopping me from going insane was the adhaan call where I was saved in many ways by my Salaat (men reading this you know what I mean).
It was in summary all in all a very good experience had made much progress with business issues and interview practice and assessment. Dubai is good for short stop overs with family or couples. Though what it really reminded me was that you can be in the best place on earth but without your loved ones there is no meaning to enjoyment. So looking foreward to seeing ya bunayya and zawjaty and of course ummy and abby.
Overall:
***
3.5/5
