Abu Dhabi, UAE

7 things I did in Abu Dhabi
February 17 and 19, 2012

1. Ferrari World
2. Big Bus Tours
3. Marina Mall and Tower
4. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
5. Abu Dhabi Mall
6. Yas Marina Circuit at Yas Island for F3000 Driving Experience
7. Food Trips

Photos

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Adventures

Notes

• All activities and adventures were pre-arranged online at home.  Didn't take any tour packages.  

• I did not book a direct flight from Manila to Dubai because Philippine Immigration Officers are skeptic that Filipinos are going to Dubai for work and not as tourists.  Instead, I booked a round trip ticket from Manila to Hong Kong and then a round trip ticket from Hong Kong to Dubai.  I did not show to Philippine immigration my Hong Kong - Dubai ticket.

• Manila to Hong Kong round trip is via Cebu Pacific Air which costs P8,147.

• Hong Kong to Dubai round trip is via Emirates Airlines which costs HKD5,660.  Two things I like for booking with Emirates, first, I get a chance to board the biggest airliner in the world, the A380, second, you can apply your UAE visa through Emirates if you book with them.  Visa application form.

• Visa fee is US$57++ and US$272.50 for security deposit. Deposit will be returned to you once you have left UAE.  

• AED 1 = PHP 12.

February 17 
Ferrari World.  Don leaves Dubai.

• Today, we went to Ferrari World Theme Park in Yas Island.  We took the bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur for AED25.  We arrived in Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal an hour and a half later. Then took a city bus to Yas Island but the bus stop is at the wrong side of the park.  We had to walk for 30 minutes to the entrance.

• Finally we're here, freshen up a little bit at Starbucks then started our adventure.  The main attraction of the park is the Formula Rossa, the fastest coaster in the world.  The problem is, it was closed for the day because of the sand storm.  Although Ferrari World is an indoor theme park, Formula Rossa is located out side the park.  Good thing the weather got better in the afternoon eventually they opened it.  With a little bit of magic, we sneaked through the fast lane and reduced our 2 hour waiting time to 30 minutes.  We also got the first row of seats. 

• Ferrari World general admission tickets costs AED225.

• It's Don's last day of leave, so he went back to Ruwais where he works and me back to Dubai.  Bus ticket back to Dubai only costs AED15.

Ferrari World

Ferrari World

February 19 
Joined the Big Bus Tours and went to Yas Island.

• Had my city tour with Big Bus Tours, I went to Marina Mall, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Abu Dhabi Mall, from there, they have a free shuttle to Yas Island, I just asked the driver to drop me off at Yas Marina Circuit where I will have my F3000 Driving Experience.

• Big Bus Tours has 11 stops in Abu Dhabi which costs US$55. 

Marina Mall

Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi Mall

• Finally, I arrived at the circuit, but I was dropped off at the wrong gate.  Good thing a patrol unit accompanied me to the right gate instead of taking a taxi.  So, here I am, at Yas racing school.  We had our briefing, then 3 laps in a race prepared Clio for familiarization, and voila, 30 minutes (about 10 laps) of adrenalin rush in an F3000.  This is the highlight of my Abu Dhabi tour or probably the whole trip.  Skydive Dubai comes close.  We were done at around 10pm and I'm worried of getting home because public transport is rare in the area considering it's late already.  So, while getting my video at the counter, I met Dirk and his wife Aimee, who is also one of the drivers, is staying in Dubai and was kind enough to let me hitch in their car.  They just dropped me off at Dubai Marina and took a taxi to Bur, I just missed the last train by 5 minutes though.

• F3000 Driving Experience costs AED1,200 conducted by Yas Marina Circuit. 

• A video of your driving experience is available at an extra cost of AED 200 (not HD).

Inside of an F3000 model.

Racing suit's on, ready for the real deal.

Please also visit my Dubai post.