21st August Friday
Our departing day, we did some sorting out stuff at Holly Grove, then we went to Watford to opticians as Bhavni had an appointment to fix her glasses. It was a bit more shopping afterwards and then we went to see Mavis for the last time.
Back to Holly Grove and we picked up my mother and dropped her to Northwick park hospital to see father. We then went for Lunch at Rajvi’s (though I quickly went and got a hair cut). After we went to see father in Northwick park – much more lively. Then it was all of us going back to Holly Grove for 4, where we got ready and brought the bags down.
Hamid the Taxi driver came at 17:45 and we got to Heathrow T4 at 18:45. Checking in was quick as our tickets came with priority and all the 6 bags were similar weight, the person allowed one hand luggage to go in the hold which was easier for us. We had some time so go before boarding so we went to the Weatherspoons and had some drinks (coffee and fizzy) with nachos. Airyen had a waffle from the waffle shop as well after we finished.
It was then boarding time – again priority. Bhavni’s plan for seating with a gap in the middle does not work as its a full flight, so we have to swap with someone. The flight was ok as sleep was a bit limited and special meals not set.
22nd August Saturday
We arrived in Abu Dhabi around 7am, where we got through immigration quickly and collect all our bags. We then went to the 2nd floor to get our hire car – the only booking for the day (upgrade to a T-Roc). Then we had to go to the car park where it took quite a while. When the car finally came the guy somehow managed to fit in all the luggage in the boot area with 2 seats down. We drove to our hotel – the Intercontinental near the Corniche. I got the wrong road a few times on the way – multi lane motorways and Airyen distractions.
We get to the hotel and check in, they give us a temporary room on floor 5, which is great for us to freshen up. We then go to brunch in the hotel and have a late breakfast.
After brunch we got the car and drove to Yaz Island and Ferrari world. I parked a bit far away in one of the first Mall parking areas so it was a bit of a search to the amusement park. We had got the 2 park passes so we just had to go in. We went to the first roller coaster Mission Ferrari – Airyen properly cries as does not like it – not an outcome I would have thought. It was just as well we went on this first as the ride stops working soon after.
We went to some other small rides then went to flying aces after some convincing of Airyen – it was still not great for him. We then did some other rides (I did the one in the Turbo Track on my own). At the end we went to the GT Challenge, now this Airyen liked and we ended up doing it twice.
We then left around 6ish, i had a problem paying for parking, and I could not sort it out until the next day. We got to the hotel, our room was now on the 12th Floor – set up for the Anniversary with a cake (and a bed for A). Airyen and I went for a swim as the pool was open until 8pm.
Bhavni had booked Byblos Sur Mer for dinner at 8.30, a Lebanese restaurant, so we got ready and quickly went there. It turned out to be a Michelin star place – It was nice. We went back to the room and enjoyed the nice desert.
23rd August Sunday – 15th Anniversary
We were up decently early and went for a morning swim, after which we got ready and went for breakfast – there was a small queue to get seated.
After breakfast we got our car and drove to Yaz Island again to Warner Bros World. This time there was specific parking, but it was quite a hot but short walk to get into the cool building.
We had to do the ticket entry thing again then went straight to the Gotham area and to the Batman: Knightflight ride – no real queue and was pretty good. From this we queued to the The Riddler Revolution, but as there was a sight problem, they took a bit of time to get the ride going for us, but in the mean time a man tried to get loose from the ride (saying he had a panic attack) and had become stuck, so they had to stop it and get us out individually then close the ride.
We went on a number of rides – Joker Fun House, Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey, Justice League: Warworld Attacks, all with queues of less then 20 mins. Then we joined a long one – Fast and Furry-ous with a 50 min queue, where we also had queue jumping children – telling them they went out and got fast passes. Our last ride was the Flintstones boat ride. Overall this park felt less tired than Ferrari World and we enjoyed it.
It was then back to the car and the drive to the hotel. We got back in time for the last 10 mins of afternoon tea – it was aubergine buns for the sandwiches but they were good.
We decided to all fo for a swim again – quite refreshing, after which we had to get ready for dinner (whilst we left the costumes in the heat to help dry a bit). We drove to the Emirates palace and to Hakisan (which I had booked a month before) – apparently you are meant to get the car valet parked but i parked directly. It was a nice meal (with Airyen doing one hiccup as he wanted Bhavnis phone) – we ordered quite a few things and had some of the recommended drinks. They gave a nice desert for the Anniversary – which we all finished. After dinner we had a quick wonder around the hotel lobby area – really quiet. Then we went to the car – Bhavni had suggested to go and get ice cream (at a mall for parking), so I drove to Al Wahda mall where Airyen had a Cold Stone ice cream – sweat as he added sprinkles. It was then back to hotel, where after Airyen slept we did some packing. I left Bhavni sorting out other things and went to sleep.
24th August Monday
We had to be up early and we got ready and went for an early breakfast – things were not all out yet, but we could not eat too much anyway. We then checked out and with a bit of a struggle got all the bags in the car (though not a well as on the way in) for 7.20. We then drove to the Airport and got there for 8.10am. I had to wait for the car to get checked and then we could go and check in. The main bags were checked in fine – they would not put a hand luggage in though here. Our tickets were for all the way to Wellington. We just went to the departure gate lounge and after a while we boarded (priority again). The flight left around 10.45ish, it was a decent flight, this time with our special meals – though they were not that great – and the time change.
25th August Tuesday
We arrived early into Sydney airport, before 7am. Getting our hand luggage and through security / immigration to get out took us around 30 minutes. I ordered us an uber to central Sydney near to the Town Hall. There was a small mall we went to that allowed us to brush our teeth. Then we left our hand luggage at a bag drop off. shop that we booked online, so that we did not have to cart them about.
I then did a 3 hour self walking tour (thanks to Claude), starting at town hall through the queen Vic building (where Airyen insisted on a cinnamon swirl) and then near Martin place. Here we stopped for a coffee/drinks and a sandwich for Airyen. We then continued through Albert park and the botanic garden and to the Opera House. It was a good place to stop for a bit. Then we went to the circular quay onto the rocks. I went a bit further as I wanted a good look at the rocks. Then we walked back towards the town hall.
We ducked into the Hilton on Pitt Street for a bit as it had got a little drizzly and we were to meet Mishal around here for coffee. He came and we went to a coffee place in The Galleries called The Grounds of the City. It was nice catching up. After due to the rain we decided to go to the Australia Museum as it was close. We had a look at some of the Surviving Australia and Dino Exhibits. It was quite busy with school trips. Airyen made him and I go to a special exhibit called bloodsuckers.
We had time to go to a cafe (Le Monde) which was still open. I had a matcha late, whilst the others had hot chocolate. We then went to pick up the bags and got an Uber to airport getting there just before 4. It was really quick getting in and we had time to chill for a bit – no one wanted to wonder as we were all tired. Boarding our Quantus flight to Wellington, we had no problems. The food on board was better than the Etihad flight. We landed just before midnight.
26th August Wednesday
Wellington airport (helped by the time) was much easier to exit from than Auckland – we used the e-gates and the queue for Bio was not that big. We got out and had 2 waiting taxis (one with electronic eyes) to take us to the James Cook Hotel. We checked in and took our bags up ourselves.
It was then phone calls to the UK, going to sleep around 2.30am local time. We woke up at 8.30am and got ready so we could get to breakfast for 9.30am (it closed at 10), it was a continental affair. It was nearly 11 when we got out and walked along Lampton Quay. We met Mitesh briefly near bus stops there – his work is nearby. We then got to the Uniform shop and bought stuff for Airyen. Bhavni then went to look at beds while Airyen and I returned to the hotel. We got in the lift fine but our room was locked out as it just had gone 1pm. So after a quick trip to the reception we got all the bags out onto a trolley. Bhavni met us in the hotel and we left the bags there and went for drinks/pastry at a cafe called Earth and Monkeys.
We got back for 2pm and the transport was waiting for us. We loaded up and drove to Masterton. The driver was talkative and told us about lots on the way, though the others fell asleep by the time we were on the hills. We got to the house at around 4pm – quite a big place we have. We got all our stuff inside and then from the garage we got into the provided car to Pak n Save and got some essentials. Then it was back home and quite some time cleaning – there was lots of cat hair and the kitchen needed a deep clean. I made dinner – pasta / salad for around 8pm. There was then a bit more cleaning before a late bedtime.