Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain

Oct 7-16, 2016
OS72 YYZ-VIE, LH1233 VIE-FRA, Oct 9 BA901 FRA-LHR, EY20 LHR-AUH, Oct 10 EY391 AUH-DOH, Oct 13 QR1106 DOH-BAH, Oct 15 EY376 BAH-AUH, EY19 AUH-LHR BA910 LHR-FRA, Oct 16 LH470 FRA-YYZ, AC8115 YYZ-IAH

The ultimate First Class flying experience is Etihad’s A380 Apartment.  It is one of the most private flying experiences and is known for its incredible service, food and ground experience.  It is very expensive to buy, but until American changed the AAdvantage program, was a very good point value from Europe to the Middle East.  With only a few seats available on the London to Abu Dhabi flight, we planned this trip almost a year out. 

Once it was determined that we would fly on the A380, we needed to pick the final destination.  We would start in Frankfurt where it would be easy to fly to, and ultimately decided that Qatar and Bahrain would be interesting new destinations to explore.  As well as two interesting locations, we also got to check out the First Class lounge in Doha which was over the top beautiful with great restaurant food and champagne. 

The Etihad flights exceeded our expectations and the ground service was incredible.  The food and beverage quality in the lounge were amazing and I took advantage of a shave in the barber shop, a spa treatment and worked out in the private gym.  Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, but nice to see how the other half live.

Oct 9

After staying overnight at a hotel in the Frankfurt airport grounds, we headed back to the airport and started our journey to Abu Dhabi via London.  

With lots of time at the airport, we're able to watch the earlier A380 take off; on our plane we sit on the upper deck at the front of the plane

My private Apartment

Relaxing prior to takeoff

Taking advantage of the opportunity to dine together in our Apartment

My bed is ready for a brief mid-flight nap

Saying good night to Tom through our sliding window

After an evening landing in Abu Dhabi, we catch a ride to our hotel and try to get on timezone with some rest.

Oct 10

Before heading back to the airport for our flight to Doha, we spend the morning around the hotel, which itself is pretty unique.  We've been in Abu Dhabi a few times, but this is our first time in this newly developed area.

The unique hotel shape

Looking down the curved hotel atrium  

The Abu Dhabi airport tower

The dining room and bar in the First Class Lounge

After a few hours of drinks and snacks, we enjoyed a gourmet dinner

Nighttime view of St. Regis grounds

After an enjoyable time in the First Class lounge and a short flight to Doha we arrived later in the evening and got a first glimpse of the modern city. 

Oct 11

For our first full day in Doha, we moved to a new hotel in the modern West Bay area of the city.  We then then caught an Uber to the old town and walked back to the hotel along the beach.

1911 Rolls Royce in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel

Souq Waqif, traditional market in the old town

The Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center

Traditional dhow boats of Doha with the new city in the background

One of the many stray cats

The Pearl Monument along the long Corniche promenade that runs along Doha Bay

Falcon Souq exterior

One of the many shops selling falcons

One of the markets many falcons

The hoods help keep the falcons calm when they are not hunting

Interior of the Falcon Souq

Al Shouyoukh Mosque

The Amiri Diwan royal palace

One of many sculptures and attractions along the long Corniche boardwalk

Orry the Oryx Mascot of the (Doha) 2006 Asian Games

Dhow, lit up for the evening, regularly crossing Doha Bay between the new and old cities

One of the many interesting buildings in the West Bay area

Burj Qatar building

Tornado Tower

Tom relaxing in our very funky W Suite, one of the nice benefits of having hotel status

Making our way back to the hotel with all the office buildings and new construction proved a little challenging on foot, but we made it back to the hotel in time for Happy Hour.

Oct 12

After breakfast, we moved to our third hotel near the Pearl resort area that was the focal point for the UCI World Road Race Championship.  Before checking out the race, we headed to the Katara Cultural Village that hosts the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.  The races closed some of the roads around the area, making it somewhat difficult to get around..

Katara Plaza is the next phase of development.  When done, this will look like two wrapped presents with bows

Amphitheater at Katara has more than a little Roman influence

Some modern art in the Katara area

Just a few of the apartment buildings that fill out the Pearl, an artificial island

Checking out the time trials on the island

Alexey Vermeulen, USA

Elchin Asadov, Azerbaijan

Hugo Houle, Canada

Jack Bauer, New Zealand

The helicopter cameras followed the most important racers

Manuel Quinziato, Italy

Taylor Phinney, USA

Bob Jungels, Luxembourg

Tony Martin, Germany, winner of the men's elite time trials

After the time trials were over, the roads were open and we were able to get back to our hotel.

Oct 13

For our last day in Doha, we made it to the Museum of Islamic Art before heading to the airport to enjoy the brand new First Class Lounge and our short trip to Bahrain.  

Aptly named Zigzag Tower apartments across from our hotel

Museum of Islamic Art designed by famous architect I. M. Pei.

Temporary Terracotta Army exhibit complements the traditional Islamic Art

Impressive Jeweled Falcon in the museum collection

Fountain at the main entrance to the museum

Impressive drive leading to the museum from the Corniche

View from our balcony at our third hotel

Main entry way to the Flagship Qatar First Class Lounge in Doha

Kieth Haring painting adorns the entrance

Antiquities on loan from Islamic Art Museum

Fountain adorns the entrance to the main dining room

Tom enjoying dinner and champagne in the lounge

Lamp Bear by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, a unique installation in the main Doha Airport hall

After an enjoyable, short flight, we arrived late at our hotel and checked in for the night.

Oct 14

On our short trip to Bahrain, we had only one full day to explore the capital Manama, so made the most of it. 

Bahrain World Trade Center, connected to our hotel

Flight exhibit in Bahrain National Museum

Statue out of the national museum

Another stray cat catches Tom's attention, while we wait for our Uber

Al Fateh Grand Mosque 

Isa Cultural Center

Restored Bahrain Fort

More of the restored fort

Bee sculptures by Dina Mahmoud, outside of the Bahrain Fort Museum

Locals gather in the traditional Bab Al Bahrain shopping area

Narrow lanes in old city

Bahrain Financial Harbour

City Center Mall where the Saudis come to shop

More traditional Souq area of the City Center Mall

As we had a 3:00am flight back to Abu Dhabi, we caught a little bit of rest before before the flight.

Oct 15

After a few hours sleep, we caught our very early Uber to the airport and started the long journey back to Frankfurt.  Although it was a very early start, we had a few more hours to explore the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi.  This time, I used the private fitness center to get in a quick workout, followed by a massage and a quick champagne breakfast before our Apartment trip to London.

Tom ready for lunch

Arabic mezze to start

Sorbet

Soup course

Black cod with side of french fries

Mid-air shower selfie

The tail camera made for an entertaining flight

The Residence Living Room

The exterior of our A380 in London

As our flight was delayed, we got a personal transfer to our departure terminal

After a great flight to London, we managed to make our tight connection and get to our hotel at the Frankfurt airport.

Oct 16

After our overnight stay at the airport we left Frankfurt for Toronto and Houston.