Abu Dhabi

After leaving Sri Lanka I flew to Abu Dhabi for a couple of days. I had booked the Marriott however the pool was closed so I rejected it and headed for the Beach Rotana hotel. It was a good move. It was located in a much better place and even had a beach. I guess the clue was in the name. Great five star facilities for 150 quid a night. You couldn’t get that in London.

I had arrived during Ramadan so there were lots of hungry Muslims around. 12 hours of fasting during daylight hours.

It was hard to find a native worker in Abu Dhabi. My taxi drivers were from Nepal, then India, and finally Zimbabwe. Yusuf at check-in was from Tanzania, the waiter was from the Philippines, and the girl in W.H. Smith at the airport was from Myanmar. It seems that all the Muslim Arabs have enough money that they simply import workers.

For those hankering for a summary, here it is.

India – 1.46 billion people, 80% Hindu, challenging bathrooms, independence from the UK in 1947.

Nepal – 31 million people, 81% Hindu, triangular flag, crap roads.

Thailand – 66 million people, 93% Buddhist, King Rama X is in charge.

Laos – 8 million people, 66% Buddhist, vapes are illegal, independence from France in 1953.

Sri Lanka – 22 million people, 70% Buddhist, independence from the UK in 1948.

UAE – 11 million people, 75% Muslim, 59% of population from South Asia (all the workers), independence from the UK in 1971.

I’ve encountered a number of religions on my adventure including, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, a smattering of Christianity, and, of course, the odd Jehovah’s Witness standing on a street corner.

Seven countries, four new ones, 3 not so new.
Top experiences – Taj Mahal in Agra, Himalayas flight, the White Temple in Chang Mai, Varanasi sunrise ceremony, and Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.
Favourite city – Kathmandu.
Worst experience – Indian train toilets.