Buried Treasure: UAE Empty Quarter & Beyond to Huvadhoo Atoll, Maldives UA, EY J, Q2
#46
Join Date: Sep 2005
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#47
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Also I gave specific feedback on pool/island villas with good beach exposure in post #565
#48
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver
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check out the master thread in the Hyatt forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...thread-38.html
Also I gave specific feedback on pool/island villas with good beach exposure in post #565
Also I gave specific feedback on pool/island villas with good beach exposure in post #565
Can you now please post part #8 of your trip report so that I can check out the view from villa #19?
#49
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Very fascinating Trip Report, thanks for taking the time and effort to share.
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
Did you feel there was total liberty in taking pictures? Or were there places you were restricted from taking pictures?
What was security like on the flights within the Middle East?
In what way were the roads in the UAE better than Interstates in the USA? What was the speed limit?
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
Did you feel there was total liberty in taking pictures? Or were there places you were restricted from taking pictures?
What was security like on the flights within the Middle East?
In what way were the roads in the UAE better than Interstates in the USA? What was the speed limit?
#50
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
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Posts: 5,499
#51
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Though you may have travelled in Y, J (and even Q), this trip report is totally First Class! In both text and photography, it's one of the nicest I've seen come down the pike in a good while. Thank you! ^^
#53
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA (close to KPAE)
Programs: QFF NB, DJ Gold, A3 Gold, HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver, Carlson Silver, A|Club Gold
Posts: 480
Very fascinating Trip Report, thanks for taking the time and effort to share.
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
To the OP Fantastic report. Good to see someone else heading off to Qatar.
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,607
check out the master thread in the Hyatt forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...thread-38.html
Also I gave specific feedback on pool/island villas with good beach exposure in post #565
Also I gave specific feedback on pool/island villas with good beach exposure in post #565
Very fascinating Trip Report, thanks for taking the time and effort to share.
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
Did you feel there was total liberty in taking pictures? Or were there places you were restricted from taking pictures?
What was security like on the flights within the Middle East?
In what way were the roads in the UAE better than Interstates in the USA? What was the speed limit?
I do have some questions:
You mentioned that it got up to 38 (which equates to about 100F for those in the USA). Was that a dry heat (like much of the western and southwestern USA, especially desert areas) or was it humid and uncomfortable (like much of the eastern USA and Canada)?
Did you feel there was total liberty in taking pictures? Or were there places you were restricted from taking pictures?
What was security like on the flights within the Middle East?
In what way were the roads in the UAE better than Interstates in the USA? What was the speed limit?
In the desert and the UAE, the heat was dry with low humidity. The Maldives was more tropical but I personally found it not to be all too tropical.
I noticed at times on the hotter days in the lounge chair that even in dry heat, you're going to sweat like "no tomorrow" at times. I had waterfalls of persperation coming off me at times in the Maldives. The same applied for some of the days out at the Qsar Al Sarab in the Empty Quarter, UAE.
Indeed it was hotter temperatures in the UAE than my usual Singapore, Bali, Thailand experiences. This is perhaps attributed to less wind in these areas. Having said that - humidity and comfort are often relative things. X found Qatar to be quite humid, whereas I found it bearable. This makes me feel as though it's a relative barometer for comfort.
I was a conservative in taking photographs, preferring for a long lens at times. On the inhabited island, I was encouraged to take as many photographs as possible - which is strange for such a remote place that probably doesn't get a lot of foreign visitors. In Doha, the women didn't seem to mind being in general photographs, despite wearing abbeya's - provided that they were in public places. In the end, I think if you use caution and common sense, you won't be offending anyone.
I didn't notice many air marshalls or security vans guarding the US planes like El Al are reported to have. The additional security at the gate is probably the most inconvenient part. Mind you, I was way in the back cabin so any additional cockpit protection was hidden from my view.
The highways in the UAE are better than the USA interstate highways. They are built for sheer volume and excess. Who needs a 4-6 lane highway in each direction (up to 12 lanes total) between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?? There were frequent speed cameras along most routes but the Arab's didn't seem to pay much attention to them. I am sure that I zipped by a few speed cameras over the posted speed limit, but haven't received any ticket chargebacks through Hertz. The speed limits on the Dubai - Abu Dhabi was 140 km/h (85 mp/h) and on the 2 lane highway to Liwa was 80 km/h (50 mp/h).
Having just returned back from Qatar myself about a week or so ago, it is a humid heat unfortunately (though when I was there it was about 33C, but that was like bliss for this Aussie stuck in the PNW).
To the OP Fantastic report. Good to see someone else heading off to Qatar.
To the OP Fantastic report. Good to see someone else heading off to Qatar.
Thanks BostonFlyer1624 for your support once again.
Thanks also to those that have private messaged looking for information. This forum is one of the few places where you can get first hand information from those that have experienced it directly. ^^
#56
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA (close to KPAE)
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Yeah I definately wouldn't go during summer. Their winters are more what I am accustomed to back home in Australia during our summer on the East Coast. So it was something I could handle and quite be quite happy with. What was tough was returning to the near freezing levels in Seattle
#58
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Yeah I definately wouldn't go during summer. Their winters are more what I am accustomed to back home in Australia during our summer on the East Coast. So it was something I could handle and quite be quite happy with. What was tough was returning to the near freezing levels in Seattle
Thanks chicagodesi - it was a pretty awesome experience. I'd highly recommend the visit.
#60
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