DUBAI
And Finally Going Home
13th December - 16th December | 2023
The next morning it was time to pack up and leave for Dubai, where I got a good deal with the Ibis Al Rigga. Before I went to the hotel, I passed by the shop and workshop of “Oldtimer Motorcycles” (google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cV9UkU5KfpgjrP2j9) to see where they were. I ended up talking to Luis, a Portuguese mechanic working there. How great is that - another Portuguese person I met! He was keen on finding the problem of the squeaking noise as he didn't believe it was bearing on my rear shock. He changed some bolts at the subframe as that was his concern but my bike still squeaks!
While he was working on my bike I met up with ADVMOTOSKILLZ (www.advmotoskills.com) for a cafe at their snack bar. I always like his short teaching videos and now I am sitting in front of him! We had a nice chat. Once Luis was finished with my bike and we went through the list of things that needed to be done upon my return, I went to the Ibis Al Rigga Hotel, through the crazy traffic in Dubai.
The next day I took my laundry to a place nearby and on the way there I already checked for small trolleys as I needed one to fly back to Germany as I needed to transport the MSR tent and some other things. Once the laundry was done and I found a cheap trolley, I started to repack my luggage.
Late afternoon Katrina, a female rider living in Dubai, came to meet for a drink. It was so great to meet another offroad addict and so we had lots to talk about. Also, is she representing WIMA here in the Emirates, fantastic! She offered to pick me up tomorrow afternoon at Touratech Middle East (www.touratech.ae) where I will store my bike for the time being.
As my flight will be early hours on the 16th of December I decided not to book the hotel for that night as it would be an unnecessary cost. However, I could have a late checkout to have time for packing.
After check out I left the trolley with the hotel reception to pick it up later tonight. I went with the motorbike directly to Touratech Middle East. After welcoming me we figured out that just another German Overlander couple left with their motorbikes. It took me a while to figure out that it was the Kradvagabunden (www.krad-vagabunden.de) as I thought they were still in Oman (according to one of our recent messages). So immediately I left Panny a message on his WhatsApp in the hope he would have some internet soon.
Later on I got an answer and the location of Panny so that we finally could meet in person. How cool is that? Katrina was also delighted to meet other overlanders. It was so nice to drive through Dubai by car as I could now take pictures of the famous Burj Khalifa without trying to find anywhere a place to stop ;-)
We met Panny and Simon of the “Kradvagabunden” at their hotel in the old part of Dubai. Like that, it was easy to find a place for dinner. Surprisingly in that restaurant, we had to sit in the family section! I wasn't expecting this here in Dubai anymore! It was so great to meet them finally in person and during dinner we all shared our travel stories - what a great evening.
After that, Katrina drove me back to the hotel where I picked up my trolley to go to the airport. As the underground just leaves in front of the hotel I went by public transport to the airport - the first time in a long time! It was pretty easy and only a short ride to the airport, where I arrived at about 23h00. I found my way to the area with the shops, with some sitting possibilities. This will be my place for the next 4 hours! I was a wee disappointed by the airport as I always remembered the stories that it is full of luxury stores, Ferraris and whatever toy you can dream of. Nothing like that - it could have been even Lisbon airport!
About 4am I went to the gate that finally was announced. There I had to wait another good 90mins until boarding. The plane left nearly on time, but I am unsure why we landed so late in Istanbul. We landed when I was supposed to take off again to Düsseldorf. Luckily I subconsciously booked it all with the same flight company so that already at the gate was someone waiting for me to give me a new ticket for a later flight to Düsseldorf and a voucher for some food at one of the fast food restaurants.
It was so weird, after such a long time in the Middle East to see the full shelves of spirits in the Duty Free Shop. For some people that must look like heaven ;-)
I got my snack and then it was again waiting for the flight at 15h00. This time all went on time and I arrived at 16h00 local time in Düsseldorf. I was by then so knackered, but I still had to take the train home to Köln to my mum. The train was completely overfilled - I was squeezed like a sardine until Köln. People started shouting at each other as some couldn't even get any more in or out at the train stops - Welcome back to Germany! At Köln Hauptbahnhof, I just managed to get out of the train onto the platform as these were completely choker-blocked. What is going on here? It was really slow moving until the stairs - well, being pushed and pulled around! I have never experienced such a thing before! I was so glad to be home finally - well home-Germany until after Christmas and then off to home-Portugal.
Dear Readers, Dear Fans of moto-momentum,
Please raise your glasses!
The first toast is to the amazing experience I had in the Middle East and to you being so patient to wait a long time for the remaining part of the blog.
The other one goes to "the brain" of this website, to Anabela! She was such a great help during the past 2.5 years of this blog! Without her help, there wouldn’t have been one! As you might remember, she’s embarked on new adventures, so sadly we have to wave goodbye to her! Thank you so much!!
Without "the brain" I will have to look into new ways to create content and keep you updated on the remaining process of DESTINATION MIDDLE EAST as Oman is still calling in April 2024. Please stay tuned closer to the time to see how I will keep you updated for the next leg of the adventure! In the meantime - Cheers to you all!
Places | Cities:
Dubai.
Driven km | Trip:
Total | Steffi: 35520 km
Information Border Crossings:
./.
Maintenance | Breakdown:
./.
Health issues:
./.
Special thanks to:
Katrina to look after me whilst in Dubai.
Touratech Middle East to store my bike and belongings whilst I have a break from the nomadic life.