I just had a great time with Ebonylife TV crew on their One year anniversary in Calabar quite revealing I must say. On getting to Lagos the next day, I received a mail from Arik Air inviting me to be a part of the official launch of their route to Dubai. I was honored and excited at the same time I knew it was going to be fun because I had once visited Dubai the previous year. So I was looking forward to this trip.
I had to prepare for the trip and organize my team in Lagos to ensure smooth running of business.
On Monday July 28th, 2014 was the official launch of Arik Air‘s new route to Dubai. I met other passengers at the airport who were on the queue to check-in and they were excited about the new development from the company.
I was not expecting a long queue but the turn out was quite impressive. I said ‘Ok!!! I am ready for this trip’.
LEAVING LASGIDI
Before the Arik Air Dubai flight, there was a short ceremony at Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, to celebrate the new route from Lagos, Abuja to Dubai.
The flight took off at 10.45pm, Lagos, Nigeria time. We were all on board with the Managing Director/ EVP Chris Ndulue , members of the press and other passengers in a full flight (A 330-200). We arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja at exactly (55 minutes later) to pick up some other passengers who awaited the Dubai Arik Air flight.
More pictures from the inaugural launch at Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Selfie before take-off ( O necessary )
The Dubai flight which was scheduled for departure, took off at exactly thirty minutes after, there on, I met amazing people on board, including Patrick, David, Jill, Cheryl, Jane, Lizzy, Uwa, Adewale, Beatrice, Joshua, Laide, Olubunmi, Mr Ola Banji, Mr Nnamdi, Mr Tope Olowojoba, Captain Ade aka Jolly papa, Female co-pilot Annu and Co-pilot Idriss . It was smooth one as we chatted about work, life, travel and what to expect at Dubai.
All passengers on board from Lagos – Abuja to Dubai received souvenirs from Arik Air for the inaugural launch of the new flight route to Dubai.
Selfie with Cabin crew
ON ARRIVAL IN DUBAI
About few minutes to landing, the pilot announced that we should keep to safety flight precautions. When the plane touched down Dubai soil, there was a “watery” reception; as water cannons were used to splash the plane to welcome our arrival, we all clapped, because it was a successful flight.
The Dubai press and airport officials welcomed us, with pictures and interviews; we were all excited on what to expect!
We later settled in our five star hotel rooms, and later went for lunch at the Spice Island Restaurant; with a very ambience. We all set out for the desert safari immediately after lunch. The tour guide, Alibaba of Dadabhai Travel came to take us in a luxurious bus and we all set out. See what we did below;
CAMEL RIDE TIME
So after a fun long day at the desert safari, we all retired to our various hotel rooms.
The next morning, we left our hotel rooms at 10am (Dubai time) for the city tour, we visited the Dubai creek, Dubai museum, Jumeira, Bhuj arab, and Atlantis; it was insightful, and we learnt Dubai history, their lifestyle and how Dubai has really transformed from a desert to a city.
Later at night, we went for the Dowe cruise organised by the Rainbow Tour, with other tourists on board. The Dj on board played some very interesting Indian songs and surprisingly, he switched his turntables and jammed some Nigerian hit songs including ‘ skelewu’ by DavidO and Mavin Crew’ ‘Dorobucci’; we never ‘esperredit’, we all danced the night away till he finally switched to their kind of music, *in my sonorous voice, aaaaaaaaaaaa*.
Nothing beats fun, music and good people around you in Dubai.
ON OUR WAY BACK TO LASGIDI
We got to the airport 3 hours before our flight back to Lagos. And again, we took a selfie. Check us out
I met Dejavu and I had a big crush on him. Well, Beatrice, Bunmi and Laide didn’t know cos I kept it to myself. I mean, I could not hold it anymore and I started expressing myself. Well, with his cute smile and nice set of teeth I couldn’t resist it [ swallows saliva] and we had a conversation. They made it happen tho’ cos I would not approach him. I felt it was fine if I admire him from afar than for me to have a close up conversation but the ‘ na only you waka come people’ made it happen. Dejavu and I got talking.
Back to work mode, we all boarded the aircraft. Although, we did not want to leave *sad face*, it was tremendously fun, you should use Arik Air sometime or on vacation to Dubai. Don’t say I didn’t tell you ooo.
Arik Air flies Dubai five times a week i.e Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The prices are very affordable and you can book your order online via http://www.arikair.com and you can also download the app on IOS, BBM, and ANDROID (ARIK AIR).
xoxo
