Stage 7 - 14th February 2014

We left Thailand with some reluctance, it's a very special place; we would love to stay longer but I'm afraid work is calling! I've had some changes to my work schedule so, instead of flying directly to Qatar we now have to stay in Dubai for a few days before travelling to Bahrain where I need to be on the 16th February.

The only flight from Phuket to Dubai is an overnight flight, overnight flights we always seek to avoid but on this occasion there is no alternative. The flight leaves at 12:30 am so we arrive at the airport in order to be at the check-in desk when it opens so we can ask about upgrading - we feared there would not be many seats available in Business Class and, if we left it too late, we might miss them. And, sure enough, there was only two seats left but the plan worked and we managed - after some debate - to book them, one with my airmiles for the other one we had to pay cash but we paid nowhere near the amount we would have paid if we booked Business Class originally.

So, as a result, the flight was comfortable - flat beds with Champagne and fine wine served with the meals. Dianne watched a few movies while I attempted to sleep or doze, with some success. After a 7 hour flight the time difference meant our arrival time in Dubai was about 4:00 am local time but we had a hotel car pick us up so we were in bed for a few hour's sleep soon after landing. We didn't sleep for long so managed to have some breakfast before the dining room closed.

The 14th February was St Valentine's so we booked a table at our favourite restaurant which I had a special menu which included drinks in the package - it didn't let us down.

We didn't do much in Dubai, just relaxed but Bahrain was working though we did manage a trip to the movies to see Gravity - great special effects, especially in 3D.

The Menu