So far it's been quite a trip! 62 hours after leaving home in Melbourne I still haven't arrived on French soil. Our flight from Melbourne and Singapore had to divert unexpectedly to Dubai due to a medical emergency. A poor lass had appendicitus and had to be rushed to hospital. While we were waiting for the medical crew to board we heard that Heathrow airport had closed due to volcanic ash and therefore the flight would be delayed in Dubai by 14 hours - which actually turned out to be 26.
I have to say Qantas was great and provided 400 passengers with hotel rooms however the thought of sitting in a hotel room in broad daylight for 14 hours didn't fill a few of us with 2 much glee so we headed into the city to see the sights.
We took a trip on a local dhow boat along Dubai Creek, popped into the spice and gold souks and then passed the tallest building in the world, the top part lost throught the desert haze en route to Jumeirah Beach.
This beach resort area is what makes Dubai so popular as a winter sun spot, it's bright white sand, pristine beaches, glorious hotels and glinting swimming pools were positively begging to be enjoyed for a couple of days. Our flight beckoned however and after another 6 hours at Dubai airport, another 7 hour flight, a missed connection, a 7 hour layover at Heathrow, I am now finally about to board my final leg to France.