This ain’t your average travel blog, folks. We’re diving headfirst into the heart of the UAE and Sri Lanka, where desert heat simmers, deals can be tricky, and Wi-Fi might test your patience. But fear not, intrepid adventurer, for I’ve unearthed travel hacks that’ll have you navigating like a seasoned pro.
Table of Contents
- How it all started – Our Sri Lanka Trip: The beginning
- Lost in Translation: Seeking Surf in Dubai’s Tranquil Beauty and Ending Up at a Breathtaking Water Show
- Getting around Dubai: Beating the Heat & Exploring the City Affordably
- Etihad Airways Review: Comfort, Entertainment & Surprisingly Good Food
- Sri Lanka: A Baptism by Humidity and Hustle
- In conclusion: Stopovers, SIM Cards, and Savvy Taxis: Your UAE and Sri Lanka Travel Hacks
How it all started
Our Sri Lanka Trip: The Beginning
Our Sri Lankan odyssey began not in Lisbon, but in the sun-drenched shores of Aljezur, Algarve. “With a Little Help From My Friends” (Erik You are the man! Joe – I knew I could count on You <3) we snagged a night bus straight from Lagos to Lisbon, arriving conveniently right at the airport terminal. Talk about efficiency! The 4.5-hour journey was a budget-friendly way to travel, even with our hefty surfboards in tow. ~Total: 40€
Etihad, supposedly one of the world’s top airlines, was a first for me. Planning our Sri Lankan adventure, we juggled three key factors: budget, travel time, and most importantly for us safe surfboard transportation (including the cost).
There were cheap options – around 420€ both ways – but with 5-6 stopovers scattered across Europe and Asia. The travel time was a mystery, and honestly, the constant switching of planes, airlines, and baggage handling sounded like a recipe for nightmare. No thanks!
The Etihad flight from Lisbon to Abu Dhabi, with a 3-night stopover followed by another flight to Colombo (Sri Lanka), felt like the safest option. It cost around 800€ per person return, but hey, we were finally flying one of the best airlines in the world, getting a stopover in Abu Dhabi, visiting a friend in Dubai, and avoiding the stress of quick transfers.
While Etihad’s Stopover program wasn’t exactly a headline grabber, I managed to dig up some key details for you:
Traveling to the UAE with Etihad and landing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi allows you to apply for free accommodation during your stopover, for a maximum of 2 nights (at least in our case).
You can choose a convenient 3-star or 4-star hotel.
A free coach bus service is available between Abu Dhabi and Dubai (and vice versa) if needed.
Since we had a 3-night stopover and a friend’s hospitality awaiting us in Dubai, we opted to skip the free accommodation and head straight to “The Gold City” (once known as Al Wasl) using the free shuttle coach (booking link). The transfer took about 1.5 hours, and voila! We were in the heart of the world-famous desert city of Dubai.
Lost in Translation:
Seeking Surf in Dubai's Tranquil Beauty and Ending Up at a Breathtaking Water Show
Exhausted from our nearly 24-hour journey, we hit the hay, saving our energy for the next day. Opting for a more spontaneous approach, we skipped detailed planning. We wanted to see how we felt about the flight, the new city, and the climate before diving in headfirst.
Our attempt to visit the Museum of the Future wasn’t a success – emails went unanswered, and the museum was apparently booked solid for a month in advance. However, the building’s architecture was undeniably impressive.
After a quick photoshoot around the city’s beautiful landscapes, we headed for the beach – our first surf spot on this new continent. Disappointingly, the Persian Gulf wasn’t delivering any waves that day. Nature is what it is, I guess. Another factor was the noise – a stark contrast to the peaceful, secluded spots of Algarve we were used to. Dubai’s reality hit us hard with the constant roar of jet-skis zipping around the bay, akin to visiting a motocross track.
Despite the lack of waves, we enjoyed walking around. Everything seemed new, exceptionally clean, and tidy. Dubai offered plenty of options for other sports, with facilities and a cool running/cycling track along the coast.
The next stop was the evening Water & Light Show at Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa – the world’s most luxurious shopping mall and tallest skyscraper, respectively. The mall also houses what seemed like one of the biggest aquariums I’ve ever seen, with sharks, stingrays, and various other sea food on display.
Squeezing through the crowds, we managed to find a spot near the foot of the Burj Khalifa to witness the Water & Light spectacle. Honestly, it was quite impressive. The 1-kilometer-high screen displayed vibrant animations depicting symbols and landmarks from Emirates history.
Hungry and thirsty, we ended the night at TimeOut Market for dinner. Not the cheapest option, but definitely worth it. Just like in Lisbon, I always enjoy visiting this open market franchise for great food and a good time. The variety and quality of cuisine cater to all tastes.
Thank You for hosting and shooting with Us Oli!
photo credits also goes to @olimpiawilk
Getting around Dubai: Beating the Heat & Exploring the City Affordably
Metro, Taxis, Buses & Stopover Hotel selection
Exploring Dubai was a breeze thanks to its efficient metro system. Affordable, clean, and air-conditioned, it’s a great way to avoid sweltering under the desert sun. Taxi prices were comparable to European rates, with most drivers being Indian, Pakistani or Filipino immigrants. Unlike Abu Dhabi taxi drivers, little bit unfriendly locals (like in most places I’ve been, really), some Dubai drivers were downright friendly. Here’s a pro tip: always double-check that the meter is running when you hop in. We got a slightly inflated fare on our first ride – rookie mistake! But hey, at least taxi fares are standardized across the cities.
Time to ditch the Gold City! The next day, we opted for the budget-friendly public bus 101 to head back to Abu Dhabi. The Etihad Stopover program offers a free shuttle bus, but only on the day of your flight. Since we extended our stay to enjoy the Aloft Hotel included in the program, the shuttle wasn’t an option. No worries though, the Aloft wasn’t a bad choice!
Aloft Hotel Review:
Service: Top notch! Everyone was super friendly and helpful.
★★★★★Location: Just 15 minutes from the airport – perfect for our early morning flight.
★★★★Rooftop: Amazing views, and from what we saw, a pretty decent menu (though we didn’t have a chance to try it).
★★★★★Rooms & Design: Decent, nothing fancy. The phone by the toilet was a quirky touch. The AC kept things cool all night, which was a lifesaver. Only downside – the sheets weren’t very breathable, but that might just be me being picky.
★★★
Etihad Airways Review: Comfort, Entertainment & Surprisingly Good Food
A Smooth Journey Across Continents
My recent Etihad flights were a breeze, both from Lisbon to Abu Dhabi and then onward to Colombo.
The first leg took about 7.5 hours, while the second was a quicker 4 hours.
Right off the bat, the friendly Etihad staff greeted us with neatly folded blankets and pillows on our seats. While airplane hygiene can be a gamble, the pillow was a lifesaver on the longer flight. For entertainment, I stuck with my own headphones, but the in-flight system offered a good selection of movies, games, audiobooks, and even documentaries about the UAE’s top attractions. It kept me well-entertained, making the time fly by.
Etihad also impressed with their food options. You can choose meals based on your dietary needs when booking. On the first flight, I enjoyed a delicious Asian-vegetarian option, while the second flight I opted for the ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Both meals were flavorful and surprisingly good quality, with a small dessert and a snack included in between.
Overall, flying with Etihad was a smooth and enjoyable experience. They delivered on comfort, entertainment, and even offered surprisingly good food for airplane standards. If you’re looking for a comfortable and hassle-free way to travel long distances, Etihad is definitely worth considering.
PS: There was no problem with free beer refill (or any other beverage) on the plane
Sri Lanka: A Baptism by Humidity and Hustle
Where the Air is Thick Enough to Chew
Stepping off the plane in Sri Lanka was like stepping into a whole new world. A wall of heat and humidity hit me first, a stark contrast to the cool, dry air of the airplane. This sensory overload was quickly followed by a dose of Sri Lankan bureaucracy.
Even though we had our visas sorted beforehand, we were met with a barrage of forms to fill out, both online and on paper. A word to the wise: hold off on buying a SIM card right at the airport. Those $20 deals often come with hidden costs and limited data. They offered us “unlimited” data, but neglected to mention it was slow 3G, with a measly 1GB of LTE. Do yourself a favor and wait until you leave the airport. There are kiosks everywhere with a wider selection of providers, like Dialog. They have better coverage across Sri Lanka, with decent (though not mind-blowing) speeds.
Speaking of transportation, forget hailing a cab. In Sri Lanka, the cabs hail you! As soon as you exit the airport, you’ll be swarmed by a sea of eager drivers all vying for your business. Our trip from Colombo to Midigama, our final destination, took about 2.5 hours and cost around 50-60$. Not bad, considering the hustle!
In conclusion:
Stopovers, SIM Cards, and Savvy Taxis: Your UAE and Sri Lanka Travel Hacks
Layover Luxury: Stuck in transit? Etihad’s Stopover program is your secret weapon. Enjoy 2-3 incredible days exploring the UAE before continuing your journey. It’s like a desert oasis amidst the usual airport routine! (Find Your options here LINK)
Shuttle Bliss: Ditch the airport taxi scramble. The Stopover program often includes a complimentary shuttle, whisking you to your hotel in style. Think desert royalty (minus the camel, probably). (Book here LINK)
Etihad Takes Flight: Soaring above the clouds with Etihad Airways is a breeze. Comfortable seats, decent food for airplane standards, and endless sky stretching out forever – a far cry from the typical cramped coach class experience.
Sri Lanka SIM Savvy: Landing in Sri Lanka? Skip the overpriced airport SIM cards. Dialog is your new travel buddy, offering reliable data speeds and island-wide coverage at a fair price. Stay connected without breaking the bank!
ATM Hudini: Hopping around the world? Keep your travel funds flexible with WISE.com. Their multi-currency account lets you hold AED, LKR, EUR, and more, so you can pay like a local without crazy exchange fees. No more ATM roulette—just smooth, hassle-free spending wherever your adventure takes you. Use this link to claim your free Wise debit card and start traveling smarter!
Taxi Talk: Taxis can be a jungle gym in any country. Don’t get fleeced like a tourist! Before hopping in, channel your inner negotiator and agree on a fare upfront. This simple step transforms you from a clueless traveler into a confident explorer.
Explore & Conquer: With these travel hacks by your side, you’re ready to conquer the Emirates and Sri Lanka like a seasoned pro. Remember, the best travel stories are always written on the road (or scribbled on a napkin in a Sri Lankan tuk-tuk!).
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