We Arrived - Finally

Well after a few challenges we did arrive at The School of St Jude.  We have met lots of people and had a quick look around the Moshono campus.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

Friday 22^nd March 2013

Well here we are sitting on the 24th floor looking back at the city of Dubai and out over the Dubai Marina complex (just below us) and The Palm Jumeira (palm shaped island).  It’s a little hazy this morning as you can only just see the city from here which is approximately 30 kms away.

The trip from Brisbane to Dubai arrivrd 40 mins early.  Uneventful flight except for it was full and Denise had the aisle seat while Peter had the window seat with a spare seat between us – no.  We had a lady between us who didn’t want the window seat as she said she got up regularly, and Denise wanted the aisle seat.  So much for regular, she got up twice during the 15 hour flight.  Now with the water Peter was drinking and his need to walk/move regularly, it didn’t make for a comfortable flight.

Note to self – don’t take the window seat on long flights.

Arriving in Dubai we had booked the marhaba service (check it out on the net) to meet us as we got off the flight and fast track us through arrivals and baggage collection.

Problem 1, we stopped some way away from the terminal and had to take a 10-15min bus ride to the terminal, standing – wasn’t expecting that after a 15 hour flight.

Problem 2, when we did get to the terminal in Dubai, no mahaba service, so we decided to forget it and make our own way through arrivals.  Just before lining up for customs/immigration, Denise notice the counter for mahaba so we went over and after 5mins of waiting, we finally got to use the service.  It’s worth it – thanks Anj.  We bypassed the queues and went straight to the front of the line.  When we got to baggage collection we had to wait for 15-20mins for our bags to arrive.  Not sure if this was part of the service (I believe it was luck), but our 4 bags were in the first 20 bags out.  When we left the baggage area, no other passengers from our flight had made it to baggage collection, so that saved at least 30mins.
Update - Mahaba has offered a complimentary service next time we are in Dubai.

Problem 3, we didn’t have a phone to call Josh to let him know we were early.  Instead, used the free wifi service to send Josh, Alex & Lisa an email to let Josh know we had landed and were collecting our bags.  It was then that Peter realised he could use Skype – no answer, and finally Viber to call Lisa to SMS Josh.  We waited for 5 mins with our porter not knowing if or when Josh would arrive – he did.

Note to self – carry a working mobile when you have to meet others.

When we got to Josh’s place, we all went to bed after a shower.  Peter slept for about 90 mins, while Denise managed 2-3 hours.

Friday was spent looking around Dubai courtesy of Josh who had the use of the latest Cadillac that is yet to be released.  Josh’s excuse - he has to test it to see how it works and see what he can break on it.

Saturday 23^rd March 2013

We were initially going to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, but ended up going to Water World (sorry Deb, and yes I was in a little pain afterwards) after doing a guided tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque also in Abu Dhabi.  Even I was impressed with the Grand Mosque which is rare for me with buildings.

Saturday night we had a late dinner.  We were going to go out, but instead cooked a BBQ, once Josh and Peter worked out how to light it with a few words of encouragement and beers.

Sunday 24^th March 2013

Off to St Jude’s – woops.

Today we spent the morning at Dubai Mall so Denise could see the aquarium.  This is where the tallest building in the world is, and the mall also has an ice skating rink and many shops.  After lunch, Josh picked us up and dropped us to the airport - thanks Josh for your hospitality.

Made it to Nairobi, but that was it for the day.  Our flight to Kilimanjaro was cancelled due to “mechanical problems”, so we spent the night in Nairobi courtesy of Precision Airways at the Eka Hotel (4 star).

We were delayed getting to the hotel as Peter had to convince the airline that we could take 40kgs each.  Finally had dinner at 10pm and off to bed as pickup was to be 5.30 to 6am.

Monday 25^th March 2013

Well today we are off to St Jude’s….we hope.

Peter had to convince the airline yet again that we could take 40kgs each.  I love these places- expect the unexpected and you will never be surprised.  Denise hasn’t accepted this part yet.

On the flight in we got to see the tops of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru.

We made it to Kilimanjaro and discovered no bus to meet us and no phone.  Bought a local SIM and called the school who suggested a taxi.

The room we are in was being patched due to a leaking roof in the lounge room/kitchen/dining area.  It is now fixed I hope.

We have met quite a few of the volunteers and Peter has met most of the people he will be working with.  At 5pm went to “The Hole”, the local watering hole that is just outside the school gate.

Tuesday 26^th March 2013

It’s drizzling this morning and we woke to the sounds of rosters (I thought Gareth was here) and goats.  Today we have induction them I am assuming it’s off to work.