DOH! (Nut).... (Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH))

Member Name: Kayteehee

Product:	Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Date:	07/07/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: People-watching.

Disadvantages: Design of building, toilets, being stared at by men :P Smokey, busy

I have been through Abu Dhabi airport on two occasions, on a flight to Sydney and the return leg nine months later.

After a 6-hour flight from London Heathrow, was really looking forward to a three-hour rest in Abu Dhabi Airport. Having never visited the Middle East before I didn't know what to expect although obviously I was stuck in the Airport. On arrival I felt like I was stuck inside some huge tube thing... The design is very claustrophobic, not what I wanted just having got off a flight and about to get onto a 15 hour one. It is shaped in a circular strange 'doughnut' shape. Though this is very impressive, it doesn't provide a nice comforting airy atmosphere.

The airport was ABSOLUTELY packed. It was about 2am. It was boiling hot and smelt really strongly of smoke and sweat. I went to find the toilets, which took quite a lot of negotiating, and of course there was a queue. After queuing up for what seemed like an age, although it smelt really bad, I went into the clean-seeming cubicle and looked for the toilet... it was a hole in the ground. Fair enough I may sound like an uncultured lady right now but for an international airport welcoming so many Western guests you think there could be a choice? No?
Sorry for the detail but I *attempted* to empty my bladder but to no avail, I kept slipping on the floor and had no chance. It was not very helpful for those with disabilities either. Also note there was no toilet roll, just a showerhead as this is the Arabian way too :) My step-dad visited the men's and there was a 'normal' western style toilet there so I was thoroughly annoyed and very tempted to go to the men's, though realising this may cause slight cultural issues decided against it! After speaking to my friends from various Arab countries they are surprised that at Abu Dhabi airport there isn't western style toilets as apparently most public toilets are this way.

Needless to say I spent the next three hours desperate to pee but could not for the life of me instruct my brain to use the toilet on the ground, I was very tired too so maybe this added to it anyway I was so glad when the seatbelt sign went off on my next flight, queue a frantic run down the aisle of the plane :D

Aside from the toilet facilities, there are numerous small shops dotted around, the souvenir shop is quite cool and I really wish I had bought something. On my return flight I got some cigarettes for a friend back home, they cost the equivalent of 6 pounds for 200 Silk Cuts! I did not eat anything whilst there, the queues for the cafes etc were absolutely huge. There were lots of people asleep everywhere, on floors, on seats, it involved a lot of stepping over people and negotiating to get by. There are also some free Internet terminals that have a long queue and you are required to stand up when using them.
On the way to my onward flight to Sydney we were required another security check. This was, however a complete joke as the guy supposedly checking the X-Ray machine had his feet up and crossed on the desk and he was leaning back what seemed like text messaging on his phone. Didn't really understand the point of that check!

The airport is very difficult to navigate around, if you feel like you are walking in circles, that's because you are! Just give time to get to your departure gate, they are dotted around in the circle.

My tips for surviving in this airport are:
*Take a bottle of water and some munchies if you don't want a long queue
*Find a seat, chill and don't leave it if you don't want it to be sat in
*Make sure if you're not used to using an 'Arabian-style' toilet then go to the loo on your last plane/before your flight, if it's a long stop over then this doesn't work
*If you're a blonde female, dye your hair :D Or go to the souvenir shop and invest in a hijab :P
*Wear lightweight clothing - it's hot
*Try not to think about being stuck inside a giant doughnut!

Summary: Glad my stop-over was only three hours each way!