
Press Familiarization Trip to Abu
Dhabi and India
Sponsored and hosted by
Etihad Airways, and India Tourism Toronto
Nov 17 – Dec 01, 2006
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photo courtesy of
Douglas MacRae |
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photo courtesy of
Douglas MacRae |
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photo courtesy of
Janet
Rivers |
I was given an opportunity to attend a press
fam trip to India November 17th to December 1st, 2006. It was sponsored and
hosted by Etihad Airways and India Tourism Toronto. I first met the group at
Toronto Pearson Airport the evening of November 17th at the international
departure gate. All were extremely excited and looking forward to this
journey very much. We would be flying Etihad Airways, which I had never
flown before, from Toronto through Brussels and landing in Abu Dhabi where
we would spend a couple of nights before departing for Mumbai and the start
of our Incredible India tour.
We landed in Abu Dhabi where the airport was decked out in colour and
seasonal banners and were met and delivered to the Emirates Palace for our
two night stay. Now entering this hotel is like driving onto palace grounds.
It was magnificent. The grounds were lit up and the water sparkled. We all
knew we were in for a treat after that long flight. We were each taken to
our rooms and shown around and rather than signing in at the desk, after our
room tour, signed in at our own desk in our room. It was late so in the
morning when I awoke, I opened the windows to discover a balcony with a
view. We had a tour of the hotel and as you can see by the photos, this is
just a grand place to stay. I loved the floral displays! Then breakfast and
on the bus for a tour of Abu Dhabi. One of the places we stopped at was a
market that was selling dates and I think everyone bought some. I have never
tasted dates so fresh or sweet like the ones here. Afterwards it was back to
the hotel to get ready for our Desert Safari and dinner. We left a bit later
than expected so only had a taste of riding the dunes, and as you can see
Janet, Etihad Sales Manager, got in some new dance moves and others dressed
up in local costume for some pictures. Back to our hotel where I got in some
night shots before bed because we were off to Mumbai tomorrow.
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