Press Fam Trip to Abu Dhabi and India 2006

Press Familiarization Trip to Abu Dhabi and India
Sponsored and hosted by

Etihad Airways, and India Tourism Toronto
Nov 17 – Dec 01, 2006

Nov 17-19th

Nov 20-21

Nov 22-24

Nov 25

Nov 26-28

Nov 29-30

photo courtesy of
Douglas MacRae

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.