First of all, I made it to the UAE for those of you who didn't get the word that I am still alive. Better yet, I'm happy here and I'm really digging the place, my colleagues, and looking forward to more!

My Hotel: A Top Floor Room with a Majestic View

So what's going on. Well, it seems as though the government here in Abu Dhabi takes much better care of its employees than what I would expect in the US. Granted, the Navy did a fine job shipping my family around the world when I was a kid and has been taking care of my pop for quite some time, but let's face it, it hasn't been five star. But here, it's like, six.

My hotel, The Intercontinental, is ridiculous, and I'm excited every time the cheap-o taxi (most expensive ride was three bucks for about a 20 minute drive) drops me off at the front. I'm a little embarrassed that someone is there to open my door, greet me, wish me well, and then escort me to the revolving door. If I have a bag with me, that's the end of me carrying it because a porter delivers it to my room for me. Lovely stuff for my over weight suitcases.

Housekeeping comes every morning to straighten my shoes, arrange my cosmetics on the bathroom sink, and restock my tea station with extra peppermint tea because they know I like that one. In the evenings I have been delighted to find chocolates, bath salts, lavender pillow spray, and refreshing face masks on my pillow.


When I go to the pool, the temperature is a cool 29 degrees Celsius even though it should be bath water temperature in this hot sun, but it's controlled to stay refreshing. The gym has fantastic equipment (yes, I know this from experience, thank you very much), and a lovely view of the hotel's private harbor and white sand beach, which are delightful themselves. Breakfast takes the meaning of continental to a truer meaning than any other place I've been. Think of all the countries you've visited, and there is a selection of delicious food from that region. Pretty awesome, especially during Ramadan because their still serving food (even pork!).

Everything here is just gorgeous, lovely, beautiful. The lobby is decked out in marble and crystal, while the rooms are trimmed dark woods and luxury fabrics. I'm just amazed, and even though I don't know when I'm going to start work, I really can't find a reason to complain. So what do I have to say about all this royal treatment? Shoot, this is my first all-inclusive vacation on United Arab Emirates, and it doesn't take too much time to settle in with beautiful treatment like this. I don't know how long la vie est luxe, but for now, I like it.