Abu Dhabi set for Blue Boom

[bowp]

When you do, post your experiences on this forum (or in off topic) if you will, mate. I may be going to Sydney next March for work and the discount and the connection makes me think Etihad is the logical way forward.

But i'd still like to know if its any good, it's a long journey otherwise...

When I was living in Saudi Arabia I generally used Etihad and have flown a number of their routes (including the Manchester to Abu Dhabi one). Ive prob been on 60 legs with them and generally they are good - though unfortunately for the frequent flyer the experience has got worse as the number of people flying with them grows. The food is good (though they do run out of some options regularly) the drink selection is excellent as is the entertainment system. A nice bonus is if you end up on the Man City branded plane then getting off in Abu Dhabi and seeing all the rags b*tching as they get a full view of it as they walk up the gangway which has big windows :-). If you do fly with them make sure you join the guest program (easy to do on their website) you would get a lot of points flying to Sydney return and can use them in the online shop which has some good gear on. I would say I dont find them to be the cheapest and when I tried to use the Man City season ticket discount to fly to Adelaide it wasnt available....

Being honest flying from Manchester you would be better going Emirates though as they have the super jumbo which in economy gives you more leg room. If you are flying business class the Etihad experience is fantastic.

 

[BlueiNZ]

Coming over 13th June for the month to visit family and staying in Dubai for 3 nights on the return leg. Any places in dubai that are 'must see' or to avoid?

 

[Dubai Blue]

Coming over 13th June for the month to visit family and staying in Dubai for 3 nights on the return leg. Any places in dubai that are 'must see' or to avoid?

I'd avoid the whole place in the middle of July!!!

Not really much you can do outside at that time of year, but some of the hotels are still worth a visit. Think of them as 'entertainment complexes' rather than hotels, with the Madinat being the best. If you don't mind sweltering in the heat, slap on some factor 80 and spend a day at Aquaventure at the Atlantis.

If you're looking to spend the time drinking in bars then there's loads of places to go, but you'll be quite restricted for outdoor activities at that time of year. Desert safaris are great fun and I'd always recommend doing one of them; not sure about the middle of July though. Have a look online and see what other people say. You can always do a trip up the Burj Khalifa, of course. but be sure to book in advance as the prices on the day are astronomical.

And if you're feeling flush, you could try doing a skydive over the Palm Jumeirah. I did it the day before we won the title and it was amazing. Well worth the money. But, again, be sure to book well in advance.

Feel free to give me a shout via PM nearer the time if you need any info.

 

[TheBlueDune]

I don't think the owners will let us go down the big corporate route where half the crowd is the casual spectator. Note I did not say fan.

The fans in the crowd are part of the whole experience for the casual spectator who will in time become a true fan. Might take a generation but will happen.

The TV viewer gets sucked into the emotion and the excitement - just think how many shots of the crowd we get on TV whether it's the poznan, the crying, the head in hands, the going mental on the last day.

A ground full of corporates gives you the cash but kills the emotional long-term connection. TV shots of suits on iPads and phones would not work... would be like watching arsenal where the most exciting thing on the TV is Wenger... Just how many times does it cut to him compared to other teams. Boring entertainment even when the actual football is good.

The club needs the fans just as much as the fans need the club.

Khaldoon is a smart and shrewd businessman and looks like he is becoming a bigger fan every interview. I'm sure he knows that pricing out the ordinary true-blue fan would kill the match excitement and emotion and would risk associating Abu Dhabi with an experience that might be successful but wouldn't have the WOW factor.

Success - City - Abu Dhabi - WOW

Goes together like chips and gravy

 

[Why Do I Still Get Nervous?]

My husband is no longer with Manchester United, ha.

Take note Whiskey Nose if you secretly sneek on here for a peek :-))))))))))
CHAMPIONS!

 

[Why Always Ste]

I'm in Thailand on holiday and insisted on flying with Etihad so we could call at Abu Dhabi on the way to Bangkok! Pre the takeover, it wouldn't really have mattered.

Your in Thailand and your on Bluemoon, lol.....

Didn't use the net in the 3mths I was over there, not once... So many ladyboys to see, so many Women to do.....

Back on topic, I'm not moaning when I'm mentioning about being priced out of the Stadium, it's only a situation that due to FFPR the club may increase ticketing so much that it no longer has that local working class connection.

Mr. Miyagi with his Ipad sat in my seat, they charged me £580, but charge him £1160

Just the way it is....

 

[BlueiNZ]

Coming over 13th June for the month to visit family and staying in Dubai for 3 nights on the return leg. Any places in dubai that are 'must see' or to avoid?

I'd avoid the whole place in the middle of July!!!

Not really much you can do outside at that time of year, but some of the hotels are still worth a visit. Think of them as 'entertainment complexes' rather than hotels, with the Madinat being the best. If you don't mind sweltering in the heat, slap on some factor 80 and spend a day at Aquaventure at the Atlantis.

If you're looking to spend the time drinking in bars then there's loads of places to go, but you'll be quite restricted for outdoor activities at that time of year. Desert safaris are great fun and I'd always recommend doing one of them; not sure about the middle of July though. Have a look online and see what other people say. You can always do a trip up the Burj Khalifa, of course. but be sure to book in advance as the prices on the day are astronomical.

And if you're feeling flush, you could try doing a skydive over the Palm Jumeirah. I did it the day before we won the title and it was amazing. Well worth the money. But, again, be sure to book well in advance.

Feel free to give me a shout via PM nearer the time if you need any info.

Thanks mate will do..

 

[CityEssex49er]

Went to Abu Dhabi in 2005 ' pre - Mansour '.....unlike Dubai where they have gone bust, it was very orthodox. There was lots of building etc. but not like Dubai. THEY have learnt from Dubai's mistakes - in fact, their oil will last for 100 years; Dubai is finished in 20 thats why Dubai built up their tourist industry to compensate for the loss in oil revenue. I've been to Abu Dhabi 3 times since then and going again in August. 18th so if any AUH Blues out there - do you still meet at Le Meridien bar for the games or have you moved on ?? Hopefully game on a Sunday so I can go and watch the game as arriving Sunday very early.

 

[S04]

Went to Abu Dhabi in 2005 ' pre - Mansour '.....unlike Dubai where they have gone bust, it was very orthodox. There was lots of building etc. but not like Dubai. THEY have learnt from Dubai's mistakes - in fact, their oil will last for 100 years; Dubai is finished in 20 thats why Dubai built up their tourist industry to compensate for the loss in oil revenue. I've been to Abu Dhabi 3 times since then and going again in August. 18th so if any AUH Blues out there - do you still meet at Le Meridien bar for the games or have you moved on ?? Hopefully game on a Sunday so I can go and watch the game as arriving Sunday very early.

The Dubai economy is not oil-based..It´s a trading and financial centre, basically the hub between the arab world and asia.

 

[CityEssex49er]

Went to Abu Dhabi in 2005 ' pre - Mansour '.....unlike Dubai where they have gone bust, it was very orthodox. There was lots of building etc. but not like Dubai. THEY have learnt from Dubai's mistakes - in fact, their oil will last for 100 years; Dubai is finished in 20 thats why Dubai built up their tourist industry to compensate for the loss in oil revenue. I've been to Abu Dhabi 3 times since then and going again in August. 18th so if any AUH Blues out there - do you still meet at Le Meridien bar for the games or have you moved on ?? Hopefully game on a Sunday so I can go and watch the game as arriving Sunday very early.

The Dubai economy is not oil-based..It´s a trading and financial centre, basically the hub between the arab world and asia.

Made its billions from oil; certainly initiially though didn't it ?? Being in Abu Dhabi, you know better but DXB has financial problems as they are building up tourism in a big way, eh??