Supreme Flight

As you might have guessed by now DXB is the code for Dubai. For lack of a better word my flight was perfect. The wide body of the Boeing 777-300 attacked the drag with little turbulence. Emirates have set the standard; supreme flight with a dash of ICE, (will get to that later).

There was quite a delay in taking off from Lagos, a conspiracy of weather and traffic, the artificial and natural. By coincidence, its exactly a year since my trip to Senegal. Then like now I arrived at the destination on a Friday.

I'm in Dubai en route to the 2nd emirate conference on Islamic Astronomy http://www.icoproject.org/conf2.html taking place in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. Known for some ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment) Emirates hyper interactive in flight infotainment system. ICE is bound to keep you plugged in. Even latest hits like Avatar where a click away. 33K was a window seat of course, this was the most rewarding precognition, the full moon rose up in its true luminescence over the plane wing as we headed eastwards. Its brilliance was pure white un-spoilt by clouds or air pollution. I could have sold my kidney for a camera.

Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and Bharain spewed bright lights below that irradiated outward, the network of sodium creating a spider web that were bound to abstract the glory of the heavens above.

The moon's light was so bright the plane's shadow was distinctly visible on the desert sand as we approached landing.

Immigration took an eye scan and stamp me in with the friendly Arab hospitality, the local du network was having trouble so I had to buy a phone card and got through to Simwal who recommend a cheap hotel in the Deira area. Finally having settled in the Muezzin called the Ahdan, so I prayed Fajr and slept.

Dubai is arguably the world's most talked about city. So I put the best feet forward.

BOUND FOR DXB

First trip to the UAE, 24 hours from I might be blogging from 38,000 feet. Haven't booked a hotel room yet but let's pray feet touch the ground. Seat number, 33k.