Yas Marina F1 circuit

Friday 1^st June 2012

Another hot day in Abu Dhabi, 42.2° at 2:00pm.

Our last day of the trip and as it was so hot we took advantage of the 12:00pm late checkout to give us time to pack our bags for the trip home before leaving them with the concierge for the afternoon.

We booked to go on the 2:00pm tour of the Yas Marina Formula 1 race circuit and complex. The racetrack actually runs around and under our hotel.

When we arrived at the race track we found that we were the only 2 people on the tour because a group of 18 cancelled at the last minute. The tour was really great for us- our own private tour.

Us on the winners podium

The tour included grandstands, pressroom, race control, pit garages and team villas. We also had our photo taken on the winner’s dais holding the trophy. As we were the only ones on the tour the guide arranged for us to be driven round part of the F1 racetrack, which was really great.

Yas Viceroy Hotel

Back to our hotel for some welcome refreshments and then the long wait until it was time to got to the airport at 6:30pm for our 10:15pm flight.

Unfortunately after checking in at the airport, clearing passport control and doing some last minute duty free shopping we arrived at the departure gate only to be informed that the flight was delayed and would not be leaving until midnight, so more waiting.

Saturday 2^nd June 2012

After departing Abu Dhabi at midnight we finally arrived at Melbourne airport at 7:00pm.

Fortunately the flight home was not full so we were able to spread out a bit and have 2 seats each. Made sleeping a bit easier.

Good flight home and a quick exit through customs at Melbourne airport where Andrew & Steph were waiting to take us home.

Our wonderful holiday is now over. It was a great experience which we enjoyed immensely and have some great photos, about 4000, and fantastic memories.  

Hotel Russell Staircase

Wednesday 30^th May 2012

Woke this morning to our last day in England and it was another warm, sunny day with the temperature about 24°.

A lovely English breakfast in the Dining room and we them packed our luggage and checked out of the Hotel Russell. As our flight was not due to depart Heathrow until 9:10pm we left our bags with the Concierge for the day. Caught the tube to Tower Hill and spent the next few hours revisiting the Tower of London, as when we went in 2009 it was raining.

Chopping block at Tower of London

This time we did the 1hour guided tour with the Yeoman Warden, known as Beefeaters- however, no one seems to know or have recorded where the Beefeaters got their name. They certainly embellish the tour with stories of intrigue, torture and execution- all of it true. We were also given a tour of The Chapel of St Peter where Queens Anne Boleyn & Catherine Howard are buried. Husband Henry VIII had them both beheaded.

Hotel Russell

Back onto the tube to collect our luggage from the Hotel Russell, and head to Heathrow airport by cab about 4:30pm. The traffic was heavy due to peak hour which made the trip well over an hour. Our flight to Abu Dhabi was scheduled to leave at 9:10pm but we had to wait for several late passengers so did not leave until 9:45pm.

Ferrari World

Thursday 31^st May 2012

Very hot and sunny with temperature of 26° at 7:15am.

Abu Dhabi is 3 hours ahead of London so we touched down at approx. 7:30am, 4:30am London time. Little sleep last night. It was very hot in Abu Dhabi so we were glad when we were met by a large air-conditioned car this morning for the drive to our hotel- The Yas Viceroy on Yas Island. The Hotel sits right beside the Formula 1 racetrack; in fact the racetrack goes around and underneath the hotel. 

Riding the Roller Coaster

Our room is huge & stunning, about 3 times the size of most hotel rooms in the UK. Had breakfast in the hotel and then a shower and change of clothes. We jumped in a cab for the short trip to Ferrari World where we spent the rest of the day. What a huge place with many great rides- we spent about 6 hours there. Had our photo taken on the GT Challenge Roller Coaster- this is not the really fast one. I went on that one but Lynne though it looked too scary. Lots of other great activities, and rides that use motion based simulation. We loved it!!!!

Back to our hotel by cab, too hot to walk, for dinner and an early night.

Yas Viceroy Hotel by night