From a Café in Azerbaijan to the Emirates
In early February 2026, as winter winds brushed Malta’s shores, I set off on a journey that had begun months earlier with a simple chat over coffee at Yanar Dag in Azerbaijan. I was ordering a coffee when another guy walked in. He was from India and had been living and working in Abu Dhabi for five years. He asked where I was planning to go next. I told him I was making a loop around the Absheron Peninsula and, to my delight, he accepted my offer to join me. Neither of us knew it yet, but that moment would shape the trip that followed.
Road Trips and Mountains
The next day, we set off for Sheki. The drive was long, giving us time to talk about travel, family, and work. Sheki felt like a quiet retreat tucked against the mountains. We spent one night there and visited Kish, exploring its ancient Albanian church. We also visited Sheki Khan’s Palace, a masterpiece of stained glass, intricate woodwork, and quiet courtyards. My new friend left the following evening, but not before inviting me to stay with him in Abu Dhabi. It sounded casual, yet three weeks later, I booked my flights.
Arrival in Abu Dhabi
I flew from Malta to Abu Dhabi via Istanbul, landing on the evening of 5th February. I picked up a rental car at the airport and drove to my new friend’s place. Staying with someone I had only met briefly could have felt odd, but it felt natural. Our conversations picked up where they had paused in Azerbaijan.
Exploring Abu Dhabi
My first full day was spent discovering Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque left me speechless. Its marble surfaces, reflecting pools, and immense scale created a sense of peace that lingered long after I left. Driving along the Corniche, I saw how the city stretched between coastline and skyscrapers, composed and confident without rushing to prove itself.
Mountains, Dams, and the Eastern Coast
The following day, the two of us set off early for a long road trip beyond the capital, heading towards the mountains and the east coast. It became one of the most rewarding days of the journey.
Out first stop was Hatta Dam, where turquoise water sat quietly between rugged brown peaks. Kayaks drifted across the surface, and the atmosphere felt far removed from city life.
From there, we continued towards the coast, passing winding roads and small settlements. At the Hanging Garden at Kalba, we wandered through terraced greenery overlooking the sea, a striking contrast to the surrounding desert landscape.
Later, we stopped at Al Rafisah Dam, where still water reflected cliffs and palm trees, creating one of the most peaceful moments of the trip.
Before heading back, we drove up to the Al Suhub Rest Area at Khor Fakkan, perched high above the coastline. From there, the view stretched across mountains and sea, with clouds drifting below the platform. It was a reminder of how diverse the Emirates really are, far beyond skyscrapers and shopping malls.
That full day on the road, moving between mountains, dams, and coastal viewpoints, became one of the highlights of my journey.
Al Ain and the Reminder of Brussels
The next morning, I drove inland to Al Ain. Golden desert landscapes unfolded along the way, interrupted only by occasional towns. Al Ain felt rooted in tradition, framed by its oasis and historic forts. Walking through the Al Ain Oasis and visiting the fort museum added layers of history and perspective.
Returning to Abu Dhabi that evening felt almost like returning home. Staying with someone who had built a life there offered insights that no hotel could provide. He shared stories about work, adaptation, and community. Listening to him made me see the city differently. It was not just skyscrapers and wealth. It was people building lives far from where they were born.
Being there reminded me of the fifteen months I had lived in Brussels a couple of years earlier – how living in a foreign city, even temporarily, teaches you to notice the rhythms of daily life, from streets and cafés to commuting patterns and casual greetings. There is a quiet intimacy in observing another world while carrying pieces of your own.
Transition to Dubai
The following morning, I packed up and began the final leg of my road trip, driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Keeping the rental car until the very end gave me a sense of continuity and independence, as if the journey was still unfolding rather than closing.
The open highways gradually gave way to heavier traffic and towering skylines. Abu Dhabi felt steady and reflective; Dubai radiated ambition, set in steel and glass.
Touring Dubai
Checking into my hotel for the final two nights, I shifted fully into tourist mode. I explored vast shopping centres, strolled through Dubai Marina, and stood beneath the Burj Khalifa, trying to grasp its impossible height. Dubai was loud, bright, and unapologetically confident. If Abu Dhabi whispered, Dubai demanded attention.
Reflections on Travel
On my last morning, I thought about how this journey had truly begun, not at an airport or booking screen, but in a coffee shop at Yanar Dag in Azerbaijan. A simple conversation, a road trip accepted, led to experiences across continents. Travel often shows how connected the world really is. One small moment can grow into a story that continues long after the trip ends.
Heading Home
On my final day, I made my way back to Dubai’s airport and returned the rental car at Dubai International Airport. Handing over the keys felt like a quiet full stop to the road journey that had carried me across deserts, mountains, and coastlines. It marked the end of a chapter defined by independence and open roads.
Later that day, I boarded my flight home to Malta via Bucharest. Watching the Emirates shrink beneath the clouds, I carried with me the warmth of hospitality, the memory of mountain roads and desert highways, and the understanding that chance meetings can reshape a journey.
When I returned home, life resumed its rhythm, but I was quietly changed. That week in February gave me more than kilometres and photographs. It gave me friendship, discovery, and perspective that lasts far beyond the trip itself.
If You Go: UAE Edition
Getting there: Direct flights from Malta to Abu Dhabi are available via Turkish Airlines with a stop in Istanbul, or other carriers with similar connections. Flights take roughly six hours, excluding transit time.
Getting around: Renting a car is the easiest way to explore Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Hatta, and the east coast. Roads are generally excellent, though driving standards vary. Having your own car allows you to reach places like Hatta, Kalba, and Khor Fakkan comfortably. Distances can be long. Abu Dhabi to Dubai takes about 1.5 hours, while trips to the east coast can take 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic.
When to go: Winter (November–March) offers mild daytime temperatures, making it ideal for desert exploration and city sightseeing. Summer is extremely hot and less comfortable for outdoor activities.
Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful in smaller towns or local markets.
Good to know: English is widely spoken in urban areas. The culture places a strong emphasis on hospitality; accepting offers of tea or coffee is polite. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites.
