Then when we took of for Dubai I thought I was only several more hours away from my twin...but that was not to be. The flight was cancelled. The most annoying thing wasthere was no official reason given for several hours, but rumours circulated. I wondered what a volcano in Iceland had to do with my flight to Manchester. Well we soon found out, and me with only $20 in my purse.

But I have to saY THAT AS SOON AS EMIRETES SHIPPED US ALL THE TRANSIT Hotel Things started to look up. I was given a lovely air conditioned room and meal tickets to go to their 5 star restaurant for a buffet meal. Everyone was concerned and attentive. The food was great and as we were all in the same boat(or plane) in this case there was a wonderful cameraderie developing. As I was travelling on my own I latched onto a group that was journeying to Manchester and settled back to see the news. Oh boy! Was I glad I was not in that airport chaos.

I slept well and remained packed, thinking we would shorely be leaving today! But no...and the news was dramatising all the negative impacts on passangers and flights. The registration desk had long queues and I found I could not stand for long in them. Here was when my new friends helped. They took turn in the queues while I guarded the luggage. Then the hotel asked for 100 volunteers to move to another hotel as more planes continued to land. So we went as a group. Oh boy a pool, a hot tub, sauna, gym and close to local shopping centre and a free shuttle bus to take us to town! All at Emirates expense. And the meals! I think I gained a pound or 3.

So with my new friends we explored the market of Dubai, the Creek( a working wharf) and of course the Gold Stand!

But I was glad to finally get the call to go to Airport to get on a priority flight to Manchester. It was really a six day holiday I had not planned for but realished the experience.