We were up until about 3am repacking Vic’s bags as she couldn’t lift them at first. Still way too much stuff but we can’t think what else to leave behind. Lots of space taken up by contact lenses and anti-malarial tablets, at least 4 months supplies of both for each of us.

Up at 7am to finish off packing and sort out photocopies of documents etc before finally getting a cab to Paddington at 9:30. The Heathrow Express got us to the airport in 15 minutes; we usually use it when going on holiday but this is the first time we’ve bought single tickets rather than a return. No point getting a return as it would have expired by the time we’re planning on coming back.

We met up with Vic’s parent, her sister and her sister’s boyfriend at a coffee shop in the airport, and my parents turned up shortly afterwards, having come in from their hotel near Hyde Park.

A couple of hours were passed talking about plans, sorting out a few bits of paperwork etc before it was time for us to head off to departures.

Tears were shed as we all said goodbye, but we all knew that everthing was going to be okay, we would just missing having each other around. Vic and I made our way through security with backward glances to our families and tears in our eyes, but looking forward to the adventure ahead.

A few last minute items were purchased at Boots (ear plugs, vitamins) and then it was time to board the flight to Dubai. The flight to Dubai is almost seven hours so we appreciated the in-flight movies to keep us entertained. We lost about 3 hours due to time difference between the UK and UAE so arrived at around midnight, Dubai time.

Dubai airport was very busy, the airport operates right through the night but we managed to secure ourselves a couple of seats in the quiet area to await our 4.35am departure.