How to almost not make it to Istanbul at 140 km/h

I was woken by nagging mother at some ungodly hour as we needed be back to Abu Dhabi International Airport by 8.00 am to catch our 9.20 am flight to Istanbul.  We had to drive back the 200 kms to Abu Dhabi, deliver the rental car back and then take a taxi to the airport.  We had worked out the time needed to get there in plenty of time for all this to happen.  However, we did not count on a heavy fog which made it impossible to see more than 10 metres in front for about 150 km of our journey to the Abu Dhabi.  This single lane each way with no barrier down the middle.  Many heavy trucks were coming towards us through the fog.  After about an hour, we began to panic realising that the chances of making the flight were getting slimmer by the minute.  A call to the 24 hour service for a rental car turned out to be a 9 to 5 number.  Not helpful.  A call to airline confirmed that the last time to check in our luggage was 8.20 am.  The GPS told us that we arrive at 9.10 am if we did not deliver the rental car!!!  Oh dear!  Finally, got hold of the rental car company and they promised to have someone pick up the car at the airport.  By now some patches of fog had lifted so we could increase our driving speed.  We have been advised that the speed limit posted did not really mean what it said.  There was a 20 km per hour lee way - so 120 limit really meant, 140 km per hour before you are in voliation and could be given a fine.  Considering our circumstances, we decided to take advantage of this UAE law flexibility.  The GPS told us that we would be arriving at 8.50 am now.  We only needed to make up 30 minutes in 30 minutes!!!  We did  our best - Abu Dhabi Airport signs gave us hope that we nearing our destination - only 5 minutes before check in closed. 

A sign indicated that we should turn off to the airport on the right but the GPS told us to go straight - as the we had trusted the GPS till now, we followed the instructions - bad idea!  Immediately, we realised this but it absolutely impossible to change at that point.  The GPS was now telling us that we had 5 km to go before turning off.  This was the point where we realised that we would not be going to Istanbul today.  There was an opening between median strip barriers clearly marked no U-Turn.  Desperate, we now broke UAE law and made a U-Turn.  It was 8.30 am - check in was closed.  We drove past Terminal 1, then Terminal 2 and now here was Terminal 3. My mum got out, grabbed the luggage and made a dash for check in, jumping to the front of the queue.... "Sorry, Istanbul flight has closed."  "Please, please...."  A quick call and our luggage was accepted, but now we had to clear immigration and get to the gate which was a 15 minute walk.  A mad dash through the airport and we were last to board and just in time!!!!  Phew.

Me driving! :D

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