“Four Countries in 22 Hours! ~Pakistan 🇵🇰, UAE 🇦🇪, Russia 🇷🇺, and Armenia 🇦🇲 “

• December 5, 2020
• By Pen
• 4 Comments

No matter how well traveled we become, there are always surprises when planes and airports are involved. The rules are forever changing, Add traveling in a pandemic, and it can really get nuts!

We continue to see evidence of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing throughout our travels. In this case, more specifically, PCR Testing. Just when we think we are figuring a few things out, boom, new situation!

The good news is, we had proof of a negative PCR test when we checked in at Pakistan International Airline at the Islamabad Airport. So far so good.  But, when we landed in Dubai, went to “transit baggage collection,” this is where it went off the rails. We had to divert to the Dubai Airport PCR testing center, before we could collect our baggage. I explained that Dubai was not our final destination, and we were not staying or leaving the airport…because, in 24 hours, when this Dubai PCR test results would return, we would be in Armenia! Nobody cared, and nobody listened, as I was not interested in this unnecessary PCR test, less than 24 hours after the negative test we got in Islamabad….But, they literally stuck the swan up my nostrils and swabbed my brain, while I was objecting against it! This would never happen in my home country. It felt so controlling! When the deed was done, I (we) were given a sticker on the back of passport; a bar code which we can scan to get results of the said PCR test in Dubai. IF we were staying in Dubai, this test would determine if we continue to self-quarantine in the hotel, or be released from said quarantine. With a negative test, we would be free to move about the country. In 14 days from the Dubai PCR test, we would be required to retest, to ensure a negative result. I am all for a good system in place for healthy measures, but Daryl and I are usually the square peg, authorities want to fit into a round hole as we travel around the world!

We finally got our passports back, after the test stop, which by the way, was a test we did not have to pay for.  We continued on through multiple security checks and bag X-rays. Finally, we get to baggage claim, found ours and proceeded from the Arrival terminal to the International Departure terminal. If you have never been to the Dubai Airport, it is ENORMOUS, new and very nice.  They have the largest elevators we have ever seen, anywhere. Dubai is known for doing things in a big way. 

Next up, we get to the checkin counter for our second of three planes; Aeroflot Russian Airlines. For this booking, I knew luggage was not included in the flight deal, so I contacted the airlines to pre-pay for three bags at $10 per bag. The woman on the phone said a record would show in my booking information at ticketing, indicating I arranged the pre-flight day baggage fees….only the ticketing agent said there was no note that indicated I called. (I have proof I called) As a result, we had to pay $320 for luggage. Yep, I was cm pretty ticked off and I will be contacting Aeroflot in the near future to fight for some reimbursement. I mean, why would I call the airline before we flew? To chat? I think not.🙄

Moving on. We make it to our gate with an hour and a half to spare. We arrived at 3:30AM, and after all of the busy business of the afore mentioned, by this time, it was 6:30AM, and we were ready for coffee! We left for the airport at 10PM the night before, and only dozed on the plane a little. Daryl went in search of coffee and scored. Another yay! When the sun rose, we discover it was a beautiful morning in Dubai. If you’ve never been to Dubai, it’s worth a visit. Abu Dabi was especially fun. We visited last year. 

We are now onboard a huge Boeing 777-300ER and heading for Moscow, Russia! We are settling in for a, hopefully, uneventful flight ✈️ We have monitors, so I will be trying to find a movie… or two! My guy is already “out like a light,” before take off! I don’t ever say; “I wish I could sleep like a baby…”Instead, I say; “I wish I could sleep like a husband!”

Here we are in Moscow, Russia 🇷🇺at 1PM in the afternoon! At this point, we have gained two hours, since Pakistan. It is 9 degrees outside, and was snowing when we landed. We do plan on trip to explore Russia in the future, (we have to be home in our country to apply for and obtain a Visa) …but for now, I’m so happy to be here. We have a five-and-a-half-hour layover, which is a bit long, but we got lunch (dinner for us) and now we have reclining chairs at our gate and are watching the planes come and go. Dinner consisted of pork ribs, a green salad, and brownie/ice cream for dessert. It was celebratory, as pork has NOT been on the menus for the last two countries (Turkey/Pakistan) and 90 days! A green salad after 40 days. Oh happy day. Oh, and ice cream? I CANT EVEN! What a treat!

Here we go again, on a 6:40PM flight, outbound, to our final destination of Armenia. We gained back an hours, so other than lark of sleep, we shouldn’t have to adjust much on time zone issues.  In Armenia, we are not required to provide a negative PCR test, and we get an up to 180-day Visa-Upon-Arrival, at no cost. This really helps offset costs for the plane fare.

 Four countries in 22 hours, is something to get excited about! We did it!

We were so dead on our feet, once we reached Armenia. It took forty minutes to collect our luggage, as it is an older and less efficient airport. But hey, all luggage accounted for! Grateful! Then, we got our ATM stop, and a SIM card purchased for our phones. I got to dust off our credit card, because it is more widely accepted, here, than in Pakistan. NICE!

We got a Taxi, and made it to a hotel in city center. It was 12:40AM, when we collapsed in our bed… completely done. We slept like two dead people, then awoke with aches and pains from too much time sitting on those planes and in airports.

Today is Sunday, and it is a new day; first full day in Armenia. People are welcoming and friendly. English is spoken here.
Now to find a rental car!