Leaving home for a long trip is always a bittersweet experience. But this time, as a 31-year-old in transition between jobs, leaving my family and my partner behind felt harder than usual.

I’ve taken many solo trips before - to over 20 countries alone, and I love the thrill of meeting new people, seeing beautiful places, and having time just for myself. But this departure felt different. For the past few years, I’d been helping my mom with her business and caring for my grandmother with dementia. Both roles gave me a sense of purpose that I could have stayed in forever. Yet I was also feeling stuck, a little depressed, and craving change. I felt guilty leaving, but I also knew deep down I needed this trip for me.

With a wedding in India coming up in November and a few months free to explore before then, the timing was right. Saying goodbye to my boyfriend was the hardest part. His non-negotiable is not doing long distance; mine is needing at least one longer travel trip each year. That tension made this departure the hardest one yet. I felt pulled between the deep love and ties at home and the part of me that knows travel is essential. But we value communication and teamwork, which is what makes us and our relationship work… and we respected each other’s non-negotiables. He’ll be joining me in India in November for the wedding!

So, I booked the flight. The next thing I knew, I was hugging my family and boyfriend goodbye in New Jersey and stepping off a plane into a world completely different from the one I grew up in: Abu Dhabi.

Stop 1: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 🕌

Using the Careem app (their version of Uber), I headed straight to the mosque. The ride was about $20, and I was glad I could pay by card.

There were the usual solo-travel hiccups: walking in circles looking for the entrance, double-checking that my outfit was modest enough, adjusting my scarf, and even losing my water bottle because I was so sleep-deprived. But the moment I stepped through the entrance and caught my first full view of the mosque, none of that mattered.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was breathtaking - dazzling white against the desert sky, filled with a quiet stillness that moved me deeply. Just hours earlier, I’d been juggling everyday responsibilities at home. Now I was standing inside one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Travel has a way of reminding me how big and diverse the world really is - and how lucky I am to experience it.

👉 Have you ever ventured out on a layover? How did you decide if it was worth it?

Stop 2: Emirates Palace & the Famous Gold Coffee ✨

Next, I went to the Emirates Palace Hotel, a five-star landmark. The staff welcomed me like royalty, and I ordered their signature “gold coffee” — yes, with real gold dust sprinkled on top of my cappuccino. Paired with a pistachio pastry and live piano music, it felt indulgent and magical.

For the first time on the trip, I let myself fully relax. I even teared up, thinking about the mix of emotions that brought me here and the adventures still ahead. This was the glamorous, surreal side of Abu Dhabi I had imagined. It also reminded me that even when traveling fast, finding brief pauses for stillness is important — and sometimes life-changing.

Sitting there, I thought: This is why I love travel. These fleeting moments make me feel both small in the world and incredibly lucky to be in it.

👉 When you travel (or even in everyday life), do you find time to pause and take it all in?

The Missed Stops (and Lessons Learned)

I had hoped to stroll the Corniche promenade, picturing a lively waterfront scene. Instead, I ended up sweating under the midday sun with no one else around. Another reminder that not every stop lives up to expectations, and that’s part of travel, too. I laughed at myself and called a taxi back to the airport.

If I’d had more time (and cooler weather), I would have visited the Presidential Palace. But honestly, the mosque and Emirates Palace gave me more than enough of a taste of Abu Dhabi.

👉 Do you prefer packing in as much as possible (fast travel) or slowing down and savoring fewer places (slow travel)?

Quick Tips for an Abu Dhabi Layover

Transport: Download the Careem app for easy rides (credit card or cash).
Mosque etiquette: Bring a scarf or head covering; dress modestly.
Photos: Some areas restrict photography, and it’s illegal to photograph people without permission.
Time management: Pick 2–3 highlights and don’t try to cram too much in.

Final Reflections

Layovers are one of the few times I embrace “fast travel.” In just a few hours, I went from the serenity of a mosque to the indulgence of gold coffee, from heat and confusion to gratitude and awe.

This layover reminded me of why I travel: to create moments that make the world feel bigger, me a bit smaller, and my life infinitely richer.