We started the day in relaxed mode with a leisurely breakfast followed by a visit to Jinnah’s house, Jinnah being the founder of Pakistan when the country became independent in 1947. This was billed by our hotel as being 15 minutes drive away so we hired a car to take us there. In fact, it was a minute’s drive on the other side of the roundabout from our hotel! Fortunately we were only charged a minimal sum for the fare. The house itself was simple, indeed almost austere, and we were taken round by a guide who told us he had worked there for forty years. We braved the roundabout by walking back which took all of five minutes and then it was time for elevenses before leaving for the airport for the next leg of our flight.
I flew this sector in fine weather at 28,000 ft with the headwind being a little less than forecast. We took off in a temperature of 33ºC but climb performance was still good and landed at Al Ain in CAVOK conditions and a temperature of 34ºC with a gusty crosswind at an otherwise deserted airport. Fuel arrived promptly and within an hour we were off to our hotel for a relaxed evening before a very early start tomorrow with three sectors to fit in to get back to Crete. The driving was very sedate compared to India and Pakistan!
Karachi to Al Ain 654 nm in 3 hour 8 min.