Ash crisis gave transit passengers a glimpse of the unexpected

They say every cloud has a silver lining and, as if to prove a point, passengers who were stranded during the recent ash crisis said their experience had not been totally negative.

In fact, while some were glad to have enforced extended holidays, others who were stranded in transit enjoyed unplanned sightseeing trips and discovered delights in destinations they had never considered visiting.

Some 2,500 transit passengers stranded in the United Arab Emirates city of Abu Dhabi when the ash cloud spread over Europe and forced UK airports to close were given complimentary tours of the emirate's main attractions.

The initiative by the relatively new Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority meant buses were laid on to take passengers from their hotels for free tours of the Grand Mosque and the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort.

In addition, stranded transit passengers were offered discounted tours including kayaking through mangroves, Big Bus and helicopter tours, hot air balloon safaris and reduced green fees at four of the UAE capital's golf courses.

Transit passengers also received complimentary gifts.

Martin Duffy, who was in transit from Melbourne to Ireland when his transit flight was cancelled said: "This is my first time in Abu Dhabi and I am enjoying my stay so much that I am thinking of coming back and spending a full week to thoroughly visit the place."

Irishman Mathew Kelly who was also stranded while in transit said the delay was a blessing in disguise as it gave him the chance to get to know more about Abu Dhabi.

I have never been here before and the visit to the mosque has encouraged me to reconsider another visit more at my leisure, as it is obvious there is plenty to see and enjoy he said.

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