'We reached home at 5am': Some UAE residents return late after all-night NYE festivities

New Year celebrations are all about late-night festivities, great company, good food, and breathtaking fireworks, and the majority of UAE residents did just that to ring in 2024. From camping in Wadis to taking a yacht ride, people embraced unique ways to bid farewell to 2023, creating special moments with family and friends.

However, a few revellers were late returning home as the celebrations extended past midnight and into the early hours of January 1, 2024. Meanwhile, others faced traffic congestion, experiencing gridlock on their journey back.

Lebanese expat Abdullah Yasin and his extended family drove to Hatta Dam to camp and ring in the New Year. "We had been planning for a big family get-together, and the best time we got was the last day of 2023, as all of us had time off from work. Around 25 of us, including the younger ones of the family, reached Hatta at 3 pm. We found a great spot near the Dam, with the Hatta sign just above us," said the Ajman resident.

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"It was a perfect day out to mark the end of 2023. We set up our tents, prepared food, lit the grill, and enjoyed breathtaking fireworks over the Hatta sign. By the time we cleaned up and left, it was around 2 am, and we reached home at 4.30 am," added Abdullah.

Meanwhile, for some, New Year was not just about watching the fireworks; people even embarked on a yacht ride to nearby islands and camped there. Bashar Mihyar, marketing director at the Captain's Club, was out on New Year's Eve with six others. He said, "We left from Yas Marina for a cruise to an island close to Yas Island. We started around 9-9:30 pm and reached the island around 10:30 pm. After setting up the bonfire, we started the barbecue and also set up a snack station. We ate, enjoyed the beautiful music, and watched the fireworks from afar taking place in Yas Bay."

The Jordanian expat added, "We then set off to return from the island at 1:45 am, calling it a night. But by the time we returned home, it was 3 am."

Many were struck in traffic while returning home after their celebration. Fahim Armar and his friends camped at a wadi in Ras Al Khaimah. "We wanted to do something different from the traditional way of welcoming the new year. We packed our hiking gear, tents, and all the necessary camping equipment at 11 am. After reaching the foothill of a mountain, we decided to hike and find a good place," said Armar.

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