The Grand Prix Experience: Bye, Yas Island!

Last night was the seventh night shift, and eventually became our last working day at the field hospital in Yas Island. Working seven nights straight was a record for me. Not much work as expected though. There were no more major activities happening in the island. The Formula 1 race had ended the other afternoon, and the last of the concert series was held the other night.

We were on our way back to the hotel morning after the night shift, when our night nurse supervisor, Helen received a call that instead of only the back up staff would go home today, everyone would be finishing their Yas Island adventure today. Our 10-day job would be cut short of 3 shifts. It felt sad coz we were enjoying our stay. But on the other hand, thinking that there’s not much patients in the island now that there’s not much activities here, I supposed we really had to go back in our respective hospitals and continue our lives there.

The night after the Finals race last November 1, people had started leaving the island and most started checking out of the hotels. The following morning, more guests were seen packed up to leave. And today, Yas Island has started to become a ghost town.

I wonder what life is here during the times when there are no major activities in the island. The place is still under major construction. Lots of buildings, roads and fly overs are still being built. I saw an area just behind the Yas Marina Circuit being constructed as a themepark. They plan to make it as the biggest theme park in the world. The rollercoaster ride was already in place and the loops were quite high. Another building still under construction is the Ferrari World, planned to be home of Ferrari cars. A huge golf course just opposite the racing circuit is also being constructed.

I see Yas Island to be an amazing place to visit in the next five years. With all these plans laid out, the island will surely be a great destination. I will surely come back in the future to check out to see the changes they will make here.

I checked out from the hotel around 10am and our group was picked up by our hospital shuttle bus around 12noon. Home by 0245pm. The brief stint at Yas Island had ended, but the great experience will surely be one of my most unforgettable.