Vicky Pattison has described her hasty departure from Dubai amid escalating Iranian missile strikes and drone attacks as a “surreal” experience, shedding light on the ordeal during a recent interview.
The 38-year-old television star and her partner were forced to leave Dubai earlier this month due to the tumultuous conditions sparked by the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which created widespread unrest in the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the chaos, Pattison shared that they undertook an arduous 11-hour drive across the border to Oman in a bid to return to the UK. Their decision came after experiencing the cancellation of three consecutive flights amidst the growing panic.
The couple also scrapped plans to journey to Australia or New Zealand, opting instead to return home to the UK as swiftly and safely as possible, eager to reunite with their cherished dogs, Milo and Max.
Reflecting on the experience, Vicky acknowledged the surreal nature of the situation but emphasized that both she and her partner were ultimately “safe and well looked after.”
In a conversation with The Sun, she remarked, “It was quite surreal at times when it all began unfolding.”
Vicky Pattison has said fleeing Dubai amid Iranian missile strikes and drone attacks was ‘surreal’ as she opened up on the ordeal in a new interview (pictured driving to Oman)
The TV personality, 38, and her partner left Dubai earlier this month after the US-Israel war against Iran sparked chaos in the UAE
‘But in all honesty, we were safe and well looked after, which we’re grateful for. We mostly kept our heads down in the hotel, stayed informed and waited for guidance on flights home, as there wasn’t much else we could do.
She added: ‘We decided to postpone our plans to continue to Australia and New Zealand. We were really looking forward to that part of our holiday, but hopefully we’ll get to do it another time.’
It comes after Vicky shared highlights from her trip to Oman with husband Ercan, but said ‘our focus was getting home’ in the post after fleeing Dubai.
The couple, who had to abandon their original plans, made the most of their trip as they saw the sights and swam with turtles.
Sharing snaps from their visit, she penned on Instagram last week: ‘Moments from Oman… Such a beautiful country and honestly, a shame that we didn’t get to explore it more – our focus was getting home obviously.
‘But I’m really happy we made the most of our last couple of days while we waited for our flight…
‘Huge thank you to @daymaniyat_experts, for a wonderful experience snorkelling with the turtles… and @stonevibes.oman for an incredible tour of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.’
Earlier this month, she gave an update on how things were going after being silent on social media amid chaos in the region.
It comes after Vicky shared highlights from her trip to Oman with husband Ercan, but said ‘our focus was getting home’ in the post after fleeing Dubai
Alongside snaps of their mammoth trip to Oman, she penned: ‘We’re so sorry for our radio silence over the last week, with everything unfolding the way it was and changing so rapidly, we desperately didn’t want to say anything insensitive or hyperbolic that would add to the rising panic around the situation’.
‘We really appreciate all your messages of concern and just wanted to reassure everyone that we’re fine. After 3 cancelled flights and the realisation that we definitely weren’t going to make it on to Australia and New Zealand we wanted to try and get home as quickly and safely as possible.’
She went on: ‘I understand that there are a lot of people still in Dubai feeling really calm and safe however, we wanted to be back to our babies, work and normality, and we felt like Oman was our best option.
‘We made our way to Oman from Dubai with some of our friends via private transfer, we used this company @skyevipcarrental and found them to be professional, reasonably priced and comfortable.’
Vicky continued: ‘All in all, the journey took us around 11 hours, including around 2-3 hours at the border crossing, checking documents and passports and cost about £130pp’.
‘For anyone stuck in Dubai and wanting to get home via Oman, I will put more information on @vickysvacays.. I just don’t want to overwhelm or bore anyone on here. We are going to try and enjoy our last days away and explore Oman hopefully.
‘The last week has been quite unsettled and we understand people feeling unsafe and uncertain.. we have experienced moments like that, but ultimately feel like it’s important we acknowledge our position of privilege.
She added: ‘We are extremely grateful to be making our way home and are thinking of anyone feeling fearful or unsettled, anywhere in a world that is rapidly becoming an increasingly scary place to be.
‘Finally just a little Thank you to @addressbeachresort and @uaegov for keeping us safe, calm and informed when possible. We will keep you updated and are looking forward to getting home in the next couple of days.’
Earlier this month, Vicky blasted ‘shameful’ Dubai expats who abandoned their pets to flee the missiles raining down on the Middle East.
Vets have reported an influx in enquiries about euthanising pets as thousands of Brits trapped in the region scramble to get home.
In response, the TV personality took to her Instagram Stories to say those leaving their animals behind never deserved them.
She wrote: ‘Just a note… if you are abandoning your pets in Dubai – you didn’t deserve that animal to begin with and I pray it finds a better home. Shameful.’
K9 Friends Dubai, a dog re-homing group, said it has become overwhelmed by the number of dog owners wanting to leave their pets behind and phone calls they have received about abandoned puppies.
Animal groups are trying their best to find shelters – but hundreds of posts about deserted pets have been spotted online.
And some vets have had to euthanise even healthy pets because their owners don’t want to face the relocation costs or paperwork.
Claire Hopkins, a resident of Dubai who volunteers with several animal organisations and shelters, said they were under severe financial pressure as fundraising activities are highly regulated and GoFundMe pages are banned in Dubai.
She said: ‘Some pet owners are stressed and panicking. It’s right across the board, and I think the Brits are better than most, but you’re talking about 200 different nationalities here in the UAE.
‘Some people want to give back their adoptive pets. There are dogs starting to be abandoned.
‘The airlines aren’t taking animals at the moment anyway, as the flights are operating a very reduced service. If you wanted to get a rabies jab, then you have to delay your travel by a further three weeks.
‘I’m sorry to say that vets have had inquiries about euthanasia, which is disgusting.
‘Most vets would pass them on to the shelters, but we’re already full.’
