Dubai: Dotted across the horizon were small groups of people who had gathered near the perimeter of Dubai International Airport in anticipation of watching a slice of local history.
Yes, it is technically plane spotting, even though it was not going to be hard to spot this particular plane.
- Audio: Gulf News's Ashraf Helmi talks to Radio Two about the A380 handover (mp3)
- Audio: Gulf News Business reporter Ahmed Elewa tells Radio One about the new plane (mp3)
Multi-storey car parks and office buildings were full of people, many armed with cameras and video cameras. A hobby which is the preserve of geeks and misfits had suddenly become the in-thing to do in Dubai.
Myself, I had bagged myself a great spot on the roof of the Emirates Headquarters. And I mean the roof, ninth floor, in amongst the company VIPs. It was prime viewing position as the building is right next to the airport.
The exclusivity of my surroundings meant that the terrace was not so crowded, I wasn't exactly jostling for position. But glancing across at buildings opposite proved this was obviously going to be a well-watched event.
Not quite one of those where-were-you moments, but definitely something worth watching.
The weather was, by Dubai's summer standards, good. The usual slate grey haze permeating the sky in the furnace of the July heat had given way to an off-white peppered with glimpses of a blue sky.
But there was still a low cloud, leading the people standing around me to declare it would give the world's largest plane a more dramatic entrance as it pierced the gloom before roaring into sight and touching down.
A helicopter, which was capturing the proceedings for posterity, caused a ripple of excitement every time it came into sight.
Those watching had correctly predicted that where the chopper was, the A380 would be close by.
After a few false alarms, one of them affording a tiny Qatar Airways Airbus A320 a more of a rousing landing than it will ever receive again, the helicopter loomed into view once more.
The superjumbo had arrived. Cheers went up from the people who had gathered to watch the landing, cameras clicked and people chattered excitedly.
But there will only be one first landing of the first Emirates A380, so this bird was determined to milk the occasion.
Instead of landing, the Airbus went on a carefully orchestrated fly-past, coming in low over the airport, almost as if to wave to the waiting press and well-wishers before roaring past the tower and banking steeply away to the right.
This meant anyone who missed the first run would get the chance to have another go.
To make sure I had my eye in, I, and I'm sure the others who were up alongside me, once again trained their sights on the other aircraft which were coming in on their final approach.
Fittingly, before the A380 came past again, an Emirates Boeing 777 came into land. This was previously the pride of the fleet, but just three minutes later the crowds got a taste of the future.
As the giant frame of the hulking A380 appeared on the horizon a few people gasped, others began to applaud but everyone certainly recognised it.
This time the giant undercarriage was down - the moment had arrived.
Once again cheers went up as the 276-tonne Airbus edged closer to the ground, as the wheels made contact with the tarmac a warm and sincere round of applause went up.
As it slowed its massive frame and headed towards the gate, excited conversations began about the features - on board showers, lounger areas, two floors - and who was planning to take a trip on it.
But it was only when most of the attention had gone, and the superjumbo had stopped by the gate of Terminal I, that the most memorable image occurred.
Peeking out over the top of the terminal building, adjacent to the control tower was the red, white, green and black hue from the top of a giant tailfin.
The first Emirates A380 had arrived, and today, it was the only game in town.
