Dubai is a place that is very hard to explain and where to start, it is where the middle east meets commercialism, and it fantastic.
Berts parents Bob and Joyce, Bert and I started out on a 9 week trip to cover Dubai, France and England on 4 May. 2009. Bert and I drove to Sydney and got our Emirates flight to Dubai, Bob and Joyce boarded their Emirates flight in Perth and we were all meant to arrive in Dubai around the same time and meet at the hotel.
We arrived first took a taxi and arrived first and checked in. We waited by our window, and watched every taxi that came to the hotel for about an hour, they arrived and the group holiday had begun.
3 nights (2 days) here, a tour booked for one morning - the rest at our leisure. Then off to Paris, France.
Dubai
Berts parents Bob and Joyce, Bert and I started out on a 9 week trip to cover Dubai, France and England on 4 May. 2009. Bert and I drove to Sydney and got our Emirates flight to Dubai, Bob and Joyce boarded their Emirates flight in Perth and we were all meant to arrive in Dubai around the same time and meet at the hotel.
We arrived first took a taxi and arrived first and checked in. We waited by our window, and watched every taxi that came to the hotel for about an hour, they arrived and the group holiday had begun.
3 nights (2 days) here, a tour booked for one morning - the rest at our leisure. Then off to Paris, France.
Dubai
Day 1
Up for breakfast and an adventure, we were in "The George Hotel" in the old quarter of Dubai, right in the bend of the creek. Time to wander the streets of the old quarter and see the ways. It was hot and humid but I had some friends money to buy gold at the "souk" so that had to be done - it was such fun bargaining again.
Most of morning wandering and then an afternoon nap and further wanderings before dinner in the hotel and Joyce's nephew (Steven worked in Dubai at this time) came to see them and catch up.
Day 2
Jarved the City Discovery Tour driver arrived promptly at 9am, in a small VW minibus just for us. Cold water, hand wipes all ready just for the four of us. He went everywhere, stopped where we asked no problems at all. What did we see that day: Altantis Hotel, Palm Island, Jumeriah Beach, Bur-al-Arab the 7 star hotel, many of the interesting views of Dubai for photo opportunities. We all had sore necks by the end. Rather than return to our hotel he dropped us off at the Mall of Emirates - where they have an indoor snow ski complex, oh yes really 45c outside and snow slopes inside the shopping mall. Starbucks, cinnabon, and baskin robins with some of the most exclusive designer names in the world - we window shopped!!!!
Day 3
Up early with dawn pray call 5.15am. Packed and back at the airport for our flight to Paris. Dubai Airport is stunning - interesting as part of the sightseeing tour on it's own. Checked in, customs etc no hassles - Starbucks for breakfast.
That was our taste of Dubai - what a great place.
Up for breakfast and an adventure, we were in "The George Hotel" in the old quarter of Dubai, right in the bend of the creek. Time to wander the streets of the old quarter and see the ways. It was hot and humid but I had some friends money to buy gold at the "souk" so that had to be done - it was such fun bargaining again.
Most of morning wandering and then an afternoon nap and further wanderings before dinner in the hotel and Joyce's nephew (Steven worked in Dubai at this time) came to see them and catch up.
Day 2
Jarved the City Discovery Tour driver arrived promptly at 9am, in a small VW minibus just for us. Cold water, hand wipes all ready just for the four of us. He went everywhere, stopped where we asked no problems at all. What did we see that day: Altantis Hotel, Palm Island, Jumeriah Beach, Bur-al-Arab the 7 star hotel, many of the interesting views of Dubai for photo opportunities. We all had sore necks by the end. Rather than return to our hotel he dropped us off at the Mall of Emirates - where they have an indoor snow ski complex, oh yes really 45c outside and snow slopes inside the shopping mall. Starbucks, cinnabon, and baskin robins with some of the most exclusive designer names in the world - we window shopped!!!!
Day 3
Up early with dawn pray call 5.15am. Packed and back at the airport for our flight to Paris. Dubai Airport is stunning - interesting as part of the sightseeing tour on it's own. Checked in, customs etc no hassles - Starbucks for breakfast.
That was our taste of Dubai - what a great place.
