Life is not measured ....

Dubai

We left from Gatwick airport on Thursday morning, first stop Dubai.

Over the last few days we had repacked a number of times in an attempt to get somewhere close to our luggage allowance, in the event it turned out that we could have got away with loads more … we’ll know for next time! We were flying with Emirates – highly recommended for anyone who plans to come and visit us – the flights are very competitive and apart from the exceptional service, there were two things that made it a notable success for us: the first was the legroom, even Ben had enough space (Paul, you may not need a business class seat after all) and the second was the in-seat TV screens and with over 500 channels to choose from, Louise and Daniel were in entertainment heaven! We are pleased that rest of our journey is also with Emirates.

We arrived in Dubai at 12:30 midnight but by the time we got through passport control and customs, it was 3am before we got to the hotel and crashed out. We are staying at the Dubai Marine Beach Hotel and Spa and with its own private beach, 3 pools and 8 restaurants to choose from we quickly relax and start enjoying our holiday.

Our first full day in Dubai is a Friday – Friday’s are equivalent to a Sunday back home so Ev and John (family friends who live in Dubai) make it over to see us. Whilst the kids stay in the pool and tried out their flippers and masks, we catch up with Ev and John over a Lebanese Mezze and get their thoughts on what has changed and where we should try to see over the next few days.

On the second day we ventured out into town, taxis are cheap so it is easy to get around. We started at the old gold souk (market) and when we were all done shopping (window shopping that is) we headed down towards the creek (river) where we took an abra (water taxi) up to the Maktoum Bridge and back, by this time we had got the hang of haggling so were less likely to be completely fleeced (or so we’d like to believe anyway!). The Dubai skyline from the creek is amazing, you come out from the souks, a meandering, twisting set of small streets and markets onto the main waterfront with traditional dhows set against an amazing view of modern skyscrapers. I think the photos probably do it more justice than my explanation.

Dubai Photos

Day three and the hotel beach beckons, the sea is beautiful and clear and Louise and Daniel enjoy spending the morning painting the rocks with mud and letting the waves crash over us in the sea. In the early evening we take a taxi back into town and visit the Dubai museum – Daniel is interested in the cannons that are just inside the entrance and we all enjoy learning a bit more about the history of the arabs and this part of the world. After an hour or so we take another taxi to the Dubai Golf and Yacht club – this was one of Sharon’s favourite places when she came back to visit 7 years ago and it still is now – there are a number of restaurants here now but you still can’t beat watching the sunset from the Boardwalk and looking down the creek to he night lights of the city.

Monday and John has taken the day off work so he can take us on a bit of a tour along the coast to Jebel Ali where Sharon lived when she was 8. On the way we pass the racetrack and stop a camels cross the road in front of us and we take in the view of the Burj al Arab – a hotel built just out to sea, designed in the shape of a sail and the only 7 star hotel in the world – it is a magnificent sight even by this city’s standards. Along the route, where there was once desert there is now a mass of construction sites and new roads, however when we get to Jebel Ali it hasn’t changed. We drive past our old house, up the hill to the primary school and back down to the sports club and even the old dirt football pitch is intact. Louise wants to hear all about our childhood here. Meanwhile Daniel is his own mischief self and quickly becomes a firm friend of John’s.

Our last evening is spent with Ev and John, their son John and girlfriend Jessica. We go for a Thai meal at the Jumeirah Beach hotel, we share tales of the old times whilst Louise and Daniel are kept occupied in kids corner. Louise has a couple of braids in her hair and Daniel is proud of the spiderman painted on his hand. Tomorrow it’s an early start for the long leg of the trip to Sydney.

posted by Sharon, Ben, Louise and Daniel @ 12:43 pm