Tuesday 22nd September 3015 - Dubai

Another huge day today.  Up for breakfast at 7:30 and then taxis to the Deira City Centre to catch the Big Bus at 8:30.  The plan was to follow the red route around to the old souk and the gold souk (markets) and finish up with the dhow (boat) cruise along Dubai Creek before returning to the Skyline to freshen up for our evening trip to the desert.

Everything takes longer than you think!  We got to the old souk and by the time we had done a bit of looking around and buying (Jill bought some trousers and the others bought some bits and pieces), we decided we no longer had the time to do everything.  As a result, we skipped the gold souk and went straight to the Dhow wharves to pick up our cruise.  The cruise followed the Dubai Creek for about half an hour.  The amount of water traffic was just amazing from the little water taxis to the huge yachts of the rich and famous.  The main attraction, however, was the Dhowes.  These rather flimsy looking craft carry cargo to Iran, Pakistan, India and Northern Africa.  The amount of activity along the wharves is also pretty amazing.

Taxis back to the Skyline for some late lunch before being picked up by Zahid from Dubai Travel and Tours who was taking us on a Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner in a desert camp.  Now if Jill had realised that this involved the 'crazy' dune driving that eventuated she would not have been a passenger.  There were 13 vehicles in our group and quite a few other groups as well.  All Toyota Land Cruisers and we certainly went places we would never think about going in our own vehicles.  No doubt it showed just how capable these vehicles are.  

Eventually (hurray says Jill) we arrived at the desert camp for dinner which was just delicious.  We were disappointed, however, to find that it was an Islamic 'significant occasion' which meant we missed out on alcohol (no big deal) and the advertised belly dancing (which was a big deal).  Not to worry.  Jill, Jennie and Wendy did end up with henna tattoos adorning their arms.

Home about 9pm and ready for bed once again.