Sunday 20th September 2015 - Brisbane to Dubai.

We flew out of Brisbane at 2:30 in the morning on Emirates EK433 after hanging around the airport from around 10 pm. We had been dropped off at Robina station at 7:30 to catch the last train to the airport.

Southern Africa Travellers

There are five of us on this trip to Southern Africa.   Regular travelling companions Richard and Jennie and Jennie's sister Wendy.   Waiting in airports is usually pretty boring but Jill and I did manage to grab something to eat - Whiting and chips and some very delicious sweet potato chips.

First stop was Dubai via Singapore.  We have a four-day layover in Dubai which should give us enough time to explore the Emerite.  The advantage of talking off at 2:30 is that you can at least get some sleep (as well as one can sleep in an aeroplane seat).  The plane, a Boeing 777-300 was well appointed, as they usually are these days and as well as some shut eye we had the choice of more movies then you could see in 10 years.   The meals, however, were nothing to write home about.

Brisbane to Singapore

The stop in Singapore 7.45 hours later was just a fueling stop but we had to get off the plane and then go through the x-ray machines again to get back on.   Talk about a palaver.  We did manage to get a decent cup of coffee which we could pay for with Australian dollars (change in Singaporean dollars).

Back on the plane for the final 7+ hours to Dubai.   The meal this time was much better. Fish for me,  chicken for Jill.  As we flew out of Singapore we noticed how smokey it was.   There had been reports in the media this week about clearing and burning in Borneo.   Apparently Malaysia is really coping it.

Flying into Dubai

We arrived in Dubai a little after 12:30pm.  After getting through customs we headed for an ATM to get some local currency (2.64 AED Dirham to the A$1) and then to Costa Coffee.  You never seem to be able to get a decent cup of coffee on a plane - always luke warm to start with. Costa was a bit like old times as we had visited the chain regularly in England some years ago.

It was then outside into the 42 degree C heat.  We expected it to be warm but it was still quite a shock to the system.  We had hoped to grab a maxi taxi to get us to our hotel but ended up with two taxis.  There didn't seem to be any explanation, other than they were different companies, that one was a bit over 30 Dirham and the other over 60.  I'm sure the flash black one did no better a job.

On arriving at our hotel we had to wait around for some time to be processed.  We then all collapsed into bed and woke up 4 hours later at 8:30pm.

After showers, we ventured out to get something to eat.  It is still hot at 10pm at night.  The hotel gave us directions to a shopping centre (air-conditioned of course).  Inside it felt like 2pm rather than 10pm.  Even at the food court it looked like 2pm considering the number of people eating - including kids.  After some shopping at the supermarket and a screw back in Jill's glasses, it was back through the heat to the hotel.

Nightlife in Dubai

Midnight at this stage.  Time to post the blog and then off to bed.

Monday 21st September 2015 - Dubai

Today was exhausting, in a nice way.  We had a date with the Big Bus (Dubai's version of the hop on hop off bus), so after breakfast, downstairs at the Skyline, we headed for the wharf area hoping to locate one of the bus stops.  We asked around but couldn't get a definitive answer with the half English half Arabic conversations that were going on.  In the end, we decided to catch taxis to the Deira City Centre shopping centre where we figured we would have better luck.  Both taxis were the same cost this time  :-).  After a coffee at Starbucks, we headed downstairs, exchanged our voucher for tickets and off we went on the red route (the City Tour).

The first stop was the WAFI, centre where we swapped buses, and then on to Dubai Mall.  The architecture in Dubai is just amazing.  So many tall building of all shapes and sizes.  No doubt the most significant on this part of the trip was the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.  There is so much to see at the Dubai Mall we will return.  For now, it was just a change over spot onto the green route (the Beach Tour).

This part of the tour took us to the coast past the Jumeirah Mosque and the very distinctive Burjal al Arab, which seems to appear in anything about Dubai.  It was then on to Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island in the form of a palm.   Right at the end of 'the Palm' we got off the bus at Atlantis City and had some lunch before spending time at the aquarium (included in the price of the Big Bus).  The aquarium was amazing, particularly the one huge tank which had a massive collection of fish, sharks and rays.

Back on the bus we headed first for the Hall of the Emirates (another shopping centre) and then back to Dubai Mall where we waited for some time to make our connection to the red route and then back to Deira City Centre.  By this stage, it was getting close to 6 o'clock so the long drive back through peak hour traffic saw us go from day to night with all the changes in colour along the way.

At the Deira Centre, we again visited the food mall for tea before catching taxis back to the Skyline.

Time for bed ........

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.

Wednesday 23rd September 2015 - Dubai

The plan this morning was to go to the Jumeirah Mosque but at the last minute, we discovered that the tours were not available on Wednesdays.  At least that's what we think we worked out.  
Instead, it was off to Deira City after breakfast. for a coffee and then we caught the train to Dubai Mall (apparently the largest in the world - the mall not the train!).  No doubt the Emirates are giving the Americans a run for their money when it comes to 'big' things.

The train system is pretty impressive.  All fairly new and everything is air conditioned - station and train.  The train is also driverless.  On arriving at the Mall station we had about a kilometre (at least it felt that long) to walk along elevated walkways.  It's just amazing how much construction is going on here.  It's interesting that it seems OK in Dubai but if someone wanted to do something similar at home everyone would be up in arms about it.

Our first stop at the mall was the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world (there we go - biggest again).  We took a lift to the 148th floor 555 metres above the ground.  It was pretty amazing to look down on many of the other skyscrapers - Dubai presently has 246.  The only unfortunate thing was that it was very hazy (something to do with the change of season we are told - guess it's sand in the air) and you can't see very far into the distance.  We couldn't see the Burj Al Arab or Palm Jureirah for instance.  Jill chickened out on going to the top and had a lovely peaceful time at the bottom.

The Burj Khalifa

We grabbed some lunch and had a look around the Mall.  Another huge aquarium tank - very impressive (51mx20mx11m), also an ice rink.  Apparently, they also have a very impressive fountain display outside but it was not operating today.

Back on the train to Al Rigga Street and a short walk back to the Skyline for a break before being picked up for our night cruise and dinner on the Rustar, apparently the largest wooden floating restaurant in the world.

Night cruises are a popular pastime along Dubai Creek as there are all sorts of craft out on the water - all colourfully lit.  It's all pretty impressive as was our meal.  After dinner, we were treated to some Arabic entertainment.  Sword dances and the Tanoura dance (an Egyptian folk dance) where men wear long colourful skirts and create some pretty amazing images by twirling around at high speed.  Not sure how it is managed without getting dizzy. This was in addition to a singer who had been entertaining us all night. 

The Rustar

Was a lovely evening and we didn't get home to about midnight.  This is exhausting.

Thursday 24th July 2015 - Dubai (our last day)

Up early again this morning to pack our bags, have breakfast, check out of the hotel and store our gear in the cloakroom before getting a taxi to the Jumeirah Mosque for the 'Open Doors, Open Minds' tour - Jumeirah Mosque is the only Mosque in Dubai that can be visited by non-Muslims. The morning was most informative although it was a little hard to hear and understand our speaker so I'm sure we missed a lot.  Was interesting to get a look at the world from an Islamic point of view.  As we had arrived early we went to the cafe at the Mosque and had a coffee made on camel milk.  It's supposed to be very good for you but we won't be rushing out to repeat the exercise.

We had to go through various rituals before being allowed into the Mosque, take off your shoes and dress modestly (covered head and arms for women).

Jemeirah Mosque  

After the Mosque visit, we were up for a real coffee and fortunately, there was a Starbucks across the street.  Coffee Frappes are becoming very popular in this very hot climate.
For the rest of the day, Wendy and Jennie went off exploring old Dubai (the museum and souks) while Richard, Jill and I headed for the air-conditioned comfort of WAFI Mall.  We were surprised at how few people were there and put it down to the fact that it is a public holiday for the Eid Al Adha festival.

There was a Souk in the basements under the mall which was interesting and Jill purchased a new carry bag.  Upstairs I also purchased a smaller backpack so that I have something to carry the camera around in without being too obvious.

WAFI Mall

We all got back to the Skyline (although our taxi driver didn't have a clue and in the end we had to direct him to the hotel - talk about the blind leading the blind.  We can't work out the address system here.  The hotel's address is Al Rigga Road which is the closest big road but several blocks from where the hotel's actually found on the corner of 37 Street and 40c Street.  These latter directions mean nothing to taxis drivers.  All a bit of a mystery.

We caught taxis out to the airport.  Jill and I had a very chatty Pakistani gentleman who has a family with 7 kids home in Pakistan.  He tells us that 85% of Taxi drivers come from Pakistan.

As usual, we had quite a wait around for our 11:30 flight.  Following a very ordinary dinner (why do airports aways have 'crap' food?) we made our way through emigration (Jennie getting the once over by security - the luck of the draw perhaps).  Dubai is a big airport as you have to catch a train to your exit gate from Emigration.  We also had to go through 2 exit gates which was a bit funny.  Through one, wait again in a second exit lounge before boarding through the second gate.

Another 8-hour flight to Johannesburg.  After our frantic pace in Dubai, we were all exhausted so did manage to get some sleep.