Dubai or Disneyland?

Middle East » United Arab Emirates » Dubai
March 27th 2010

Published: April 6th 2010

Well, where to start? Let's set up like Lonely Planet chapters with a twist! 1. The journey and travel around Dubai Thanks to the lovely Kristen at Darley, Alex and I enjoyed a business class flight to Sydney, followed by a night at the Four Seasons Hotel - with a lovely view from our room overlooking Circular Quay and the harbour. Unfortunately, the 10 minutes of happy snaps which I took was ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 41, Displayed: 21

Zabeel Stables

Only when money is no object can you afford to keep stables right in the heart of the city! Amazing!

The falconer

Zabeel stables employ a falconer and his charge to keep the pigeons out of the stables. The falcon flies around every few days to trick the pigeons into believing it lives there.

Burj Khalifa

from the Zabeel stables with the 100m horse pool in the foreground.

Arabian Nights - The amphitheatre

The set-up in the middle of nowhere - very impressive.

Arabian Nights - Fireworks

A great display

Arabian Nights - Peregrine Falcon

Cute little guy, isn't he?

Arabian Nights - Camel

Left this one to Alex - not a fan of this beastie

The vehicles

All lined up for dune bashing. Did this last trip and need never do it again. I prefer other activities.

Our drivers for the dune bash

This really shows their personalities - very sure and very shy, respectively.

The gang

Alex and I shared the desert safari experience with Kate and Luke (English couple, right) and Anna and Luca (Italian couple, left)

Desert sunset

Lovely to be out of the city enjoying the outdoors

Heavy traffic

Alex and I spent the afternoon watching the excessively rich arrive at Burj Al Arab on Dubai World Cup day

Meydan - not quite ready

Arriving for Dubai World Cup day - just a bit of finishing and tidying up to do!

Pam and Ern

......the serious racegoers!

The crowd

Early on...just after race 1...but so different from Australian tracks on carnival days. Check out the seating options in the public. for example!

The VIP?

Spent so much time trying to snap the Sheik....did I manage it?

Dubai World Cup start

And they are off and racing in the world's richest race. Won by a Brazilian horse making it a true world event.

Meydan Grandstand at night

Very pretty!

Fireworks

One of the best fireworks displays I have ever witnessed...pity part of it was before the World Cup...poor horses would have freaked in the stables!

Sir Elton John

Santana may not have appeared, but Elton was great. He sang plenty of old classics, although mostly slow tracks which disappointed Alex and Zenya (British journalist) who were keen to dance.

6th April 2010

Colleen McKay
non-member comment

Wow!! Absolutely fantastic
Hi Merryn, just loved your blog of the trip so far. The way you write, you can honestly hear you speaking. It sounded as though it was absolutely out of this world. Good on you, you deserve every minute of it. I think the Scotland trip will be slightly different, no make that totally different. Your trip is one contrast to the other. Hot dessert, sheiks, oppulent life to cold, misty, history, whisky etc. etc. Have a blast and above all stay safe yourself. I look forward to the next chapter of your travels.

7th April 2010

Suzanne
non-member comment

Thanks for taking me on the journey!
Hi Merryn, loving your blogs - t'is like flicking through a rivetting cooking book with short recipes and visuals presenting the real essence of life! Continue travelling well and blending in with the international community... Volunteer stint sounds like a challenge in resilience of the heart with a bit of politics thrown in no doubt, keen to hear on updates. Cheers, Suzanne in Melbourne x

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