Heaven Can Wait

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I know how Adam must have felt in the Garden of Eden. Anything you have ever dreamed of. Everything you could ever desire is here. But there is a catch, maybe two, the first is money.

Dubai is basically in three sections. The first the old town, with the trading port and the creek flowing up the middle. This is Deira. Here is where we stayed for the first few days. Got the feel of the place, visited the museum and strolled through the old souks with a ride on a dhow (not quite as authentic as Morocco).

Further along the coast is the business district. Woah! Skyscrapers reach for the clouds. The streets are full of expensive cars. The home to the Burj Khalif, the tallest building in the world, supposedly 834 metres tall, no official figure given. It stretches up into the sky right next to Dubai Mall. Guess what ? The biggest shopping centre in the world. 1200 retail outlets, an Aquarium, a waterfall and outside between the two a delightful fountain. Designed by the same guys who designed the famous Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas. Every night between 6 and 10 this fountain dances for its fans. It is quite spectacular. The best view of course from the viewing deck 124 stories up in the Burj Khalif.

If you think that because you are married to a burqa covered women, shopping would be simple and inexpensive. Wrong! Sitting watching the world go buy in the mall I am amazed at the bags these women are carrying; Louis Vuitton, Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Dior.

Next section is The Jumeriah Beach. The home to the Burj Al Arab, the Atlantis on the palm and the Dubai Marina. We have decided to step it up a notch and move to a small establishment next to the Marina. The Atlantis was vigorously discussed but the Burj Al Arab not even considered ( the cheapest room I could find for four nights was $22000 Aussie, a butler is provided). When you are in Dubai and you restrict your search engine for hotels that are five star only, it is a little scary. Luckily with the assistance of some smuggled in scotch from Egypt, I pressed the enter key. Now the only problem will be Eve and her offsider.

Our abode, The Habtoor Grand, is situated on the beach next to the Marina. From our balcony, overlooking the Arabian Sea, the huge cruisers are leaving the Marina. A plane is taking off in front of us to take skydivers up for their drop from above. Acres of pools, palms and sand stretch out to the waters edge. Every where there is people, but not the tourist variety, the iterant worker from India variety who will satisfy your every need. 17 restaurants and bars, spas, hairdressers and shops. If only that credit card could get lost in the wash.

The Emirates Mall is a smaller version of The Dubai Mall, only 800 shops here but it does have an interesting twist. A ski slope! I kid you not. 52 degrees in summer 20 degrees in winter and a ski slope. Only in Dubai.

Dubai is a wonderful place but... now to catch number two. If the whole world lived like this there would be no world; heaven has to be earned; otherwise like Adam it will become original sin.

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