1st stop - Dubai

---

Welcome to our first travel blog.. We cant promise it will be the most entertaining read but we will try our best to keep it up to date. After too many goodbyes (and tears from me!) we are eventually away! Flight was OK, shorter than 7 hours although tv was rubbish, we both wanted to watch ice age as it was the only decent film on but the sound wouldnt work, so we entertained ourselves by having a few drinks and playing chess (No one won, I quit, as I was distracted by the woman constantly kicking the back of my chair for about 2 hours). Meal was nice, Craig got 2 meals and has realised he now likes mango. He also ended up nearlly hitting a woman in the face with a bottle of water when getting it out the top bit where you put your hand luggage (I dont know what this is called).
We were meant to get picked up from the airport by the hotel, there was lots of indian men holding signs with peoples names on and to be honest I was quite looking forward to seeing someone holding one with our name on! But he wasnt there, so we jumped in a taxi.

Dubai is red hot all day everyday! we ventured our hotel when we got here and found out that our pool is closed from 12.30 - 4.30 every day! I was not happy as I planned to worship the sun for the 3 days we are here, so we decided to have a wander around to see whats about. It didnt take us long to realise we are a bit out in the sticks! we stumbled across the indian community and we only seen about 3 other women, I felt like people were staring at us all the time and felt a bit intimidated! Anyway, our stroll turned into a hike and we were knackered and couldnt find anywhere to eat because everywhere was closed (prayer time), so we got a taxi and ate in our hotel. We didnt realise it was a posh restaraunt until we rolled up in our sweaty scruffy clothes...we didnt fit in. Gorgeous food though! and we also got an indian version of the after dinner mint which looked like bird food and tasted like ouzo.
We have seen the Burj Al Arab which is the big iconic hotel and walked around the marina which is nice but quite expensive..but we did find a pub! Obviously we (ok..especially me) were desperate for a proper drink so we paid £13 for 2 pints of beer (talk about desperation).
Also seen the emirates shopping mall which is the biggest mall outside USA and also has a ski slope. Shops inside are lovely, all designer which we obviously cant afford so we came back with a baguette, butter and salami for tomorrows tea.
We were both unsure about Dubai at first, but once you find your feet here its good. But you definetely need more money and more time to see it all.

Photos to follow as we cant work the site yet, also it wont let us use apostrophes for some reason (Kathryn, I know you would have pointed this out)

Next stop, Beijing...

---

Comments

[janet]

he told you so
glad you arrived ok dad just said (i told them it was expensive) you have to find this out for yourself everything is an experience can wait for the next blog, hope the postcard is in the post, loved the last one must visit it sometime. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL. Love you loads. mam xxxxxxxxx

[mam nd kat n tom]

kathryn wrote this!!(mam wants it acknowledged that she was also presesnt.) "/
hey smelly jelly, you are being missed (a bit), glad ur plane had 0 snakes etc. mam wants 2 organise a time 2 go on skype, so facebook me at least 1 day in advance 4 our first skype session. btw u need 2 figure out how 2 put pix up or theres no point! n btw u left your memory card, dunno if u want it posting or u can get a new one?? mam is strangely interested in your flight times tomorrow. don know why it should matter to her, mind, but still, she is taking an interest. (mam called me a cheeky sod there) also she advises violence to be used when strangers kick your chairs.(i think that would b bad, and like she would dare!)have yas got tanned/burned yet? n lol at u2 in the posh resteraunt scruffified!! ps only 3 other women????? what? why? seriously thats wierd. xx ps tuesday 7 skype? tom wants to use it lol, and also, u 2 had better not brag 2 much about your nice location compared with sunderland mind or ill hang up the skype on u!!-and then what will u do? u obv. will nt b able 2 get thru the rest of the day coz of your intensely missing us!!! lol xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :D

[kattommam]

ps
btw mam said they aren indians, they e arabs!!! wow youve gotten really cultured since u left, i can see this trip will serve your education well!! xxxxxxxxx

[Karina]

Jealous!
Hello! Well I'm just sat here in Beverley waiting for all my customers who are failing to attend, while I look at all your photos. I am extremely jealous! Katrina and me were just wondering where you'll be at the moment and it seems you'll have already left Dubai. Your photos look lovely and we wish we were there. Keep the blog going and enjoy yourself!

[Vjay Lad]

Class
It sounds a Beast!!!!! Craig you look like a Budda, have you starting supporting the, since Hull city are going down the Pan. Also hey lost 2-0 against Fuham. I'll try and keep you updated. Jenny: Sunderland won 1-0 against the scousers. Your blogs class!