Blogs from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East - page 26

'Last year Dubai discovered it didn't have any birds', says Zein. 'So they introduced a new bird from Pakistan.' Zein is my son in law. He is from Syria. It's the first time we meet. Together with my daughter Majorie and my wife Linda we eat falafel at a little restaurant at Jumeira Beach Residence, one of the newest projects in Dubai. 'Is that the one?', I ask, pointing to a brownish bird which is hanging around near the restaurant. 'Exactly.' 'We have them also in Thailand' I say. 'It's a Myna. One of the most invasive birdspecies in the world. Once you have them, you'll never get rid of them.' Who cares?, I think. Dubai is not the place where you come to spot birds. Here you are to be amazed by the highest buildings ... read more

Well we might as well be back in the Uk, Wednesday morning and it's raining quite heavily. We were hoping to have had swim in the pool before heading out again, but the pool is not going to be visited this morning. Well what a wet day Wednesday was, pouring with rain all day, the funny thing is, rain almost brings the roads to a standstill like snow does in the UK, most roads have no drains so everywhere becomes flooded almost instantly. I managed a short walk mid afternoon round the lakes, then headed out to a local shopping mall for a wander and some tea, although smaller than the main Dubai mall we visited Tuesday, its still massive compared to the ones in the UK and incorporates a ski run and small snow boarding ... read more

Nice relaxing morning round the pool, now for a spot of lunch. After lunch we headed out for a walk of the area with the cameras, then visited the main Dubai mall for an evening meal, seeing the indoor aquarium complete with shark and the ice skating rink. Also seeing the fabulous fountain display outside.... read more

Basically a lazy day.........after the early morning run and gym visit.......breakfast........sunbathe by the pool.......afternoon tea........sunbathe by the pool, followed by steam room/sauna! Then pre-dinner drinks before we headed to Dubai Mall again (pic 1) to, primarily, see the Fountain light and sound show (pic 2) - which didn't photograph very well! Also took a pic of Burj Kalifa, the tallest tower here (anywhere?). Then, while waiting to get into the Cheesecake Factory, I took a pic of the huge aquarium (again not easily photographed). Believe it or not, I had a very tasty burger at the Cheesecake Factory! Took s couple of more pics in the mall and of the Waterfall - a spectacular fountain - and Burj Kalifa (from the pedestrian walkway),pics 4, 5, 6, before catching the metro back to the hotel......... ..........to get ... read more

it was a long flight, a very long one............we arrived safely in Dubai at 05.00 local time after about 15 hours in the air. Took some melatonin tablets, which are supposed to help adjust your body clock and managed some sleep on the plane. Took a taxi to our hotel, The Shangri-La and was there by 6 o'clock. Unsurprisingly our room wasn't ready........but we offered an upgraded room complete with Horizon Club privileges, at an additional cost of course. Given that we didn't want to waste the day, we took it. Very well appointed room on 38th floor (probably not that high by Dubai standards!) with an uninterrupted view to the Gulf (Pic 1). The Horizon Club membership gave us access to a small gym and pool on the 42nd floor. After sorting ourselves out a ... read more