Dubai!

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Ok so Egypt was clearly out of the question (stupid riots) so we jumped on a plane to Dubai for a 5 day break in the sun!

So the first day we... slept. Only for a bit. Then we went to explore our quality 3 star hotel. The first thing we noticed was the disproportionate amount of seedy middle aged men on the top floor where the gym and pool were. The second thing we noticed was the disproportionate amount of scantily dressed foreign women in the bar downstairs. It turns out that the York International Hotel is a popular bottom-of-the-range brothel that seemed to be busy all the time. Nice.

So we got out of there and went on a tour of the city - one of the doormen offered to take us on a personalised tour, so we jumped in his car and checked out the main sites - the Burg Khalifa (tallest building in the world), Burg Dubai (the seven star hotel), the malls with all their attractions - indoor skiing, aquarium, and lots and lots of shops (so awesome), the one beach that is open to the public 24 hours a day, Palm Jumeirah (the big island that looks like a palm) and a bunch of other stuff.

Day two - Aquadventure water park. Ohhh yea! Best day ever - all you have to do is grab an inflatable tube, sit in it, and the pool canal system takes you up to the top of the slides via a conveyor belt, or an uphill slide with water jets that shoot you up. And they have slides that go through tunnels inside a shark tank. Or you can grab a lounger and sit by the pool. Good times.

Day three - Desert Safari. It was a great night - 4WDing in the sand dunes, camel rides, henna tattoos, middle eastern food, and belly dancing. And, of course, a romantic sunset over the desert (though Renton lasted about 2 seconds - can't say I didn't try!).

Day Four - we met up with one of Renton's mates, grabbed a dhow, and went for a cruise down the Dubai Creek in the sunshine (did I mention it was warm and sunny?!). We also checked out the souks, smoked some shisha (don't worry mum its just flavoured tobacco), and had dinner (and some refreshments) at a restaurant on the beach front. A great way to finish off the week.

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Photos

Jumeirah Beach
Us on Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach
In front of the Burg Al Arab - seven star hotel. That's 4 stars more than our hotel.

Dubai Mall
Massive aquarium in the middle of the mall. And the largest acrylic panel in the world, just in case you were wondering.

Burg Khalifa
Renton posing in front of the tallest building in the world.

Desert Safari
Smoking some shisha

Desert Safari
Me trying to get onto the camel

Desert Safari
Renton holding a falcon that is trying to get away from him

Deira
Cruising down the Dubai Creek on a dhow

Comments

[Anne Marie]

Glad you enjoyed it
Weather is the best you can get now! I live there and still did not make it to Burg Khalifa :D

[maree]

wow
Waterworld sounds awesome. I'd love to go. Your'e both lookin fab.