Day Three: Alive and well in Dubai
We all survived the 14 hour flight quite nicely courtesy of Emirates Air and the spacious seats, the good food and the lovely flight attendants (tall and gorgeous and that's BOTH genders!). :)
In no time, we had our bags, re-connected with our compadres who had flown first class (wre weren't allowed access to them on the plane!) and had caught our transport to the hotel.
After a quick shower and change, we met at the hotel buffet and filled our plates with lamb, Moroccan style curries, vegetables and rice topped with fresh tzaziki and hot sauces. Then out on the patio where gentle breezes kept us cooled while overlooking the bright lights of the city and the promise of exciting sights on tomorrow morning's city tour.
Pleasant dreams.....JT
Day Four:
Ah....Dubai...for those of you who have visited before, this will be like a walk down memory lane. For those of you who haven't, close your eyes, sit back and imagine ....
Warm, hot heat...the kind that wraps itself around you like a blanket that is soft and secure. The colour of sand everywhere....the buildings, the sky, the walls, the furniture and, of course, the desert. Music playing softly in the background that is sensuous, enticing, and teasing you to experience Dubai in all its glory and luxuriousness.
We started at the gold "Souq" (market) where ostentation does not begin to describe the opulence and extravagance of embroidered gold necklaces, chest plates (yes! chest plates!), arm bracelets and every kind of possible design of diamonds, precious jewels and ribbons and ropes of gold!
From the gold market, we went to the museum, rich with history of the area and how fishing and pearl diving had been the economic driving force of Dubai until the discovery of oil in the early 1970's. And that was the beginning of the Dubai of today. From a bleak and searing hot, dry, lifeless desert grew a teaming city of energy and majesty. Cutting edge architecture in dramatic forms of structure unseen before. Tiers and twists and heights and angles unrivaled in the world.

With our tour guide speaking fast and furiously, we drove through streets named after their sheiks, present and past, and marveled at the beautiful buildings one after the other.
We drove through residential areas with homes that were palatial estates to a mosque where those of us women in shorts and sleeveless shirts needed to don the traditional long black robe and veil. For the men, it was the traditional long white robe. Then, after removing our shoes, we were allowed to enter the mosque and quietly take pictures and explore the interior.
Prayers are traditional at certain times throughout the day and all Muslim are expected to stop whatever they are doing and face Mecca and get down on their prayer mat to pray. This mosque, like others all over the world, was a huge building, void of furniture but luxuriously-carpeted with beautiful carved marble interiors, stained glass windows and gold-embossed painted walls and ceilings. In this particular mosque was a huge antique wrought iron chandelier that hung from the centre of the ceiling. It was massive and impressive and spoke of the history of the religion.
After our visit and surreptitious giggling of how we had miraculously "osmosed" into Muslims, we dis"robed" and continued on to the infamous Palm Island, so named, of course, by its palm-inspired shape. The island is completely man-made and is literally themed and shaped after the palm tree, a venerated plant of the people.
The "trunk" is made up private apartments and condominiums. The "fronds" are stunning residences, owned by movie stars and millionaires, that are all almost completely surrounded by private waterfront due to the distinct nature of their design.
The "crescent" (the semi-moon ceiling of the fronds) is only accessible by a tunnel - not visible, of course, in pictures or by air so always the mystery of how one got from the fronds to that part of the Island! And on the crescent are stunning, luxurious hotels that one can only dream of staying in.
After leaving the Island, we drove down the Palace "strip". There are a total of 15 palaces in Dubai, all housing sheiks, prime ministers and Presidents. The palaces are all walled in and securely gated but one could still catch glimpses of the sumptuous gardens on the grounds and the stunning structures that mirrored the past with their castle-like turrets or Arabian style domes. With a little imagination, it was not hard to envision the "Arabian nights" of centuries ago and wonder if any "magic carpets" were parked in any garages! (More like Lamborghinis, Rolls and Bentleys!)
For good measure, we drove by the Embassies and Consulates - more stunning structures and beautiful gardens and finally, exhausted and satiated with structures, we did what only any self-respecting tourist does after such a tour! We poured ourselves into the hotel bar, previously empty, and ordered buckets of beer and good old-fashioned hamburgers!
Following that, everyone went their separate ways for their own amusement. Some on the tour of the tallest building in the world ("not bad" was one comment); some to sell their old gold to be melted down for something new (stay tuned - might have a whole 'nother story on that one), some to swim in the cool, refreshing water of the hotel pool; some to shop in the renowned Dubai mall; and some just to catch up on much-needed sleep.
I, myself, was on a mission to meet the fascinating trio of young adults who had been in the "Rickshaw Run for Charity" based in India in January and happened to have met there and traveled with my two sons, Trevor (then 28) and Sean (then 20) for almost 3500 km. through India on tuk tuks!
Knowing that I was flying through Dubai on my way to Africa, my son, Trevor, told me I had to look up this awesome young woman, Laura, and her traveling companions, Darrell and Aurora. Also knowing this fact 6 months ago did not inspire him to give me her contact info until 4 days before my departure when he, himself, was literally on his way to the airport for a flight to Switzerland! He quickly Facebooked her to tell her I was coming and promised me her contact info and then texted me from the airport and told me to look her up on Facebook! Thx, Trev!
Well, as all my friends and family know, I don,'t "do" Facebook but I am so glad that I made an exception because it was an absolute pleasure to meet all three of these adventurous, kind and generous young adults as well as their authentic local Abu Dhabian friend, Dina! Thank you all for a super fun night, good beer and good food at Trader Vic's in Souq (market) Madinat!!! Remember, you've promised to come to Vancouver so we can host you!

Hope this post wasn't too long for you? Trust me, one day in Dubai felt like 3!
Oh, forgot one thing! I met a "Sultan" of Dubai, too! Tall, dark and handsome and driving a Lexus! Yes! He was my taxi driver!
Gotcha! ..........JT