This was my first
time flying with Emirates and I must say I was impressed. We both had a problem
as we were boarding: our boarding passes beeped and failed to be accepted. I
thought we might get ”bumped” out of our “baby seats” if there were babies
aboard, but no, there was a problem with our passport scanning in Brisbane. It
was corrected and we were on our way at last.
The advantage of
booking “baby seats” is the heaps of legroom up you get without having to pay
for it; the disadvantage is you may end up with a screaming baby beside you.
Poor little thing was almost a year old and hated being restrained which had to
be done every time the seatbelt sign came on. The rest of the time she slept
peacefully or played happily on the floor.
After a breakfast
of scrambled eggs, I read “Au Revoir” and went to sleep. I awoke feeling hungry
so I wandered down to ask how long I would have to wait until lunch. “ Three
hours!” “No snack?” “Sorry, but we do
have a breakfast left.”
I thought I might
have started a revolt as I wandered back to my seat with a second breakfast,
but everyone was either asleep or not hungry. To be clear, it was the breakfast
without the scrambled eggs so it wasn’t huge.
Three hours later,
lunch was served. Chicken, rice and roti washed down with two bottles of very
good French white filled me up. I couldn’t even fit in dessert, but Ross shared
a small bottle of Baileys with me. A perfect meal!
Towards the end of
the flight, I discovered the toilet. I thought it must have been the business
class toilet, but it was in the middle of the aircraft. It was twice normal
size, with wood panelling cupboards and a wooden toilet seat! Very posh! It
also had a beautiful hand lotion and body spray, which I applied liberally. It
was a long time since my last shower!
While exploring
the touch screen, I discovered a survey and completed it. You never know- I
might be offered an upgrade next time I fly. I also found four games and played
three of them. Millionaire (too easy), another trivia game, which was quite
challenging- I couldn’t get past level 2- and Bookworm. I used to play this
game for hours. Once, I even played all night without realizing the time. It’s
quite addictive.
On arrival at
Dubai, we progressed through security and customs without any dramas, and
walked down to Carousel 12 (of course it was the last one) to collect our
suitcases. Mine had been so tightly packed it had burst at the seams, but I
don’t think anything fell out; well, if it has, I haven’t missed it.
We caught a taxi
to our airbnb at Gulf Oasis Apartment Hotel driven by a woman with a pink hijab.
Actually, all the taxis we saw were driven by women in this same garb, and the
taxis had pink roofs too! It was a fair hike from the airport but only cost 92
dirhams. (about $35)
Our airbnb
apartment is spacious and comfy, but quite old-fashioned. There’s a king bed,
with a firm mattress, (read that as hard as a board) and a full kitchen,
dining, lounge and bathroom. We’re on the 10th floor so have a good
view too. First things first- flight stockings off and into the Jacuzzi! After
showering and cleaning teeth, I lay down on the board (I mean bed) and apparently
fell asleep within seconds.
I woke up at
midnight and have been watching movies to take my mind off food. It’s now
4.30am and breakfast is not until 7. We
haven’t eaten since lunch on the plane!
Ross is online researching and planning what we are going to do today
(apart from sleep). I’m looking forward to being surprised, as it’s usually me
who does the planning. I should let him write the next part of the blog. (Are
you asleep yet, Keeley? )
After a breakfast
of an omelette with a plateful of exotic extras, mango juice, fruit and
croissants and the dreadful brewed coffee which I tried to weaken with hot
water, we headed off to the Mall of the Emirates, a short taxi ride away. Oh my god! It was amazing! Everything was
made huge and gold: pure decadence and the prices reflected the opulence.
We wandered into a
Pierre Cardin store to have a look, but after encountering the pushiness of the
salesgirl, we beat a fast retreat, and headed to Costa Coffee, where I once had
the biggest cup of coffee imaginable- more like a bowl of coffee-in St Austell,
Cornwall. The experience was repeated here, but was even more special as we
could sip our coffee while overlooking the snowfield. Children were lining up
to go up the slope on a rope, while others were tobogganing down a luge. I’m
not sure of the right terminology here, as I know nothing about snow sports.
While endeavouring
to take a photo of the mighty cup of coffee, I tried to move back a little to
get the whole cup in, and knocked the table. In a split second, Ross’s cup of
hot coffee was all over him. Poor Ross! He didn’t complain or scold me, but
started to wipe himself down. I felt terrible! Of course I cried, but there’s
no point crying over spilled milk, in this case, coffee. Not a good start to
our holiday! The waiter came and cleaned
the table and the floor and even brought Ross a fresh cup of coffee, but I was
super vigilant about not even touching the table!
After drinking
every last drop of my bowl of coffee, we headed off to explore some more and
found Marks & Spencer, where we bought two tiny bottles of mandarin, clove
and cinnamon oil. I love this smell- it always reminds me of Christmas! I
really wanted to buy a candle but the logistics of carrying it did not outweigh
the desire to own it.
We tried to find
the “go-nogo” bus aka the hop-on, hop-off bus but were given information on how
to get to the airport! We are finding it’s hard for people to understand what
we’re asking: either we are talking gibberish, which is quite possible as we
are both very tired, or their understanding of English is not great.
Consequently, we
ditched the idea of getting a bus and jumped in a taxi, which took us directly
to the Old Souk, which is situated on Dubai Creek, where the original part of
Dubai is situated was) and sat down on a bench in the shade overlooking the
water. A cool breeze was blowing and it would have been idyllic if the gelato
had been tasty. My mango flavour was crumbly and so sweet I could hardly taste
the mango, but I didn’t complain after tasting Ross’s raspberry one as it was
simply disgusting. Everything is relative!
Then we entered the
Souk and were immediately accosted by men putting pashminas over my shoulders.
I didn’t dare stop to admire any of them, but kept walking with the offending
pashmina draped over me, saying, “ You’re giving me this? Oh, thank you!” at
which point they realized I was a lost cause and grabbed it back off me. Ross,
too, was being continually harassed by men putting a red-checked tablecloth
over his head, which didn’t please him at all. I would really love this sort of
market if they would just let you look at their wares in peace!
I navigated our
way out of the Souk and back to the Museum which was much more enjoyable,
learning a little of Dubai’s history. It wasn’t until oil was discovered in the
1970s that Dubai expanded exponentially. In 1969, the population of Dubai was
53,000. Now, it’s over 2 million!!!! I
don’t think any other city in the world has had a population explosion like
that.
My feet were
starting to ache, so we decided to head back to our hotel. Ross wanted a shower
to wash the sticky coffee off, and I wanted to soak in the Jacuzzi! But first
we needed water so trudged to the little minimart on the corner and bought a 12
pack of water for10 dirham, milk for 3.50 dirham and an iced coffee for 10
dirham: a total of less than $10AUD.
Bargain! We won’t have to pay minibar prices for water for the rest of
our stay.
After showering
and dressing for dinner, we headed out to The Dubai Mall, where we were to meet
Sabiha and Syed, a lovely couple whom I know through scrabble. We were early so
went into Columbia Outdoor Store to look for a pair of waterproof boots for
Ross. He accidentally sold his good pair for $5 at his garage sale! Very
occasionally, he does something silly; I manage it almost every day! He was
lucky this time. He found a great pair of boots that, not only fitted him like
a glove, were comfortable and stylish, and on special for 175 dirham (about $70
AUD)!
We were to meet
Sabiha and Syed at Starbucks, but didn’t have a clue where it was in this huge
shopping mall, so found an information kiosk to ask. “ Which one?” was the
reply when we asked. “Oh, no!” It turns
out there is not one, but FOUR Starbucks in this shopping centre; one on each
level! I had to clarify with Sabiha which one!
Sabiha and Syed
and their two teenage children finally found us, and we shared a coffee, and
talked like we had known each other for years. Syed bought me a biscotti, and
Sabiha had bought me a beautiful gift of Rasheeqa Concentrated Perfume Oil. I
can’t wait to try it! How did she know I adore perfume? Have I ever mentioned it on Facebook? Or do I
just look like the sort of person who loves wearing perfume?
We wandered around
admiring the waterfall and even ventured outside to watch the dancing fountains
playing in front of the Burj Khalifa, which is even more impressive at night! It
was just magical. I wanted to take more photos, but we had to rush to our 9.30
dinner booking at Kitchen 6 located at the J.W.Marriott Marquis, a very posh
hotel, with two beautiful twin towers. We were seated at a table and we waited
on for drinks.
The restaurant was
huge with 6 separate kitchens where you could see the chefs at work. However,
since we were the last seating, they weren’t doing much cooking. Consequently,
much of the food, which would have been delicious hot and freshly-cooked, was
just so-so. So saying, I devoured a plate of food from the Arabian kitchen, and
then could only fit in a taste of the other 5 kitchens for my next plate. How
disappointing! I was planning on having a plate from each to get my money’s
worth. It wasn’t cheap at 195 dirhams per head and 40 dirhams for a glass of
the cheapest wine.
Another taxi ride
home and we crashed the minute our heads hit the pillows, but woke up after
only a few hours’ sleep. Ross fell back asleep but I kept waking myself up just
as I was falling. I left him sleeping until 7.30am, when we headed down for
breakfast. Much the same fare as yesterday with the addition of fish instead of
chicken, and Spanish omelette in the place of plain omelette. I had a lovely
cup of Russian Earl Grey to wash it all down.
We were ready and
waiting in the lobby at 5 to 9 for our tour to arrive between 9 and 9.30am.
Ross had chosen The Dubai City Tour (9am-1pm) and the Dhow Dinner Cruise
(7-11pm) allowing us time between tours to do our own thing. I was planning on
sleeping.
Things don’t
always go to plan, and this was one of those days! We waited and waited and
waited for our tour bus to arrive. Finally at 9.45am, a guy wanders in and
collects us. No introduction, nothing. We follow him out to a car containing an
Indian couple from Perth, and set off. We imagine we are being driven to meet
the tour bus, but no, this is it.
We drove in
silence to the Dubai Museum (oh, I’m sorry, he mentioned we were driving
through the Embassy District). Ross asked when we were meeting the bus and were
told this was it! The car was comfortable, but our tour guide was not. Apart
from the fact he spoke little English, he was just a driver, admittedly a very
good one, but he knew nothing about Dubai or its history.
We had already
been to the museum, so had a cup of coffee while the other couple did the
museum visit, which they had to pay for themselves! Some very dodgy tour
operators these were. Ten attractions were listed on the tour, but we only visited
seven, and by visited, I mean, drove past. I tried to take photos while
driving, at which point he capitulated and stopped for a 5-minute photo shoot.
The worst tour ever! I will be giving them a scathing review on Trip Advisor-
if I can even find them. Ross booked them under Go Dubai Tours, but the
brochure we were given was Falcon Oasis Tours. By brochure, I mean piece of
thick paper A5 size, which we received when Ross requested it. He had to go to
his “office” to find one. There were no brochures in the car at all. Nothing.
No signs on the car. Nothing to indicate this was any sort of a tour.
Anyway, we “saw” a
few of Dubai’s attractions, which we could have done on our own via taxi for a
much cheaper price. Ross attempted unsuccessfully to get his money back so we
just had to suck it up and make the best of it. Ross sat in the back with the
other couple, while I sat up front. Any question I asked our driver (we still
didn’t know his name!) was either not answered or answered with a something he thought
I had asked. Most taxi drivers were far more informative than he was! Since the
other couple was being dropped off at the Dubai Mall, we thought we’d get out
here too and go to the top of the Burj Khalifa, which was right beside the
Mall. In the end, the other couple didn’t get out with us, so we have no idea
what was happening. I confirmed that we were being picked up tonight at 7pm for
the Dhow Dinner Cruise. Yes, between 6.45 and 7pm. Great!
We followed the
signs to the Burj Khalifa booking office, no mean feat: you can have no
conception of the sheer size and complexity of this Mall unless you have been
here. They say it’s the world’s largest and I’m not disputing that. When we
finally reached the booking office, we discovered that this was a popular
attraction and the first available time for a tour to the top was at 11am on
Sunday. After enquiring about the possibility of leaving our ports here
tomorrow, we booked it! We could head straight to the airport from here for our
flight to Dublin at 2.25pm.
Due to my
brilliant navigational skills (?), we found the Bagel House we spotted
yesterday (I knew it was above the icerink) while waiting for Sabiha and Syed
and ordered a bagel and a Panini and coffee. We’d eaten nothing since
breakfast. Oh I lie. I’d eaten the remaining fruit and nuts out of a packet
we’d bought yesterday. Ross had eaten nothing since breakfast. I discouraged
him from ordering 2 bagels and a Panini, which was just as well as I could only
finish half of the Panini even though it was really yummy. Then we discovered a
place called Eataly. They sold everything Italian- everything! Ross bought me a
caramel pannacotta and some cannoli, his favourite, but we were too full to
enjoy them, so kept them for later.
Back to our
apartment to shower and change for our dinner cruise. All I wanted to do was
sleep, but got ready and was down in the lobby ay 6.45pm as instructed. At 7,
we went out and waited on the footpath, where we’d been picked up this morning.
By 7.30, we’d given up and went back inside to go to bed, where we were
informed by reception that the guy had waited for 20 minutes in the lobby and
then left. They had tried to contact our room but of course we were waiting
outside where we had been told to wait! Would it not have occurred to him to
look outside? And why weren’t we simply told to wait in our room and we’d be
contacted when the driver arrived if this how they operate. Nothing about this
company makes sense.
Ross negotiated to
have a taxi take us to meet a man opposite the Carlton Hotel near the metro,
which we did. Yes, you guessed it. There was no metro anywhere near the Carlton
Hotel nor was there an elusive man! Ross wasn’t paying for the taxi as this
whole “tour company” was a joke, so the taxi driver spoke to “the man” whose
phone number was also written down on the scrap of paper, and we were delivered
to the Dhow moored in the river. We climbed aboard leaving the taxi driver in
negotiations with the ”man”-well, we assumed he was the man; we really had no
idea!
The cruise was
“nice”, dinner was ok, the entertainment was basically provided by one man, but
he was kinda cute, I fell asleep during the magic act, are you getting the
gist? To top off a perfect day, I was bitten by the “horse” (two men in costume),
hard in the back, and was almost knocked off my chair! We were driven home by a
morose driver, (presumably we weren’t his favourite customers either- the taxi
ride will probably come out of his wages) and I’ve never been so pleased to see
my bed in all my life. What a day!
Our last day in
Dubai and we plan to make the most of it, so we’re up early to pack, skip
breakfast, check out and in a taxi by 8am, headed straight to the Dubai Mall to
drop off our luggage and have a coffee before our tour to the top of the Burj
Khalifa. We asked our taxi driver to drop us as close as he could to the Burj
Khalifa office, but of course it was miles away. We found a section of the Mall
we hadn’t seen before including the aquarium. Words cannot describe it! We also
found touch screen maps so we could find anything we wanted including Costa
Coffee. Ross ordered our coffees, but I laughed when they appeared in take-away
cups -with lids! He’s not taking any chances today!
We still had an
hour before we could line up, so went to look for a charm for my collection-
the collection I haven’t started yet. I’m stealing this idea- it’s such a good
one it’s a wonder I didn’t think of it when I started travelling. I have enough
spoons to sink a ship, and fridge magnets to cover several fridges, but do I get
to enjoy them or reminisce about my adventures? Not at all.
We finally found a
Pandora shop, and settled on a palm tree charm- they’re everywhere here in
Dubai. It’s the first of my new collection- much lighter to carry, and more fun
to display. (I love bracelets!)
Then we had to
navigate our way back to the Burj for our ride to the top. We actually took a
wrong turn and found a plethora of travel goods shops we hadn’t seen before.
There seems to be no such thing as a soft case with two separate sections and
expandable with four wheels. If I can get this one home in one piece, it will
be a miracle. Ross’s luggage strap will have to hold it together.
The Burj Khalifa
was a one-of-a-kind experience- no lining up while waiting: we were ushered to
a room with comfortable lounges and were served coffee and the most delicious
dates I’ve ever tasted. Our group was then taken to a large lift, which sped up
to the 125th floor where we disembarked. A screen show was displayed
on the walls of the lift to take one’s mind off the fact of how fast we were
ascending the building. My stomach was definitely not in its correct place when
we trooped out and entered another much smaller lift to travel up even higher
to the 148th floor where we were served refreshing lemon and mint
juice and an assortment of sweets: we chose macarons. We spent some time taking
photos and being amazed at how high we were, before descending to the 125th
floor where there were “telescopes” showing what the view was like live, and
recorded day and night views. We walked the four flights of stairs down to the
124th floor before catching another lift back down to ground floor.
What a magnificent experience! I’m so glad Ross encouraged me to do it! We
could have stayed longer but had to get down, collect our bags, and head to the
airport.
We arrived just on
2 hours ahead of our flight time, but the lines in passport control were so
long that I decided to try the eGate. We were told on entering Dubai we were
now registered for it. Well no, we weren’t. I eventually got through manually,
but as it turned out Ross had beat me through. I didn’t know that so sat down
to wait for him before going through security. When our boarding time was
announced, I decide to get through security and follow the signs to gate 26,
where I was extremely relieved to find him waiting for me! He had checked that
I wasn’t already on the plane and was about to have me paged. I am glad he didn’t:
I would have panicked. I am never leaving his side again, especially not at an
airport!
