Day 1-3: Dubai

 Post 1: Stopover in Dubai (Days 1-3)

Our Persian dinner

  Day One: 

  Back in Dubai after a 14 hour or so flight. The pilot   advised it was 39 degrees so we knew it would be a   stinker when we left the airport. Everything was very

  quick and streamlined getting through immigration etc.

 We are staying in Deira Creek area. Nearer to the old   souks (markets etc) and along the busy creek (river).   This is in the old area, so we have beautiful history,   buildings etc around us.  We were pretty tired from the   flight, which actually went quite comfortably and   quickly…  thanks Emirates, so sleep, a stroll and some   authentic Persian food rounded out the day. 

 Day Two 

  Our first full day was jam packed…crazily so given it was 39.4…..felt like the end of days to me. It began with excitement when at 5 am (still adjusting to sleep times) I was awake and ready to go. BR (Big Rick) was still happily snoozing. I went out on the balcony for a quick look…. already very hot and I spied some lights on the ground floor of another building across the road. Closer inspection revealed a few tables. Grabbed the hotel key card and went to investigate…hoping for a coffee.  With excitement I saw it was a Starbucks...then it sinks in, I was actually grateful for a Starbucks.

Lol, after my latte arrived, they asked if they could take a photo of for their Instagram pages as it was a new store.  Of course, I said yes to my modelling debut. (Waiting for the jobs to role in now.) Anyway, we began the day at the Dubai Frame. Got there about 9.30 and pretty much had the place to ourselves which was a bonus. The Frame is literally like a picture frame. It’s 150m tall and 93m wide and has a bridge connecting the two towers. You go up in a very fast lift and can look out at the view as it goes up (and of course down). Once you are at the top it is quite narrow, but the cool things is, when you walk on the glass floor it becomes clear and you can see all the way down (about 45 stories we were told). Little bit scary at first but we handled ourselves ok.            

From there we ventured to the Dubai Mall with signs saying it was the most visited place in the world in 2023. True or not I do not know but it was fun…and cool (temperature wise). Saw waterfalls, aquariums, ice skating rinks, dinosaur skeletons…plenty to do. Had some lunch before entering the inferno again.

   

  After lunch we decided to catch the train to the old   souks (markets). After walking almost back to   Melbourne, from the Dubai Mall to the train station   (fortunately under cover and air con) we exited at   Union Station.  It was too hot to walk the kilometre   or so from the station, so we got a taxi to the   entrance. With a freshly made mango and citrus   juice in hand we braved the stalls: with stall holders   wanting us to visit their store. The heat became   overwhelming and as we had already walked about 7   kilometres at this point, we called it and went back   to our aircon room to recover and recoup.                   

 
                                                                

A couple of hours later and a little more refreshed, we caught the water taxi, crossed the Diera Creek to the old town. Strolled around beautiful old buildings and shops. Sadly, a lot was under refurbishment. Found a couple of gorgeous little galleries and had a browse. Have my eye on a leather library piece of art. Sounds a little weird, but it was really nice. Met the artisan who was very proud of his work.                                                             

Strolled around the historical centre. Finally, I succumbed to the heat. Feeling not too well at this point, despite drinking lots of water, we made it back to our hotel via the water taxi. Late dinner…Same Persian restaurant. Total walking today was 15km. No wonder we were exhausted. Think the sun and heat took its toll today. 

     

                                                           
           

Day Three: Abu Dhabi 
I had booked a private tour to Abu Dhabi to celebrate BR’s birthday. Excited to travel in air con luxury. It was again stinking hot. Despite that we still sizzled when we got out the car and still managed to clock 9 kms of walking. After 1.5 hours we arrived in Abu Dhabi at the unbelievably amazing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. 

  This was the most beautiful structure.     Our guide had told us that it can take up     to around 65,000 worshippers at one   time. Before entering the Mosque, I had   to buy an Abaya, (Muslim dress). Rick was   asked to buy new high tights to wear with   his shorts to cover his knees. These   outfits we had to wear a couple of times   during the day. The walk to the Mosque was very civilised in the heat. We were in air-conditioned walkway with travelators to assist. 

Arrived at the mosque one couldn’t help with just stand there, in the boiling heat, and admire the sheer size, symmetry and spectacular shapes and architecture. It was worth being in the heat in my very hot, Abaya and Rick ‘s very hot (temperature not sexy) tights. The next hour was spent walking around looking at the prayer halls etc. There were 82 domes, over 1,000 columns and some amazing 10 x 15 metre high 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers. The colours were dazzling.

    

 Next stop was a look at Corniche Beach. No one was   swimming, probably because it was boiling. The water   looked so inviting but you would need to be lathered   in 50 plus sunscreen and covered head to toe. We had   a very quick look and welcomed the air con. in the   car. I don't think you could walk on the sand. 

 We had a walk around the Emirates Heritage Park   which showcased artisan skills and traditional   culture. After this we headed off to the Emirates   Palace (now a super expensive hotel) and finally   the also unbelievable working Presidential Palace.

          

This palace was incredible.  You are driven there via a curtesy bus. On arrival everything outside is a bright white. This is a working presidential palace and hosts many foreign dignitaries. The gold, blues and whites were stunning. It looked opulent and was very cool (temperature wise) to walk around. There is a display room where you can see all the gifts other countries have given the Emirates. Sadly, we saw nothing from Australia.                      

On arrival back at our hotel, after a long and hot day in Abu Dharbi BR was greeted with ballons attached to our bed and cake arrived as we entered our room. It was a lovely touch from the hotel. Total Kilometres walked 10 kms.