9th July

We had a lovely sleep in this morning, not really planned but apparently what we needed.  Then we shopped in the mall across the road and took a joyride on the new metro which is fully computerised – no driver.  Noted that the train is serviced by the Serco Company which reminded us of Adrian who also works with them. Very efficient and a good way to see the city from a local perspective.  We got off at Emirates Mall and took a look at the indoor ski slope!  Quite amazing, complete with chairlifts for ski runs and luge or toboggan runs for the kids.  Reminded us of Luke who is currently enjoying the snow in Victoria. Lots of very exclusive shopping here including Valentino, Gucci, Armani, De Beers, even Paspaley!  Unlike at the souks no copies here, this is the real thing.

In the afternoon we joined the Sundowner Tour which took us by 4wd through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, all the drivers must be certified cowboys I think by the way they tackle the dunes. Our driver was Noas, a local Dubai native.  As I had the front seat I got to give him the full inquisition about living and working in Dubai.  We took a break to watch the sunset and then arrived at the Bedouin camp where we were given the traditional Arabian welcome which includes coffee, dates and shisha pipes.  Thankfully there is also a bar to quench our thirsts and even though this is a muslim country we were able to select beers and very satisfactory Italian wines. We were treated to a great 2 course meal and entertained by a belly dancer before spending a few minutes with all the lights extinguished to do some star gazing.  Not the best time of year to do this from here, you wouldn’t bother in Aust if there was so much haze.  By the time we got home it was already 10pm and time to pack in readiness for tomorrow’s early departure. 

We have enjoyed the experience of Dubai, but you wouldn’t come back.  It seems the sort of place where the surface is really new and shiny but false, and you don’t get a touch of the culture underneath. Tomorrow we will spend the whole day travelling so I’m going to sign off with this as the last post.  In Singapore from our Chinese Hotel at Robertson Quay on the riverbank we are planning to relax, have a massage or two, enjoy the food, sights and sounds we feel so familiar with.  Looking forward to seeing you all soon.