(This photo has nothing to do with Dubai, but we lost our camera with the Dubai photos!)

Lots of sun bathing & chilling out. Had a grand tour of the Burj al Arab hotel - access all areas courtesy of Hannah (James sister) - where we were chased out of the garage by security. There were some awesome cars, one chap who's been living in the hotel for 7 years (yes... 7 years!) has 2 Hummers, Pagani Zonda, Mercedes Maclaren... and then we were chased out!

We did a desert safari... 1 hour jeep trip into the desert and then wreckless driving up, down, and over the dunes and carving donuts into the soft sand... brilliant fun... This was followed by all inclusive booze, and all you can eat buffet... Han lead the way and we drank so much we forgot to go on the camel rides. 

We discovered that back packing in the 5* Jumeirah Beach Hotel just doesn't really work - had to have the mini bar emptied before we were tempted and we lived off of peanut butter sandwiches (and bananas Hannah had smuggled out of the Burj) for a week.

Our time here coincided with Islamic New Year, during which time the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in public places... Thankfully Han has her own "alcohol man" which meant we weren't going to die of thirst!

The highlight has to be seeing my sister. She is in her element... people, peple and more people. Every evening, after her shift she took us out to see something - be it a shopping mall, bar, soukh, club, another bar.... But no matter where we were, someone would know her, which would start off a loud high pitched shriek of excitement and 5 minute catch up of the day's gossip... All the staff know her by name and as the "smily happy" person... which meant they treated us like royalty (perhaps Han had had a quick word to them before we arrived!)

Thank you so much Han - it was lovely to see you, good luck with the next few months although I know you won't need it! Love you loads and miss you lots, Jimbo xxx

It was a brilliant week of sun, sea, sand and relaxing before our "arduous" year of travelling! Off to Kenya now....