Good morning Dubai!! Even after a late night getting in we were ready to explore but first things first was breakfast & the Sofitel did an amazing job of it- the most expansive selection I have seen. There was at least 5 different juices, as well as little pre portioned bircher muesli, yogurt & fruit salad as well as an omelette station & freshly cooked pancakes not to mention the bakery section, cheeses, middle eastern breakfast choices & the usual hot breaky choices as well! After so many plane meals I tried to be sensible. In an attempt to wear some food off we set off in the midday sun (37 degrees) to the metro station whose air conditioning was a welcome relief! The trains were driverless, spotless & every 8mins max with great views of all the interesting shaped Dubai buildings. We were heading to Dubai Mall which despite being the largest in the Middle East was dwarfed by the worlds tallest building, The Burj Kalifa. The walk from the metro to the mall was all in air conditioned walkways but still about a km. Once inside we wandered around barely window shopping as it was mainly unattainable designer stores. The most surprising thing was the number of younger women in burkas shopping or trailing behind their seemingly westernised husbands. Besides these cultural surprises we also saw the 4 storey waterfall & the aquarium & stopped for some dip & bread for a light lunch before heading back to the hotel having completed 22,000 steps or 17kms! Luckily after a bit of relaxing at the hotel Sean's friend Graeme came to meet us at the hotel for a drink in the 'Irish' bar and entertained us with stories of working for a prince & the excesses of the rich and powerful of the UAE. The stories continued over dinner at the restaurant a few doors up from the hotel on The Walk. Once dinner was finished we were feeling a little weary from lack of sleep over the last few days so happily feel into bed. A busy but interesting day in this crazy, excessive city.