Two nights in Dubai

On arrival we got a taxi from the airport to our hotel, the taxi driver loudly played a recording the entire 50 minute drive listing reasons why Allah forbids Muslims from eating pork. I had bacon with my fry up when we got to the hotel...

Taking taxis is Dubai is frustrating as a new tram system is being put in throughout the city and almost all the major roads have been dug up and down to one lane, metro was much easier.

White sandy beaches, the sea a similar temperature to a hot bath, no wind, 42c heat. Needless to say we sweated a lot.

We visited Dubai museum, shopped in Souks and Dubai mall, pottered around the marina, got neck cramp staring up at the Burj Khalifia (tallest building in the world), watched in awe at the magical patterns made by Dubai fountain, took a sail along the creek, drank cocktails in roof top bars with a view over the palm, hopped on an open top bus tour around the city and swam in the Arabian gulf as camels walked along the beach. We crammed a lot into two days!

As Dubai is a Muslim country it is respectful to cover your arms and legs however in 42c we did wear our shorts as we had seen many people do. Men did however noticeably stare and we caught one man sneakily taking pictures of our legs with his phone.

On the metro an America women questioned us about clothing and we said that shorts are ok in some places, she looked at us disapprovingly (when in doubt always play the naive tourist card). As the journey progressed it was clear her and her husband were unsure as to what stop to get off. The women's husband muttered to ask us and she replied sharply with "they know nothing!"There was no need for that and she had said it so maliciously. 5 seconds later she turns to me and asks where to get off... I simply replied with "oh we know nothing" and with that stood up and got off at my stop. I hope she is still trying to find her stop, mean American lady.

Anyway Dubai was a great start to our journey. Would like to go back in 10-20 years to see its progress as so much is still under construction.

Next stop Bangkok!

(Glasgow-Dubai - Boeing 777-300er
Dubai-Bangkok - Airbus 380-800)