We arrived around 7:30 am to a large and mostly vacant airport. We wondered where everyone was? After a quick entry into UAE we hopped into a fancy Lexus and travelled around 35k along 12 lane highways flanked by large modern buildings. We checked in and then checked out!

After about two hours of snoozing we got up ready for the day. It was day two of Ramadan and although we were close to Dubai Marina lunch wasn't on the cards as it might prove tricky to find something open in a sufficiently timely manner i.e. it was creeping closer to 'hangry' hour, so we ate in the hotel.

Anthony couldn't quite decide what sightseeing he wanted to do so we booked a 75 minute boat trip around The Palm. We filled up on the buffet (yum) - no Ramadan for us, then set off for the Marina.

This place is hot, but set up for the heat. We were able to walk from our hotel through an air conditioned travelator filled walkway which connected our side of the highways (yes plural) with trains and then the Marina. It seemed to be over a kilometre in length.

Once we reached the marina we soaked up the sunshine and the views. Water, boats, skyscrapers and no humans! All the open air restaurants were closed and people were few and far between. Again we were able to walk through air conditioned walkways around the marina. Lovely, but lonely.

When we found the place to get on our boat ride Anthony was horrified to see they were yellow open aired, shade free, inflatable dinghies.
The thought of sitting in the sun was too much and he cancelled the tour. The hotel pool beckoned!