Dubai...a city that seems to be one big building and construction site. We arrived in at 7am on Thursday morning after the overnight flight from Madrid. Overnight flights always seem like a good idea but in reality you still don't get the sleep you need, even in business class (might be because once again I spent the night coughing like I was the world champion). The steward was lovely enough to make me a hot lemon and honey drink but didn't do much good because as soon I lay down, off I went.

Once we landed, we had to get a bus to the terminal. They had a special bus for First Class and Business Class passengers, very fancy. Wanted to be. It took a good 15mins to get to the terminal. It was like peak hour traffic on the freeway around the airport. Never seen anything like it. Was glad to finally reach the building. Once inside, we were met by staff to give us our welcome pack as we had booked our hotel thought the Emirates Stayover package, through immigration (very friendly), our bags were on the carousel and out to the chauffeur section. Usually someone meets you with your name on a board, but I guess because they have so many here, you go to a desk, get your slip printed out and head out and get the next car. Couldn't believe how many cars were waiting.

15mins or so to our hotel and what a relief to arrive. Very nice hotel, with very friendly staff (almost too friendly as it felt forced to a degree). Glad to get up to our room which was a Corner Suite. When I booked it, it was only about $20 more or so then the normal room so I thought why not. Glad I did. It was huge. Mum said she felt like she could get lost in it.

Dining table, counter for tea and coffee, lounge area with a huge TV and toilet off the hallway. In the bedroom there was a King bed, another huge TV, walk in closet, separate toilet, double vanity, huge bath and separate shower. Felt like heaven. What a range of rooms we have had on this trip. When we checked in they asked if we wanted an extra bed put in for us. Due to my coughing, thought that would be a good idea so they bought up a single bed and put it in the dining area (pretty comfy for a roll away. Mattress was so thick).

Because we wouldn't be having breakfast after our "2nd night" we were told we could have brekky today so down we went. Selection was huge. About 6 different serving areas including Western, Asian, Indian, European, Pastries and breaks and desserts (including icecream). No chance of leaving here hungry, not that we ate much...too tired I think.

We went and asked about tours to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque there but there were no tours on the Thursday or Friday and our only option would be for a private car at about a cost of $400. Plus we weren't even sure if we would have the right clothes. I had assumed as long as shoulders and knees were covered which has been the norm for me in the past we would be fine. No, for here you had to be covered from ankles to wrists and not wear white. We weren't really game to pay out that much and then not be let in so decided against it.

Back to the room and exhaustion won. I had to lie down and try and get some sleep. Not a lot due to more coughing fits but enough to feel human. After a shower we decided to try and see some of the city. Got the hotel shuttle to the Dubai Mall. Well, think of any shopping centre in Sydney and triple the size if not more. It was huge. It even has an Aquarium and an Ice Skating rink plus so many shops, many of them American and English and very fancy ones too. From here we walked to the metro, about 10min walk in covered walkways and attempted local transport. Bought our metro tickets and off we went. Got off at the stop we wanted but once I looked at the local map on the platform, thought it might be too far for us to walk in the heat, me not feeling the best and mum having done lots of walking the past fortnight. So we jumped back on and went to a closer stop. Only problem, when we tried to exit with our tickets, we had the wrong zone ticket now. Went up to the information and met the most unfriendliest staff member ever who didn't even talk, just grunted but at least he did let us through.

Made our way to the Gold Souq. Very proud we manged to find it as maps given here aren't the best with not many street names so you just sort of figure the direction you need and hope you get there. Souqs were a little different to what I expected, more like mini shops all next to each other. I was after a white gold chain to go with a pendant mum had bought me for my 40th. Finally tried our luck in one of the stores and I think we got a good deal. We had wanted 9ct but they only did 18ct or plus. Thought it would have been out of my price range but was probably what we would have gotten a 9ct back for back home. Did some bartering, probably could have done more but not feeling the best I was happy with what I paid (was expecting to pay the same amount for a 9ct piece). We continued to wander through the different souqs but they guys were pretty persistent and I guess we weren't really in the mood for it (you definitely need to be feeling well and at your best to deal with them). We caught the local boat Show (wooden boat that seats about 20) across the 'creek' (looks like a river to us) where there were some more souqs but by this time the heat had caught up with us and we'd had enough. Decided to try and get to the metro to get home, but just did not have the energy to try and figure out the map so we piked out and caught a taxi back to the mall. Don't do that very often.

At the mall we went and had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (I've eaten here before in San Francisco). Mum was ecstatic they had Mozzeralla sticks. The meals were huge (just like America) and we couldn't get through them, although mum took a piece of the famous cheesecake back to the hotel and then settled in to watch some of the olympics.

Friday morning after another restless sleep for me, mum arranged for a doctor to come and see me. She just called reception and they organised it. He was there with a nurse within the hour and after a quick check up, gave me some prescriptions and said I should have seen a doctor after about 2-3 days with this cough (mum was quick to tell him she had wanted me to, but I was too stubborn). They also arranged for the pharmacy to deliver the medication. Good service. Just have to wait and see if my travel insurance company will cover the cost, not that it was that expensive.

We decided to have a relaxing day so after breakfast (still too much choice) we hit the pool. Arrived down there about 11am and didn't leave to about 4pm. Took our own water and soft drink down that we had bought at the shops yesterday and just got cups of ice from the bar. Little bit cheaper (can of coke in the mini bar in the room worked out to about $10). Although it hit 46, because of the haze, you didn't have the direct heat of the sun, and we were under umbrellas too although spent a lot of the time in the pool as you would. Very nice.

Back for showers and we caught the shuttle back to the Dubai Mall as mum wanted to check out Marks and Spencers. Bought a few items each and then went back to the Cheesecake Factory as mum wanted those Mozzarella sticks once more!! We both took a slice of the cheesecake back to the room this time which we enjoyed while we did our final pack, including our new clothes.

Car was due to pick us up at 11.15pm and I arranged for a porter to come and collect our bags about 10.45pm and said we would be down around 11pm to check out. Of course, about 5 mins later had a phone call to say the car had just arrived.

Off to the airport, where they had a special pick up and drop off point for First Class and Business Class passengers. It was empty. This huge hall and hardly anyone there (maybe because we were so early). Checked in and then had our own immigration and security checkpoint. Mum went to throw her bottle of water out but the staff member just told her to throw it in the container for the x-ray machine so we could keep it (never had that happen before). Appreciated. I also realised I had put some mini bottles of spirits in my carry on and they never picked that up. Makes you wonder how worried they are about liquids.

Through to the lounge and time to wait for the plane. Nice lounge but the food wasn't very appealing, lucky we weren't hungry. I copped a few looks from people as I coughed my lungs out, guess they were worried I was contagious. Time finally to board. You can board direct from the lounge which makes it easy. Back onto the A380 with our own little seats and we were ready for the 14hr flight. Breakfast was offered just after taking off but I declined and tried to get some sleep...yeah good luck with that. Wasn't really going to happen because with the AC and lying down, all I could do was cough. Mum got some sleep, said it was the most sleep she has probably ever had on a flight.

Flight went reasonable quick. Nice lunch and then it was time to land. Landed early, through immigration quick. Had to declare some Dates mum had bought in Dubai but they were given the all clear and out to meet our driver and time to head home.

Another trip over. Time goes so quick when you are travelling and this is the shortest trip we have done together overseas. Used to 6-8 weeks away but better then nothing. With the year this has been, glad we could go and just get away from stuff for a while. I would definitely love to return to Dubai in the future but for longer and when it is a bit cooler (although not sure when that is). Although I can imagine that every time you returned to Dubai, things would look different with all the building that is happening.

Highlights for this trip is definitely the wedding and seeing our friends and just taking time out to relax by the pool which we don't always get when we are travelling. Now time to work out where our next trip will be!! Always have to have something to look forward to, only thing to get you through work!!