We got through customs and passport control at about 5.15 am and to the hotel at 5.30. We'd booked the place for that night and so needed to check in.They creamed us and charged us for 2 nights, Thanks Ibis, we wont be using your services ever again. We got up about 11.30 and as suggested we went to Ravi Restaurant. A very down to earth Pakistani restaurant and a bit of a novelty for the locals. Still, the grub was great and we filled our boots for five pounds each. (Great recommendation Scott.)

Then we explored the Metro system, as to be expected it was excellent. It seemed pretty busy though and operating at almost full capacity. No doubt Dubai is expanding the network. They're expanding everything else. Building work is everywhere and the national bird of Dubai is the Crane. We then went to the Dubai Mall, the world's biggest apparently. It's a bit of a walk from the Metro, but it's all covered with aircon and level escalators to speed you on your way. There were some interesting things to see in the mall, like the giant aquarium filled with all sorts of fish, sharks and Manta Rays. Everything was for sale except anything I would have wanted. We did check some things out, purely to see if the prices were any good, they werent.

If shopping is your thing then I'm sure you'll enjoy Dubai. Personally I cant think of anything worse than having nothing to do but wander hundreds of miles of shopping malls. Dubai is mega city one, it's very hot and smoggy outside and therefore you need to be indoors in the aircon. Outside, the car reigns supreme and car jams are evident most of the time. We saw lots of top range cars like Porsches and Ferraris, with their proud owners looking really cool travelling at 5mph. Dubai is a major employer though, and is a lifeline for the thousands of workers from all across Asia who keep the place running very efficiently.

We checked out at 7.30pm and took the Metro to the Airport. Getting out was as long and boring as getting in was. There was free wifi in the Airport though. you dont get that everywhere. Dubai serves a purpose and caters to all needs, just not mine. We finally left at 23.40pm on a flight to Mumbai, India. Things were looking up.