Well day 2 in Dubai is coming to a close. I am at the hotel and due to leave for the airport in about half and hour. It has been the most wonderful weekend and I really don't want to return. But at least if getting back into Saudi was as 'easy' as getting out I will plan other quick trips to places around the Gulf.

This morning, after another yummy breakfast, I caught a limo to the Mall of Emirates to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Yes I did not forget the ultimate reason I came to Dubai. I thought it was good, but they really cut a lot out of the book. Almost too much I feel as there are several things needed to make the final movie.

To come back to earth after the fantasy of Harry Potter I did what every self respecting, level headed, resident of the Arabian Peninsula would do...I went snow skiing in the shopping mall.

I'll just let that last statement sink in, down the black run, around the blue and back up the chairlift for another run. Cutting freshies in the desert, Dan and Laura, you are not the only people skiing this year. They are not the longest runs in the world, but the summit is the highest in Arabia and the runs are the longest in Arabia. Losing control is a little more risky as you don't fly off the run, you hit the side wall. I saw it happen once and it was messy. The side walls are not forgiving. But the snow is more regular than anywhere in the world; it will snow every night, like clock work. A pleasant and reliable -4 degrees keeps the well trails groomed. I did not try the luge run and as it is Ramadan, the Après ski cafe was closed. But all up a fun day and I got a photo to prove it.

After skiing, I strolled through the shopping mall and bought Trudy and Kellie a present. Also I bought another small suit case as I only bought an overnight bag and have accumulated a few extras.

I will load some photos but overall I have eaten in a French cafe, swum off the end off a building, strolled round an ancient village, ridden in a dhow and snow skied in a shopping mall, all in one weekend. Not to mention a great massage and a great brie sandwich.

Back to my reality, otherwise known as Saudi Arabia, to dream of other adventures.