The first 2 days were packed to the rafters. Before check-in, we managed to walk 10km and view the tallest building in the world.
In the afternoon, we signed up for a Safari tour, based on some awesome Tripadvisor reviews. We need to describe the experience in excruciating detail as this will be the only true reflection of our torment. We got picked up half an hour late and travelled in an old Toyota Landcruiser (which had 400,000km + on the clock) and with some non-English speaking passengers and a totally non-speaking driver to a random pre-desert destination. This place seemed to be a pop-up fun park for kids who want to play in the sand and burn petrol in 4 wheel buggies. There were also weird stalls selling arabian scarfs, charred corn and you could even take a photo with a falcon.
We were 'stuck' there for an hour and a half (after being told 20min). Eventually, the tyres were deflated and together with 20 other white Landcruisers, we took off to the desert proper for some safari. That was probably the coolest thing I've done (Gosia, not Jake- Jake was sort of bored after having done to tourists at Coorabie).
It was like riding a real-life roller coaster over the sand dunes looking out at the sunset.
After the sandhill, it all went downhill. As part of the booked 'package', we set off for a dinner and a show at a desert camp. We had no idea where and what the hell was going on, because our 'mute' driver failed to explain or give instructions. Luckily, the other passengers and he shared some Hindi and the daughter a few words of English (the only reason we are still not in the desert now looking for a way home..)
We slipped through a hole in the fence (in pitch black by then), stood in a pile of rubbish waiting for another car to take us all of 500m to said camp. To this day, we don't know why we couldn't just drive there in the original car.
Just when we thought things couldn't get much worse... they did. We got left to our own devices in this weird place where people sat at tables on cushions, watching ridiculous performances like a guy spinning a piece of carpet over his head wearing a neon vest...
The dinner was a buffet where ladies and gentlemen were fed separately, after literally fighting their way through the crowded 'line' to get some tucker. We decided that the safest way was to settle for a can of heineken that night.
Despite being really really tired after a long flight and a day out and about, we spent the entire hour drive back trying to stay awake just in case this was an elaborate rouge to steal our organs.
We felt a lot more enthusiastic the next morning after a big sleep and organs intact. We spent the day on a hop on / hop off bus sightseeing. As much as it seems a lame tourist thing to do, we've never regretted doing this in any city. For us, it is a great way to get our bearings and learn a thing or two. We might have overdone it a touch, as we left home at 6 am and returned at 11pm.
The 6am rise was worth it. We booked a sunrise viewing at the Top of Burj Khalifa.
(Even at 'The Top' there is a hell of a lot still above you)
How cool does the Burj Khalifa look at sunset?
As much as Downtown Dubai, and the Palm are impressive, the Old part is worth a mention for its' character, history and a lack of veneer.
Day 3 - Jake was in his element at the Desert Classic Golf tournament.
The Emirates Golf Club and the whole event was a spectator paradise. The likes of Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Miguel Jimenez and Henrik Stenson were literally close enough to reach out and touch. The weather was perfect, crowds scarce and hospitality top notch. Rory couldn't quite get the job done but we got to see the winner and a rising star in Li up close.
Cult hero Miguel Angel-Jimenez was the most fun player by a mile...
Off to India tomorrow to celebrate our friends tying the knot in real Indian style. So excited!
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