Dubai

So we left Africa for Dubai. The flight from Zanzibar left at 3.25am, so we had a taxi pick us up at midnight for an hour ride to the airport.  Of course the flight was delayed an hour, but all was ok because we had a 6 hour layover in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. We found some lounger chairs at the airport and had a little nap during our now 5 hour layover. Lets just say I won't be jumping at the chance to take Ethiopian airlines again. The clientele were perhaps the most impatient I've ever encountered. I'm surprised people did not jump over the seats to get on and off the plane!

We arrived in Dubai and Mo's friend Matt picked us up from the airport and took us back to his apartment on the 90 something floor of the Burj Khalifa. I could definitely get used to the service you get in the world's tallest building! After six weeks in Africa, there was most certainly some culture shock. 

There are lots of US and UK chains in Dubai. Almost anything you could ask for!

We met back up with Kylie and Chantal who had arrived in Dubai the night before and spent the day at Jumeirah beach. Matt took us down to a Japanese restaurant for Kanji martinis (passion fruit flavour!) before dinner. These martinis were amazing! 

After the martinis we made our way over to Mango Tree for dinner. In front of the Burj Khalifa is this amazing fountain, it almost puts my favourite fountain (bellagio in Vegas) to shame! Every half hour from 7-11pm there is a short fountain show. We were able to catch one of Matt's favourites! Whitney Houston - I will always love you. 

At dinner we had a view of the fountains so we would run out with Matt and Jen's nearly 3 year old daughter Maddie to watch the shows from the restaurant balcony. Really, I just love fountains, but having Maddie there was a good excuse! 

Mo and Maddie 

The next day the four of us checked out the spice souk then took a boat for 1 dirham across the creek. We ate a mezze lunch and returned to the apartment so Kylie and Chantal could catch their flight. 

I napped on the great couch and Mo went for a run. I haven't had a couch nap for six weeks! I played with Maddie and then Jen's aunt and some extended family joined us for some wine at the apartment. We had really good Lebanese for dinner. And again got to see the fountain shows!

We figured out over the first two days that Matt knows everyone in Dubai. Or everyone knows Matt! 

The next morning I got up and ran at the 76th floor gym. Probably the highest off the ground I've ever worked out. Mo and I attempted Pilates but with no mats I quickly gave up.

Later, Jen drove us to the mall of the Emirates for some snow boarding. I don't think it is my forte. But i can say i've been in the largest indoor ski slope in the world! Afterward we shopped for some dresses for Bangkok, since I had no suitable clothes to go out in! We joined a ridiculous 30+ minute queue for a taxi...at the mall. I've never seen such a queue for a taxi at a mall!

We had dinner at an Aussie/south African/kiwi pub - Nezesaussi. We took home some leftovers and the pub made Matt sign a waiver form!

Our last day Jen drove us out to the Palm, by the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah beach, and then we did a bit of shopping and errands at the Dubai mall. I also got to see my favourite site... Window washers! On the tallest building in the world! What more could I ask for!

That night we headed on our way and said goodbye to our amazing hosts to make our way to bangkok. Dubai was a great relaxing stop after the marathon camping sessions in Africa!