Dubai

 Well here we are safely landed in Dubai with the temperature at 48deg today. This was our first experience flying with Emirates and we're very impressed. We landed at 5.30am when the temp was already 36deg. Sue was there to meet us as we all made our way through the exit and then we transferred to the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel where we had an early check in and our second breakfast for the day. Soon after breakfast Sue had us all in the hotel pool doing aquacise which was great after our long flight. For the rest of the day no one was allowed to go horizontal and Sue kept us on the move checking out the Dubai sights on a very comfortable air conditioned bus.

One of our first stops along the way. Our group testing the 40deg water in the Arabian Gulf beautiful clear ocean. Too hot to swim in. A great view of the Burj Al Arab a 5 star hotel in the background.

 We drove through Palm Jumeirah - the worlds largest man made island built the shape of a huge palm, then onto a re-created ancient marketplace with traditional Middle Eastern style and ambience. Lunch was a buffet restaurant  that will be hard to forget with a huge selection of the most delicious foods that you just had to taste a little bit of everything, well almost everything. After our huge feast we travelled on to view the Dubai Creek then visit the heritage area of Bastakia where we could see traditional houses in the narrow walking lanes all sand coloured and topped with wind towers for cooling.

We continued our journey by Abra - traditional boat and crossed the Creek towards Spice Souk one of the most popular souks (market) in Dubai. It's narrow passages lined with small stores selling herbs and spices .....such a beautiful aroma wafting through there. From here we walked along to the Gold Souk with a huge selection of jewellery. Quite an eye opener.

A 60kg pure gold ring with its diamonds and other precious metals & stones.

It was a great relief to be back on the air conditioned bus and return to the hotel for another swim and put the feet up before heading out again......no sleeping allowed.

Our evening was a visit to one of the worlds largest shopping malls- Dubai Mall where we explored the shops 1km long with several floors. Most of us were mesmerised by the huge fish aquarium that was a wall of fish with 3 divers doing a bit of housekeeping scrubbing rocks etc. The huge waterfall was also worth a look.

Waterfall with divers.

Once the sun went down at around 7pm the mall suddenly became crowded with people coming in to eat as Ramadan is not over yet. We took ourselves outside and sat by the water waiting for the huge light display that comes on every night in the water.

Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world lit up at night. 

This was very spectacular and didn't capture the best of it in a photo. 

Off back to our hotel for more delicious food and once again another buffet with plenty of tasty Japanese food in the mix.

What a huge 2 days and bed is looking like a great option right now. Finally we have been given permission to sleep.