http://www.enterinside.com/ryan/travel/139/ Everyone knows that Air Canada sucks, so I won't get into it, other than to say that Emirates is a real treat. Movies, Television, video games, all in your seats, plus service with a smile. What a treat. I arrived into Dubai at just past midnight, after a brief lay over in London. Tomi and her padre met me at the airport, while the rest of the family slept in bed recovering from a bit of an illness that has recently wiped through E-2. A bagel, and room setup, and I'm in bed. Friday morning bells ring, and I'm busy orientating myself with the area, studying Arabic. A quick tour to the Academy, Tomi's school, and we're off the Emirates mall. Emirates mall was very nice. I didn't cash in on many purchases, although I should mention the pair of versace sunglasses , that I waited since London to hook myself up with. Day one polished with a midnight swim at the compound pool, a movie and a round of 31. We went out on the boat around the first palm island . I can't really sum this country up, with all of the construction. Being off the coast of Dubai, and sitting of a massive man made island that already has apartment towers up on it, helps to put everything into perspective. Two days later I'm still sore from tubing. Tomi's mate conveniently had a birthday that evening, so I met a number of her other friends, at a villa with her and Noah. After the party wound down, we went to a seesha bar. I didn't realize that I was going to have the opportunity to visit Abu Dhabi. But sure enough I awoke to plans of visiting the Emirate palace hotel in Abu Dhabi . The trip is a short drive on a beautiful highway through the desert from Dubai. We walked around the hotel, and spent some time on beach at the back before driving back to Dubai. Kelly, if you can stop twisting my arm for a minute, I'd be alot better at getting this hookah started. I realize that Tomi has been in bed for already a few hours, but I'm doing what I can. Swimming ok, my arm is getting sore. Ricies. It's 3 in the morning. Why are you crawling through your parents bedroom to get nail clippers.
It's now today. Another day in paradise . The day was spent at Wild Wadi . It doesn't rival West Edmonton Mall in any way, but the fact that it in the middle east, and right at the foot of the Burj Arab it does gain points. The lines were long, and the sun was hot for about the first hour. Then the clouds moved in over the Burj Arab, and next minute it's thundering and lightning, and we're getting kicked out of the water and forced to wait under cover for it to blow over. I was under the impression that it didn't rain in the desert, I now know different. Nothing here is short of impressive. Tallest, longest, biggest, it doesn't matter, within the next few years they'll have it all. Everyone talks about how much construction is going on in calgary. I'm hearing estimates as high as 30% of the world's cranes are here in Dubai. I've never seen anything like it, and you wouldn't have either until you see the dubai skyline at night, lit up with cranes, and construction as the workers work through the night, on 12 hour shifts. It's no wonder everything is popping up so quickly I forgot my laptop charger at home. Noah stopped running around trying to fetch the 2nd camel, to hook me up with that one. |
