My 'O My Dubai

We took the metro into town and decided to postpone going up the tower until the end as it is cloudy and sprinkling.  Stopped at Starbucks and every other restroom on our trek.

Made it to the Dubai Mall and wandered around.

I figured the Metro would drop us off right at the mall, but it was probably a mile of walking, airport terminal style to get to the mall.  Didn't do much shopping and headed back to the hotel after lunch.  The Metro was packed on the way back, but we made it and had dinner at the hotel.

Construction everywhere.  It looked like there was lots of vacant spaces, but cranes cover the skyline.

Views from our room.
We had trouble adjusting to the time change and both were awake at 2:30 a.m. so decided to call Melissa who was grocery shopping,  We went back to bed and woke to the hotel fire alarm going off at 10:30.  No fire, but decided we should get up and arranged for an Uber to take us to the 4 Seasons. Our driver suggested we take an Uber chopper while in town.  as in helicopter!

View from our room at the Four Seasons.  The price of a can of diet Coke here is $5, so while Pam napped, I hiked a couple miles to get 6 for $2.50 total.

Our room at the Four Seasons.  I can't get the pictures of our first room to load, but it was nice.

It started to rain during my hike and then really coming down, but is supposed to let up tomorrow and be nice for the rest of our time here.  Much better than the weather back home!

We have our meeting tomorrow, then board the ship in the afternoon.

People here are very friendly.  The city is very clean and we feel safe.

Made it to Dubai  

[Let's make some NOISE!!]

We made it to Dubai, but were/are pretty wiped out!

We stayed in a Stay, Park, & Fly at Sea-Tac in the Econo (micro) Lodge.  We couldn't open both suitcases at the same time, but good prep for the stateroom on the ship!

Busy front desk!

We had a pretty quick drive up and decided that the traffic looked good so we kept going to Drew & Emily's arriving minutes before Em pulled in with the boys.  They were excited to see us and the volume was up all night.

The first project was finding a valuable picture from Disneyland that got behind the bunkbed.  Rather than move the bed we tore it apart and they found some interesting stuff, but no picture.  Pam stayed in the kitchen to discuss her new home fantasy.

After the Thai restaurant refused to answer their phone, Drew & I hiked down the block to find it closed for fixing up.  So Drew & I tried to burn off some energy by walking with the boys to another restaurant while the ladies went ahead to order and sample wine and we could ride back.

It was great to see everyone again and get another Birthday dinner!

Got to the airport and through security quickly.  Everything stays in the bags and leave on shoes and belts.

Squeezed into our seats next to a young man from India with a MBA from Michigan and working for Microsoft.  

FOURTEEN AND 1/2 HOURS in the plane with SCREAMING kid two rows ahead and a worse one about three rows back.

We landed about 11:30 Friday morning.

We did survive and must have walked at least a mile after taxiing  for a good 15 minutes.

Zigged and zagged our way through an empty que at immigration and shot right through.  Then a long wait for the bag, stop at the duty free (the only place selling liquor foreigners in the country).  

We actually took a cab for less than a mile to our hotel, but check in wasn't until 2 p.m. so we decided to check out the big shopping mall right next to the hotel. 

Well Friday is their Holy Day and they were all at the mall.  Screaming kids everywhere!  Some having tantrums on the floor as their  parents smiled (which I guess is what you are supposed to do, BUT).  We couldn't find a quiet place.  The food court was packed and loud.  

Came back to the hotel thinking we could wait in the quiet lobby for our room.  Most  of the seats were taken by young families, but our room was ready and it is real nice.  A suite with a full kitchen, good sized living room and separate bedroom.  No ice machine and the ice tray would make enough ice for a medium soda if 2/3 of its cells weren't cracked!  Coffee mugs make excellent ice disk makers.

Went to a sports bar in the hotel for happy hour and had a good meal with tv's blaring all around.  We tried to figure out Cricket without much luck.

I crashed into bed, but only lasted a few hours as it is now midnight / noon at home.

We will hit the Metro tomorrow and do touristy stuff.  It looks really smoggy and we have a view of the tallest building from our balcony.  I'll try for some pictures tomorrow.

Hope all is well with everyone back home!!