Dubai Day 4 - Desert Safari

I spent the morning relaxing at the flat. Used the sauna and steam room in the building to sooth my aching legs after all the walking yesterday, and went to catch a little bit of sun at the rooftop pool area, with a dip in the cool swimming pool.

I then took a taxi to Jumeriah Beach road, where Carine works. We got some McDonalds, and had lunch on the beach.

At 15h15 I was picked up at the flat for my Desert Safari. Apparently one of the "must-do's" whilst in Dubai. We drove 60km South East of Dubai on the Hatta road the the "Deflation point". Here they deflate the tyres of the 4x4's from 50bar to 12 bar to ensure grip on the sand for Dune Bashing.

It's a 20 minute stop, before entering the desert. I went to buy a little bottle of water(500ml), for which they charged me 20 Dhs. (About £5 or R40). I paid it hesitantly - but OUCH!!! I told my driver/guide - Whaheed. He got very angry, went to the shop and started fighting with them in Arabic (he is Pakistani). He got me 15 Dhs back. Shows you how they rip the tourists off........

Anyway, from here we entered the desert, which is right next to the main dual carriageway. You literally just drive off into the sand. 40 Minutes of Dune bashing in the 4x4. It was one of the most adventurous things I have ever done. Real scary at times, as you slide sideways down dunes that are approx. 5 storeys high. The drivers are VERY experieced, and you can't believe what these guys do with a 4x4. They explained that they have to make instantaneous decisions. The have to read the dune, as each ones faces in a different direction, and the desert changes completely over night. The dune has a climb (the soft incline where the wind blew it from) and the drop (the back of the dune). They have to go up on the climb, and down on the drop. Once at the top, they have seconds to decide which way to go, at what speed and what gear. At times we went really fast to get up the dune, to face a great drop on the other side. It was just awesome!!! We stopped for a photo opportunity on one of the high dunes, and also at a camel farm.



Then off to the desert camp. It's like KwaMaritane's bushbraai - only in the desert, and a little more different. Upon arrival we were offered Arabian coffe (I respectfully declined) and some fresh dates - the national food. The for some local shopping, smoking of the sheesha pipe (hubbly bubbly), henna tattoo painting and camel rides - all included in the package (which by the way was only £33). You could have a falafel whilst waiting for dinner, which was served at 19h00, with unlimited soft drinks, water, tea or coffee. There was Arabic bread, houmous, green salad, pasta salad, beans, chicken curry, chicken tikka, rice, lamb shish-kebabs, chicken sosaties, beef sosaties, and Indian spiced chicken drumsticks. Mmmmmm - Delicious!!

At 20h00 the belly dancer came out to entertain us with some traditional dancing to local music, with some crowd involvement.

We left the camp at 20h30, and I was dropped back at Carine's flat at 21h15.

It was the most amazing experience, and all I can say is:
You haven't lived until you've done 4x4 Dune Bashing in the Arabian Desert.

Click here for today's photos.
(I took a short video of the dune bashing and the belly dancing, but I'll have to wait for Dad to help me load it on the blog, so keep an eye out for it.)

Dubai Day 3 - Dubai Creek Day

Today I took the open bus to the Gold Souk, where I bought some earings. All gold jewellery is sold per fine ounce, at the day's gold price, and the minimum is 18 ct.

After this I walked (a very long way) and took an Abra over the Dubai Creek to the Dubai Old Souk. Here they trade anything from knock-off branded items to fine silk and cashmere. I got some small gifts for the ladies back home (there's not really anything for the guys, unless you would like a big gold or copper elephant or camel).

From here I took the another Abra (it only costs 1 Dhs to cross, which is 20p) to go on a Dhow River Cruise. This is my favourite part (crossing with the Abra). The Creek is really busy with Water Buses, big Dhows heading out to trade in the Middle East and Africa and lots of little Abras. The Abras weave in and out, and on a few occasions I thought we were going to crash with other traffic. You share the Abra with 19 other people (they take 20 max). It's a great experience!

Our Dhow cruise took us down the Creek explaining some of the landmark buildings along the way, as well as the trade history and behaviour. Caught some sun on the boat, so hopefully I'll return to the UK with a little bit of colour!

After this I took another Abra back to the Old Souk, and a taxi back to the flat.

I am cooking dinner tonight. I've been to the local supermarket, which is run by a South African. It was nice to see things like Ouma Buttermilk Rusks, Charka Braai Briquettes, Ina Paarman spices and Budoir buscuits in the shop!

I'm excited about tomorrow - but you'll have to wait.......

Click here to view todays photos

Confused.com

Th fact that the menu's on my blog's home page is in Arabic is confusing the hell out of me.......

Dubai Day 2 - Open bus tour

Today I spent on the blue route on the Big Bus Company Open bus tour, to see the sights and get my bearings of Dubai.

Highlights were great views of the 818 metre Burj Dubai Tower, going to Jumeirah beach and driving on The Palm - the man made islands.

Click here for photos and comments of each snappy.

Loving it!

Dubai Day 1 - Happy 30th!!

After really stressing that my flight was going to be cancelled due to the snow, I finally left London Heathrow Terminal 5 an hour and a half late on Friday night, 6Feb. The pilot said due to the air over Europe being quiet that time of night, he's going to take a few short cuts, and will reduce the flight time by 40 minutes, which he did! After landing in Dubai, dying for a cigarette and some fresh air, I was delayed at customes for an hour because I only had a copy on my visa, as Carine was told she did not have to take the original in (which she had to apply for me in Dubai). They had to drive home to get the original, and hand it in. After finally getting the visa, I had to queue for a retina scan, and finally managed to locate my bag, which at that stage was in the lost baggase store!

Outside the humidity hit me, but is was a lovely 25 degrees - which is a nice change from the minus 4 I left behind in London.

We went to Carine and Koster's flat, where we relaxed for a while, and had a few drinks for my 30th!

We then took a taxi to the Souk (market) Madinat in Jumeirah. A beautiful mall on the beach close to the 7 star Bur Al Arab Hotel. The souk is built in the way of an old Dubai street market, and is just enormous!!!! We had some drinks at the South African restaurant - Meat Co. I had to drink a Castle! With great views of the Burj Al Arab behind us.


We took a taxi back to the flat, which I must say is really scary! Their driving is appaling, and it feels like you are going to die. Try thinking a crazy Italian in the mountains of Sardinia meets a minibus taxi on the Ben Schoeman!!! Even worse than that.

At home we had a braai, with some proper pap!

The credit cruch is also hitting Dubai, with lots of project being halted, and people losing their jobs.

Click here for more photos of my first day

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

This past week saw the most snow in England in 18 years. It was really bad in the South East, where I live, and I woke up to 3 inches on Monday morning. (Still managed to drive 2 hours to Birmingham for a Sales meeting).

Murphy was quite apprehensive to start with, but later realised that the fluffy white stuff is fun to play in, and was soon running little tunnels in the snow, getting his belly all wet.

Also check out Leon and Elizma's blog for their photos, as well as my mom and Dad's blog.

Lunch at the pub

Leon, Elizma, Liam and me went for lunch at one of my favourite local pubs at the end of November........
(sorry - it's been a while since I updated my blog).
Here is Liam and me.