Day two - the desert

Up again with the call to morning prayer at 5:30. I don't think this city sleeps in at all. We did manage to snooze until 9 and were back down to the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world at 828 m or 163 stories. (the CN tower is 553 m). We could not get tickets to the top. They sell out days before. Just as well, we didn't have much time. We had to be back at the hotel for a 3 pm pickup to our desert safari.

There were four in our vehicle as we drive for an hour north along the coast towards Oman. The travel brochure described this as a nite on the desert under the stars with a Bedouin BBQ. I should have asked why there was a "roll bar" in the vehicle!!!!

It seemed a long trip but we eventually pulled off the highway and onto the sand dunes. Our driver stopped, got out the car and deflated the tires. That was our second clue. Have you ever been on a roller coasted ride for an hour? I thought the car was going to tip over a few times. Every time someone screamed the driver just laughed and drove harder. 

No one in our vehicle got sick but during the second stop, I wasn't feeling that great but did manage to  keep it all down. It was a great call that Donna said let's skip lunch.

The evening got even better with a great meal, entertainment and of course we had to get into the mood. 

The desert was everything we expected complete with camels, falcons and tents. 

Garry

First full day .... Feb 26, 2014

No trouble falling sleeping but up at 3.  Stayed awake till 5 ish and then at 5:30 we heard the call to prayer. (which is done 5 times a day). We finally drifted off in time for the 7 am alarm.

Had a great breakfast and on to a city tour. First to the old fort and a history lesson.Then a market in the old city. Dubai has a population of 2.1 million of which 70 % are migrant workers; some  of which have been in Dubai for many generations. They share the same benefits as do the Arab population (Emeratis) but have a lesser status. They are not entitled to a UAE passport.

Dubai is a super modern city. Originally established in the 1800's as a trading port, oil was not discovered until 1966 and it wasn't until 1971 that five separate states came together to form the United Arab Emirates.

The buildings are architecturally stunning including the Burj El Arab hotel (sail hotel) where a one nite room will set you back 12000aed. ($3500 US)

We spent the afternoon at the Dubai mall ( a cross between Disneyland and Las Vegas) and apart from the polished marble floors , the indoor aquarium and the skating rink, it seemed like every other modern mall; except for the local woman, many of which are dressed in the black burka. Emirati men usually wear the white long outfit called a dishdash or kandura and the head dress which differs depending on where they come from. (I'll be shopping on Friday for my own)

Dinner was great. We ate at an Afghanistan restaurant close to the hotel. I'll let you know tomorrow how good the food was. Lol

Garry

           Fort

We have landed....

After 14 hours waiting and travelling, we are in Dubai. The airport is extremely modern and very upscale. The gentleman that greeted us at the airport was from Egypt. The driver was from India and the busboy at the hotel  is from Nepal.  

Although we landed at night, and won't see most of the city until morning, Dubai is a very modern clean city with an excellent network of highways and it's share of traffic.

The hotel is very nice,modern and clean. After a quick shower and a bite (all vegetarian) to eat we tucked in at 10:30 hoping to get on Dubai time physically. Time difference is 9 hours ahead.

Garry

One hour

We are at the gate. Have about 30 minutes to board. Thanks Scott for the drive down and thanks to Steph and Scott for hosting last nite.

Donna and I don't sleep much on airplanes and I don't expect this trip to be any different. 

We had a drink for my birthday so feeling like I need my bed now lol.   Adrenaline has kicked in and very much looking forward to our arrival in Dubai in 13 hours.

Donna is content on reading and I just want to get on the plane. As they say "time to spare, go by air"

Garry

Eight hours

We have made our way to Scott and Stephs. Drive yesterday was uneventful. Weather is sunny, a bit windy. No snow expected. Will be leaving Alliston at 5:30. The drive to Pearson will be about an hour and we don't expect any problems on the roads.

Did some last minute errands this morning and now we are pretty much just waiting. 

Less than a week

It is Wednesday Feb 19. Just finished a great weekend with the family. The trip is only a few days away.  Watching the weather to decide whether to travel Sunday or Monday to Toronto. Flight is at 9:30 Monday evening. 

Everything is pretty much done except for the final pack. We have completed all the personal paperwork just in case something does happen. 

Weather in Dubai and New Delhi is on the low 20's. Not as hot as we expected that is ok.

Donna has been doing research on protocols in India. Not sure we will comply with everything that is listed. I never shake with my left hand. LOL.. (will leave that comment to your own research)

The cholera vaccine was unexciting. We read the side effects and I actually was wondering if we shouldnt just skip this. In the end we administered the vaccine and had none of the effects. The final dose of cholera vaccine will be done on Monday just prior to boarding the plane. 

The typhoid vaccine was a shot in the arm a couple of weeks ago. We have also begun the malaria pills which are taken one week ahead of the trip and every week for the next 8.

We had dinner with Donna and Doug last nite. Doug is still wondering why we are going to India. (no sense of adventure there - lol)

....more to follow

It's almost time

Its February and we have three weeks left of the snow and cold. Its been a long winter. We are not too concerned that we will miss anything

Our visas have arrived and we have the last of the pills we need to take. The only thing we have to do is to buy a power converter kit and of course pack.

...more to follow