3. Dubai

3. Dubai

Checked in for the flight, it appears that Quantas online check in has been down for more than a week.

We had passes for the No1 lounge at Terminal 3 so after we dropped off the luggage and passed through security we went to the lounge for some refreshments. 

Syd’s been complaining about a sore neck for a while (it’s not the brass rubbing off), so we took the chance to have a neck and shoulder massage. He came out feeling worse than when he went in!

The flight to Dubai went to plan and arrived slightly early, just after 10pm.  Bags collected we exited the terminal to be met by our neighbour Kenny Mac and his wife Lily who stay in Dubai for the majority of the year. 

They took us to our hotel where we checked in.  We had been upgraded to an executive suite. Lounge, dining area with separate toilet and large bedroom with en suite and sitting area. Syd did think about taking his binoculars out to watch TV as it was so far away from the bed.

After a restless night due to a strange bed and different noises, we got up early, went for breakfast then decided to take the metro to Dubai Marina.

The intention was to walk along the walkway, but it was too hot. Better option was to get a cold drink at the nearby mall and then take a taxi to Dubai Mall which is located at the bottom of Burj Khalifa.



We had booked tickets to go up to “At the Top”.  We collected our tickets and watched the short musical fountain show at 1pm.

Our trip up Burj Khalifa was booked for 3pm. 

The queues are huge, but our turn came around and we were soon in the lift heading for the 125^th floor. 

The ascent took just over 70 seconds. (Think my stomach arrive shortly after the rest of me).

There were the usual compulsory photos taken (which is a total waste of time - what with us been true Scots ) before we were free to look around ourselves. 





We had access to floors 124 and 125.  Each having  360 degree views. The very top is many more floors above, but this is as far as the general public are allowed. 

View showing the shadow of Khalifa

Thankfully the sky was quite clear so we could see for miles.

Over the years we have been to many high structures - Empire State Building, CN tower in Toronto, Stratosphere Tower in Vegas, Eureka Tower in Melbourne to name a few, but this tops them all.
By the time we got back on the metro we were both suffering from sore feet. 

Kenny phoned to invite us out for dinner.  They took us to Saffron at Atlantis on Palm Jumeira.

Buffet meal, so a chance to try various cuisines from around the world and catch up with Kenny’s stories about his adventures and incidents during his life (you’ll have to get the book published soon Kenny – it’ll be a best seller).
We were discussing the change in Dubai when Kenny informed us that there is another 6000 hotels being built before the Expo in 2020. That's incredible.  Surely there must be a saturation point!



After a better night’s sleep – think it was pure exhaustion - we checked out of the hotel but left the luggage in storage as our flight out is at 11pm. We headed to the metro station, the plan was to go to the gold and spice souks (to soak up the atmosphere, not buy gold, or that’s what Syd thought), but it wasn’t to be.  It was United Arab Emirates national day, so they were closed ☹.  Did think that there were more children around than we’d have expected. National day celebrations were due to go on all weekend. 

We took the metro and tram to The Walk at Dubai Marina where we sat in the sun by the beach before taking a stroll along by all the shops and restaurants.

Susan & Ian - Found a new camper for you!

Kenny offered to take us back to the airport, which we gratefully accepted.  It was good to meet up with Kenny again and meet Lily for the first time.  Next time you’re back in Cammachmore Kenny, the food and drink is on us. Thanks for everything.