Dubai Edition

From the outside

Experts Only :-)

Sit here, smile and wave

Trouble maker

Just plain wrong how they are mounted

Sneaky Eel

Hi,

Well we finally did it – we hopped over to Dubai for the weekend.  Yes, it is just like they say – everything in Dubai has to be bigger and better – at least to middle-eastern standards.  We did all the things you would never be caught dead doing if your friends were watching.  We went skiing indoors at the Mall of the Emirates – it was so laughable it was actually fun.  We felt like experts, because the “Expert ONLY” run was about like our driveway after it gets plowed.  We could make it from top to bottom in about 15 seconds (really, I timed it) and right back on the lift –usually 10-15 empty chairs in front and in back of us. 

Next it was off to the Mall of Dubai and the Burj Khalifa.  We wanted to get some good grub before seeing any more tourist attractions, so we headed to the Texas Roadhouse.  ALL USDA beef and run by folks from the states that remember what customer service is all about.  Had a great plate of ribs (beef L, still no pork) and a couple great steaks with all the fix’ns.  Next it was out to look at the tallest building in the world.  It was certainly tall, but I can’t say it really impressed me.  A ride up is about $110 USD and we were told it was a disappointing trip since you only go about halfway.  We opted for a couple pictures and back inside for what we came for – diving in the aquarium. 

Yes, only in Dubai can you scuba dive in a shark filled aquarium to the amusement of 1000s of onlookers.  Unfortunately, there was only one slot available when we got there, so since this was Missie’s fantasy, she got to go (plus the water was really cold and I didn’t really want to wear a wet suit).  I got to take pictures, so it all worked out.  Missie really had a good time – not really an exciting dive, but it was certainly a unique experience.  Just to say she did it!  It was quite funny how they were absolute control freaks about it.  She took out her regular to smile at me and you would have thought she “bang sticked” a shark.  She got scolded for several minutes and she had to hold the regulator to keep it from falling out while she laughed – that would have been a real breach of protocol.  She was told to come sit here (and wave to the people), then swim over here, sit and wave to the people and finally come over here and sit, wave at the people in the tunnel – keep smiling and holding the regulator in.  There were some pretty big sharks in the tank and a couple wanted to get too close, so they had to be pushed away – wonder how long that is going to keep working J. 

After the dive, we went back out to the Burj Khalifa and watched the water show (sort of like the one out side the Bellagio in LV).  It was good, but LV is still better.  At that point, we were touristed out and headed back to the hotel.  Hung out at the pool, a little dinner, couple drinks at the bar, and down for a good nights sleep.  The next day we relaxed around the hotel, had some lunch back at the mall and headed to the airport on the metro.  Overall a fun weekend!

We have 30 more days here on the Qatar rock.  We think we can do it—or at least that’s what we keep telling ourselves.  Just a few more stresses and we can wash our hands of it.

Lesson of the Week: They got it all, but it still ain’t the USA.

Love you all,

Doug and Missie