January 25: Dubai
We docked in Dubai on January 25, but didn't have to leave the ship until the next day, so we had a free day in Dubai. Our plan for the afternoon was to have lunch at the
Burj Al Arab hotel. What we
really wanted to do was visit the inside of the hotel, but you either have to be staying there or eating there to get in the front door. Since we didn't want to exchange our already paid for ship cabin for a $1,000 hotel room, having lunch there was the cheapest (at about $60 per person) option.
Since our lunch reservation wasn't until 1:00 we had to occupy the morning, which we did by visiting the old quarter of Dubai, including the
Dubai Museum.
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| View of the Dubai business district from our ship, with the QE II in the foreground |
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| At the Dubai Museum |
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| In the courtyard of the museum |
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| Paan is a combination of betel leaf and areca nut. I didn't try it. |
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| The flower shop district, near the museum |
From the museum, we walked to the
Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, which dates back to the 1890's.
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| Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood |
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| A wind tower, which draws cooler air into buildings |
The historical area borders on Dubai Creek, which runs through the city.
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| The modern building is across the creek |
From there, we headed to the Burj Al Arab. Along the way, we passed by the
Etihad Museum, which apparently serves as the basis for (or was inspired by) the Louisville Cardinals mascot.
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| Coincidence? I think not.... |
Eventually, we arrived at the Burj al Arab.
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| Jumeirah Beach Hotel, next door to the Burj Al Arab |
Our lunch was at the pool restaurant at the hotel. Highlights included a $40 cheeseburger and a $20 ice cream sundae (almost worth it).
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| Free breadsticks |
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| $40 cheeseburger |
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| $20 sundae |
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| A wider view |
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| Hotel pool |
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| View from the rear of the hotel |
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| View of central Dubai (including the Burj Khalifa) from the hotel |
Finally, we went inside the hotel. This was my second visit, but Brenda's first. I'm pleased to say that the interior was every bit as tacky as I remembered.
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| In the lobby |
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| For your shopping pleasure |
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| Understated elevators |
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| Looking up from the lobby |
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| Public bathroom |
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| Local vehicles, with the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in the background |
From the hotel, we walked to the
Madinat Jumeirah, a shopping/hotel/resort complex designed to look like an old Arabian marketplace.
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| Exterior of Madinat Jumeirah |
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| Interior of the shopping area |
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| So much for any prohibition on alcohol |
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| Madinat Jumeirah in foreground and Burj Al Arab in the background |
From there, we went back to the ship to have dinner and pack for our departure for Kuwait the next day.
Next: Days 12 and 13 -- Kuwait, and back home
