ABU DHABI

MARCH 14
Just got back from dinner.  Our bed was covered with red rose petals and towels sculpted into a heart or 2 love doves depended in how you looked at it. Earlier, wine, fruit, petite fours and candy were delivered.
Hotel people  are so happy to help us celebrate our anniversary trip!!!!

This morning in Dubai our guide picked us up at 9:00 for the trip to Abu Dhabi.
Ferarri World was our first stop.
Another unbelievable!!  ( Many times on this trip I feel like I am on a different planet)
A huge amusement park complex community built around a Formula One, 5 kilometer race track .  All VERY Modern and well designed.     
             FUTURISTIC    
We stopped at one of the hotels and were toured around.  From the lavish hotel swimming pool lounge you can look straight down onto the track.      Pictures  to follow.

Onward to a Modern technological center which is part of a developing eco friendly village: 
MASDAR THE GLOBAL CENTER OF FUTURE ENERGY
We drove in a completely automated (including steering system car) 
Everything utilized here is developed here.
Solar energy is well utilized.
Our guide seems to have a lot of networking skills and arranged this tour for us.
 Arriving in Abu Dhabi, went to see the Emirate Grand Palace Hotel and the historic village (contrasts), dismissed our guides and fell into the Hilton Hotel.    

DUBAI

MARCH 13   
The Metro trip was terrific, very modern, clean and pleasant.  We entered the front car and Bob was asked to leave - only women in this car.  People are helpful and create seats for elders.

Attire for women is fascinating. Some in modern dress, some in traditional black with different amounts of head/face  showing. Today I saw a woman dressed in the traditional style with  only her face showing,  New York type make-up,  who was carrying a briefcase and had the air of a business executive.  Later I saw a young couple who seemed to be engaged in a romantic conversation, like flirting, and her face was totally veiled, no facial expression was visible. Our guide tells us that women are highly regarded and respected.

Lunch on the 122 floor of the Burj Kalifa.
We entered the property and walked up the beautifully manicured garden street to the gate. No one else was walking.  A few limos passed us.  When we announced that we had lunch reservations we were graciously greeted and we entered.  We were probably the only "walk-ins" ever!!  We continued the walk to the entrance to the Armani Hotel.
                                ..................OVERWHELMING ELEGANCE ...............

The lunch:  360 degree view of Dubai  (clean floor to ceiling windows)
                   Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere....And that's the name of the restaurant
                           Well spaced tables.....flowers
                               Each food presentation was a work of art
                                 All delicious
                                      Friendly servers
                                           We did not overeat    (The $$$$  kept us somewhat sane)

People from many countries are in Dubai.  Our guide is from India, the driver too.  They talk to people we encounter who are from Burma, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Philippines, Malaysia.
At breakfast we hear Eastern European, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish.  Haven't encountered French or Spanish. Have bumped into a few Americans.

Our hotel has comped us dinners.  At the end of the day we are glad to enjoy their fine food and beautiful grounds and not have to make any more decisions.  










 

Learn in another language, a lot of squribles

This not easy!! ........ The writing the blog.
Living the trip is easy and fun. Getting the mechanics of passwords, wireless and other geekee stuff could be a challenge on a marriage but we are doing fine.  Bob is now contributing entering the pictures and both of us are learning.  He is more courageous.

Today we are going to have lunch on the 166th floor of
Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.  We will take the
"Metra" system to get there.

Burj al Arab hotel - entry restricted to paying guests - lunch for two $700, We skipped the experience.

The biggest fish tank in the world - about 20' high and 125' long.  Almost invisible joints in the tremendous window.  
               WOW!

LOOKING UP IN DUBAI

London pictures

Duke's  Martini  preparation               

Strata Tower                          

Dubai

MARCH 10    
Wendy (Sheri Frenzil’s sister) drove us on an orientation tour.
Dubai is even more     OVERWHELMING  than we could imagine.,
High, HI-RISES galore....  Many......many.....High....... many... 
                                   OVERWHELMING
Lunch watching skiers in  snow skiing down a 40 story high mountain.
Made us want to ski with them.
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MARCH 11
Guide and driver..... tour.......  A marina surrounded by hi-rises.
Built  in the last 5 years!!!!!!!! 
Bob guesses 33 buildings from 35 - 60 stories with balconies.
Residences, many with restaurants on the first floor.
.........A catalog of building styles.

Lunch was out doors near a fountain that “performs” only at night.
...........................SURPRISE.......
                                                We are wet
The lunch was after watching scuba divers feeding ocean fish, sharks, rays,
many schools of colorful others.  We were on eye level with them. 
Made us want to jump in.

Each lunch was in a different shopping mall.  Many people buying everything from
refrigerators to very high end stylish spike heel shoes to boxes of cheerios.
Stores from all over the world, many from America -
 Bloomingdales, Cheesefactory etc.
            
Stopped at a new Art Museum which turned out to be a place owned by one family.
Very exquisite items:
Shawls from Pashima, the wool softer than the skin on my face,
Carpets from Kashmir. We sat on sofas and were shown beautiful patterns
      while sipping fragrant tea in delicate cups, 
Jewelry  ......  hand painted tablecloths   .....  beautifully painted crafts
                      All these lovely items for sale.

Our hotel is on the beach but set back about 800 feet,,,,,, swimming pools
and gardens.  The breakfasts have an array of global dishes, served
beautifully enough to have delighted Bob’s mother .

We tired out in old Dubai, cut our tour short and came “home” to nap.     
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