Dubai

Arrived in Dubai after an interesting flight. Emirates seats are quite roomy and comfy for the first 10 hours, then like anything, it is all downhill from there. I had a young man next to me who was returning to work in Dubai for the next six months and thought he would really make the most of the free alcohol on the plane. After 10 or so drinks, he kept falling asleep on my shoulder, then waking up and wanting to talk. My favourite bit ... not ... was when I woke really quickly because he had dropped his glass full of ice water - into my left shoe! Andrea, stop laughing!

Dubai airport is massive and very, very shiny - opulence personified. Customs was uneventful, and the taxi we caught from the airport was fantastic, a Ladies Taxi with the most beautiful young woman driver, all decked out in a pink Abaya (long flowing gown) topped with a cut little hat that was monogrammed with Ladies Taxi.

The hotel is great, although apparently Andy booked it for 16 JUNE - lol - but we can get a refund on that from the travel agency, and we simply had to book in for today, which was Amanda's advice anyway. A studio apartment at the Golden Sands Apartments ($100) includes breakfast.

Just had a cup of Nescafe and are off now to explore the local metro and go to see a couple of shopping malls and try to adjust to the six hour body clock time difference.