Home at Last

How nice to be home. The Brians have made a wonderful baked lunch and invited guests have arrived.

Struggling to keep awake of course.

A memory of Turkey

Dubai - River and Malls

Still Wednesday 8th June 2011

We made our way to the river and decided to catch a water taxi.


We expected to be part of the large group shown below.


We were asked to move along a couple of boats and we actually had our very own private tour of the river for an hour. Our Captain below

He was great, even took several pictures for us. It was amusing actually as he steered the boat with his feet so he could get a good picture. I think he did a good job.

These are very old boats here.

Stark contrast to the very modern buildings.


This is the expensive end of town I think.
An example of some very fine boats here.
It is a busy river.
I thought this was a good example of the old and the new.
This is the Emirates building, so shiny and new.
Three abreast here.
A good example here of a floating bridge.
Going beneath the bridge was nice and cool.

This is a gorgeous old boat.
Dubai's Twin Towers
The blue certainly stands out.
There was a lovely breeze on the river and we thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Back to the hotel for a quick lunch and then off to see the Burj Khalifur.

You really had to want to go Up The Top as they call it. Andy in front of the replica, before our tour

Up the escalator, along a walkway
Another moving walkway ... are we there yet?

Finally up the lift to the 124th floor. Out onto the observation deck. The circles in the blue water are actually fountains that dance to music at 6.30 pm each night.

A spectacular building, this one.
This looks really eerie.

Nice aerial view of the water ways.
These views were much better in real life as you can imagine.
A shame about the haze, but that is quite typical of Dubai.

Looks like lego land.
Looking up from the observation deck - a very eerie feeling!
And only in Dubai would you visit yet another shopping mall - the Mall of the Emirates

For the princely sum of around $60 you can actually go snow ski-ing - temperature -3C.

Not a display, but real people engaging here.
As you can see, there are lots of people on the chairlift

Dubai Museum and Souk

Wed, 8th June 2011 - 42 degrees

The day started with a visit to the Dubai Museum. They have the most fantastic information and exhibits here, and it costs 6DH to enter ($1.75).

The courtyard is full of interesting replicas. Canons.


Pearl Fishing Boats

An "old time" hut used by the tribal people. It actually had 3 rooms.


The turret contains the walkway to the amazing exhibits that show everyday Arabic life. And yes it was air conditioned in here.


Then off to look at the Blacksmith Shop.


At this point it dawned on me that these figurines were very, very realistic. A replica food store

Andy was not overly impressed with the basic kitchen, as you will see in the second picture.



I know, grow up! I can't resist purple men.
Just had to sit with these guys, I really did think they were real people when I first saw them.
Don't you think he blends in?
Andy loved these models, and was actually looking at one closely when she moved. Don't know who got the bigger fright. Not this one though!
This is unreal the way they have made the pearl diver actually look like he is under water.
This depiction of a woman making lace from cotton bobbins.

This pottery display actually had an interactive video running in the background showing how they made the traditional pottery.

Kerrie hiding behind a well.

Great examples of Arabic people enjoying everyday life.

You could be forgiven for thinking this little guy was real.

We then headed down towards the river and came across a small Souk. A lot of deliveries are also made here by hand cart.

I was taken with the name of the Roopkala Textorium.

This whole street had fabrics.
A small version of Istanbul's Bazaars. The shop keepers here are pushier though, and not as cute as the Turkish ones. Ooops, did I say that?