Sheikh Zayad Road Dubai

Sheikh Zayad Road Dubai part two

The photo above is the metro train, pulling into its very futuristic looking station. The metro runs along Sheikh Zayah road.

And just incase you forget who is running the show here in Dubai, we have portraits all over the place

Oops! Shame we don't know what it says

Al Iwan restaurant Burj Al Arab

Inside the actual Burj foyer is remarkably tacky, think Vegas 1960's decor. Its proof money doesn't come with good taste. The restaurant we ate at was Al Iwan an Arabic banquet. These three ladies were at the table beside us, and Bert offered to take a photo of them together. He asked them where they were from, and was very surprised when they answered Holland. We got talking to them and they wanted to go for a drive to the Jumeira Palm islands so we offered to take them for a drive, they were a lot of fun. Inside the foyer.

This guy was very pleased with his lamb in this tray, I didn't have the lamb, it looked a bit too much like a greyhound for me.

The buffet, seafood,

When I woke up this morning...

Bert and I often say this.

I went to bed one night in August 2008 and my biggest decision was that I needed to go grocery shopping the following day, and should I go to safeway or aldi? By the end of the following day I was in Germany after hearing the news that Berts younger brother had died and flying half way across the world for a funeral. Today was not anywhere near as dramatic as that but when I woke up this morning I never expected to do and see the things we did today.

Bert has been working insanely long hours, so the plan was for him to sleep in as late as possible. When he got up he wanted to go out somewhere for breakfast (even though it was lunchtime) I offered to make him bacon and eggs, or pancakes but no he wated go out. I also needed to go to the shops to get a few odds and ends but this is where we ended up



To get on to the bridge to get to the Burj you need a booking in the hotel at a restaurant. If you don't show up at the restaurant its a 300 dirham charge to your credit card, so there is no cancelling once you are in the gate.

Boxing day

On Boxing day (the day after Christmas day) we went to Berts boss Samir's home to meet his lovely family. Samir and his wife were born in Algeria but have lived in Australia for 15 or so years and his children were just delightful. He took us to this beautiful Indian restaurant. The decor was stunning and the food fabulous. Good food, good company, and beautiful surroundings what more could you want?

Ibn Battuta Mall

Shopping malls in Dubai are not just about the stuff in the stores, they are just so beautiful its a pleasure to spend the day there. I usually hate shopping, but Ibn Battuta mall near our house just might change that for me. It is divided up into areas, China, India Persia, Tunisia and Egypt where Ibn Battuta once explored.

This is the India section

And so this is Christmas!

Pumpkin pie, apple pie and cherry pie. Jane and Bills dogs. We bought them a rawhide bone each for Christmas and they were pretty excited with their gifts.

And Caleb with his rawhide bone, tragically this was lost soon after the photo was taken and he had to wait until Jere's was chewed in half so they could share.

It is Christmas evening and I have survived Christmas without my Mum, kids, dog etc. Our lovely friends Bill and Jane from Texas invited us to spend Christmas day with them in Abu Dhabi and they had other guests from Bills work, and Michelle and Brian. Michelle and Jane I met at church and they have been very kind to me and helped tremendously in helping me get settled here.

The hardest part was because of the time difference making a phone call home to speak to loved ones was difficult, but I spoke to them yesterday, and will probably be able to catch them tomorrow at home.

We were surprised at the number of text messages we received from Muslims wishing us a Merry Christmas. We really need to be sure to learn the right thing to say for the next Muslim holiday.

Thanks Bill and Jane for making what was potentially a very difficult day away from home, lovely.