After our 36 hour non-stop journey to reach Venice 4 weeks previously, we were eternally thankful that we had decided to have a two night stop over in Dubai on our way home.  We realised that we were simply getting too old and too comfort driven to sit up for 36 hours straight.

There was a second reason for Dubai – we had friends living there and a good chance for a catch up.

A six hour flight from Venice, arriving near midnight – and it was hot.

The Le Meridien Dubai Hotel was huge, located on 15 acres of manicured lawns and gardens near the airport – big but comfortable.  A long day of travel with mixed feelings of sadness, tiredness and excitement after our month in Slovenia and Croatia and intrigue for this new country we had just arrived in.  A long needed sleep awaited.

Hands down, the buffet breakfast at Le Meridien Dubai was the most sumptous we had ever encountered.  I am now sorry there are no photos.

What we didn’t realise when booking this destination was that it was Ramadam, the Muslin month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.  Not a big issue, simply making it a little challenging with hydration during the day while out and about in such hot temperatures.  Unfortunately, I did become dehydrated and had to return to the hotel, cutting our adventures around this exciting city short.

Dubai Fort

Dubai Fort is situated at the south of Dubai Creek, at the Al Souk Al Kabir area which teems with vigorous trade and is close to the Ruler’s Court (the monarch’s divan).  It was built in 1787, as the premises of the monarch and a fort of defence, since it sat on the border of urban Dubai at the time.

Later, this fort turned into an arsenal for artillery and weapons. It was also used as a prison for the outlaws.  It was opened in 1971 (the year the federation was formed) to be an official museum that displays the history of Dubai and its original heritage.

Dubai Creek

Dubai has no natural river but it does have a natural inlet called Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through.

We took a taxi from our hotel to the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk, but returned by way of water taxi, a slightly intimating experience for me – there were hardly any women around.

We had thought that the buffet breakfast at Le Meridien was the biggest and best we would ever see, but our buffet dinner with our friends was even bigger, grander and more diverse.  Opulence is a theme in Dubai!

Again, no photos – I found it difficult and rude to snap away in the company of other diners.

And then, it was time to leave.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig……

Jeff & Catherine xx