Dubai 2011
In early 2011 my sister Regina and her husband Ron invited me to tag along to visit their daughter Liz who now lived in Dubai with Liz's husband Paul and 8-month old daughter Lucianna. Yaaay! And a new adventure was launched. Liz and Paul lived on one of the manmade Palm Islands, Palm Jumeirah. Let me say this about Dubai - everything is beyond anything you have ever seen before. Bigger and richer.
Dubai
Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, it is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the country. (Wikipedia)
This was the view from the guest room in Liz and Paul's apartment.
Burj Khalifa - tallest building in the world. 2,717 feet high (excluding roof antenna) opened in 2010.
To the top! Hope you are not afraid of heights! The view of Dubai is stunning.
In the Dubai Mall, you can play in the snow!
Ski Dubai - people rent coats, gloves and hats in addition to skis. Snow is non existent in Dubai so people PAY to play in it!
Dubai Mall is not like Clackamas Town Center!
Way in the distance is the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (sail shaped building). The only seven star luxury hotel in the world. Lucky for us, we have high tea there and it is fancy!
Side trip to Abu Dhabi!
We stay at a five-star resort Qasr Al Sarab, about 20 miles from the Saudi Arabia border.
We are in the middle of the desert. The sand is red because of the high iron oxide content. Herds of wild camels roam by as well as gazelles.
Someone is having a private dinner catered in the middle of the desert. Perhaps a proposal?
We have our own private pool! So refreshing after the trek in the desert, riding camels.
Camels were considered the Arabian version of cargo ships. They can go a long time without water and food. Camels are slow moving but they can keep trekking through the desert for long distances. And you have to admit, camels are cute!