Dubai in the superlative

We often transit at Dubai Airport  when flying Emirates.  We had however never gone outside the airport to tour Dubai because we were always in a hurry to reach our destination. But in this long distance trip to USA with 89 year -old Yeye, we planned deliberately to break up the journey to make it easier for him.  So we opted to stay 2 nights in Dubai on the way to USA.  We stayed at  the Millennium Hotel near the airport  Booking the hotel online was my first attempt after  a 20 years hiatus. I was quite encouraged to get a good discount RM1,300/- off the price quoted by the hotel. It was conveniently located near the Red Metro train line. Our encounters  here showed the Dubai always strives to reach for  the superlative - for example the world's the tallest water fountains, the biggest mall, the tallest tower, the most luxurious hotel etcetera . Hmm......

Our first point of interest was the ski mall at the Mall of the Emirates. Why? Sometime ago, Yeye had asked us in all our many travel trips with him, why we had never taken him him to experience winter and snow. We told him frankly - we weren't sure if he could take the cold weather actually so we had always deliberately travel in spring or autumn and NEVER in winter. But going to a ski mall was fairly safe since we could take Yeye out if he could not handle  the cold. It was -4 degrees at the ski mall. He enjoyed the ice sculptures and the cable car ride up. We took him out after 2 hours there. Yeye  was glad to be in the warm again. We did mention that if he were in an winter scenario, he may not be able to get out of the cold  so quickly.

Yeye happy in the cold and properly attired

On the ski lift chair.

We next headed for the  Dubai fountains at the Dubai Mall - the largest mall in the world in downtown Dubai. The world famous beautiful fountains are the tallest fountains in the world at 900 feet which is equivalent to 2 football pitches. The fountains are designed by WET Design the same people who designed the Bellagio fountains of Las Vegas. We rushed to catch the last fountain show at 11.00 pm.The spectacular fountains play against the beautiful backdrop of the lit Burj Khalifa in the night sky to the oohs and aahs of the audience.

Jason and Yeye with Burj Khalifa in the backdrop

Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world
at 828 meters. The Dubai fountains are
also the tallest fountains  in the world

The next morning, we took the metro back to the same mall to see the Dubai aquarium and to check the prices of stuff we wanted to buy. When we reached the hotel and checked the distances and number of steps we had walked, we realized Yeye had reached a record 24,424 steps and he looked healthier despite having walked so far.

Fishes swimming behind me

Yeye at the Dubai aquarium

Note the distance from the Metro to the mall.
We walked this distance 4 times.

Yeye achieved a record number of  steps walked
due to the long distance between the
Red Metro line and the Dubai Mall, 

That evening, we went for an exciting desert safari in the setting sun. We went in a convoy of 3 4WD vehicles. The tyres of the 4WD were slightly deflated for better control.The driver skillfully maneuvered the 4WD  and cruised and drifted in the soft desert sand amidst by the screams of the passengers. The drivers parked the vehicles and we explored the area. It was a beautiful sunset scene over rolling sand dunes. The wind blew the fine sand through our fingers. Feeling the strong winds and the fine sands, we understood how sand dunes were formed in the desert. We had a traditional dinner and watched several fire dances. Yeye had several encounters with camels, including the one where we mounted the camel and went for a ride.

The camel and Yeye studying each other -
Yeye with open mouth and the camel with nozzled up mouth.

Desert safari in the setting sun

See the fine dunes in the sand.
Desert safari use the term dune bashing sometimes

Jason against a backdrop of sand dunes in the setting sun

Yeye had a very exciting camel ride.

On our return trip to Dubai on the 12th of October, Joseph was our very kind and superb host. We got into his sports Mercedes and he took us to view various luxury sport cars.

Can you recognize the car makes?

Joe then drove us to the Wave Hotel at Jumeirah Beach to view the Burj Al Arab. We enjoyed the sunset and the breezy wind. The Burj Al Arab is reportedly  the most luxurious hotel in the world. Its sailboat shape is the icon of Dubai and there is a helipad at the top.

The Burj Al Arab

The iconic sailboat shape of the Burj Al Arab with
the helipad at its top.

Yeye posing with the date palm

Satellite pic of the Bur Al Arab built again on reclaimed land.

Joe then took us to eat mandir rice which was very yummy. This was our favorite meal in Dubai. Thank you Joe.

Good friends bonding over great food

Some towers take on the shape of NYC towers 

Yeye and his golden carriage

Joe then took us to the world famous Atlantis hotel built at the edge of the palm tree shaped reclaimed land off the Jumeirah beach.

Atlantis Hotel lies at the outermost fringe of reclaimed land
in the shape of  a palm tree. The Burj Al Arab lies to its North East.

We saw a replica of the glass art  - originally from  Seattle

Golden and opulent

All too soon we had to get ready to fly home to KL. We left Byblos Hotel in the Al Barsha area for the airport.

Yeye reminded us to take a pic of him with our pickup car.

Enjoying a meal before we board

Yummy food 

Our long trip ends with this  giant lovely lily bouquet in the lounge

Thank you God for taking us safely halfway across the globe and safely home. Thank you for the wonderful weather, our wonderful friends and family in Dubai and Cleveland and for keeping Yeye in excellent health throughout. We offer up  heart felt thanksgiving for a lovely and memorable trip.