Dubai

A quick layover in Dubai to visit friends en route to/from India. Development appears to continue apace, despite economic difficulties. Witness the current world’s tallest building. $100 for the walk-up express ticket to the highest observation deck. No thanks.


Whereas, entry into Dubai’s national stadium, I mean, largest shopping mall, is free. Plus, shopaholic friend used my visit as an excuse to take me (it wasn’t open when I was here last in 2008.)


Not much for me to say about this massive mall. It’s got a walk-through aquarium, some nice architectural flourishes, a labyrinthine jewellery “souk”, and…


…the only working zamboni in the Gulf? You could have your entire winter holiday here… it’s always Christmas shopping season, and then after some skating, you can scoot on over to the Mall of the Emirates and hit the slope or the toboggan run.


We hit lunch instead… I can’t pass up a plate of raw meat… mmm.


Nor the Bateel dates. Always delicious.


Enjoying some flowers in the garden... frangipani, in an unusual cluster...

...and jasmine.


Time to head to the pool. Ahhh, refreshing.


And on to the hammam, for a scrub...


A little Arabian fantasy?


At the base of Burj Dubai.


Well… it is pretty spectacular at night...