Le Burj Khalifa

Too bad it's been so hazy and sandy in the UAE, or my views from the Burj Khalifa would have been unbelievable. Even so, I was still impressed. This first picture is towards the water and the "islands" showing slightly are The World Islands. Sure looks like they're sinking back into the sea...then again the amazing sky just dwarfed everything for me and I just kept staring at the clouds. Literally, head in the clouds.






My friends and I went right at sunset to see the city at both day and night. Quite lovely, quite sci-fi. For inquiring minds, there are bathrooms at the top, and we did use them. TMI? Too bad.




The finale was the show at the bottom. Let's face it, any time Thriller is being blared, my feet start dancing, but when I get to share my legendary moves with fountains, well, no dancing partner is going to be the same. It was fireworks and waterfalls all at once.

More views of the UAE

Aloft Hotel - CityScape Networking Hour

Le Meridien Hotel

Private Beach at the Intercon

Dubai

go speed racer go

The list of cool things to do in the UAE is lengthy but here are my Top 5.

5. The Grand Mosque. 1 word, 4 syllables: extravagance. Never seen anything like it and the pictures don't do it justice. It is the Magnum of the mosque world.

4. Al Ain Wildlife Park. Cute animals - check. Scary animals - check. Zoo train - check. Entrance fee - less than 5 USD. Bargain price for your inner child to have fun one afternoon.

3. Friday brunch. Pick a hotel. Any hotel. Brunch is going to be amazing no matter your choice. Unlimited food complete with unlimited beverage selection. Pasta to sushi, eggs to ice cream, seafood to salads. My mouth is watering thinking about it all. Eat, drink, eat some more and be merry all midday. And then take a well-deserved nap.

2. Wild Wadi. Always been a fan of waterparks - just ask my parents, as I'm pretty sure I had at least two birthday parties at them - but the super ride at Wild Wadi takes the cake. Four-person, "Cloverleaf", inner tube that shoots you down the start of the slide into a cone, up the wall for a magnificent (and pretty frightening) view of Dubai, only to ramp you up the other side where you're sure that one of your friends will fall out on top of you thanks to the impressive vertical....and then you hit two more cones on the same slide. Heart racing and motion-sick by the end, but, of course, we looked at each other and said "Again!!!!"

You're thinking, "How is it possible to top this list of exciting adventures?". Drumroll, please.



1. Yas Training Nights. Every Tuesday night, the F1 track is open to runners, walkers, and cyclists for training. I won't explain the awesomeness of this, so if you need one, tough. Perhaps, instead, I'll see you out there tonight, and you can experience it for yourself.

Grand Mosque, Cont.

The Grand Mosque

Jebel Hafeet

Sunset pictures from the mountain in Al Ain

Lessons Learned.....so far

Closing in on my first month here, there are quite a few things I've noticed that, while the norm, still make me stop and go "hm".

Observation #1: PDA is not acceptable. This comes at the high price of my favorite TV shows and movies jumping around to edit even any PG kissing scenes. When I head to the malls, there is specific signage, right alongside "No smoking", that reads "No overt displays of affection". Two male security guards holding hands is A-OK, but Will Smith planting a smacker on Eva Medes draws the line. Thanks for not touching Sons of Anarchy's cussing like sailors (no offense to any sailors out there).

Observation #2: Wear a short skirt or sleeveless top and be prepared to be stared at like Pope driving by in his sweet ride. Granted, skintight anything on anyone is no problemo. Call me old fashioned, but I would rather see a little shoulder than some people with all the rolls and wobbly bits hanging out. Ladies of the UAE - I'm watching. And judging, of course.

Observation #3: Ever wondered what the rush would be like to play chicken across a freeway? Well, come on down. Random men running across the freeway has been commonplace on my journeys to Dubai and Al Ain, and no one bats an eye. Sure I flinch everytime I see this, but as God as my witness, I have not seen any human roadkill, which begs the question - Americans, are we being out machoed? Seriously, kids don't try this at home.

Observation #4: Fast-food delivery. Oh yeah, it exists. Because eating junk food and being lazy was just not enough these days. You need it brought to your door and NOW. Sure, there's the standard pizza and Thai fare but Im talking about Burger King, McDonald's, and KFC. Give me a fast-food chain and I'll find the number to call. I thought I had hit the jackpot in NYC when I found out BB&B and TJs delivered. Clearly, I was mistaken. Who's ready to send me $5 so I can photo document fast-food at it's finest and be able to scoff while doing my best Martha's Vineyard accent, coyly remarking "Muffy, dahling, drivethrus are so last decade"?