Dubai

Monday 21st September – How lucky are we!! Annette was waiting when we got off the ship shortly after 9am – had an All Black flag fluttering on her car – and took us on a tour of Dubai, we even had a paddle in the water of the Gulf – very warm. The boys then meet John and were taken out into the desert to see the projects he is managing – a huge development including two polo fields, partially completed stables and workers camp. Apparently the recession has hit Dubai very strongly and many projects are either on hold, limping along or canned altogether. Alice and I went with Annette to look for some fabric and bought three lovely sari packs - Annette was well known to the shop people so got a very good price. On then to the Dubai Mall, a huge shopping centre where we wanted to look at something we had seen in Boston. Had lunch there then a little bit of a look around – saw some of the lovely Burkas – black but highly decorated and expensive. Back then to their apartment to join the boys for a couple of hours of chat before going across the road to the Dubai Mall again where we had dinner, just below the “tallest building in the world “and watched the fountains playing to music – absolutely amazing. At 8pm it was time to head back to the ship which was due to leave at 9pm. The traffic was heavy as it was a holiday (Eid) and it took us an hour to get to the Port but we were not the last onboard this time!!! We really appreciated Annette and John giving up a day to entertain us and show us around Dubai. Had a few drinks in our cabin and then to the top deck to watch us sail out of the harbour. Three days at sea and then Mumbai, India.