Day three in Dubai was spent taking in more of the sights of Dubai, and then on our fourth day we spent the day in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.
Shopping in the colourful Madinat Jumeirah
Kids using their iPod apps to figure the exchange rate between dirhams and pounds on their souvenirs.
Gorgeous views of the Burj al Arab from Madinat Jumeirah
Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai's megamalls
The Dubai metro system was a fail for us. First you pretty much need a taxi to reach any of the stations. Dubai is massive, so spread out, that reaching the metro stations is a journey in itself and not really convenient to much of anything. Also the fares are quite expensive, and for a family of five when compared to the cheap taxi rates, the metro is more costly than the far more convenient taxis!
The trains really don't run frequently enough. We were waiting more than 20 minutes for a train, and we'd have already been to our destination by that point had we taken a taxi. Plus the trains are automated, no drivers (!), and relentless doors. We learned this the hard way when our group got separated by quick, unforgiving doors. It was a panicked moment until we realise that there was an adult with each child! I think Trevon was most relieved when he looked up and saw that it was my hand he was holding when the train whisked us off leaving Scott, Dallin and Madeleine behind.
The Dubai Marina, a massive marina complex full of towering apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, boat harbours and of course, another mall.
We took a traditional dhow boat tour out of the marina along the Dubai shoreline. It was a lovely ride on a gorgeous, warm evening.
For dinner that night we headed back to Dubai Mall for dinner fountainside at the base of the Burj Khalifa. Friends of ours who have lived in Dubai said that the Dubai Fountains at night are spectacular. We had seen them on our first day under the noon sun, but really wanted to experience the fountains lit up at night. The mall was packed as eager fountain watchers lined the waterway with cameras at the ready. We managed to find a perfect dining spot with a perfect view of the fountains. In true Dubai fashion the fountains break all kinds of size and volume records, and they are truly magnificent. They run about every half hour and are beautifully choreographed to light and music.
Madeleine in Arabic
Day four we hired a driver to take us on a full day tour of Abu Dhabi, about an hour from Dubai. Like Dubai it's one of the seven emirates, and it is also the capital of the UAE. The main draw for this day-trip, was the awesome Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It is an unbelievable structure inside and out, and easily the most impressive mosque we have visited (except for maybe the Aya Sofia).
Desperate for a bit of shade
The grand Emirates Palace Hotel
Waterfront in Abu Dhabi
Our trip to Abu Dhabi only allowed for a quick stop at Ferrari World. Even though we didn't get to ride any of the rides, it was still cool to stop and check it out.
Back in Dubai for dinner and a post-dinner beach stroll.
1 comment:
Oh so many favorite shots in here! I love that the kids were using their App to figure out the exchange rate :) They are geniuses!
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