Wednesday
3 July
Day 3
94 to go
We landed with a bump, parked and were off the plane at 11.50pm, now 4 hours behind Perth time. We entered through immigration, finally getting a stamp in our new passports. Our bags were on priority, so they came out very quick and then we found the chauffeur desk to organise our drive to the Swissotel Al Murooj.
Our driver took us through the hot city (still 36), so that we could have some of the key places pointed out; The Frame, separating old and new Dubai, Museum of the future and the Burj Khalifa, all highlights. Everything was lit up and sparkling. It was great to see it like this.
40min after touching down, we pulled into the hotel driveway. Our driver told us it was a great central hotel and is situated across the road from the Dubai Mall, somewhere we will explore later today.
We then checked in, were given keys to room 424 and were glad to open the door and see a beautifully appointed and massive room. We did a slight unpack, but were really just wanting to get back to the flat position and turn the lights out. By 1am we had managed it.
I slept well for a few hours but by 430am my body was saying I should be awake. I tried to doze for a bit longer, Paul eventually got up to make tea at 5.15am and that was our day started.
I was happy to just stay in bed, browse the net and read my book for a while.
By 7am we were up, dressed and heading down for breakfast, which was varied, plentiful and delicious. Paul was happy to try out some of the middle eastern fare, but I was craving eggs and croissants.
Following breakfast, we ventured away from the air conditioning and outside. My glasses instantly fogged up and it was pretty clear it was going to be a hot and humid day ahead. The online forecast says 39 today, but will feel like 48, due to the humidity. No doubt we will be spending plenty of time inside.
We wandered around the pool area, disappointed that our pool is under maintenance today, but will be up running tomorrow. We tried to find our way to the residence resort pool, but the place is a rabbit warren of dead ends. Hopefully we will find our way there later when we need a swim.
We returned to the room by 7.45am, grabbing a donut from the wall in the breakfast restaurant, as we passed back through.
Well chilled, we were ready to brave the hot and walk to the Dubai Mall. It required crossing over a significant road junction and we were so glad to find reprieve to the oppressive humidity once we entered the largest shopping centre in the world, apparently.
We were faced with the giant aquarium, on entry. We took our time looking into the glass tank and pointing out the various fish species. It was quite mesmerising watching the many species of rays float by and watching schools of fish traverse the waters.
From here, we happily meandered. There were shops on at least 4 floors, going off in all directions. Most were of no interest to me, as I was never going to afford to buy even their cheapest item. There were also many that we find at any of our local malls. I was far more interested in the art installations; such as the waterfall, China town and the general architecture of the mall. There was even an ice skating rink and and dinosaur skeleton.
We took time out regularly, stopping to take it all in, use the wifi and eat and drink. We were in no hurry to be anywhere fast, given the weather outside, which Paul was keeping a close eye on.
We did venture outside, via the Apple store’s balcony, where there was a great view of the Burj Khalifa lake and the Burj Khalifa building. We didn’t hang around for too long though.
With our shopping appetite sated, we picked up a few drinks at a supermarket and then made our way back to the hotel.
We enjoyed some down time in our room, giving us a chance to cool off once again. We had to call reception as the bathroom roof was leaking. They were quick to sort it for us.
By 4pm, we were ready to hit the pool. The hotel pool is currently out of action, so we needed to use the residence pool. It meant a bit of a trek through the complex, but we got there eventually and the pool was surprisingly refreshing.
On our way back to reception, we watched a worker with a jack hammer at the main pool. The pool is supposed to be open tomorrow, but I can’t see that happening unfortunately. At reception we enquired about getting around tomorrow, taxi looks like the way to go. I am looking forward to to a bit more of an explore.
Back in the room and cooled, we just enjoyed the down time for a couple of hours. I was starting to fade due to needing dinner and also fighting the time zone change. I decided we just had to get up and out, as we had discussed, or I would have been asleep.
We ventured outside, it was hot but no longer humid and there was now a strong, hot dessert breeze. It wasn’t too unpleasant, though we were happy to reach the air conditioning of the mall and find a place to eat in the food court. That soon perked me up and I was now ready to head back out side to the lake for the water fountain show.
There were plenty of people about, but we found if you kept moving, you could find a place without people further around the board walk. At 8.15pm there was a light show projected onto the Burj Khalifa. It was pretty impressive, though it was a struggle to see all the way to the top. When it was complete, we continued to wander the boardwalk, before returning to a clear spot for the 8.30pm water fountain show. This was very similar to the one that plays in front of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. It lasted about 5 minutes, with water shooting up all over the place in time to the music.
Once it was done, we made for a quick exit and returned to the hotel for 9pm, well and truly ready for our bedtime.
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