Dubai

Oct 15th - Oct 20th 2009

Thursday 15th October 2009

Birmingham to Dubai

And here we go for another holiday!

Up by about 08.00 after getting home from the Lottery just after midnight. Nikki was already up and getting ready. Finished off some last minute packing before leaving for Birmingham at around 10.00. Horrible weather on the drive up. Everyone with their headlights on and loads of spray from the lorries.

Rang Purple Parking (Meteor) when we joined the M42 and they were there waiting as we arrived in the car park at BHX. Really good service. Walked across to the terminal and met up with Stuart. He'd been chauffeured to the airport so was happily sat chatting in Starbucks. We went down to the Emirates desk to check in. Nice chap noticed Nikki's stick and motioned us to the First Class desk so we could by-pass the queue. Very quick check-in and then off to collect the wheelchair. All went without a hitch.

Myself and Stuart made a half-hearted attempt at getting up upgrade but it was £1,000 on the day so we passed on that one and made our way through to the departure lounge. The flight had picked up a half hour delay so we had plenty of time.

Had a nice lunch in Wetherspoons and browsed through the shops airside before going off to Gate 44 for our flight. Seemed like a really busy flight based on the number of people in the departure lounge. In true Emirates fashion First and Business Class had their own air-bridge! We got on and found our seats before the rush - me and Nikki were in 12A and 12B - Stuart was back in row 37 for the extra leg-room. Had a chap sat next to us who had a huge amount of metal adorning his face - very chatty and nice lad.

Took off about an hour late and settled down to watch some films. Saw Angels & Demons which bored me stupid. I don't think it's one for a small screen so maybe I'll try it again in a proper TV. They then had to re-set the movie system as some weren't working. This seems to be an increasing problem these day - particularly with Virgin I've noticed. Got the movies back and I watched The Proposal which made me laugh and then moved on to the US version of The Office and 30 Rock.

Meal was pretty good apart from the fact that we'd ordered veggie and that tends to mean vegan. So no rolls, butter, cheese, biscuits or desert for us. We had a nice rice dish followed by side salad, fruit and then two packs of raisons. I batted my eye-lashes at one of the crew but it didn't earn me a desert.

Interesting route - we flew down across Belgium and over Germany, Austria and Romania before crossing the Black Sea. We then crossed into Iraqi air-space and flew over Kirkuk, Mosul and then Baghdad. Weird flying over a place you hear so much about in the news and seeing it all lit up like a "real" city below you. Then it was over Kuwait and down the Gulf and into Dubai.

Sadly no air-bridge so we were bussed to the terminal - and then the hassle started.

We were first off the plane so waited for Stuart in the arrivals area. No wheelchair was waiting for us despite me having booked one. We were told to go down to the bottom of the escalators where they were waiting for us. They weren't. I'd also booked the Marhaba which basically whizzes you past any queues and gets you out quickly. They were waiting for us but no wheelchair had been provided by Emirates. The Marhaba woman was very good and tried arguing with Emirates but no luck. Emirates run the entire airport so they are not to be argued with. We waited ten minutes before it all kicked off. Stuart marched over to the Emirates desk and got hold of the manager - not physically I must stress. There then followed about 15 minutes of frantic phone-calls after which a chair was brought. It was now 01.30 Dubai time so we really weren't in the mood for this. About an hour after we got off the plane, the chair finally arrived and we were able to head out. I'd booked Marhaba to avoid the queues - by the time we were leaving there weren't any anyway.

They escorted us to a taxi which got us to the hotel in about 10 minutes. I'd also pre-booked a wheelchair from another company in Dubai and had asked for it to be dropped off at the hotel so it would be here when we arrived. After the airport, I didn't have very high hopes - but it was here, ready and waiting. Result.

It just got better from then on in really. Room was sorted out - upgrade to deluxe room without any problem. Bags were brought up within minutes and after some very half-hearted unpacking we just collapsed into bed at about 03.00 Dubai time.

Very annoyed with Emirates - by the time we left the airport Stuart had the phone number for the Customer Services Director for the airline so that'll be a call he's making on Saturday morning! May Allah preserve them.

Friday 16th October 2009

Dubai

Got woken at 05.10 by the BLOODY ALARM CLOCK in the room. Didn't think about checking that. Stumbling around in the dark I managed to find it and resisted the temptation to smash it into its constituent parts. Got it to shut up and amazingly it didn't wake Nikki at all!

Fell back to sleep until about 10.00 and just felt like I'd walked all the way from Birmingham. Pounding headache and sand-papered eyes. I'm really NOT good at staying up late.

Called Stuart who felt the same and agreed 10.40 was a good time to meet for breakfast. Nikki made a "room coffee" which was truly awful and then we staggered downstairs for brekkie. A bit of confusion as to where we were sitting which was quickly sorted out and then we hit the buffet. This buffet has literally everything you could imagine for breakfast and then more. Started off with fruit and then had a freshly made omelette with hash-browns followed by some bread. I could have had smoothies, soup, anything cooled I fancy, cake etc etc. Just an incredible amount of choice. They do service so well in Dubai. Once you even looked like you might be thinking about moving your plate - someone was there to move it for you. Just like any door in the hotel, there's someone waiting to open it for you!

After breakfast we took a quick detour to the fourth floor pool deck. The minute we arrived two chaps asked if we'd like to reserve our sun-loungers. We did, before heading back to the room for a shower.

Amazing bathroom. Separate wet-room with two showers in there plus a bath which fills up from water that comes out of the ceiling. And a huge picture window that looks out on Dubai. It has a remote control that closes window blinds to preserve your modesty and to prevent the view of me showering inflaming the passions of Dubai's good residents.

By this time it was about 12.30 so we headed back down to the pool area. Wonderful attendants there who literally did everything for us. Our loungers were laid out, our towels spread out, an ice-bucket brought over for our bottled water, an umbrella brought over so we weren't in the direct sun. Just wonderful, wonderful service.

Had a dip in the pool which was gorgeous. I'd initially been apprehensive about the end of the pool. It's glassed in and overhangs the fourth floor by about 10 feet. It means you can see straight down and straight out. Once on it, it was fine! Lots of fun. Chatted in the pool for half an hour or so and then back to the harsh, unforgiving environment of total relaxation on the sun-lounger.

After more relaxation we decided to crack on and head back up to the rooms for a rest. It's very tiring this relaxing stuff!

Met back in the lobby at about 19.00 for our trip down to the Mall of the Emirates. Got a car from the hotel to take us there - very efficient and took about 20 minutes.

Mall of the Emirates is just HUGE - there's no other word for it. Unbelievable number of shops spread over loads of floors. We wandered round and took in all we could see. After about half an hour we were all starving so decided to get some dinner. Ended up next to Ski Dubai and found a great Italian restaurant. It had a huge salad bar with just about everything you could imagine. We ordered 3 salad bars to start with a bruschetta for us to share. I think that's where we should have stopped but no - we ordered a main course as well!

The food was of an incredibly high standard and the service was superb. Couldn't fault anything about the meal - which is unlike us!

We then headed back to the hotel for a look around Festival City. It's basically a shopping area with a canal through it. I was going to say "man-made" canal through it - but everything is man-made in Dubai - even the coastline. So from now on just assume the word "man-made" is before most nouns!

After a look around we decided to turn in, but not before a coffee and chat in the Executive Lounge in the hotel. Very nice way to wind down after what had been a very stressful and upsetting day!!!!

Saturday 17th October 2009

Dubai

(Nikki) Was awoken at 9.00am by Huw. Immediately in shock as I'd remembered we had something to do by 9...couldn't remember quite what though. Ahh yes, we were supposed to ring Stuart. Huw didn't seem in any particular hurry, so I sauntered over to the cabinet to make myself a cup of tea while he went downstairs for a wander. Feeling very relaxed by this time after a wonderful night's sleep. Huw then came back in, and said that Stuart was already at breakfast! All systems go then, and we quickly made our way downstairs where we procured a nice table reasonably near to the buffet counters, and a nice lady brought us all coffee.

Stuart and Huw started off with a strawberry smoothie each and a bowl of mixed fruit salad. Stuart then had a mixture of all sorts, from a doughnut, a cake, bead rolls, and bacon (which was brought to his table as they cooked some fresh for him) Huw and I had a wander round the full extent of the buffet - we'd only seen a fraction of it yesterday! There was EVERYTHING you could ever wish for - from octopus to waffles, toast to miso soup. In the end I had a croissant and Huw had toast! Maybe be a little more adventurous tomorrow!

During breakfast, we made some cursory plans for the day. Thought the open top bus tour may be as good a place to start as any (especially as we'd found out that the buses were air conditioned!). So after going back to the rooms, showering and changing, we met up in the lobby where we made our way to M&S (kid you not), which is the nearest bus pickup to the hotel. There is a fabulous shopping centre next to the hotel, which you can access by corridor from the hotel (none of this having to walk outside to the shops malarky). Waited for the bus outside - where it was already lovely and hot. The cowardly men sat in the shade! Didn't wait long before the bus arrived - we'd previously bought our tickets, so we just hopped on and opted for the top deck. Half of this was in an air conditioned cabin, and half in the sunshine with a cover over it.....guess which one I went for!!!!!

(Huw) Driving around Dubai on the top deck of an air conditioned bus was fabulous. First we drove around some of the Malls and then went down the Jumeirah Road before turning on to The Palm Jumeirah. Right down at the far end is the Atlantis Hotel which is just massive. Had a good wander around there checking out the huge plate glass windows looking in at all the fish, rays, sharks and other sea-life.

Got onto a balcony area reserved for guests which looked amazing. Gorgeous sofas and chairs with those Arabic smoking thingys which we just HAD to pose with for a bit!

Then came one the finest discoveries of the holiday - Cold Stone Creamery. Great choice of ice-cream with whatever sort of topping you could choose. I went for cheesecake ice-cream with added walnuts, pecans and Twix! The servers throw the ice-cream around in the air and then mix it all together. Stunning!

We then rode the mono-rail back down to the mainland. Brand new and very, very clean. Lots of people helping us on our way with tickets, opening doors and then calling taxis when we arrived at the mainland station.

The decision was then taken to abandon the open top bus tour and to return to the hotel for some swimming and sitting by the pool. About 20 minutes back in the cab and within 10 minutes we were by the pool. This time they gave us a little laminated beer mat type thing that had "no thank you" on one side and "yes please" on the other. When I wanted a coffee I had to display the "yes please" side. This I achieved and we had coffees and Earl Grey tea sitting by the pool.

We splashed about a bit and then retired to the bar area to watch the sun setting. I took loads of pictures of the Burj Dubai in the distance with the sun going down. Gorgeous.

After freshening up it was off to Madinat Jumeirah which is a beautiful shopping centre next to the Burj al Arab. Nicely set out to represent a traditional Souk. Had dinner there before coming back to the centre next to the hotel in Festival City for some more Cold Stone Creamery and then to bed.

Everyone knackered!

Sunday 18th October 2009

Dubai

 

Both woke up around 08.30 and pottered around for half an hour. Stuart rang just after 09.00 so we agreed to get breakfast at 09.45.

When we arrived in the dining room our usual man spotted us (peace be upon him) and came straight over and sat us in pride of place at table 1 - right next to the buffet. He then asked if we'd like our usual 3 lattes and freshly squeezed orange juices. Well naturally!

Breakfast was a leisurely affair involving fruit, doughnuts, omelettes, coffee, more coffee and toasted white bloomer. We were watching the women in different types of Burkhas and wondering how they managed to eat!

After breakfast myself and Stuart went next door to the Crowne Plaza to see if they had cheaper massages - they didn't - but we did end up getting a tour of a room in case we decide to honour them with our presence on future trips.

Back to the room for a quick change and then down to the pool. Again we were given the little beer mats to turn over if we wanted service and again we put them to good use. After a swim in the pool we ordered lunch. It’s now a game to see if they can meet any request we have. Stuart ordered a salad from the menu and asked if he could have some chopped up pineapple in there and some rolls with balsamic vinegar. No problem at all! I asked for a hot latte and it nearly took my tongue off. They just do service brilliantly in the UAE.

I booked a massage for 15.15 and it was done by a chap who knew exactly what he was doing. Sorted out my cricked neck and lower back pain in half an hour. Then back to the pool to pick up Nikki and back to the room.

As we got into the room we noticed a birthday cake for Nikki on the table from the hotel!! A day early but who cares - there'll be a picture of it up later tonight.

After some down time we met back in the bar with the great views of the sunset of the Burj Dubai. Burj means tower in Arabic. Amazing to think that it's the tallest building in the world - and they're already planning one even bigger.

Sat and gossiped for ages before deciding to wander around the shopping centre next door. Looked at some clothes but nothing took our fancy so we headed back to the hotel. The idea of tea came up so we thought we'd check out the buffet on offer at the hotel. It was a case of pick your jaws up off the floor. There was literally everything on offer you could think of. I'm not a fan of the word "literally" as people use it too often. In this context it applies. We couldn't think of anything they hadn't got on offer. So we settled down for three hours of solid grazing. I think we ended up with 8 or 9 courses. Not huge ones - a bit of this and bit of something else. I started with potato soup with garlic croutons, then had salad, then a pasta course, then some more salad, then an omelette, then some desert, then some more desert and then even more desert. I could go on at length about the quality of the food and the incredible service - instead I'll direct you to a video I shot of the entire buffet.

I'm now finding it hard to type as even my fingers are fat - I'm actually uselessly thumping the keyboard with my fat fists and it seems to be making sense.

I now must lie down as I fear for my own safety with gravity potentially impacting on my well off-centre belly.

Good night!

Monday 19th October 2009

Dubai

Amazingly we all woke up ready for breakfast! After last night's buffet dinner I never thought I'd eat another thing ever again.

Went down to the lobby to meet Stuart and I managed to sneak Nikki's birthday cards down with me. I left Nikki sitting in the lobby while I snuck into the breakfast room and gave the cards to the woman on the desk - telling her to bring them over during breakfast. I then returned to Nikki only to be followed by the woman on the desk asking me which room we were in. So the best laid plans and all that!

Stuart came down and we went in for breakfast - our usual little chap was there so the coffees and the orange juice arrived within seconds. Nice leisurely breakfast and then back to the room to change before the obligatory lying on the sunbeds!

When I got down to the pool I asked the pool chap if there was any power I could plug my lap-top into. Within minutes a 10 metre extension cable had been laid through an open window, up past some trees and across to my sun-bed. Result! He wouldn't even let me plug the power cable in myself. He insisted on doing it for me!

By this time Stuart had arrived and we asked if it was possible to get some pictures of us in the overhang bit of the swimming pool from below. Now understand this would have meant someone going back in through the hotel, down four floors and out to the back of the hotel. Immediately someone was summoned to do just that! 

Lunch was avoided until much later in the afternoon. Stuart had booked a 16.00 massage so went to get ready about 15.00ish so me and Nikki went across to the shopping centre next door and found a Subway for lunch. Back to the room for a lie down and a cool down.

Met up with a freshly massaged Stuart in the bar at about 17.30 for drinks and sunset. Brought Nikki's cake down with us to share with a latte. As we waited a chap from the hotel asked if he could have a minute of our time. He wanted to known what we hated about the hotel. Now as readers will be aware - we are not reticent about sharing what we perceive to be the shortcomings of any establishment. But we couldn't think of anything. He kept asking saying things like "surely the towels are awful, or the air in your room is slightly the wrong shade". We couldn't think of a darn thing! Eventually Stuart mentioned the fact that he couldn't figure out what every switch did in the hotel room. This was noted down so I guess next time we come there'll be a full orientation course on all the switches. I swear if we'd said the building opposite is slightly the wrong colour, they'd have had it knocked down!

At about 19.00 we wandered off to the shopping centre. Halfway there we decided to go back to the room and check on the flight details for tomorrow. When we arrived back in the lobby there was a staff member who was well over 7 feet tall so we had to get a picture with him.

In the shopping centre they have this little boat that goes from one end to the other. It doesn't stop - just does the back and forth. Well we had to ride that. About 6 people manning it with us 3 and about 4 others as the only clients! Good fun 10 minutes up and back.

Got to the food court in the shopping centre and had some nibbles before heading back to the hotel. If you look at what we've actually done each day, there's a fair bit in there. Not a massive amount, but certainly a few things. So where does the time go? It feels like we finish breakfast and it's nearly bedtime. I want long lazy afternoons but they just rocket by. I guess when you're being looked after this well and don't have to lift a finger to help yourself, time just flies by!

Well at least we found a few seconds to share a cake and sing happy birthday to Nikki!

Tuesday 20th October 2009

Dubai to Birmingham

Following on from yesterday's theme - where does the bloody time go? It seems like only yesterday we arrived and here we are, heading home!

Met for breakfast in the lobby at about 09.00 and marvelled for the final time at the speed of our waiter in rustling up 3 coffee and 3 orange juices. After we'd finished our breakfast we tried to find him to give him a tip but sadly he'd disappeared. Therefore that's another reason to go back.

Myself and Nikki decided to relocate to the pool for one final lounge around. I decided to jump in and have a final swim which was just gorgeous. I love that feeling of lying on the sun bed drying off - even if my less than sylph-like form can be spotted on Google Earth.

Back to the room and a shower before our 11.30 departure time. Check out was dead-easy. Someone got our bags from the room and brought them down to reception while I sorted out the bill. Stuart had already done his so a car was summoned to whisk us to the airport in air-conditioned luxury.

We'd booked the Marharba service for departure from Dubai and they were ready with the wheelchair and suitcase carrier. We were whisked through check-in, passport control and security and taken to the Marharba Lounge. Very nice indeed. Lots of different nibbles and nice coffee and juice. Nikki had an Early Grey so she was a happy girl.

Myself and Stuart went off to get some biscuits etc from the shops downstairs while Nikki did an online shop with Sainsbury's to arrive when we got home. By the time we'd finished - the wheelchair man had already arrived and was pestering an increasingly stressed Nikki. I think the words "Bugger off I'm doing my shopping and the other two aren't here at the moment" may have passed her lips. We were taken off to the gate and then straight on to the plane. Stuart was a few rows behind us in a leg-room seat and me and Nikki had a three seat between the two of us. Much better flight home. Watched some films, went for a wander up and down the plane and had some nice food. All in all, a much better experience than the outward leg.

We came in to Birmingham at 19.20 - about 20 minutes early. There was a wheelchair waiting just outside the plane so we had a pretty simple run through to baggage reclaim. In fact Birmingham airport was a joy. Not too far to walk, not too many people and it was about half an hour from wheels-down to getting into the car.

Said our farewells to Stuart in the rain and drove back to Calvert. Two stops on the M40 to gaffa tape bits of my car back on that were falling off and one stop at a garage to get bread and milk and we were back home by 21.20.

Went upstairs to change and realised one of us had left the bedroom window open - whoops!

Another great trip - fabulous part of the world, great company, great weather and very, very relaxing time. And one thing is for sure - we're going back to Dubai!