Day 1: Dubai

I was hoping to update the site sooner...but, LOL we've been just a bit (happily) busy. I finally have Lucas' nap schedule down, so my plan is to update the blog when I'm not frantically running around getting other stuff done.

DUBAI -- Packed and ready to go. Each of us got a bag including Luke and the big bag was filled with donated clothes for the WACAP house and Bete Histanate Orphanage. THANK YOU to everyone who sent donations. A special thanks to Jill and folks in Eureka who gave so many great things for the kids.

Our 16 hr flight went direct from SF to Dubai. Fun fact: the flight path went over the top of the globe - north over Alaska and the North Pole and down thru Norway, Russia, Iran to the EAU. Didn't know one could fly over the North Pole. We were in Dubai one day/two nights. With only one day to see everything, there is no better way to see a city than a double decker bus tour! I'm a huge fan because it ensures you hit all the "famous" sites. It took us all day, but we really covered the city PLUS the bus was air conditioned A MUST in 114 degree weather!

We found Dubai was both fascinating and unsettling. We LOVED seeing this new culture - from the food, stifling weather, history, to the architecture and style of dress - all of it was interesting. We also loved hearing the Muslim morning call to prayer (5am). The unsettling part was the hardcore "sales" job about Dubai...this is the "best" hospital in the world, this is the "largest" building in the world etc. The amount of buildings going up is insane! We felt like Dubai was trying way too hard to be Hong Kong or New York...in a matter of five years. It took New York years and years to build its skyline. Dubai is building up at such a fast rate, they will surpass NYC soon. There are tons of office and apartment buildings going up, I just wonder were all the people are to support this growing economy?

Click pictures to enlarge....

OLD DUBAI____________________________________________________________

Old Dubai was our favorite part of the tour. A few sites we visited...

Al Fahidi Fort & Dubai Museum.

Dubai's oldest building circa 1787

Old Dubai Souk

Garmet/Fabric District

Dubai Creek.

Goods shipped to African countries, the middle east and India

A mosque by the Dubai Museum

NEW DUBAI_____________________________________________________________

Jumeirah Mosque

It was closed so unfortunately didn't get to go near

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Built in the shape of a ship. Very impressive up close

Jumeirah Palm Island

A man made island in the shape of a palm tree. The Atlantis Hotel (similar to Bahamas) is at the tip. The building on these islands is insane.

Burj Khalifa

The largest building in the world.

One of my FAVORITE sites. A magnificent building, first truly "futuristic" building I've seen.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merril of Chicago - also designing the new twin towers in New York.