Morning From Dubai

We arrived in Dubai on Sunday morning after along flight ( in Economy...ok don't scoff!!! )
Daryl is working here so we shared his ticket. I survived quite well. The food was good! Sleeping sitting up is not good. We are here for six weeks. Daryl has cricket here for the first time, Pakistan v South Africa, both ODIs and Tests. We will also spend 2 weeks in Abu Dabi, a new experience for me.

We arrived at the apartment to this

beautiful sunrise view from the balcony. We slept for 8 hours during the day and still went to bed in the evening, so woke up reasonably refreshed Monday morning. 

On Monday we walked across the bridge to the seafront, The Walk, and checked out the Dubai Marina Mall. New shops are opening all the time and the Cinema is now open. On Tuesday we took the train from our stop, newly opened a few days ago, to Mall Of The Emirates. The train is electronically driven, (no driver). The entry is via a long walkway which goes up and over the many laned freeways to the station. Quite fast moving walkways help along the way. We have travel cards which make for easy entry and exit. The station and the trains are amazingly shiny and welcoming. The views from the train are stunning as it is elevated well above the traffic. When we first started coming here the first construction of 100s of concrete uprights had begun. This is the image from my camera on first opening it in the humid air!!! The lens fogged immediately.

Walkway to the train with moving walkways approaching.

View from walk to train, over the freeway.

See how shiny it is!

Spot the driverless train leaving the station.

Look who I found on the escalator!  :)

On arrival at the Mall station, we had another walk and escalator and found ourselves right inside the Mall!

We are flying to Cairo tomorrow for Daryl's birthday, staying for 4 nights. We're hoping to be stunned by the ancient pyramids and more. Kelly arrives next week for 3weeks, along with Sue and Ian Titley en route to home after a wonderful Eurpean holiday. We're really looking forward to the company. I have brought scrapbooking and cross stitch with me this trip as I will have lots of spare time. I added the Smile Box below toshow some layouts. That one has a few I did before I left home but I'll update regularly. 

Skype has not been working well here, causing frustration. It's usually been a great way to talk to people when away. I am still refreshing my blogging skills after not posting for a few months, so please excuse any confusion!