Two UAE Hotspots

Liwa

"A" marks Liwa, UAE

For the weekend of Valentine’s Day, we journeyed about a couple of hours to a desert resort called, “Liwa.”   

Tilal Liwa Resort

Interestingly enough, although one can find heart-shaped merchandise in any of malls around Valentines, Emirati and workers from the East (Pakistan and the Philippines) make very little of the holiday.   Their neglect was our gain.  The Tilal Liwa hotel is surrounded by large sand dunes; there one can ride camels or cruise around in small all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).  We chose instead to lounge by the pool and soak up some much-needed vitamin D and warmth.  

Steve forgot to tell Alison how cold the water was before she entered!

Beautiful gardens leading to pool

An oasis in the desert

 Later we enjoyed “spousal” massages.  Steve’s masseuse recommended the Swedish massage over the painful “dry” Thai message while Alison enjoyed a hot stone treatment to loosen up her injured shoulder.  Continuing to fight sinus issues, we found the steam room a nice respite.  In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious champagne and international buffet, including grilled meats and seafood under the twinkling star filled sky. (Very romantic!)

Amazing dinner under the stars

Steve and Alison enjoying the night.

Happy Valentines!

The next morning we had scheduled to drive the ATVs, but a dense fog engulfed the area.  We cancelled for fear of becoming Hansel and Gretel, and losing our way back.  Fog is a regular occurrence in the winter in the Emirates.  It usually burns off by 9:00 a.m., but this fog lasted well into the afternoon.  

Could not see the desert beyond arch

Alison and her camels

Steve playing hide and seek

Thick fog on drive home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dubai

Two weeks ago, we spent a day in Dubai, a city of 2.5 million and the financial hub of the Emirates.  Abu Dhabi, the capitol, and Dubai hold more cache than the other states in the U.A.E. and can veto important legislation.  Traveling to Dubai takes a couple of hours and one needs to purchase a special “Salik” pass, (radio-transmitted toll pass) to affix to one’s windshield for the excursion.

One of my work colleagues at Il Ittihad School, Philly Steve (see Thanksgiving blog), had purchased a four-hour tour of the city on a double-decker bus.   

Gabe and Philly Steve

 

 

The trip began at the Dubai Historical Museum, which traced the beginnings of the area as a mecca for pearl diving.   

Dubai Museum

Traditional Dhow

Coffee? Shisha?

Traditional Emirati Dress

Alison loves camels!

Pearl Diving: Before Oil - Economic boom

Our Tour Guide

Our tour guide provided some interesting cultural fodder.  Did you now a gallon of gas in Dubai costs less than a gallon of water and there are more cars in the city than residents?  (Interesting trivia!)

The tour included stops at all the famous sites in the city, including the Burj al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Dubai Mall. 

Old City looking toward harbor

Jumeirah Mosque

Burj Khalifa

Constructed in 1998-99 along Jumeirah beach, the 28-story Burj al Arab is the world’s only luxury seven-star hotel.  The iconic sailboat-shaped hotel boasts of a royal suite, which currently lists at $18,716 a night. 

Burj Al Arab

With the demise of frequent Dubai visitor Michael Jackson, the most famous guests are now the communist Chinese who occupy more than a quarter of the rooms.  (Your American debt dollars at work.)

Sunset over Dubai

The tour then progressed to the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made archipelago in the shape of a palm tree. (which can be seen by the astronauts in space) 

The island features several theme hotels, villas, marinas, restaurants and retail outlets.  Only about $5 million for a villa.  So fancy the place sports its own monorail.  One of the highlights is the Atlantis hotel.  Alison has assured me that we will be returning for a Friday brunch in the future.

Atlantis Hotel

Another view of the Atlantis

Looking out to sea from Palm Island

City Skyline at night from Palm Island

Our last stop was the Dubai Mall.  Yes, you guessed it:  the largest mall in the world (13 million square feet with 1,200 shops, a hotel, a 22-screen cinema, an aquarium, an ice rink, and 120 restaurants and cafes).    Sorry, puny Mall of America.

As the locals say, "Do...Buy"

 
 After a brief stop at the aquarium, we trekked outside for the “Dancing Fountains.” 

Aquarium in the Dubai Mall

Though it was an impressive display of vertical water projection and monochromatic lighting, I still have a soft spot for Elvis crooning “Viva Las Vegas” outside the Bellagio.  The site also afforded a photo opportunity of the Burj Kalifa, currently the tallest building in the world and equipped with the fastest elevators.  While our time was very limited in the mall; again Alison assures me not to fear for another more extensive trip to the Dubai Mall will be in my future.

Dancing Fountains

Alison and Steve - Burj Khalifa

After sampling some tasty Garrett’s Popcorn, a Chicago favorite, we returned that evening to the Abu Dhabi.

Next week is spring bring and we are off to Malaysia and Indonesia.