Dubai, United Arab Emirates, day two

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, day two. The plan for today was to go shopping this morning as soon as we finished breakfast. There were many options for large, enclosed, air conditioned malls. We were at a junk, outdoor one yesterday and that was a waste of time. These indoor ones had all the designer stores. Some had free shuttles and there was even one just a few blocks away. But ka ka happens.

It happened all night and into the morning. I think there was stuff coming out of me that other people ate. So no shopping trip or any trip more then 20 to 30 feet from a bathroom, for me. Bobbi didn’t want to go without me or maybe she was just afraid. Muriel wasn’t going anywhere either because Art wasn’t feeling well.

There is a very nice new building, just for cruise ships, right at the bottom of the gang plank. It is only partly used. They must not have been able to rent out the space. There is, however, one tiny store. That’s all Bobbi needs. We are now the proud owners of a bag full of camels and another bag full of mouse pads that are really mini flying carpets.

This evening was our world cruisers event, a cocktail reception at the Burj Al Arab hotel. We were due to board a bus at 5:40 PM. I was ok all day and decided to give it a shot. I said “shOt”. Art was still not well so just Muriel went with us.

Traffic was heavy and there was a lot of construction. It took about forty five minutes to get there. I t is build on it’s own man made island with a short causeway leading to it. Once inside the lobby is magnificent but that is only the entry area. There were huge salt water fish tanks on either side of the two story escalators you must go up, to get to the lobby, which is even more fantastic.

This is worlds only 7 star hotel. Of course it is a self claimed 7 stars. All rooms are two story suites with butlers that bow to you and thank you for allowing them to be your slaves. Room prices are from $1,000 to $7,000 a day. Of those we spoke to who were staying there, the lowest priced they ever seem to have is $1,5000. They say the rooms are wonderful but the food and service leaves much to be desired. They liked our ship’s food and service much better.

We got into a huge glass elevator that went up the outside of the building, facing the ocean. The ball room, to which we were going, was on the 27th floor. As all floors are two floors, it was really the 54th floor. After a walk through a formal entry hall and through two sets of fantastic doors, we came to a balcony that circled the main part of the ballroom, below which was also a circle. There was a huge gold dome in the ceiling from which hung a huge crystal chandler. The walls were tastefully while ornately decorated. The floors had beautiful plush carpet with designs in it. The room was gorgeous except for the half dozen huge, over ten foot high, garish TVs playing ads for the hotel.

To get down from the entry balcony there was a pretty stairway with dirty carpet. They told us the elevator between the upper and lower floor was not working or rather they lied to us, it was not working as I later saw them using it. They just like to screw around Americans whenever they think they can get away with it.

They, of course, knew how many people would be attending but had only half the number of waiters, drinks and hors d’oeuvres needed. This, self proclaimed, seven star property did not even have napkins to give out with the drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

After about 45 minutes of standing around, talking and taking pictures with the captain, we tired of the event. There were no chairs or seating of any kind, so we took off for the return buses. Obviously many if not most thought the same as there was a crowd going to the elevators.

The traffic was far worse going back as there was much more construction with four lanes going into one several times. It took over an hour to get back and none of us had dinner yet. Needless to say we did make it on time and did not starve to death or have to order room service.

Brown Geyser Sherm Out

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)