A Whirlwind Tour

A long anticipated visit has come to fruition resulting in a whirlwind tour.  We had a wonderful time staying with Ricky & Clare in Buckinghamshire last year and it was the very next day after we left them that we heard they’d booked for a trip with a stopover to visit us in Dubai.

The brief was simple.  Clare lists the requirements for me: we want sun (a given), time by the pool (inevitable), high tea at the Burj Al Arab and a trip up the Burj Khalifa.  Plus some catch up time with us and the boys (of course!).

Since they had been to Dubai previously (albeit 10 years ago) they had done the old town and souqs in Diera and been on a desert safari, both of which they were happy to miss this time around, given the limits of a three day stopover.

Their Friday morning arrival happens to overlap with Jason’s over stay in hospital after spinal surgery earlier in the week.  It’s been a bit of a stressful week and given I knew they would be desperate to hit the pool, having come from snowy temps in the UK, it worked out well that I could leave the boys for a pool session and some much needed sunshine whilst I head off to visit Jason for a couple of hours.  The boys made good use of this couple of hours, spending it’s entirety in the pool exhausting Ricky, who, incidentally, had flown over night and was perhaps tired enough already.  By the time I arrive home from the hospital visit there are four pairs of very tired eyes lined up on the couch watching a movie.  Actually, I’m not sure if all the pairs of eyes are on the movie, I think a couple of those pairs might have been resting closed.

After the movie downtime we are all ready for a trip to Global Village.  Not a usual tourist trail activity, Global Village is nevertheless a great evening out and a bit of a localised version of how, well, global, Dubai can be.

We take a route through various pavilions, tasting the honey in Yemen, checking out the Sri Lankan offerings, Egyptian pottery and the colors of Africa before stopping for kebabs and pita for dinner at the Bosnian House.

After this we head around to the Monster Truck Show.  This car and motor bike stunt show is high on our list after we missed it last time we visited – it was the stunt men’s night off.  We’re on a roll but not in a good way tonight as we manage to miss it again.  We arrive at the door just as the show is full and the gates close in front of us.  I have to explain to two very upset and disappointed boys that we can’t go in.

We make do however, milling about and watching from the sidelines.  Clare manages a reasonable position at the front where she can perch Harley on the rail for at least a part of it.  Ricky is tall enough to see over the crowds but doesn’t fare so well overall with Jasper on his shoulders for the duration.  They’ve both saved me though and I’m grateful for their persistence.  I’m not sure I would have been forgiven any time soon if we’d missed the whole thing entirely.  Again!

After this it’s time to head home.  The boys are tired and so are we.  It’s been a bit day for everyone.

Saturday morning dawns and while the boys are up early, as usual, they amuse themselves quietly with their weekend allocation of TV time while the rest of us manage a sleep in.  Once we’re all awake and caffeinated, another day of ambitious plans is set in motion.

We pack up and head to JBR for a beach session.  The water is still not quite warm enough for my liking but the days are getting warmer and it’s perfectly summery compared to the weather Ricky & Clare have escaped from.

Harley plays happily in the sand while Jasper & Ricky work their way through the activities list – badminton, rugby and swimming.  I brave a swim too (no choice, Harley decides to go in!) whilst Clare is content to lay and soak up the rays.

After a couple of hours we head to Leopold’s for a second breakfast (early lunch) before heading home for a quick change.  Jasper has a party to get to, then I’m dropping Ricky & Clare at the Dubai Mall for their trip to the top, levels 124 & 125 of the Burj Khalifa.

Harley & I spend the afternoon discharging Jason from the hospital and then picking Jasper up from his party on the way home but Ricky & Clare have managed an enjoyable afternoon of sightseeing – checking out the views from the top, browsing the Dubai Mall, watching the fountain show and Burj Khalifa light display and grabbing a bite to eat as well.

After another big day we all spend some time catching up over a drink and some Turkish Delight, procured from Global Village.  The real deal.

As Sunday arrives, Jason is laid up on the couch in recovery position, the boys reluctantly head to school and I have work.  Ricky and Clare have another morning soaking up the sun with breakfast back at JBR, Eggspectation this time before heading off to brows Madinat Jumeriah and indulge in their high tea at the Burj Al Arab.  I had hoped to join in the high tea.  As it turns out, I have missed out by only a week, having started a new job only last Tuesday.

After an extrordinary high tea, they top it all off watching the sunset from 360°, a bar at the Jumeriah Beach Hotel with fabulous views back to the Burj Al Arab.

Their onward flight to NZ is at a very civilised 10am the next morning but for now, I think they’ve just about managed to balance their three day whirlwind tour with just the right amount of downtime, as requested.

Of course, it wasn’t long enough for us either but there’s always next time.  Not sure who I’ll go to high tea with now though…..

Would I Return?

Yes.  And I hope Ricky & Clare will too.