Dubai. Mon 27 Nov 2017
Monday 27th November 2017
Checkout in morning but allowed to leave the bags in a
secure room. Thoroughly recommend this place – not the most modern, but very
pleasant staff and rooms fully equipped with large fridge/freezer, dishwasher,
oven etc, washing machine, ironing room!, and three bathrooms just in our
apartment!
Took another metro-pass see the Burj Khalifa. Iain was not allowed in our 'women and children only' carriage! Taken on a very roundabout route with a connecting bus and walking with a newly acquired friendly Indian chap who was pleased to act as tour guide. Clearly wanted us to see the fountains which don’t work until evening!
Found that the cost would be $300 each to go
up the Khalifa at 3pm – should have booked earlier. Shame, as it is allegedly
the tallest structure in the world since topping out in 2008 at a total height
of 829.8m, but rumour has it that extra bits have been added in the war of
having the highest building. Having failed dismally at getting the tourist lift, we walked all the way around to get into the Armani Hotel through reception and find out how posh it actually was – did get in and had a chat with concierge etc, but actually very minimalist and not in my view very impressive. Fits Armani simplicity I suppose.
Then on to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel and ‘The Palm’ by
metro and bus.
My travelling compatriots were clearly very excited and alert.......
Again, failed miserably in getting into the Burj, as surrounded by high security and we didn’t have a booking. At 7000 AED (not including 10% Municipality Fee, 10% Service Charge, and Tourism Dirham Fee ie 8400 total), for a one bedroom suite, we declined their kind offer! (Royal 2 bedroom suite was 33000 AED per night). Ranked as a five-star hotel, the highest official ranking, it is sometimes described as ‘the world's only seven-star hotel’. It’s also the world’s third tallest hotel. Looks like the Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower to me!
My travelling compatriots were clearly very excited and alert.......
Again, failed miserably in getting into the Burj, as surrounded by high security and we didn’t have a booking. At 7000 AED (not including 10% Municipality Fee, 10% Service Charge, and Tourism Dirham Fee ie 8400 total), for a one bedroom suite, we declined their kind offer! (Royal 2 bedroom suite was 33000 AED per night). Ranked as a five-star hotel, the highest official ranking, it is sometimes described as ‘the world's only seven-star hotel’. It’s also the world’s third tallest hotel. Looks like the Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower to me!
Also couldn’t view the Palm as no access to the beach front due to
various posh hotels along the front barring access. Took a bus along the
front, then tried various hotels, one charging US$60 to get access, then huge
cost of any drinks. Not for us. Long walk then finally got back into town as
the sun was setting and used the public beach access so put our toes in the
Arabian sand. Quite spectacular views of the marina side of the city all lit
up.
We then wandered through to the marina and found that none
of the restaurants/cafes sold alcohol, except for ‘Pier 7’ in the middle of the
complex. Not sure if there is some licencing issue and that has been designated
a separate Island or something similar. Anyway, in the search for a glass of
wine, we went to a Pier 7 restaurant and bought a bottle at a stupid price –
happy hour cost of $18x5 = $90. Didn’t hang around for post-happy hour! Good
place to go tee-total. On to an
Azerbaijan restaurant near our own hotel
for a very nice meal – tenderloin beef and pomegranate for Iain, Chicken and a
‘wet’ tomato/aubergine/veggie salad for me. Buckweat and ‘wet salad’ for
Kirstine. Washed down with iced tea. Gave
us about an hour then to waste, sorting out our bags ready for flight to
Australia.
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