Day (1) Arriving in Dubai

Our flight was delayed by an hour, so our transit in Doha was short - as was our flight to Dubai.

Before we knew it, we arrived in the concrete jungle that is Dubai. We were greeted by the friendly staff of Arabian Adventures who escorted us to immigration. Getting our luggage was done with ease and we soon made contact with my dad and brother to wish them Merry Christmas!

We realized that the airport was very close to the hotel we were staying at - Ibis One Central. Check in was hassle-free, but we were a bit surprised to learn that there were no porters around. Made me wonder if we are too spoiled in South Africa!

 

Dubai (0) Getting ready to go

Friday, 23 December 2016
We were lucky to be able to leave work early, giving me a little extra time to run some errands, do my laundry and pack my suitcase. I'm usually a bit anxious the day before I travel, but I took it easy and decided to go with the flow.

Saturday, 24 December 2016
On Saturday, packed and ready to leave home, I had a really nice Uber driver take me to the airport. I still can't believe that I passed out and slept through almost the entire flight to Johannesburg. I knew that when I arrived in Johannesburg, I would head straight to Woolies Cafe for a nice hot wake-me-up drink.

At first, I sat at the counter, chatting to the barista, but soon met two sisters who just arrived back from Mauritius. My mum arrived shortly afterwards and we were just in time to meet Chancharmasi, who had just flown in from Cape Town. We didn't spend too long with her as we needed to start making our way to international departures. Mum and I had a light bite to eat before making our way to the boarding gate. The excitement was definitely starting to bubble!

Dubai (0) The idea to go

I remember calling my mum, saying to her: "Mummy, I don't know about you, but I need to travel. I need to use my passport! Let's go to Dubai."

My mum actually seemed quite keen and it was from then that I knew the ball would start rolling very soon!

Good Bye, Dubai!

Mr Kim & I arrived at the airport and wondered around the duty free store before heading for our gate. I didn't buy anything because I was 1) too tired and 2) out of US Dollars! Our flight was full, and I got the window seat ~ which I didn't want. But I had no choice on this one.

I got comfortable and bid farewell to Dubai.
Korea...I'm coming home!

Hotel lobby at midnight with Sunny & Javed

I knew that if I was in my room I'd want to sleep, so I went down to the hotel lobby. There's a wagon where you can have photographs printed on t-shirts, mugs, caps etc... There were two guys working there.

I was alone and sitting near the wagon. Since it was after midnight, there weren't other guests around.

"Where are you from?", asked the shorter guy.
"Korea", I said - smirking to myself.
"But your face look Indian", he said.
I just smiled.
"What's your name?"
"Sheetal.. and you?"
"Sunny"

The other guy was just wondering around and didn't talk to me.

Sunny introduced him to me. "This is my friend, Javed"
"Hello, Javed", I said
"Hello", he said ...barely smiling.
"Where are you from?", I asked.
"Goa", he said.

Sunny was begging me to have a photograph printed on a mug or cap, and I told him I didn't have money.

"Sheetal, let me take your photo please", he asked.
"But why?"
"Just.. I want it."
"I don't think so"
"Let me take your photo and I give you something for free from here."
"No, I don't want anything, thanks"

A late night customer occupied Sunny and Javed was still hovering around. He had mysterious eyes. I told him that. He said...

"I have dangerous eyes"
"Yeah, I think so", I told him.
"You want to take them with you?", he said.
Ewwww I thought!

Anyway it was time for me to go to the airport.

I couldn't believe that all these guys I had met during the day happily obliged for me to take their photo~! Let's hope they never find my blog...hahaha!

Goodnight, Dubai

Wednesday, April 29 2009

We got back to the hotel around 21:30. To be honest, when we walked in I scanned the hotel lobby just in case Maddy from Kashmir was there. Thankfully the coast was clear! I went upstairs to my room to wash the day off me. I was afraid to sleep - I had to be up in 2 hours to get to the airport. My flight to Korea was at 3am. My mum called me and we chatted for a bit.

Around midnight, I went downstairs and used my last meal voucher (for a snack) ... a slice of banana loaf and orange juice.

Dinner in the desert

Wednesday, April 29 2009

After the show, dinner was served and I was so impressed that they catered really well for vegetarians. After chit chatting it was time to head back to the hotel.

The guy from the hooka corner came back to me.

"Come let's go out", he said.
"I told you now. I'm leaving now", I told him.

After I said bye to him, I realized our driver was waiting for me only ... and soon we were off back to the hotel. The Canadian couple spoke more on the way back. We had a good chuckle about how they thought Mr Kim and I were married.

Belly Dancing

Wednesday, April 29 2009

The belly dancing show wasn't all I thought it would be, but was ok...

The dancer pulled this man up to dance with her and he broke out into bhangra!!!!

Desert at night

The desert at night is very calm and peaceful, and of course a little bit eerie. There was going to be a belly dancing show and dinner afterwards. I sat with Mr Kim, the Swedish couple and 2 men I met from India. They were in Dubai on business, but sneaked in some fun~! The conversation ranged from chit chat about "Slumdog Millionaire" to large families sharing homes to what life is like in Korea etc... and finally, the show was about to begin~.

It aint gonna happen, guy...!

Waiting for my henna to dry and talking to the other tourists, there was a guy who worked at the camp who was sitting across from me. There was an open seat next to me and he came to sit there.

"Where are you from?", he asked.

* uh-oh.... sudden flashback of Maddy from Kashmir from a few hours earlier! *

"South Africa", I said.

"Are you married?", he asked with a cheesy smile.

I smiled. Only because of HIS cheesiness. "No."

"What you doing later?", he went on.

This was seriously not happening to me again!
"I'm going to sleep", I said.
"Why?"
"Because I have an early flight"
"Where are you going?"
"To Korea... I live there"

He didn't stop...

"So let's go out later...", he went on.
"Where to?", I asked.
"Just anywhere... I can come to your hotel. What's your room number?"
*Choke!* Do I seriously look like I would just invited people to my hotel?

"Uhh, NO!"

Unlike Maddy, he got the hint and got up and walked away.
But within a few minutes he was back.

"I'm going to fill some gas in the car... do you want to come with me?", he asked.
"No thanks..."
"Are you sure? Please come..."
"I'll see you later", I said.

Hooka Corner

Wednesday, April 29 2009

As my mehndi was setting, so was the sun :) So I went to the hooka corner since I couldn't do much with my hands. Mr Kim and I sat around making idle chit chat with other tourists. There was a Swedish couple and the Canadian couple from the desert safari.

The Swedish lady & I were talking and she said something about "your husband".

"Excuse me?", I said.
"Your husband", she said looking at Mr Kim.

I burst out laughing.
"He's not my husband!", I said still laughing.

The Canadian couple chirped in. The wife said, "We really thought you were together"

The Swedish lady went on to say that she thought we spoke so sweetly to each other.

I explained to them that he (Mr Kim) has a family - wife & children and that we only just met a few hours before~!! hahahaha..... Good one!

Mehndi / Henna

Wednesday, April 29 2009

There was a mehndi / henna artist in the camp. You could have a design applied for free, and you'd have to pay for anything after that. I can't remember this lady's name but she did it so quickly and it came out so good...

Sand Art

Wednesday, April 29 2009

I met this incredible artist who does this sand art in bottles... the sand is coloured and he pours it into the bottle and using a very thin stick, moves the sand around to create shapes - he's amazing!

"Write your name inside bottle" ?
:)

At the camp...

Camel Ride

Wednesday, April 29 2009

After the desert safari, we stopped at camp. I had no idea what to expect, but... just outside the camp there were a couple of camels. We were told we could ride the camel (for free). *I've never even been on a HORSE! But I simply had to do this*

This man wanted to charge me for taking his photo
(This was taken when he wasn't looking - came out pretty good, huh?)

I was really nervous being on this camel...Mr Kim looks pretty relaxed!

Desert Safari -

Wednesday, April 29 2009

After our city tour and having lunch at the hotel, Mr Kim & I went on a desert safari. We were picked up from our hotel. There was another Canadian couple in the same vehicle. I decided to sit in the front seat with the driver. Driving to the desert, I fell asleep. It was so hot and I was really tired. When we were no long on tarred roads, I realized we had arrived. WOW~! A desert is really nothing exciting or interesting - there's just nothing there. But being me, I was excited about being in a desert!

I was so excited to see this camel... kinda like how I got
excited seeing a squirrel in Canada~ !
oh...the little things that amuse me!

The camels have their front 2 legs tied together so that they don't wonder off too far~

Our vehicle

This was our driver~

And THIS is what we experienced! He drove up and down the sand dunes at a crazy speed. I was bobbing up and down trying to control my shrieks when we went downhill. I turned back to look at Mr Kim who was holding on to his seat for dear life. The Canadian couple next to him were holding hands look far too calm for my liking. I knew if I was with my own friends, or my MUM, we'd be shrieking at the speed this driver was going at. But everyone was way too silent.

It was such an awesome experience, and can't believe that *I* did that~! So unlike me... I usually opt for the 'safer' options and not really into all these adventurous things!

Lunch

After the city tour, we headed back to the hotel & Mr Kim & I had lunch together.
There was a selection of hot and cold foods.
We only had about an hour till our next tour (Desert Safari).

Dubai Museum

Wednesday, April 29 2009

We went to the Dubai museum (a bit creepy!)... it depicted life in Dubai over the years.