After Tunisia, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates is quite a change.  The airport gives us an example of what to expect. Modern and spotless.  Bags in hand we arrive at the taxi queue.  A line up of six or seven queues each of them filled with ten or twelve people.  A sea of taxi vans approach, no hybrids here......the traffic monitor waves. Half the people leave, an equal number from each queue, the cabs load up ans leave.  Then it happens again.  Within 5 minutes we are on our way.  The Greens is our destination. Vancouver friends have offered us their condo for our stay.  How lucky is that?  30 minutes later we are there.  Along the way we marvel at the skyline, one skyscraper after another looking shinny and bright, their silhouette lit like a badge of honor. This is the view from our fabulous condo.

 We arrived late, 2.30am our time,  so we were a little slow getting going the next day.  Around noon we dragged ourselves down the street to the local market for some provisions.  As soon as we walked through the lobby door, we were hit by a heat wave. Welcome to Dubai.  Like Emeril says "BAM".  Thankfully, the market was only a short walk, we loaded up and headed back to get ready to see the city in a very unique way.  Our new found friends at "Flybike" are going to show us the town.

We were greeted by Anna at their offices, behind the Mall of the Emirates.  After a short introduction and description of our tour Anna introduced us to our drivers.   Outside two sparkling Honda Goldwings, one two wheeler and a three wheeler, were there for our cruising pleasure. It was about 5pm, the air was warm and comfortable. Music track chosen, our route for the day planned, we are off.  It is really hard to describe the feeling of freedom one has when riding a big bike. If you ride, you know. Honestly, if you are in Dubai, this is the absolute best way to see the city. The only disappointment is that it ended.  I REALLY want one of these now. Check this link out, there is short video of our ride.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rwp1xt5ixxjd6uj/Some%20-are%20COOL%20with%20FlyBike%21%21.mp4

 Parked in front of the Atlantis Hotel on the Palms.  It is a man made island in the shape of a palm tree.

 A view back toward the Dubai skyline.

 A great end to our day in Dubai.  The next day was pretty sweet too.  Johanne and I played golf at the Emirates Golf Club (a special gift for my birthday)  "Home of the Dubai Desert Classic".  Nice course, it felt like playing in Palm Springs. 80 for me and 108 for Johanne.  Funny, Johanne's score matched the temperature. We drank at least four litres of water. No bathroom breaks required.

 We had a beer in the lounge after the game.  Good thing because you can't buy alcohol anywhere else unless you have a resident card.  Hotels can serve it, but not restaurants.

The next day we took the Metro to the old part of Dubai.  It was a Friday, which is a big deal here apparently. Who knew!  Nothing is open, until 1pm, unless you want to go to a mosque. They are all open, it is a rock concert of sounds.  Each mosque proudly sharing their best prayer voice over the loudspeaker.  We, having walked to the Metro, are completely oblivious to the fact that Friday is the holy day. Nothing is open until 1, so we just waited.  One hour later, we are in business. Except for one small thing......  The 1 pm train was the first train of the day, we are not it's first stop.  By the time it gets to our stop called "Internet city" it is full.  I don't mean a little crowded.  I mean full.  Our platform is about six deep at each door.  The train comes to a stop, the signs describe the acceptable behavior: Let those off the train before getting on. Civilized.  The door opens right in front of us. I am about to follow the rules when, like the front line of the Superbowl champion Seattle Seahawks,  the people on the platform just rush forward. There just doesn't seem like there is room. There is no stopping that crowd!  DARN! we're determined to get on!  It doesn't matter that another train is only 6 minutes away. Push! We get caught up in the throng. We push too. "Doors closing". Push! Finally, I squeeze my leg in, Johanne is somewhere in front. We shuffle ahead and find a small spot. Six stops later, we arrive at our destination.  Upon arrival,  we visited the Gold souk, reputed to be the one of the best places to buy gold.  Took the public ferry across the Dubai Creek and followed the road along the beach.  Some of the homes in this area looked like hotels. Massive homes, on huge gated parcels of land right on the gulf. Gives wealth a whole new meaning.

Metro entrance.

The gold souk, many stores have not opened yet.

This was interesting. Shipping docks right on the street in the middle of the city.  Everything from fridges to car tires, just sitting on the street.  No security, no locks.  The ships in the background are the cargo ships.  They must be bringing the goods from other ports along the gulf.  No one would be crazy enough to take these broken down vessels in the open ocean!  

The public ferry.

A great first few days in the desert oasis of Dubai.  We are going to relax for a few days, enjoy the pool and catch our breath. It's been a busy few weeks

Be well.

Cheers