Mum and Dad have been in Dubai for over 10 years now. Yep, 10 years. Dad arrived there and started work with Emirates Airlines in July 2001, miraculously dodging the collapse of Ansett Australia (the airline for which he had worked for over 25 years) by less than six weeks.
Dad's visa for the UAE will run out at age 65, thereby setting a retirement age for him. Well, retirement may be premature but it means the opportunities to visit my parents there were running out. They'll come home around the same time we are likely to leave Trinidad & Tobago. Mum and Dad's place in Dubai has been a second home to me for 1/3 of my entire life, so a 'farewell tour' for us and an introduction to Grandma and Grandpa's world was in order for the boys.
In late May we set off on a two week adventure to Dubai, via New York. For the first time, we just stayed put in Dubai. No side trips to exotic places, just time in Dubai with family. That being said, we were on the go the whole time - exploring Dubai by Metro, by Abra and taxi, shopping up a storm in the many malls (easy to do when you've haven't left Trinidad for ages) going on a desert safari, visiting aquariums, water parks and the airport with Grandpa. There a many, many photos of the adventures below.
Desert safari
Samuel having taking in the view from atop the 4x4 on the way to the camp for dinner.
Jesse enjoying the roll coaster rider up and down the sand dunes.
Contrasting approaches to the roller coaster ride over the sand dunes...
A desert stroll with Grandma
Samuel looking for wildlife in the desert. Look behind you boy, there's an oryx.
There he is, Mr Oryx...
...and another type of antelope...
...and another...
See ya Mum and Dad, I'll write if I get work.
I got work!
Somebody mentioned buried treasure...this has got to be the place.
A desert 'lime' (ask the Trinis)
I hope he likes my T-shirt...
A traditional Falconer.
More desert liming.
Boys chatting up the henna tattooist.
Jesse got a dolphin.
Samuel wasn't so sure.
Encore with the belly dancer
Jesse wondering what on earth I was doing sucking on this strange flute.
But, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree or, in the equivalent Gulf arabic phrase translated into English, "the son of a duck is a floater".
Bedouin boys.
One of friends in Canberra quite fittingly described this photo as looking like the boys are in a nativity play and Jesse just dropped baby Jesus.
Ascending Burj Khalifa and visiting the Dubai Mall Aquarium
Last time we were in Dubai in 2007, Samuel was less than 10 months old and the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, was already towering over Dubai even though it was only about a quarter built. This time we got to see the finished product, explore the Dubai Mall at its base and go up to the observation deck on the 124th floor (about two thirds of the way up).
In the Dubai Mall is a huge aquarium which has some really great displays. It was particularly good for the kids. One side of the aquarium, which is about two stories high, can be seen from inside the Dubai Mall as you're wandering around the shops. Below are some pictures of our exploration of both Burj Khalifa and the aquarium.
This shot is taken looking towards Sheik Zayed Rd and Burj Khalifa from the Bur Dubai area. Burj Khalifa is quite a few kilometres further away than the tall buildings in the foreground, yet it still towers well and truly above them in the image. It gives a sense of how tall the building is. The chart below puts it in context:
This is pretty much the only angle I found around the base of Burj Khalifa where I could capture the entire building in one frame with a 14-45mm lens.
Window cleaners braving the heights of Burj Khalifa.
"At the Top" (the name of the observation deck) of Burj Khalifa. Well, sort of. It's actually on the 124th floor of about 200.
A hi-tech telescope.
Ah, hmm...wrong way Jesse boy.
That's real.
Looking back "down" towards Sheik Zayed Road. Can anyone spot Zabeel Tower?
The view in that direction is obviously much more entertaining.
A gold ATM at the top of Burj Khalifa. Only in Dubai.
(Captain) Samuel laying the foundations of his own Burj Khalifa.
...and Jesse too, of course. Do crayons work on lego?
One of the walls of the aquarium inside the Dubai Mall. Largest single piece of perspex in the world apparently.
Inside the aquarium.
That's real too.
Daddy, Jesse and a Lionfish
Visting G'pa at work at the Airport
Work experience in Grandpa's office.
Give me a minute and we'll have the answer for you.
Quality time with G'pa.
Kidzania
Work experience at Kidzania (in a mall of course) Emirates pilot.
Firefighter.
Builder.
Used car salesman.
Taxi driver.
Race car driver, perhaps?
Jumeirah Beach
Having a family paddle at Jumeirah Beach, just in front of the famous Burj al Arab hotel.
Best brothers ever.
Can't get into G'ma and G'pa's car with sandy feet now J.
Swimming in G'ma and G'pa's pool
Dubai was full of swimming break throughs for Samuel.
He earned the flippers by swimming across the pool by himself. We only had to offer the deal once and off he went. "Can I get my flippers now?" he said has he came up for air after the first success.
The ever-changing skyline along Sheik Zayed Rd.
Burj Zabeel.
The Dubai Creek - An abra ride and exploring the markets with the boys
The M&Ms of Dubai - Metro and Malls
Skiing in malls - why not? Can't be outdone by an aquarium.
What the heck, ice skating too.
Aquadventure - Atlantis Hotel - Palm Jurmeirah
The kids area at Aquadventure at the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah.
Escalator ride to the top of the slide in the comfort of your own tube.
That's a water slide through the middle of a shark tank.
Jesse's early 2nd birthday party with G'm & G'pa
Jesse's two!
..and singing Happy Birthday to himself.
Tools! You Beauty.
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