After the tower, we caught a taxi to Emirates Mall. The taxi driver was from
Bangladesh and was keen to chat since we had something in common between the 2 countries – cricket. Turns out he moved to Dubai to earn money and send back home to his wife and 2 kids. The Dubai Government won’t allow them to join him as he doesn’t have time to see them. Taxi drivers work 12hrs/day, 7 days a week and have 50days off per year to go back home to see their family. It was pretty sad, but he said he only needs to do it for another 2 years and that will set them up.
Emirates Mall is another ridiculously huge shopping mall. The locals love to shop – I guess you have to do something with that non-taxed income. At Emirates Mall – the shrine to excess is located there, namely Ski Dubai. The monolithic indoor ski fields with temperature set to -4. Chair lifts, ski runs, taboggon areas – it’s just insane. We were running short of time, so we didn’t participate, but there were plenty of windows to check out the action.
We got picked up from our hotel to venture off for our 4wd tour in an almost brand new Toyota Landcruiser – worth about $AU60K which is pretty cheap compared to what we’d buy one for in OZ. We started talking with a very nice Swedish couple who were from our hotel as well – Pedro & Jackie. Not everyone from Sweden is called Sveta & Sven we learnt although Pedro’s middle name was Sven, so that made everything right in the world. They don’t have an Ikea on every corner nor do they only drive Volvos and Saabs. We’re learning a lot as you can see!
Others in the car were 2 Polish guys in their 20s. Strange guys but on the trip home, we got talking to them and they turned out to be friendly and very interested in Australia. We were told, not asked, that kangaroo milk was delicious. Milking a kangaroo – that’s a new one. We couldn’t talk them out of it either.
On the way to the desert we went past the King’s palace – we could only go a short way up the driveway, but that was enough. “palace” doesn’t do it justice – it’s basically a city to itself.
Our first meeting point for all the 4wd operators was a stop at a service station whilst the guides went to a prayer room at the service station. Literally in the middle of nowhere. From there, we headed to our dune bashing spot. Dead donkeys lay by side of the road – if you reckon a kangaroo could do some damage to your car – consider hitting a fully grown donkey at 120km/h!
At the next meeting point, we’re in the desert about to dune bash. I got to hold an eagle which was pretty cool. Quite the imposing bird! Huge talons and fairly weighty.
We then got stuck into our dune bashing! The convoy of 10 or so cars tore up the sand, riding the crest of the dune and then spearing down the other side. Sand was flung up against our side windows and over the bonnet and we tilted from side to side, wondering if we’d topple. Apparently it does happen, but not today thankfully.
Another stop and we got to do some sandboarding. Snowboard and a sand dune was all that was needed to have a go. Watching Japanese tourists faceplant and eat the tasty sand was a free bonus.
Some more dune bashing and we ended up at the purpose-made compound for dinner, belly dancing, henna tattoos, Sheesha (smoke pipes) and belly dancing. Bloody good fun!
Back to the hotel, quick shower and went to the hotel bar with the Swedish couple and met up with the Polish guys from the tour.
So we are in a Dubai bar, 3 young Russian female singers on stage singing Russian polkas with a bit of Amy Winehouse thrown in whilst drinking an Indian beer nibbling on the complimentary popcorn with the AFL grand final on one of the TVs. Strange, strange night, but awesome fun!
