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Lynda S. | profile | all galleries >> Africa 2013 >> June 7, 2013 Dubai, UAE tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

June 7, 2013 Dubai, UAE

Another bucket list item crossed off! When we were planning the air on this trip, as soon as Sanjeev, Travel Agent Extraordinaire said 'Emirates', I said "SOLD"! This was a city that I had longed to go to. Our flight in first class was lovely, and it even included a limo from the airport to our hotel, The Palace Hotel (highly recommended). Sanjeev had us upgraded as a surprise - our suite was wonderful! Dining Room, Living Room, Bedroom, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen with an INCREDIBLE view of Burj Khalifa and the fountains outside of the mall. After sleeping for a few hours, we went down to eat, there was an incredible 'Friday buffet' set up. After lunch we had had just enough to freshen up and get ready to picked up four our AWESOME evening/night adventure in the desert booked through Platinum Heritage Tours (Extremely Highly recommended!)
Inside the airport in Dubai - it has that wow feeling for sure!
Inside the airport in Dubai - it has that "wow" feeling for sure!		 This is our hotel - The Palace Hotel - INCREDIBLE! (Stock photo from the Palace Hotel website)
This is our hotel - The Palace Hotel - INCREDIBLE! (Stock photo from the Palace Hotel website)		 We were upgraded to a suite with a fountain view, the suite was huge! This was part of the bedroom
We were upgraded to a suite with a fountain view, the suite was huge! This was part of the bedroom		 The living room in our suite at the Palace Hotel
The living room in our suite at the Palace Hotel
The dining room and kitchen
The dining room and kitchen		 It really was an incredibly comfortable room
It really was an incredibly comfortable room		 Our balcony had a wonderful view
Our balcony had a wonderful view 		A view made to order - Burj Kalifa on the left, the fountain straight ahead to the right
A view made to order - Burj Kalifa on the left, the fountain straight ahead to the right
View from our balcony - Burj Khalifa is so tall it wouldn't fit in the camera!
View from our balcony - Burj Khalifa is so tall it wouldn't fit in the camera!		 Spunky wants to prove he has seen the tallest building in the world.....
Spunky wants to prove he has seen the tallest building in the world.....		 The building next door to The Palace
The building next door to The Palace		 A view of the city from the balcony
A view of the city from the balcony
I'd love this chest in my living room!
I'd love this chest in my living room!		 Friday Brunch at The Palace Hotel - extraordinary!
Friday Brunch at The Palace Hotel - extraordinary!		 Brunch was expensive - but worth every penny - wow! There was EVERYTHING there, including steaks grilled to order
Brunch was expensive - but worth every penny - wow! There was EVERYTHING there, including steaks grilled to order		 I was so full though all I could do was take a picture of the candy table
I was so full though all I could do was take a picture of the candy table
Our adventure into the desert begins - we chose Platinum Heritage Tours - EXCELLENT!
Our adventure into the desert begins - we chose Platinum Heritage Tours - EXCELLENT!		 Platinum Heritage takes you out in the desert in 1950's Land Rovers - cool!
Platinum Heritage takes you out in the desert in 1950's Land Rovers - cool!		 But we had chosen a private drive through the desert in a Mercedes G Wagon (with air con of course!) It was REALLY comfortable
But we had chosen a private drive through the desert in a Mercedes G Wagon (with air con of course!) It was REALLY comfortable		 The desert was exactly how I had pictured it.
The desert was exactly how I had pictured it.
The desert - it is called the Rub' al Khali which means The Empty Quarter. It is the largest sand desert in the world.
The desert - it is called the Rub' al Khali which means The Empty Quarter. It is the largest sand desert in the world.		 Our guide, Yamen took lots of pictures of us in the vehicle
Our guide, Yamen took lots of pictures of us in the vehicle		 We got out at a 'meeting' spot to climb a dune. Yamen said I was going to make it up that dune even if he had to carry me.
We got out at a 'meeting' spot to climb a dune. Yamen said I was going to make it up that dune even if he had to carry me.		 A picture to prove I climbed that dune!
A picture to prove I climbed that dune!
Sand gazelle. We looked for the oryx too, but didn't see them.
Sand gazelle. We looked for the oryx too, but didn't see them.		 Lots of sand gazelle!
Lots of sand gazelle!		 Now I see why they call this a 'moonscape'
Now I see why they call this a 'moonscape'		 Next stop was a falconry demonstration. Such cute hoods!
Next stop was a falconry demonstration. Such cute hoods!
We were very comfy on pillows & rugs while we watched the trainer take the bird through the show
We were very comfy on pillows & rugs while we watched the trainer take the bird through the show		 A magnificent bird, well trained
A magnificent bird, well trained		 The handler took off his hood and threw out a lure for him to fly after and chase
The handler took off his hood and threw out a lure for him to fly after and chase		 He 'brought it back alive' - his buddy watches. Or maybe not as he still has a hood over his eyes.
He 'brought it back alive' - his buddy watches. Or maybe not as he still has a hood over his eyes.
Looks like I took this at just the right moment - the trainer gives the falcon his 'reward'
Looks like I took this at just the right moment - the trainer gives the falcon his 'reward'		 He's got his reward in his claws on the gloves
He's got his reward in his claws on the gloves		 The entrance to the Dinner Safari Camp for Platinum Heritage Tours (stock photo from their website)
The entrance to the Dinner Safari Camp for Platinum Heritage Tours (stock photo from their website)		 Now it's on to dinner at the camp!
Now it's on to dinner at the camp!
Getting a henna was a popular event for the ladies amongst us.
Getting a henna was a popular event for the ladies amongst us.		 Fresh pita - what a delight!
Fresh pita - what a delight!		 Yep. You guessed it. A camel ridde was crossed off my bucket list. It was fun!
Yep. You guessed it. A camel ridde was crossed off my bucket list. It was fun!		 Jim and I sit down to enjoy the meal - it was wonderful!
Jim and I sit down to enjoy the meal - it was wonderful!
The food was incredible, and there was lots of it! These are the appetizers they bring to each table
The food was incredible, and there was lots of it! These are the appetizers they bring to each table		 This was the lamb cooked in the sand
This was the lamb cooked in the sand		 Jim tries the hookah pipe - it's quite a bit bigger than the pipe he usually smokes!
Jim tries the hookah pipe - it's quite a bit bigger than the pipe he usually smokes!		 Quite a few people tried it out!
Quite a few people tried it out!
A lovely lady danced beautifully after supper
A lovely lady danced beautifully after supper

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joseantonio10-Nov-2014 05:14
Great gallery and nice trip report. Thank you for sharing your experiences.V
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