Part 1 - Dubai
This spring break I took my 18yo son to Dubai and Oman as his high school graduation gift.
We took Emirates non-stop service from SFO to DXB. Not a whole lot to say about the economy class flight other than the nearly 16 hours passed quicker than we expected. On-board the catering was pretty good and we enjoyed the I.C.E. in-flight entertainment system.
Our first three nights we stayed at the Raffles Dubai hotel.
Pool and swim up bar at Raffles
Our executive 10th floor room at Raffles Dubai.
Congratulatory cake sent to my son by the hotel to recognize his high school graduation.
Breakfast buffet at Raffles; we ate our breakfasts here rather than in the 10th floor executive lounge. Really a fantastic selection of quality food for all tastes.
Not much of a view from our room. We were invited to move rooms for a nicer view if we wanted but demurred. The Raffles staff was absolutely fantastic from the butler to the lounge staff, front desk to restaurant. Service is really a hallmark at this property.
Walking the streets of Dubai you can run across some very expensive vehicles. But I’m guessing the license plate (2 digit) is worth more than the car itself.
The famous Ski Dubai indoor ski facility at the Mall of the Emirates
Jumeirah Beach Resort from the parking lot of the Burj al Arab hotel.
Lobby fountain at the Burj al Arab. We were here for our four course Culinary Flight luncheon - each course served at a different Burj restaurant.
Lunch at Al Mahara seafood restaurant inside the Burj al Arab.
Lobby cocktails at the Burj.
Inside what is currently the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall
The McArabia sandwich was pretty good
We had the Dubai Metro car to ourselves for a while!
Highly recommend the Dubai historical Museum. Lots of informative and interesting exhibits.
Trying on some local clothes
Abra ferry across Dubai Creek – fare is only one dirham
Please take our picture!
Negotiating the sale of saffron in the spice souk
Anybody want to buy a plastic camel to take home?
Street signs are bilingual making it easy enough to get around
The gold souk
Price of gold in UAE Dirham per gram
Looking for a little souvenir...
Dinner at the chef’s table at Hilton Dubai Creek’s Table 9 restaurant
After dinner how about some room service fries at Raffles?
Hubbly-bubbly, water pipe, hookah – my son wanted to try it. He ordered mint flavored tobacco. I passed on the opportunity.
Gave him a good headache before dinner!
The tallest building in the world as of this writing, the Burj al Khalifa in Dubai
Changing UAE dirham into Omani rials at DXB airport
Continued in Part 2