Our friends Marina & Alejandro & I with Atlantis Hotel in the background

Me, H, & Marina

Pete Murray

The Script

There was popcorn bingo, freeze dancing, candy, cupcakes, & costumes.  I met a few more of the moms and really hit it off with one from Lebanon and one that had recently lived in Louisiana.

Next up was Trick or Treat night at the school.  The weather was perfect for it. Finally a cool night!  There was food, music, costume contests, a haunted house, & candy galore.  HL, little H, & I sat on the greens, with the Dubai skyline in the background, and ate burgers and fries while KP played with friends.

This was H’s first Halloween!  She had no clue she was in costume or that Halloween is all about the candy.  She was happy to walk around with mom & dad listening to music while keeping one eye on KP and her friends.  She clapped her hands to the music and just took everything in.

We didn’t go trick or treating in the neighborhood but we should have.  We had a few stop by during the night.  I honestly didn’t know they did that here in our community!   Next year we will!

It moved in so quickly that by the time he sent the picture and text it looked a bit different here at home.

I have to say it was a pretty awesome thing to witness.  I wish I would have been with H though because his view of it rolling in was spectacular.  The aftermath was not so great.  Sand leaked in the doors & windows.  We sneezed for hours after and the next day we all came down with allergy type symptoms.   I am still cleaning sand out of the patio furniture and the poor gardener has finally cleaned the pool.  I know we have a few more of these to come before winter sets in.  Next time I hope it brings rain too!

It took me around 3 weeks to get this thing.  Dubai did not like Louisiana’s renewal system and refused to transfer the license.  After numerous trips between the RTA & the US Consulate I have them.  Since we only had one vehicle between us H did not waste any time finding a car for me.  I guess he was tired of the excuses.  We discussed what I wanted and I really could not make up my mind. I requested a tank that handled well.   After a few weeks this is what H brought home!

It is an H3 Hummer and it is exactly what I wanted, a tank that handles well.  I love it!  Look out Dubai I’m on the roads now!

Our view from the private infinity pool was surreal. It was hard to believe that this isolated desert where the beautiful Oryx roam freely was 45 minutes away from the busy city of Dubai. We opted to take a small desert tour that evening in one of the resorts 4×4 with our personal guide Matthew who is from South Africa. He drove us through some small dunes and pointed out a few of the animals that live in the reserve.  The main masterpiece of the reserve is the Oryx or what the locals call the Al Maha. They are truly one of the most beautiful creatures I’ve laid eyes on.  They were on the verge of extinction due to uncontrolled hunting by the locals when a handful were trapped and sent to Arizona.  Under careful supervision they prospered and their ancestors roam the desert again today.  Along with the Oryx the tiny Arabian gazelle graze the clumps of fireweed & acacia trees that are scattered across the desert. H & I were also lucky enough to spot a Spiney Tailed Lizard right behind our villa.  I was far too chicken to chase after him for a good photo but H was game.  During the nomad times this lizard was paralyzed by the Arabs, with a precise pop of the neck, and carried through the desert for food.

After our short tour we went back to our room and enjoyed a lovely dinner.  The next morning we were up with the sun and getting ready to go dune bashing. We met up with our group once again guided by Matthew and headed through the reserve and into the neighboring Emirate Sharjah. On our way to the dunes we spotted 20 or more camels roaming around.  There was a small camel farm located near the dunes.  Matthew let it be known that he is not fond of camels because of the destruction they cause the already fragile desert.  They are lazy animals and will stay in one area until the vegetation is completely consumed leaving nothing for the Oryx & gazelle.  Owning camels now is purely for the status symbol.  The more camels you have the more money you are thought to have as well. I however squealed with glee every time I spotted another camel! We didn’t have time to stop for a photo of each camel because there were dunes to conquer.

We had a blast!  It wasn’t as thrilling as we expected but it was fun.  The dune were magnificent and a beauty I have never experienced before. I never thought I would find sand beautiful but it was magical and certainly God’s ever changing work of art.   I hope we get to go back this winter to experience the desert on horseback at sunset.

The view of the Burj when driving to it is stunning but getting to this point is a challenge to say the least.  The very popular water park Wild Wadi sits at the base of the only road into the Burj and to top it off they allow tourists to come inside to have a look around.  Major Disaster!  We drive up to the door and are greeted by a team of people: butlers for our bags, valets to take the car, & a team of ladies from reception.  We are whisked up the escalator and to our suite right away.  Along the way to the 14th floor the girl from reception is forcing tons of information at us. H & I just look at each other completely stunned. We finally arrive to our suite and we are asked for our passports or ID.  H always carries his passport with him but since we are residents I only carry a copy of mine in my purse.  I’m afraid I will loose it and one day I will have to leave this country.  He gives them his passport and they ask for mine.  We explain that I only have a copy because we are residents of Dubai and hand them my Louisiana ID.  They will not except it.  The room is booked in his name so it really shouldn’t be a problem, right? No. We finally ask to speak to a manager and he comes down and explains to us that because of their security they need my passport.  They tell us we will have to leave and go get it and return.  H tells them rather quickly that if we leave we will not return. After all of this they finally except the copy.  After finally managing to secure the room,  the butler arrives and asks if we have time to go through the 30 minute orientation so that he can explain how to operate everything in the room. Again H & I look at each other stunned.  I may not be the smartest person on the planet but I can operate a remote & bush a button to turn on the lights. Hello!  Finally after I’d say 2 hours they LEAVE US ALONE.  We settle in and decide what we will do for the evening.

We both want to, of course, dine in one of the 6 “award winning” restaurants at the Burj but quickly find out that we are limited because we have not made reservations.  We found out later that they allow anyone to book reservations at their restaurants not just guests.  Guests also do not receive priority either.  We finally chose a restaurant, requested the reservations via the butler, & got ready for dinner. We knew we were going to this very expensive hotel so we did pack appropriate clothing however H did not bring a dinner jacket. Again this limited the restaurant options.  I was craving Foie Gras from our trip to Rafffles Seychelles so we chose what was supposed to be French influenced dining.  Ten to fifteen minutes before our reservation we stepped out of suite and headed to the elevators.  Before we could get to the elevators we were intercepted by the butlers on our floor asking us where we were headed.  We passed along the information and they told us that the elevators to that floor were still closed.  We explained to them our reservations were for 7 and they told us that the doors would be open at 7 on the dot. Great!  We decided to go downstairs and have a drink before dinner.  Now I must step out of the kitchen for a moment and tell you that this all sounds rather fine.  What I haven’t mentioned yet is that we could not move without someone pushing the elevator button for us, asking us who we are, are we guests, where we are headed, & do we need help. Now back to the evening.  We arrive downstairs and cannot find the bar anywhere.  We ask three different staff members and they finally direct us to the cigar lounge after more of the same questions.  Apparently because they allow anyone inside the hotel lobby area they have to make sure that only the guests use the amenities that are for guests only. This sounds totally fine but I have to say it makes the stay for the paying guests torture.  Finally! A Drink!  While we are in the dungeon cigar lounge I am finally able to settle my nerves from the whole experience and begin to relax thanks to a lovely mojito. Before long it is time to go back to the restaurant so we make our way up.

This was the only shinning moment at the Burj.  The food was delicious and I did get that Foie Gras!  We dinned on Maine lobster & Australian Wagu beef & drank champagne cocktails with gold dust in them. Oh La La…until we received the bill!!! We decided we did not want to fight the staff while trying to have a look around so we headed back to the room to enjoy the view for a little while and crashed. The next morning I could not wait to get away from there and back home to see my girls. I’m glad we stayed. It was on my Dubai Bucket List but I would never go back and if anyone asks me I will tell them to save their money and visit the Al Maha Desert Resort.

To see more photos of the Burj Al Arab visit this flickr set.