Abu Dhabi - Everyone at home thinks we moved to Dubai, Even though we say Abu Dhabi

Burj Khalifa

Downtown Dubai

          At first glance the city of Abu Dhabi and Dubai look very different for somewhat obvious reasons.  The architecture for one is much more diverse in Dubai.  Abu Dhabi has some very unique buildings but  Dubai seems to the front runner for creativity at the moment.  I'd like to clarify that we are by no means experts on the subject of Dubai having only stayed one night and one day trip.  What I do find funny is that everyone does in fact think we moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dubai.  I can say the word "Abu Dhabi" to people and still they will ask me a few days later "How is life in Dubai?", its a strange phenomenon that I could go on about, but for now I will offer some insight into the "Las Vegas" of the middle east.  Tailing the Las Vegas comment, gambling is strictly forbidden in the country (which is a real bummer for me, I thought there was hope when I found out about camel racing, but alas, no dice) which is the one of the few major differences.  Outside of gambling you are likely to find many of the other activities you'd come to expect in a "Las Vegas" like place.  One of the lovely indulgences in Dubai and in the U.A.E. in general are the infamous brunches.  We are on our way to finding the best brunches in the area but yet to find an affordable one.  We are learning all the good brunches cost closer to 300-500 Dirhams ($100-150) where alcoholic beverages are included.  So when we find a good one, I will be sure to elaborate further on the subject.

Saeed and I

           One direct comparison of Dubai to Vegas is the tribute to the famous Bellagio fountain at the base of the tallest tower in the world: the Burj Khalifa.  This fountain was created by the same developers of the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas and is slightly larger in size.  We had the pleasure of walking to the fountain from the Dubai Mall where shops and cafes circle the great body of water.  I also called up my friend Saeed who is originally from Dubai who joined us for a short while as we enjoyed some hooka while we watched the musical fountain.  Dubai mall is a massive mall with basically every store you can think of inside it, in addition to the fountain there is a very large fish aquarium and lavish indoor fountains at many checkpoints.  We are slowly learning that in the warmest of weather (that we are currently walking into) everyone flocks to malls at the center for social engagement.  Half of the population at the mall is not seeking to actually buy anything, but rather walk or "lurk" around as my friend Saeed likes to put it.
          Dubai is also well known for many adventure activities like skydiving by the palm shaped islands, wake-boarding, skiing at the indoor ski park, etc.  We paid a visit to the ski park after the fountains; while it is an impressive feat to have a ski hill in the middle of the desert, the hill doesn't even rival hills I am used to in Michigan, which is not saying much.  But again, were in the middle of the desert so that is pretty cool.  I am finding that many of the rather expensive "living on the edge" endeavors are rather affordable here so my future posts from the hospital may not come as a surprise (knock on wood).

You can have this skull at Dubai Mall for $110,000

         Interestingly enough, on our first trip to Dubai where we stayed at the lovely Westin resort for Sarah's birthday we had a "near hospital experience".  The Westin resort lies at the foot of one of the palm tree islands right before Atlantis.  We stayed only one night and enjoyed good food, nice happy hours and the sun.  Before we left I decided to try wake-boarding in the gulf for the first time (see "We moved to Abu Dhabi" wake-boarding picture).  We rented a boat for a half hour session.  We had breakfast prior to our scheduled departure and it was at this time that Sarah inquired into the pain of a jelly fish sting.  I replied that I was not completely sure but I said if I was ever stung I would probably cry.  So about an hour later we walked over to the docks to board the
boat.  I hopped in and Sarah followed, as she sat in the boat she started to tell me that her foot was in pain.  I examined and saw no clear injury, but she described the pain as being unbearable.  The boat driver over heard and immediately said the word "jellyfish".  Poor Sarah was stung by a jellyfish after taking two steps in the ocean, while I sloshed around for thirty minutes in the Arabian gulf.  She slowly recovered over time, but she can explain better than I, recovery from a jelly fish sting is an interesting process.  

A thousand stings of the Jelly Fish inflicted upon Sarah's little piggies

          That is all I have to say about Dubai for the moment, I am certain our opinions will evolve as we frequent the "Las Vegas" of the middle east.  So if you have enjoyed the amenities of the real Las Vegas, try Dubai on for size.  We have a jelly fish free guest room waiting for you.