A little bit of moderation in Dubai.

[markis10]

A bit more walking:





What can I say, the celebs just want to be in the shot! The poster Lindsay was trying to hold up was about the goodness of Camel Meat.

 

[Pollywaffle]

We are there! Our lunch venue from 124 stories.

View attachment 14478

It looks like a scale model!

How did you feel being up so high? Did you feel too far removed?

Thanks for continuing the report. It's been an interesting read.

 

[markis10]

Hugh, the Logies are on tonight, shouldn't you be preparing?




Australian Slang is everywhere!

 

[markis10]

We were soon in the clothes Souq (market), and some of the party got distracted and made purchases, and I have given my word I wont publish the photos, but will bring them with me for the Brisbane drinks!



The boat ride across "the canal", we were told by out guide maintenence is not a priority for some of the boats using the canal that take goods to far off lands, the boats we used while looking simple were safe and had the life vests etc.

 

[markis10]

Next was the Spice Souq, I would like to point out that no moderators made purchases here!








The photos dont convey the smells, pity

 

[markis10]

Still reading this excellent thread. Who were the other celebs involved markis10?

Quite a few, some of which will feature in the dinner on the last night, all were approachable, normal human beings keen to get to know you. I didn't get one autograph, instead I have memories of conversations with people who were interested in who you are. One moment that I will mention in the section to do with the desert dinner was a standout!

I have been reading AFF for some time now, but this is my first post!

Great trip report, love the pics! Really wish I had more leave to visit Dubai this year.

Thanks for taking the time to post a very generous comment, a month ago I had no idea what the UAE was all about, now I am planning quite a few trips to take a more relaxed, leisurely tour of what is on offer.

It looks like a scale model!

How did you feel being up so high? Did you feel too far removed?

Thanks for continuing the report. It's been an interesting read.

I get Vertigo, but this was so high it was like I was looking out the window of my QF A380, certainly gives you a good perspective on what Dubai is!

 

[donlee]

Like a few of the other posters, I have been following AFF for a wee while now but mostly as a lurker. Well done on being able to be part of such an amazing experience! You have certainly kindled a very strong desire to visit Dubai!

 

[markis10]

Once we had completed the spice souq it was time for the Gold souq, never was there a souq where we were more likely to lose the celebs

 

[markis10]

In what was becoming something of a theme for the trip, no tour could be completed without a world record, this one being the worlds biggest ring.








Hmm, 65kg of gold in that ring, how much is the raw material worth????

 

[markis10]

Much to my surprise, we made it through the gold Souk with no loss (of money or people), although a few would soon regret moving on, for the fresh vegetable and fish market was next. As you would expect the aromas here were not great, and we had a few quickly beat a retreat to the bus waiting area. The food on offer was largely what we see here, as was the case with the fish, although I noted not surprisingly there is no restriction of the sale of Jenny crabs (females) like we have.










As the tour came to a conclusion, there was a timely reminder of why we were here!

 

[markis10]

After much walking it was time to watch the fountains strutting their stuff over lunch at the Palace Hotel.
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel...ce_Downtown_Dubai-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html

I did not check out the rooms, I was a little bit dazed by the glare at the hotel entrance, apparently its the place to be seen for those that like to stand out from the crowd!

 

[markis10]

The fountains at work:

 

[markis10]

After lunch it was time to head back to our hotel for some free time before dinner, where we had 4WDs to take us to the venue waiting at 5PM. I used the time to check out the pool area, which is sadly lacking many options for shade, but the water was a nice temperature. Before we knew it, it was time to head into the desert!

On the way out we passed the Camel racing track, the track itself is 8km long but races can go 10km!


And soon we were at the resort, part of the SPG luxury collection brand, and occupying 5% of Dubai's land mass but only has 42 suites.

 

[markis10]

This picture has an interesting story behind it, on arrival the three of us wanted to get our picture taken with the sun going down over the sand, and a lovely lady saw us and offered to take a picture on each of our devices (camera iPad or phone) for us, so we now each have a slightly different original version of the same picture. The whole process took 5 minutes, we thanked the lady for taking the time to do us such a favor, it was not long before someone told us the lady who was so generous with her time was in fact Carrie Bickmore, nominated for a Gold Logie this year from Channel 10 :shock:,.

 

[markis10]

After a few drinks and canapes, it was time to move to the main venue for dinner, but not before AJ gave us a very generous 25 minutes of his time, during which he agreed that the Cricket Safety Video was rubbish!



Dr Chris looking for the surf!


Our table setting for dinner.

 

[markis10]

For dinner we had most of the celebs from the trip joining us:






We caught up with Carrie and thanked her again for her efforts earlier in the evening and ended up eating with the Channel 10 team.

 

[markis10]

The food was fantastic (yet again) and a wide choice was on offer:

 

[jetlagger]

Impressive. Very Impressive.. >>

 

[FrankC]

The food was fantastic (yet again) and a wide choice was on offer:


View attachment 14545

Wonder how long did the tables last

 

[markis10]

During dinner we had some entertainment with a belly dancing, including some "volunteers" from the audience!