Dubai
We reached Dubai in a mental state of just wanting to get home - probably not the best way to set out exploring a new city. It was after midnight when we found ourselves navigating the long lines to get through customs. There were many Indian, Bangladesh and Pakistani people - the Middle Eastern work force. Interspersed were men and women in Eastern dress. The long flowing robes looked exotic and glamorous.
Our internet site warned us that taxis probably wouldn't know where our hotel was, but we were taken straight to the door. Our room contained two twin beds but we were too tired to complain. It was almost midday when we woke and went down the road to find some kebabs for breakfast. We drank pomegranate juice then took a taxi out to the shopping mall. Gift shopping was now going to happen, and happen it did. By 7pm we had presents for everyone and a movie under our belt to boot. We watched Blood Diamonds - bloody enough to give pause for thought. The taxi driver who took us home was mesmerised by Marty's beard, despite his own and began reciting all the religous leaders and prophets until including Jesus Christ himself who had beards. It was quite entertaining. I am astonished at the different attention I receive as the wife of Marty as to being a single woman.
We slept well to midday again the next day. We wandered a nearby market (unfortunately only containing children's clothes not great nuggets of gold) and Marty bought me a mobile phone. Not just any old phone but one that records shopping needs ;) I was tickled pink to later see it feature in Mr Bean's Holiday.
We went out to the airport hours to early in the hope that would speed up our departure time. Once there the info desk said no check in until 3 hours before. If only we had looked at the computer screens we would have seen our flight as an exception, but we didn't pick it until hours and many coffees later. By then the check in had closed again. No matter! What did matter was our plane once again left late. This time it meant we missed our connecting flight from Bangkok to Singapore. To complicate matters, a new suitcase we bought with a lock on it wouldn't let us back in and we had our passports and boarding passes locked away. Eventually we had to break the zip. In 10 minutes we were ran across the entire airport and on a different flight on to Singapore - we were very impressed. In Singapore we had a little more time. We bought Marty some clothes to wear to Jackie and Shane's wedding back in Perth and chilled out in the Qantas lounge for a while. Our final flight was made without any difficulties. We could sit back and relax knowing we were on our final leg home. There was no apprehension, only joy and relief we had made it through.
