Getting away... while on vacation?

Yes, I know, we are spoiled. Lana was given great rates to a five star hotel in one of the neighboring Emirates and we were able to stay a night there before heading out on a VERY LONG journey back to the US. So after traveling for a month, we relaxed. This was our room... It was huge.The view from our room. Can you ask for anything more?

Lana playing with the luggage cart.
And the UAE state in UAE colors... that's me in black by the sign :)

Desert Safari!!!

You cannot go to the Middle East and miss a Desert Safari. It's like going to Kenya and missing an African one. But, just to warn you, they are VERY different. We were picked up from the mall of Dubai in a Toyota LandCruiser... who knew these SUVs can be outfitted with roll-bars and all of the accommodations of an off road vehicle, along with all of the luxury expected in Dubai. It was great. Our first stop was a 4-wheeling area outside if the city.

There was a baby camel. Of course I was in love with him.
Then I was outfitted on my 4 wheeler where I got to explore the changing sands... so much fun!

Later we went and explored the desert. This is a picture of the Jeep in front of us. It was amazing.
The beautiful sand.
In the middle of the desert.


Such a cool photo. Lana is a great photographer.
Later we were able to try on the traditional garments of Dubai. We definitely felt like gangsters in our clothing.

And finally, after a traditional meal, there was a traditional belly dancer. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

skiing in Dubai? of Course...

Of course there is an indoor ski resort in the Mall of Dubai... it just makes sense.
Here are a couple views of the place :)

atlantis

Of course there is an Atlantis in Dubai... It is a very opulent city. While touring the grounds of this grandiose resort, we came across a lone security guard who was on a segway. Christine, being the social butterfly that she is, struck up a conversation with the security guard and before you know it, we are trying out the segway, with one stressed out security man.He was especially stressed out when Christine took off with the segway, at full speed and he was running beside it. LOL!


The Atlantis was absolutely GORGEOUS! There is a huge aquarium in the middle of it and many of the rooms have views that are into the aquarium instead of to the outside. I would love that!
Christine, Lana, and I outside of the aquarium.

We are excited... It's what we do...
In the chair fit for the queen that I am! Hahahaha! yeah... right :)

karaoke?

So... I've never been to karaoke before, and never thought that when I would first do karaoke would be in Dubai... WITHOUT alcohol. Let's start this from the beginning though, we spent the day exploring the city and then dined with friends at a great restaurant.

I was given a bib... I am messy and I know that :)
After dinner we strolled to a karaoke bar where we met up with Bilal and a couple other friends, who is from Lebanon and continually asked to plan a wedding for both Christine and I to respective Lebanese family members in his home country. When we started out, Christine and I were both a little shy, but by the end everyone was having an amazing time...
Yes, they sang "my heart will go on" by Celine Dion and no, they did not have any alcohol in their system. We LOVE these guys

skyline and history lessons

This is the Dubai skyline taken from Lana's aunt's skypool. So we swam and got to look out to this. It was such a breathtaking experience- and it was just swimming.
Later we took a break from the pool and headed to one of the many beaches of Dubai. The water is sooooo warm that it feels like a bathtub, but the salt water doesn't feel like salt water. It's very different, but also a breeding ground for the oh so wonderful jellyfish. Christine and I were both stung from them, but it was worth it <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGProLQcrPpyJlCr7Oje8pScBAl6yVRQnMx16cT_RSjo16X-HXrqAKqaKEsucOLBotlNNj9rSZl-3xYtbiYfBUzuRehOnFL_CbC-0Ka1J_h8hRG0a6R8OSaZY0MydLglzdVjqCLlwKjZc/s1600-h/100_1995.JPG">Later we went to a museum that showed the history of Dubai in a very interactive way.

There were replicas of old streets, shops, the old way of life.
I love camels and had to take a picture with this one :)
Christine tried to be a little ghetto, but have you seen how white she is... Plus, she went to Xavier prep for high school...

shopping and culture

Later on in the week week we were able to go out to some of the most exciting markets in the world. All of the people and things in Dubai (like India) are colorful, fun, inviting and so wonderful to be around. First we came upon a center that was completely cleared of people because it was one of the times of prayer in the Muslim faith.
We found some great artwork... This was Christine's favorite picture... it was priceless.

Artwork, a hot day, and air conditioning... what more can two girls ask for?
We loved this shirt... The funny part of all of this was that in Dubai is mostly Indians. So everywhere we went we ran into the culture we had just left. We cherished this and the clash of cultures that is evident throughout the city and country.


Such beautiful trinkets and fabrics...

first night out and loving it

SO... our first night in Dubai we went out on the town... It's a little different in Dubai because honestly, no one who lives there drinks! We thought that we would be a little offset because of this, but honestly, it was some of the BEST times that Christine and I have EVER had... and we have had A LOT of good times. We got into our little black dresses, and met up with some of Lana's good friends. They were great and so much fun :)