6. 24 hours in Dubai

Glass elevators at Dubai Airport

Arriving in Dubai our eyes were widened. The enormity and opulence of the airport was incredible, as was the humidity in the huge terminal, the number of different cultures represented, the 100's of staff and also law enforcement personnel. We had landed on a Friday and given we had only 24 hours in Dubai we had chosen a budget level Ibis hotel close to the airport. The aim was to see Dubai, not spend the time sleeping! The start of the day didn't so much go to plan as we headed to the Airport train station to travel the 3 stops to our hotel. But being a Friday and the Middle East's Holy Day the trains weren't running! The first research fail on our behalf!
After walking in circles for about 30 minutes as we couldn't understand the signage (sleep deprivation, rather than translation issues perhaps) we finally found the right cab rank. The Cab system in Dubai is interesting and we were pointed towards the 'Pink Cab fleet' which is their taxi system for women and families, driven exclusively by women. Our driver was great and after more circles on one-way roads we arrived at our hotel, from which we had a great view of the airport! It had been a long first 90 minutes in Dubai but we were at the hotel and ready to drop our bags off and head out to explore!

At 9am we presented ourselves to the hotel reception and rather than leave our bags in the porters room we were encourage to wait, as our room would only be an hour. 90 minutes later, with our day planned out, despite their assurance that it wouldn't be much longer we booked in our bags and headed to the now open train station.

Dubai train concourse - it works!

Dubai is mind blowing with its enormity, height and grandeur. I truly think you have to see it to believe it and can understand why many find it draws them in. The train system was fantastic, perfectly accessible and very easy to use. Tickets were simple to buy and we headed off from Deira City Mall Station to Jumeriah, enroute to Atlantis Resort a must see on everyone's list!

Atlantis is crazy huge, as are the building's we took in along the way. The train was actually a great way to see Dubai, in the comfort of air conditioning! Desperate for coffee we gave in and opted for Starbucks (being Melbournites we tend to be picky about good coffee). With our barely drinkable caffeine hits we wandered the hotel foyer, took in the water park and then tackled the breakwater footpath, or the parts that were accessible!!

Taking the easier option - the road!

As the temperature continued to rise and Dickey was starting to really feel the affects of the intense heat and the lack of sleep, we headed back to the train. Emirates Mall was the next stop and we were able to see the famous indoor ski slope and penguins. This was incredible. The pushy and rude shoppers, the lack of ability to get access to the lifts due to the crowds and crowds of people and the intense smell of pungent after shave sadly were not.

Needing a shower and a break from the intensity of the mall we headed back to our hotel to check in to our room. We wanted to regroup and then head out for the light and water fountain show at the Dubai City Mall and Burj Khalifa after dark. Back at the hotel we were informed our room was still not ready. It was 4pm, thank god we hadn't sat and waited in the morning. After some exhausted impatience and by this stage a bit of pain from sitting up too long, Dickey strongly suggested they provide us with another room until they were able to prepare the wheelchair accessible room for us. With luggage in tow we headed up to our temporary room. It was tiny, but it had a bed and within minutes Dickey was lying flat and sound asleep. At the risk of going into to much unnecessary detail the room saga became a comedy of errors! As the time continued to pass they failed to contact us about the room we had booked. Back down stairs I went, finally being given access to our new room in exchange for the key pass to the first room . Informing them of my need to keep this so I could get our luggage out and to assist Dickey, I left with both in hand. My explanation had apparently been lost in translation.... Leaving Dickey asleep I managed to get 3/4 of our luggage out in one trip only to return to the room he was sleeping in and not be able to get back in. Also, in a moment of brain fog I had left the remaining bag in the narrow walk way to the door. He was woken by my knocking and with some struggle he managed to drag the bag out of the way and let me back in. Eventually we had everything up in the accessible room and finally he had access to a bathroom and shower! The little things that mean the world.

After a calming glass of Champagne (again thanks to Qantas!) we were back on the crowed train and headed to the Mall. It was pumping with people and the lines to see the aquarium and then to get out to see the light and fountain show were insane. Bumping our way through the crowds we made it with only minutes spare for the 8.30pm show. It was definitely amazing and well worth the effort. Burj Khalifa is so tall it is almost impossible to comprehend. The Dubai Fountain was most definitely my favorite not just because it is the size of two soccer pitches but also for the way they have so perfectly choreographed the light and music!

Burj Khalifa light show

Water spray action and the 1000's watching

With our senses suitably impressed and our bodies hitting exhaustion we headed back towards the station. Through the crowds and intensity of a Friday night we made our way to our room collapsing in to bed. While Dubai had been an experience we were extremely grateful for it was not really our personal taste. The enormity and modern style must truly be seen to be believed, and we both did appreciate what they have created in such a short time, but in terms of personal preference we are both big fans of old architecture, and were ready for our next stop. 4.45am alarm for our Emirates flight to Budapest.