First Trip to Dubai

Dubai is just a quick hour and half drive from our villa.  We had some extra hotel rewards that were going to expire, so we decided to go ahead and take a break from unpacking and have some fun in Dubai.  We drove up Friday morning just in time for brunch at Spectrum on One.  We took Olivia to this incomparable brunch when she was about 9 months old.  It is truly incredible and just as we remembered it.

We were seated in the "pork room".  Pork was completely banned in Doha when we were living there.  It seems that when something you like is banned, you then crave it all the time and have to have it.  We were thrilled to learn that pork is not banned in the UAE.  Albeit, it isn't the easiest thing to get.  There is separate room in only one of our grocery stores that sells all of the pork products.  The door says, "Non-Muslims Only".  It makes you feel naughty going in :)

After the girls ate their special order of mac and cheese, we tested out the chocolate fountain!

Eliza's turn

Both girls!

Next up, cotton candy

After all of the eating and treats, we pulled out the trusty DVD player so we could finish up brunch and enjoy our bottomless Moet White Star :-)

Mike, just being goofy, told them it was our anniversary...we got a free chocolate cake.

Eliza taking a chocolate cake break from her DVD, Little Miss Sweet Tooth

After brunch, we went to Dubai Mall to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.  It is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.  The girls absolutely loved it!  We walked around the zoo first, then went on a behind the scenes tour, fed the fish, and finished up by walking through the amazing viewing tunnel.  You can actually see the aquarium for free just walking around the mall.  It is incredibly huge!

Lots of sharks

 You can even pay and go scuba diving

 This may just be one of my all time favorite pictures of my two ladies.  Fresh out of the bath, both with nothing on but their Turbie Twists and panties, looking at the iconic Emirates Towers.  LOVE!

 The next morning at breakfast.  Eliza asked for scrambled eggs.  She sure got some!  They must have used 5 eggs.  

 Ever since we stayed in the hotel with a daily breakfast buffet when we first arrived in AD, Olivia has fallen in love with hotel buffets.  She made a heartfelt request for this one and of course, Daddy obliged.

 After breakfast, we went up to the top floor (another Olivia request, also a holdover from our first hotel stay) to check out the views from all of the conference rooms.  They are so silly.

 We then headed down to Madinat Jumeriah, a neat little market area, to explore a bit before heading back.  We stopped and had a drink by the water.

 Olivia took this opportunity to do a little posing.

 Behind us is the iconic 5 star, all suit, sail shaped, luxury hotel,  Burj al Arab.  

Here is a Google Images' photo of this crazy thing.  It even has a helipad on top.  They offer helicopter transfer service from the airport (for a small fee, I am sure!).  If you want to just go in to look at the lobby, you have to make a reservation and pay $50/person.  Only in the Gulf States!

This was the sunset on our drive back.  Stunning (no filter)!