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Old 25 Nov 18, 03:03 PM  
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WileyCoyote
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The Decadent Dibber in Dubai. Day 1 Burj Khalifa,Dubai Mall and Waldorf Astoria Food

Yesterday is HERE

Sunday 18 November


Happy Anniversary to us - I posted this on IG



it was our photo shoot around the Portofino Bay Hotel 2 days after our very lovely but very cold wedding day

We had managed a decent sleep in the super comfy bed and I was up around 0530 and sat out on the balcony watching the sunrise - this is one of my favourite things on any holiday.

Sitting out with a book and a coffee in the quiet hours waiting for the sun to come up - its just perfect and peaceful.

Today I saw the sun come up over the Burj Al Arab which was a fabulous sight emerging from the darkness.



The City and Burj Khalifa in the distance always seemed to be a bit shrouded, not sure if that was heat haze or sand clouds.

Andy surfaced around 7 declaring it far too hot to sit out already so we made our way up to the club lounge for breakfast - great selection of fruit, cereal, pastries, cold cuts and cheese and the hot offering of tomatoes, beans, hash browns, chicken sausages, veal strips and eggs cooked to order. We both had a cooked breakfast - I wasn’t so keen on the hot meat and didn’t have them again after today, just not to my taste.




We considered booking the hotel car to take us to the Burj Khalifa but were advised that a local taxi would probably be 20-30 AED cheaper, which is around £5.

Not a lot on one trip but when we looked at all the taxis we ended up taking, the overall difference of a fiver each way was probably the equivalent of one whole trip. The hotel did have a shuttle bus that would have got us halfway there but it took an hour and we wanted to be there in good time.

The taxi was 65 AED - (ending up 35AED cheaper than the hotel car in the end), there was hardly any traffic and we were soon arriving in downtown. The city skyline is so impressive - all blue glass skyscrapers and space age metro stations.



I thought it looked like a Ridley Scott sci-fi set - could easily imagine some hover cars amongst the buildings and a bit of Blade Runner going on. And OMG to 7 lanes of free-flowing traffic and no potholes!

We arrived at the Dubai Mall around 0930 and had a wander around taking in the Aquarium and posh stores





You see this is why I've never been a massive fan of water .. fish poop in it



Candy store goals



Bed goals



Christmas tree goals



I briefly posed with Andy



Ah no he had legged it to the Cheescake Factory



before making our way down to the lower ground level and the entrance to the Burj Khalifa



- I had pre-booked tickets for 1030 and it advised you to arrive a bit early. We arrived at 10 and after walking though the initial exhibits we were held for a little while until exactly 1030 when they let the queue through.





Queue Selfie


The lifts are quite something, you really have no concept of how fast and high you are travelling.


We went up to the 125th floor first and spent some time taking in he views - easier said than done as it was very busy and there are several points where you do the obligatory green screen photos (we didn’t buy any, we managed to look dreadful in all of them)



After a walk round the 125th we headed down to the open terrace on the floor below. Have to say we encountered some of the rudest people ever while here - no where near as civilised as somewhere like the Rockefeller or Empire State.

People pushing and shoving to get a good view. I waited to get to a window and once I got there some chap pitched up behind me and started gesturing for me to move away so he could have a photo - I’m like, I just got here mate and want to have a look thanks very much.



It was sorely testing Andy’s patience not to say something.

It spoiled it a bit really as we ended up on a couple of occasions walking away shaking our heads as people literally pushed us out the way - and Andy isn’t exactly a small person!

We decided we weren’t really in the mood for being barged about so headed back down around 1130. I dread to think how bad it must get later as it was considerably busier when we left than when we had arrived.

Edited at 03:38 PM.
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Old 25 Nov 18, 03:07 PM  
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WileyCoyote
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A quick stop at KFC for a cold drink and fruitless attempt to get on the mall WiFi - I nipped to the plaza and got a few pics outside.



We looked around the Mall - its massive !
We made sure to find the Wonder Wall and Ice Rink



A quick stop at Starbucks for the mandatory mugs but resisting the oversized pastries !





We headed out towards the fountains which we knew would be on at 1pm - we had left it a bit late though so didn’t get the best view - we ended up going via the Apple Store and standing on their terrace - the fountain show is good but very only about 5 minutes .

I didn’t see much of it being short and I kept moving to try and get a better view (thinking it would be like 15 or 20 minutes) and just as I put my bags down, it was over. I can imagine it is very impressive at night with the lights.



We browsed more stores and headed into the Old Souk area which was predominantly jewellery stores and my goodness, never seen diamonds like it.



I did try on a 6-carat pear shaped diamond priced at £55k. It was a beauty but just a smidge outside the budget

We stopped for a coffee around 2 - I tried a camel milk cappuccino. Hmm, Different.




It seems camel milk is v versatile




We were flagging a bit now and decided to head back to the hotel
Taxi was 85AED back as there was a little more traffic but we were back for 4pm.


I made use of the super amazing bath - availing myself of some of our duty-free gin while watching the Lion King - really, can life be any more perfect!



We headed back up to the lounge for 6 and I had a Tom Collins while Andy had some wine.

Awkward posing




We had a few of the canapes - the little beef quesadillas were lovely. The canapes are themed each day to match the buffet downstairs so tonight was Tex Mex.



We were also informed that from 5pm tomorrow to 6pm on Tuesday there would be no alcohol service in the hotel (or anywhere else) as it was observation of the Prophet’s birthday. It’s a shame we didn’t know this earlier as we would have re arranged our Tuesday trip to the Bur al Arab to another time but we know couldn’t make it fit with our other plans.

We headed off for dinner - last night had been Mediterranean and had been predominantly lamb and fish based.

Tonight’s Tex mex include a taco station with chili, mini burgers, beef brisket, beef with chimichurri, Cajun potatoes, grilled fish, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, various rice’s, fried chicken.




Every night there was a huge selection of breads, salads, cold starters and mini desserts.



We barely touched the cold tables and even the desserts defeated me. There was a pasta and pizza station every evening as well




Half Board included the meal but not any drinks, we weren’t fussed about having alcohol with dinner having made use of the lounge drinks earlier so we had water each night - which was 33 AED a bottle, or around £7.

Suitably stuffed we waddled out around 9.30 and just chilled out on the balcony. We didn’t have a late night as the alarm was set for 0530 - we have pick up at 6.30 for our dune buggy ride in the morning.


Which is just HERE

Edited at 08:48 AM.
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Old 25 Nov 18, 03:47 PM  
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Melbatb
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So many memories with all the pictures! Your balcony start to the day sounds perfect!

What a shame about all the barging at the Burj Khalifa. We have never been up (the kids weren’t bothered and it seems from your experience it may have been an ok decision )

The buffet looks enormous! Certainly enough choice!
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2016 Quebec - Kuala Lumpar - New York City 2017 Dubai - Eurocamps France - Ontario and Quebec - So-Cal 2018 Montreal - Bangkok - New England 2019 Argentina - Quebec City - Hong Kong - 2020 Switzerland 2022 Arizona - Costa Med Cruise - Oslo 2023 Hong Kong - Gothenburg
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Old 25 Nov 18, 04:41 PM  
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Beaker's Fluff
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Looks amazing.
I’m almost ready to book our trip.
I am really enjoying reading along.
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Old 25 Nov 18, 09:27 PM  
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Great looking buffet, but shame about the rude people at the Burj Khalifa.
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Old 25 Nov 18, 11:05 PM  
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JoS
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Wow I am so enjoying your trip report. What great photos. Think I would just stay at the hotel all day...looks amazing. Dubai is one of the few places I would love to visit, but dont think will ever happen. I can just read all of this and pretend Thanks...really enjoying it.
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Old 26 Nov 18, 06:24 AM  
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WileyCoyote
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Originally Posted by Melbatb View Post
So many memories with all the pictures! Your balcony start to the day sounds perfect!

What a shame about all the barging at the Burj Khalifa. We have never been up (the kids weren’t bothered and it seems from your experience it may have been an ok decision )

The buffet looks enormous! Certainly enough choice!
I loved those mornings sat out on the balcony. Really perfect moments !

Yeah bad behaviour at the Burj,maybe we are a bit over sensitive, I have a thing about personal space but this was just in your face rudeness and space invasion

I don’t think I want to see a buffet again this year, so much food

Originally Posted by Beaker's Fluff View Post
Looks amazing.
I’m almost ready to book our trip.
I am really enjoying reading along.
Thank you Where are you looking to stay ?

Originally Posted by CrispyA View Post
Great looking buffet, but shame about the rude people at the Burj Khalifa.
Super rude. Honestly I’ve never had someone click their fingers at me expecting me to move. I was astounded.

Originally Posted by JoS View Post
Wow I am so enjoying your trip report. What great photos. Think I would just stay at the hotel all day...looks amazing. Dubai is one of the few places I would love to visit, but dont think will ever happen. I can just read all of this and pretend Thanks...really enjoying it.
Thank you . We were really torn between wanting to go out to see things and wanting to just stay in the hotel bubble It’s really quite a different type of place to experience .
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Old 26 Nov 18, 07:34 AM  
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Beaker's Fluff
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Hi Amanda
I thought that we might be better placed near the shopping area and the fountains. We are currently looking at The Sofitel Downtown Dubai.
What are your thoughts, I have been told it’s quite a trek if you stay at the palm otherwise. I just thought that if we had a free afternoon after the sightseeing the shops are where we would wander.
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Edited at 07:36 AM.
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Old 26 Nov 18, 09:15 AM  
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WileyCoyote
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Originally Posted by Beaker's Fluff View Post
Hi Amanda
I thought that we might be better placed near the shopping area and the fountains. We are currently looking at The Sofitel Downtown Dubai.
What are your thoughts, I have been told it’s quite a trek if you stay at the palm otherwise. I just thought that if we had a free afternoon after the sightseeing the shops are where we would wander.
Yep I can see the appeal. At first I though being on the Palm was a pain but in reality it was kind of like being at Disney and travelling up to Universal. Similar distance but better traffic, just reliant on taxis rather than our own car. Traffic on the Palm could be busy but we were lucky. I would have made use of the metro if we had been based on the non palm side I think.

We didn’t get to explore much of the other side really, I wanted to see the marina and beach area and global village . The upside of having half board was the inclusive cost, the downside meant that we didn’t need to venture out to explore places to eat so probably limited our thinking really .. we were always keen to get back in time for for tea/ cocktails etc

Andy would stay in the Palm again, he liked the fact that we could just stay at the hotel and relax.
All the hotels look amazing wherever you pick. We stayed at the Waldorf as friends had recommended it... unfortunately I think that has probably spoiled us for looking anywhere else !

Wherever you pick will be fab
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Old 26 Nov 18, 08:10 PM  
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Goldia
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It sounds like a lovely start to the day, sitting out on the balcony and watching the sun come up.

Such a shame about the barging up at the top...why can't people just wait their turn?

I'd have been quite nervous trying on £55k diamond! Definitely a shop where you're glad you haven't got kids with you...I'm always telling them not to touch stuff in shops and just look with their eyes and not their hands!

The food is so impressive, both the club lounge canapes and the dinner buffet. Such a lot of choice.
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