Brazil 2013

It's a great trip so far! I had chair massage at MIA, then found out the flight was delayed 12 hours. But the airline had vouchers for meals, Doubletree room and shuttles. Napped off and on during 8 hour flight to Rio. Josh picked us up at the airport - and a memorable drive on a most dangerous highway. Arrived safely - Praise God! It is lovely here, tropical and pleasant even though it is now "winter." Picnic at a state park with waterfalls and friends. The other ex-pats are all open and sharing. Wonderful to visit and engage with the young professionals! Josh and Stephen went into waterfalls, and Stephen had a scary incident, slipped and fell down to lower rocks. Shredded pork sandwiches in the crock pot  on return, and long Skype with Jake. 

Slano, Croatia

Beautiful!

Last Day in Dubai

Last night we went to ART Dubai opening, then to Dubai Mall for dinner outside, and watched the amazing fountain. Everything here is the biggest, tallest, longest, or richest!! The fountain has the brightest lights on earth and can be seen from space. The fountain is outside Dubai Mall - the largest mall in the world with over 1,200 shops AND the largest aquarium! The fountain and mall is at the base of the world's tallest building in the richest country in the world. When the metro is completed (still under construction) it will be the longest in the world. Because Dubai prides itself on everything being sparkling new and cutting edge, all buildings in the new part of the city must be either re-faced or torn down and newly rebuilt EVERY 25 YEARS!!

Dubai Day 2

Today we took a city tour. Thankfully we saw the buildings on a sunny day last week, because we are in the worst conditions in a decade for the sand. The visibility has been extremely bad for a week, and will last several more days. So disappointing not to see the fabulous architecture. We went to the spice souk (market) and gold souk.  Jamai bought a beautiful topaz ring! We rode an abra (boat taxi) across the Creek, and saw the dhows. The window washers were out today cleaning the skyscrapers and the HUGE screen at the Meydan racetrack. We will go out this evening to see the fountain and laser lights - the brightest lights on earth and can be seen from outer space! I'll wave to the astronauts!

Dubai

We arrived in Dubai at 5:15am. Went to the spectacular Meydan Hotel. Our rooms have a balcony overlooking the Meydan Racetrack. Everything in the hotel is absolutely state of the art - touch screens command everything, including the keyless entry, toilet functions, drapes, lights. The glass elevators have crystal LED color lights changing around the handrail, and you look like you float to the floors. The elevators are noiseless and fast! The visibility was very poor today with sand. We couldn't see any of the architectural skyscrapers Dubai is so well known for, but we were lucky to have a quick drive thru Dubai last week en route to Cape Town.
This afternoon we went on a desert safari. We thought 4-wheeling meant on dune buggies, but we were strapped in air conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicles and driven in caravan style thru the desert to a camp where we rode a camel, took picture in the sand, watched a belly-dancer, and had an Arabian dinner. It was fun, but I am suffering from an allergy headache due to all the sand in the air. Hopefully will feel better tomorrow.

Travel day

I have to say I am a big fan of Emirates airline. We have been very fortunate with our upgrades, but really, the attendants and staff have all been very helpful and pleasant. This trip should be on a "bucket list" for almost everyone, even though it really wasn't on mine until we started planning it! I never dreamed it would be so "over the top"! We left Johannesberg last night and arrived in Dubai this morning around 6:00 am. The sand is thick in the air - by our standards - but everyone here seems to think it is not much. We are going on a desert safari this afternoon, and are taking the opportunity to rest some. The Maydan hotel is opulent, being THE hotel of the race track. All the rooms have balconies that overlook the track where the richest horse race in the world will be run on March 31. The purse is $10million. Ok, I'm not sure if that is $ or the dirham (Dhs), but still really big! The wifi included with the room is also much appreciated after being without it in the bush!

Animals on Safari

Just two pics Margaret took on Saturday morning.