Dubai

The flight was fine from Sydney and I managed to catch some sleep between movies and a midnight presentation of a birthday cake from one of the hostesses. That was a surprise!

Dubai reminds me of Sim City, the simulation game the kids played on the Macs all those years ago. No sooner is one architectural gem finished, then another springs from the desert sands.

Kafer took us on a three hour drive around the main sights, and though many were closed for Friday prayers, the traffic was light on the six lane thoroughfares. We stepped out of the safety of the air conditioning into the glare and heat of the desert to walk through a small market where I tried on a head scarf, into an art museum where most things were for sale and I was followed closely by a young woman who must have thought my camera bag was a place to stash the very fine Islamic treasures on display and along the Dubai Creek where piles of goods were  stacked bound for Iran on the moored dhows along the wharves. Many places were mentally noted for tomorrow’s excursion.

 

Sydney

I visited the physio this morning to have some work done on my neck prior to the long haul to UAE. Ben, the Chinese Australian physio said, “Bill, I’m Ben, Can you finish the song?” and we both sang about flower pots.

I said, “I have a crook neck and I am here for a miracle before I fly out tonight,” and a woman’s voice from behind a treatment curtain called out, “I want one too!”

Ben touched my neck, then my wallet. Next massage in a hammam in Morocco.

A drive for a view of the harbour at Balls Head, a last tea and coffee and that’s it for Oz for some time.

Just a minor panic at customs when I absently pocketed Sharon’s passport as well as my own and we spent a minute frantically searching for hers. She’s in a good mood. I didn’t get the look.

Thanks Dave and Jo and Diane and Rick for putting us up. Best B & Bs on our trip so far.