After flying 10.5 hours in seats that felt like flying first class (emergency exit row with lots of leg space and a half empty plane that allowed for sleeping in three seats at a time) we left the plane.

But where were we? The destination was supposed to be Perth, but this could be somewhere in America… The two directions on the highway are separated by a large piece of grass, bushes or trees. However, all cars are going on the wrong side of the road (we’re trying to imitate them as much as possible). Then there are the shopping malls, a large complex with parking lots in the middle and the shops all around, which are very typical for the US. But if you go inside, everyone is greeting you with a muffled “G’day” that sounds almost like “Hello”. When it comes to houses you’ll find that they are the same type as in the states – large ground floor, no upper level, no basement, and walls and windows are as thin. Only the red dirt from front- and backyard could be seen as an indication for a foreign country.

By the end of the second day we had found proof. First it was a sign. Then we saw lots of them – Kangaroos! It’s got to be America, I mean Australia. As we already found out, they’re cute animals but not very smart. They like to come out at dawn and graze in open fields (such as golf courts), but also like to stand really close by the roads. Luckily we haven’t hit one, but we’ve seen quite a few dead ones…

Yesterday didn’t start so good. My camera got stuck with a “lens error” the day before, so we spent the next day (Monday) looking for a Canon service center. After long trips in the Metro, walking around for hours, following various (mis)directions and telephone calls, we finally gave up at precisely 4:30pm (the time the service center was closing).

We were determined to turn the day around, but luck was still against us. We missed the sunset and were not able to go anywhere while being at the tip of the palm island. Even the beach was closed as it was made of huge rocks to form a giant breakwater.

Luckily we didn’t give up and went to the Dubai Mall for some internet, dinner and Tim Horton’s Iced Cappuccino. I also found a new compact camera that should be easy to sell back in Germany.

After that we decided to do something a lot more enjoyable: Visiting the rooftop bar on top of the Four Points by Sheraton hotel, called Level 43. The view from up there was wonderful and well worth the 10€ per Cocktail – to match the view we got the ‘Skyscraper’ and the ‘Level 43’.

The mix of people is multi-cultural as they come from all over the world to work here. Lots of Filipinos and Indians work e.g. in the gold souk (district) as ‘marketers’ – “Hey my friend. You want a copy watch? Rolex? Breitling?”

All in all they manage to lower the GDP (BIP) of the United Arab Emirates to about USD 56,400 per person per year, which is still one of the highest in the world.

But prices are of course negotiable. At one place I wanted to buy stamps. I was offered four stamps for AED 20 (4€), but when the guy wanted to give them to me he noticed that he didn’t have any left. So we continued.

At the next shop a marketer led me to a small room full of souvenirs. His friend was taking over the selling. First offer: “In Dirhams? Hmm, let’s say 150 (30€).” To send four postcards? You gotta be kidding me! His next offer was 100 and then 50, but I was already leaving the shop. I had seen that the original price on the stamps was AED 3 and I was not willing to pay more…

The numerous skyscrapers in the middle of the desert are quite amazing. The Burj Khalifa is the largest one. With its 828m it is currently the tallest building in the world. The observation deck “At the Top” is located in the 124th floor (452m), so not really at the top. Unfortunately the tickets for today and tomorrow (reservation required) are sold out and instant tickets (no reservation required) are AED 400 (80€). Instead we’ll go to the “Level 43 Rooftop & Lounge” (at 155m) tomorrow.

You’re right. We didn’t mix up the planes. The picture in the previous post has indeed been taken in Dubai, inside the Mall of the Emirates. And it shows real snow (with up to 400m downhill slopes).

Fun fact: Outside temperature is almost irrelevant as airport, metro and malls are a closed system. While the sun shines outside and it’s about 35°C warm, the shopping mall is well tempered at 19°C and the ski park inside the mall is cooled down to -3°C. Wow.

After about six hours of sitting inside the plane with not nearly enough space to fall asleep, we are now 5139 km and three time zones away from home. Very sleep deprived we’re hoping to get a bit more of Dubai tomorrow.

Maybe we took the wrong plane after all?