Consciousness gained, boat beckons...
We headed to the beautiful Dubai Marina where enthusiastic Mayura greeted us to Yellow Boats for check in. We booked this tour via the Entertainer app, getting us 2for1 tickets!
Donning our stylish life jackets we boarded the bright yellow speed boat and calmly headed out of the Marina. With stunning views of high-rise buildings either side of us, it was time for a fact overload:
- There are around 370 skyscrapers in the Dubai Marina
- The majority were built by the same company, EMAAR
- The Dubai Eye, currently under construction, is twice the size of the London Eye
- The majority of businesses in Dubai are for tourism / medical purposes
- To start a business in Dubai you need to have an Emirate partner who holds 51% stake in the company
Exiting the Marina, the journey suddenly turned very fast and bumpy. The whole boat lifted into the air with each wave - it was smiles all round!
Reaching the top of the Palm Jumeirah, the famous Atlantis Hotel. The centre suite on the bridge of the resort costs a whopping $30,000 per night with a minimum stay of 4 nights.
The Sheikh of Dubai is not a man to be challenged. After hearing that the Bahamas has a slightly larger Atlantis Resort, the Sheikh ordered the Royal Atlantis to be constructed, dwarfing the other two... "Anything you can do, I can do better".
The Palm Jumeriah, a completely man made island, has around 3,600 apartments / villas. Selling out in just 3 days, the likes of David Beckham and Giorgio Armani holiday here.
The Burj Al Arab, the sail. Just think gold. Gold everything. Here you can buy a drink costing you $7,500 but keeping the diamond filled glass makes it all worthwhile, right?
Even in the boat we had to keep a good distance from the Burj, with a bridge separating the Resort from the mainland and a room reservation being your only way in.
The gentleman next to us on the tour said to his wife, 'that's the closest we're getting to that, love!'
But hey, with their sand having been imported from Australia's Gold Coast, they can be obscene I guess...
On the way back we passed the Emirate Royal Family's house where they can often be seen playing with their pets on the beach. Just Siberian tigers, cheetahs etc.. no biggie.
The afternoon consisted of much needed relaxation.
The 5* Anantara Resort on the Palm. Quickly discovering that a button on the sunbed called the waiter, we immediately ordered some chicken - finger lickin' good. After a few hours of paradise and looking a little peachy (understatement) in the face we went back to the hostel.
A tram, train and taxi later we arrived at La Ville hotel in City Walk to meet with Beth's Cousin and Uncle at the Grapeskin restaurant. Nachos, happy hour and a surprise from the Beth's Aunty made for a perfect evening. It was lovely to see familiar faces in such an unfamiliar place!
Kudos Dubai, yet another smashing day.
- Yellow Boats Tour (90 mins) 294AED (£57) with the Entertainer App
- Anantara Resort Day Pass 265AED per person (£52) (we got in for free due to Dan knowing someone who works there #connections)
- Taxis are cheaper than Ubers (because they do not pay for fuel)