JONATHAN et al. ARE IN DUBAI! (Day 3)

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JONATHAN et al.

jumped into a cab bright and early this morning

to head to the

SHEIKH MOHAMMAD 

CENTRE FOR CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

for a

HERITAGE TOUR

and an

EMIRATI LUNCHEON and Q&A session!

They loved the 

neighborhood mosque tour 

where Nasif walked them through the steps of the

Muslim prayer.

They meandered the 

BASTAKIYA,

and made a stop at the Coin Museum. 

Then it was time for lunch!

Miranda and Nathan 

volunteered to wear the Emirati traditional dress!

Oh my, it's a bit scary how well Nathan looked the part!

And Miranda did too!

Then off to the souks they ventured!

First, the Textile Souk,

then an ABRA ride across the

DUBAI CREEK

to the SPICE SOUK and the GOLD SOUK!

They spotted a good 'ol jellyfish in that Creek water!

And they spotted the Wonder Bus in the water as well!

They finally arrived at the

GOLD SOUK,

where Nathan went crazy combing through 

each and every shop!

(Much to the other three's dismay!)

After a full day, they finally made it to the Metro Station,

rode a very busy Metro,

and ran into a bit of trouble while exiting the Metro Station

where John and I picked them up.

(More on that later, I promise!)

Off for a scrumptious and fun dinner at the

SMILING BKK!

When I asked the waiter why

certain parts of the menus were blacked out,

I was told that a local found some of the names to be vulgar.

He proceeded to take the menus home and 

blocked out the offensive parts!

OMG, 

how hysterical is that?

It was a great ending to a busy, busy day!

JONATHAN et al. ARE IN DUBAI!

JASON AND CHLOE IN DUBAI....DAY THREE!!

12-29-2013

I love the Bastakiya area of Dubai!

OLD DUBAI

has a certain charm about it!

A requirement of all of our visitors in Dubai

is a stop at the

SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR 

CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.

Jason and Chloe were no different!

Santa made a reservation

for them

for a HERITAGE TOUR and

an EMIRATI LUNCHEON and Q&A SESSION.

They started out with the

HERITAGE TOUR,

where they walked around the

BASTAKIYA

and looked at the how Emiratis lived

before the discovery of oil.

(This picture is just cool -- it's not from way back when!)

Then they went to a neighborhood mosque

to learn the ways of the Muslim religion.

(And, of course, Chloe had to cover to enter!)

Back to the 

CULTURAL CENTRE

where they enjoyed an Emirati lunch,

(with a few others),

and learned lots about

Arab culture,
traditional dress,

and the Muslim religion.

They both came out of the Centre

excited about what they 

had learned and experienced.

John and I met up with them

and proceeded to walk over to the

TEXTILE SOUK

where they both fit in perfectly!

Traffic was full speed

on the

DUBAI CREEK!

where the  
OLD DHOWS
were docked and merchandise was being offloaded --
always amazing to watch!

The

WONDER BUS

came driving by...er, sailing by!

We jumped on an 
ABRA

(for a mere dirham)

and crossed the Creek to the...

...SPICE SOUK!

It was bustling with people,

and smelled wonderful with all the spices!

Jason and Chloe

immediately became Arab once again!

(Don't they look the part?)

Then off to the

GOLD SOUK,

where more gold is sold than in any other place

in the world!

Yes, there is a lot of gold there!

A lot of shops, a lot of workers, and a whole lot of gold!

We spent a couple of hours in the

DUBAI MUSEUM

before heading to 

LAN KWAI FONG

where we introduced a skeptical, 
(but always willing to give it a try), Chloe to
a dinner of 
PEKING DUCK!

Then back to our flat

for some wine and balcony time!

Oh, and some

SHALLIE

time as well!!

(This is my all time favorite photo!)

AHHHH, it was a perfect

JAS AND CHLOE IN DUBAI....DAY THREE!

I'm a couple of days behind in posting, but this is on time:

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE, EVERYONE!!

Stay safe; have fun!!