It was Saturday here in Dubai and it was an opportunity to sleep in after a late night last night. After breakfast we headed out to see Britt's office in the Dubai Design District. At last we could see the place where all the magic happens. We were surprised at how big the office was and empty and silent, it was hard to imagine the frenetic creative energy that is generated in there.
From here it was a very short drive to the wetlands, that a flock of flamingos had made their home. Honestly, there is big city central and a 2 minute drive away there is a vast wetland and peace. Like human beings, the flamingos showed very different personalities if you watched them for a while. a few were happy just to follow the leader, but others launched off on their own or for no good reason that we could see, they would start a ruckus and fight. There was one little one that was being followed stalker fashion no matter where she went. While the flamingos looked stark white in the blazing sun, when they spread their wings to dry them you could see the flashes of pink and black. Apparently they take on the pink hue when they find a feast of crabs to feed on.
Of course by this stage we were hot, tired and could do with a drink and even an early lunch at Amongst Few. This was a modern cafe and clearly a place where people like to hang out. We all had cold fruity drinks. Britt had a hamburger. Johnny a tall stack of pancakes and I had a Vietnamese bowl of noodles, vegetables.
In Dubai, anything is possible. A guy had set up a sneaker renovation business. He would clean, deodorize and renew your sneakers while you are next door having a coffee. You have to marvel at the entrepreneurship.
From here it was a quick trip to a SUPERmarket. Yes there was a reason for the capital letters as it was huge. It's funny how in foreign countries, everything, even a trip to the market can seem an adventure. This one was as big as a Bunnings or a Costco plus.
It was home for a rest and then a dip in the pool. That pool was a godsend in this weather. By the time I got out there Britt and Johnny had made themselves at home on the floating toys, lazily drifting in circles. I had a swim too then dozed on the lounger for a while. Soon after we were joined by a French couple and their little boy. The father is a car nut like Wil and has his own collection of specialist vehicles to suit his mood and activity. They were also residents of the villa development. I think if we had this gorgeous facility I might even have taken up swimming as an exercise.
Unexpectedly, the mechanic rang to say Britt's car was ready to pick up so we headed over in a Careem and on the return we swung by the beach. It was crowded with people today as the weather was enticing, but there was also a food festival and a paragliding festival happening. If there was any parking we might have stopped for a walk, but there was no chance today.
Late afternoon and it was home for a cool drink and a snuggle on the couch with Molly. Molly honestly is the closest thing to perfect pet...funny, loving, cuddly. Nothing upsets her and she is smiling and happy just to be in your company.
We had got news earlier in the day that Perry and Sam had finished the Margret River Ultramarathon as a team. Time was 9 hours and 12 minutes. Cracking time!
A rest and recharge saw Britt and Johnny jumping into Wil's MG and took a spin in the early evening heat. Emirati boys approved of the vintage wheels and hooted with a thumbs up as they passed.
This morning the doggoes had missed out on their walk so as the sun was setting we walked out down by the creek. A blood red sun began its fall into the water. Eddie noticed every cat along the way but a firm hand on the leash kept him from his prey. For Molly, it was a chance to top and sniff everything. Even though during the day Bella spent hours in an old lady snooze and then a slightly arthritic walk to her feeding station, out on the creek boardwalk she sprang into life. We crossed the distant bridge and came back along the southern shore just as a call to prayer rang out from a nearby mosque. It was a beautiful warm night and lots of people were out in the cafes or walking by the water. In the background Dubai's evening glitter lit up. There was a lovely faded beauty as the city lights twinkled through air laden with humidity. We eventually crossed over the Tolerance Bridge to the northern bank and from there it was a short walk home.
The odggoes quickly ate and were soon snoozing in exhaustion. We felt similarly depleted and ditched plans to go out for an Indian meal and instead ordered in pizzas. Perfect.
