Dubai 18th April

Written 22/4/2018 The mid-morning arrival Dubai made a welcome change to our normal early morning port entries. I was very keen to set eyes on QE2 for the first time since bidding farewell to her on 11th November 2008 in Southampton Water. I took several photos as we pulled into an impressive new terminal. I had signed up for tea at the Burj al Arab at $245.00! This DID include a catamaran journey out to sea. Dubai leaves me cold and bewildered as well as very impressed. From what I gather, prior to the 1970s Dubai had a different name and was “just another coastal settlement”. Suddenly, there was a huge oil industry, the name Dubai was adopted and wealth beyond a rich man’s wildest dreams developed. The city grew over a mere forty something years and apart from the global financial derailment of 2008, Dubai’s expansion continues upwards and outwards. Weird and wonderful architecture is the norm. It’s as if Dubai cocks a snook at the fine cities of the world. I did pass through Dubai in 2007 merely to pick up the final sector of QM2’s maiden world voyage. Returning to the present day, Afternoon Tea at the Burj Al Arab Hotel was a rare experience. After a short time to explore and satisfy my curiosity, I joined the rest of the party via a high speed lift to the 27th floor, where in a beautifully prepared side room overlooking the city below, a lavish but dainty afternoon was served by beautifully uniformed waiters. As one might expect, the service was impeccable. Nobody stopped me taking videos and photographs. One lady on duty encouraged me to continue. The only disappointment was the lack of opportunity to photograph this fabulous hotel from outside. Since its completion the sail shape of the exterior has been deemed as iconic throughout the world. To stay there costs from 1,000 to 28,000…..U.S. Dollars or GBP. I am or sure which! Specially for me….no egg/shellfish. Afternoon Tea at the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Specially selected patisseries The crockery. View from the 27th floor. Confirmation! That was part one of Cunard’s Delights of Dubai Tour. To be continued.