Dubai: The Palace

Ramadan Kareem!

A hotel that's a castle!  So cool!!!  It felt like we were back in history.

Dubai: Kinokuniya

Mamegoma

Still the only place with San-X that I've found so far in the gulf...  They had a good selection of Mamegoma, Sentimental Circus, and of course Rilakkuma.  I'm never able to walk out of here without something cute... heehee

Sentimental Circus

Dubai: Light Show

My first time seeing the light show in Dubai!  It was amazing!!!  Definitely something not to miss when visiting Dubai.

Dubai: Social House Restaurant

I'm still looking for a favorite restaurant in Dubai but Social House was pretty good.  N took us here as it's one of the decent places she's found since moving to Dubai.  The location is great in the downtown Dubai area with views of the light show.  The food was good with lots of selections.  The Asian style US short ribs were actually really good!

 Vietnamese Papaya salad and Crab Cakes

 Chicken salad and Stacked Short Ribs

Dubai: Botero Statue & Burj Khalifa

Random Botero statue with the Burj Khalifa...!

Abu Dhabi: Bus to Dubai!

I've always driven between Dubai and Abu Dhabi but this time V and I decided to try out the bus operated by flydubai (http://www.flydubai.com/en/about-us/bus-service/).

The bus stop in Abu Dhabi is this Al Masaood Tourism & Holidays.  We got there 30 minutes before departure time and the office was closed and there was no one around.  I called the flydubai main number and the guy told us to just wait until about 10 minutes before departure.

bus stop in Abu Dhabi

Sure enough, a few minutes before departure time, the bus showed up!  We left right on time and everything was very professional.

Abu Dhabi

The ride to Dubai was smooth and comfortable and completely safe (even for 2 girls).  I definitely recommend this easy method of traveling between the cities.  We even arrived early in Dubai!

Dubai

The little trailer on the back was so cute.  We were dropped off at the Dubai Terminal 2 Departures.

Abu Dhabi: Cardamom Milk in Carrefour

Haven't see cardamom milk before!  It was quite good.

Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

This is my favorite mosque in the world and possibly favorite building.  It's gorgeous with the most amazing flower motif.  They also offer really nice tours and the tour guides are quite funny.

The flower designs on all the pillars are made from natural precious and semi-precious gems. Beautiful.

The chandeliers are made from Italian murano glass.

The guide told us this was designed as a river of honey and milk representing the four rivers of the Quranic garden of eden: wine, honey, milk and fresh water.

The carpet was made in Iran in 9 pieces and brought over in 2 planes. After it was placed, they shaved it to make the lines for prayer!

The windows are also murano glass.

Mother of pearl on the pillars.

Dubai: Turath Almandi Yemeni Restaurant

The last time I was in Dubai, I asked the guy from our tour of Oman what the best Yemeni restaurant was in Dubai. He said there was a Yemeni restaurant in Jumeriah 1.  I wonder if it's this one.... Anyway it was good and we got to sit on the floor.  There wasn't any chicken ogda but the fahsa was decent and the green foaming fenogreek was very fresh tasting.

Turath Almandi Yemeni Restaurant
503, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, UAE
T 04-3953555, F 04-3943030, almandi@eim.ae
http://www.turath-almandi.ae/index.html

Dubai: Date Milk in Carrefour

The motherland of date milk!!!  I stocked up..... I wish it was in Qatar!!!