We flew in over arid mountain ranges and sand… and more sand and then squared off settlements with a few flat-roofed dwellings. Then suddenly Dubai came into view with its high rise buildings and innumerable half-finished ones topped by cranes (25% of the world’s cranes are in Dubai!). There are road works everywhere too, so taxis seem to backtrack and go around in circles to get you anywhere. There is a ‘waterway’, the Creek (which is being extended all the time), running through the city and the gardens are spectacular (plenty of desalinated water – it tastes good too!) It is a very clean city with very little crime. It feels very first world. 
Our friends have a lovely villa – fully air-conditioned, year round -but temperatures are very pleasant in the few 'winter' months. The garden is small, but there’s room to sit outside and many bulbuls, sparrows and parakeets crowd the feeders they have out there. Their roof has a spectacular view of the silver and blue skyscrapers. Some of their friends live happily in high-rise apartment buildings.
As there are mosques all around, one hears the calls to prayer, loud and clear, five times a day – but it’s short – some are more melodious than others! Sandy and I visited one of the biggest. Our guide was informative and the building itself is hugely impressive (literally and figuratively). 
On Sunday I also went to St. Mary’s, Sandy’s Catholic church. It seemed pretty full to me, but she says it is much fuller on Fridays, as that is ‘Sunday’ in Dubai! It is also a beautiful and very well-maintained building. A visiting Indian preacher gave very good sermon – on Rockefeller becoming a Christian on his deathbed, at 50. He then went on to live another 48 fruitful years!
About 80-90% of Dubains are ex-pats; taxi drivers are mostly Indian or Pakistani (Sri Lankan too?), shop assistants, domestic helpers, waiters/waitresses, seem to be mostly Phillipinos and then there are a vast number of professional people from around the world working there. Nobody pays taxes! Sandy and Roger use taxis to get around, as their Zim drivers’ licences are not accepted. They would have to do 100 lessons at high expense to get legal ones. Most professional people have their own cars. The driving is quite hectic!
Shopping is a huge part of the Dubai experience – shops stay open till 10 pm (except during Ramadan). The Dubai Shopping Festival was on while I was there. The malls are imaginatively designed and vast. One can get exercise and window-shop at the same time and also find anything and everything you want (what a treat!). One can also go on bus tours, which include stop offs at souks (Arabian type markets, gold, textile), the museum (which is excellent) and a boat trip on the Creek (it used to be more of a little creek before it was dredged and widened a few years ago). Then you can do the desert experience; dune bashing in a 4X4, a camel ride, desert sunset, a meal and Arabian dance show in a tent, henna painting - we didn't do this, but perhaps a not so tourisy one would have been good e.g. without hair-raising ride and henna painting?! There are also beaches, but didn’t feel a need to go there (surprise, surprise!).There are loads of fantastic restaurants in malls and also in magnificent themed hotels.
On the last day Sandy and I met up with another ex Mauritian friend at a Lebanese one with a view of the ski resort inside the MOE (Mall of Emirates)! We also saw a movie, The Kite Runner, in that centre.
I hope you feel as if you have been able to experience a little of Dubai with me!
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