Brunch at the Atlantis

We went out with a group of work folks to a brunch at the resort Atlantis on the tip of the Palm Jumeirah.

It's a pretty impressive hotel and conference center.  We had reservations at Saffron for the Friday brunch buffet, which is a pretty big deal.  It cost a lot, but it was all you could eat and drink, bar drinks included.

So, you can imagine that the wine was poured and a good time was had by all participants.  It's very nice to meet the people that your significant other speaks about on a daily basis.  I like being able to put names with faces.  It's a lively group.  I'm hoping that they decide to get out monthly.  It would give me something to look forward to.

We pulled up and valet parked the car and walked into a foyer.  We entered the conference center wing, not the main lobby, so I don't know what that looked like.  This small entry way was stunning.

The 'under the sea' theme is apparent in every aspect of this building.  From the color of the marble underfoot, to each and every piece of art on the walls.

I was especially impressed by the ceiling murals and the light fixtures.  Really a very interesting mix of form and function.

The restaurant was nothing special, but we did have a table on the patio overlooking a huge pool area.  It was a tremendous feed.

I've been told that the aquarium at the Atlantis is worth seeing, so we'll have to go back another time to see that and the Dolphinarium.

The exterior of the building has shell shaped finials and fretwork everywhere.  Nautilus shells and other organic forms topped all the crenelations and rooflines.  Very pretty.

The landscaping was beach exotic and included the obligatory palm trees and some interesting specimens.  The California folks might be used to seeing Birds of Paradise this big, but I found them a little startling.  DH is six feet tall and these plants towered over him.  They were sheltered by the hotel, but on the ocean side of the property.

This is a touristy destination for Dubai.  There were buses full of folks off loading and on loading, so I think it must be part of some tour packages.  We only walked into the restaurant and directly back out to our car, so I didn't see much of the inside, just the outside of the buildings.

I liked everything about the place.  The colors were peaceful and relaxing.
 

The light fixtures were amazing.  Too many styles to adequately document.  Suffice it to say, there were shells and jellyfish, squids and mollusks aplenty.

I'd like to say it was schmaltzy and the "under the sea" theme from the Little Mermaid danced through my head, but it wasn't and it didn't.

It's high class and gorgeous.  I'm going to need another couple of trips out there to check out the whole place.  One of the gals at brunch today said she took her family out there for a four day weekend.  There are some good deals, apparently.  Even though it's only a few minutes from their home, she said it felt like a great vacation.

Maybe I should book us a couple of nights there so I can adequately explore all there is to see... under the sea.

--Sandee Wagner

Awareness, Dubai Style

October is breast cancer awareness month.  I am of the age that my general practitioner recommends an annual mammogram.  And like a good little soldier, I do it.  I got the referral and set up an appointment to get the thing done.

This is not the most comfortable procedure, but it's over fast.  Last time I went, I lived in Tulsa.  I got the test and went home with a smile.  A few days later, I got a call that the radiologist "saw something" and I needed a retest.  I called and made an appointment.  The soonest they could get me in was two weeks.  I sweated the entire time.  You do.  You fret.  What will I do if it's cancer?  You play out the scenarios in your mind.  If you have a good imagination, you can work yourself up.  I know I did.

Two weeks later, I went in.  I had a couple more films taken.  Then fretted for the better part of a week before I got a letter that said, "no worries.  false alarm."  I felt like I dodged a bullet.

This year, DH went with me to hold my hand.  I expected the same kind of deal.  It was scar tissue that set them off last time and that stuff doesn't go away.  So, these guys would see the same thing, right?  Then I'd go through the whole fret again.  I'd worry, but hope that it was nothing.

Dubai is a high tech city.  The diagnostic center is all digital.  So instead of going in and then leaving, waiting days and days for a report, it was immediate.  The tech did the scans.  She sent them to the radiologist and he looked at them right then.  He saw something, as I knew he would and ordered a close up of the area.  The tech came back into the room and then took a couple more close ups.  I sat there for no more than fifteen minutes while the radiologist reviewed the pictures.  He said it was all okay and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Before I got my receipt for payment from the front desk, the tech had burned my images to a CD and presented me with the disk as I left the office.  That's right.  No waiting for days to hear good or bad news.  No waiting for more weeks to get a retest.  No fretting and nail biting.  It was that easy.

I'm a big fan of digital now.  I think all mammograms should be this easy.  It's October.  If you haven't already scheduled your test, do it now.  I'm going to suggest finding someplace that has digital, it's a lot easier on your frame of mind.

--Sandee Wagner

Arabic Numbers Aren't Really

  One of my more recent surprises in Dubai is seeing that there is a different set of numerals in the Arabic language. All the price tags in the stores have numbers in English and again in Arabic. They look a lot like the flowing script used in Arabic writing. My confusion comes from the fact that all my life, math teachers called our numbers "Arabic numbers".   As you can see from this grid, they are really "European numbers."

But beyond the nomenclature, there is not a lot of Arabic numbering going on. There are no street addresses around here. It makes finding places very difficult for newcomers. When you think it would be easy, it's hard. I drove around for two and a half hours looking for a landmark hotel one evening. Kind of gives a new meaning to the word 'landmark'.

When you get directions, it always includes landmarks because that's how folks navigate around here.   And before you say it, Google Maps doesn't help. Every time I've tried to get driving directions on Google, it gives the bus and train routes. There is a 'default to public transportation' that is impossible to avoid. You can't get any 'turn by turn' instructions. I've tried.  

So the next possible thing is to invest in a GPS. We have had mixed reviews for the local GPS and their maps. Everyone agrees that they will get you to the neighborhood where you are heading, but since there are no actual street addresses (that number thing again), they won't generally get you to a final destination. Except big places, like malls and shopping centers, which all appear to be waypointed on the maps.   I've been thinking that we could waypoint our home, and then at least we could always get back home... this might be my next purchase.

--Sandee Wagner

Herd of Camels

We went to the movies today. On the way out of the neighborhood, we saw some animals in a previously empty field. They were pretty far off from the road, but when I really looked, I could tell they were young camels. A herd of them.

We pulled the car over to the side of the road so I could take some pictures. I don't have much of a long distance lens, but I tried to zoom in as much as I could. I'll bet there were more than thirty of them. I didn't see a tender of any kind. They were behind a fence and back from the road on the other side of ditch. There is some kind of drainage or pipeline project along this stretch of road.

This was a fun surprise for us. When we got back from the movie, they were gone... that field was as empty as it has been for the past four months. Maybe camels are migratory animals? --Sandee Wagner

An Evening at the Al Qasr Hotel

Last night we went out for dinner and drinks with DH's work crowd. It was a fun night. We went to the Al Qasr Hotel. Al Qasr means 'the palace' and this place was certainly designed to be a jewel in the crown that is the Madinat Jumeirah. Lining the drive up to the hotel are golden horse statues frolicking and prancing amidst palms and carefully uplit. It's lovely during the day and magical at night. We pulled up to the portico and left our ride with the valet. The outside of this hotel is beautifully appointed and authentic.

The fountain at the top of the hill continues the Arabian Horse theme. There's even a statue with a traditional Berber saddle up by the doors to the lobby. All glamorous tassels and deep russet reds. We arrived in late afternoon and left long after nightfall. In the evening light, the hotel is wildly impressive.

There are mosaic pools on each side of the entry with palm trees shading them. The blue of the tiles is reflective and provides a romantic backdrop for the classic architecture of the hotel itself. I find the entire Madinat Jumeirah an enchanting area, but this hotel is one of my favorites. Everything about it is restful and relaxing. It's like they managed to infuse the big structure with the homey feel of a large family estate. Now that the weather is cooling down in Dubai, I'm looking forward to exploring the terraces and outdoor restaurants and bars along the canals. --Sandee Wagner