Bridget's very short (too short) holiday

We have planned and schemed for months for Bridget to come and stay for a holiday. The grand plan was 3 days in Abu Dhabi, 3 days in Al Ain and another 3 days in Dubai. Well I have to say it was an absolute whirlwind holiday and we had a fabulous time. The best bits were the sitting around catching up on friends and family and talking it all over and analysing it all to the tenth degree (as we do!).

We 'did' the Emirates Palace and the Grand Mosque, the malls and shops, some local restaurants, a jazz club and city tours amid the crazy traffic - and that was just the Abu Dhabi bit! On to Al Ain to meet friends and acquaintances and sip wine and visit the (you guessed it) malls, and the souks and the livestock market. All the while chatting and laughing and generally having a great time. On to Dubai for henna tattoos, a dhow cruise, and walking the souks and (once again) the malls. We had a glorious time even though most of it was spent battling the Dubai traffic.

The highlights were the Emirates Palace, The Grand Mosque, the dhow cruise, lazy day at the Hilton with friends, henna tattoos, the textile souk and the waterfront in Dubai and the Madinat at Jumeirah City, a visit to the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah - oh yes and I shouldn't forget the Islamic Arts Institute! The malls were fun but paled into insignificance when compared with all the rest and with numerous bottles of white wine, good food and hours to chat. Photos are on the Picasa site at www.picasaweb.google.com/cherylandron