Just don't sit down 'cause I've moved your chair

During the summer days there is not much to do in Dubai. It’s basically too hot to go outside (unless there is a breeze from the water and you are in a shade and preferably water in the pool is cooled down, which unfortunately is impossible for the sea), stupid to stay in the mall go shopping whole weekend, claustrophobic to spend your time in the hotel room and exhausting to work out in the gym all day.
I really try to keep myself occupy and I’m not finding easy excuses and I’m not trying to complaint about Dubai in the summer time, but the heat here is just unmanageable. After 5 minutes of walking you are sweating and your head starts spinning from dehydration. Yes I miss European summer.

To make things better and to keep ourselves busy and sporty during the weekend we’ve drove to Abu Dhabi to Al Forsan resort to learn wakeboarding. They have there cablepark with three cable systems, starting form the beginners to the advanced. Maybe it’s not the cheapest experience, but at least it’s fun and challenging and even after three days you feel that you are alive as every inch of your body aches.

First we had some issues to get there as we were not able to rent a car, cause all three of us left our passports with the guy who takes care about residence visas for us. Obviously to rent a car in Dubai you need your pass. So after the whole trip to the airport on Friday to get a car we had to give up and we went to the beach. But wasn’t it for three consulting company employees who we are that we come up with another idea. There is that private driver who drives us sometimes back to the hotel from the office (especially on Thursdays). He offered one day that even with waiting time in Abu Dhabi it’d only cost us 400 Dh to go there and back. Fair enough. We booked him for Saturday.

Saturday was as hot as every other day and by the time we got to Al Forsan I was shattered already, even though I was only sitting in the car, not even driving.

First you pay entrance fee which is 55 Dh (25 of that is a voucher which you can spend for any of the sports), than you pay 230 Dh for 4 hours of wakeboarding. At least it includes swimming vest, helmet and basic board. You can also rent obstacle board for 40 Dh which when you are doing it for the first time is unnecessary.

I’ve spent first hour trying to start up, falling to the water, swimming to the shore and trying to start again. And to our luck/unluck only advanced cable was on, so we had to learn on the fastest cable system there (38 kph). But the crew there was very helpful, especially some guys from Philippines and Myanmar who were saying the same things all over trying to explain things and holding the board for me in the right position each time I was giving a try.

At last after an hour or so, I’ve started to get it and I’ve managed to start up and do quarter of the lap. I’ve fallen to the water on the curve which I did not know how to deal with. But after some time I was already able to do 1,5 laps. From the riding perspective I could probably do more, but my hands were too weak to hold the handle that long and to be pulled that long so I was basically letting it go and falling to the water.

After some time and after I was managing it easily to ride one of the employees there told me to change my easy start up board to the pro one which is narrower and you put your feet into shoe thingy and not only into straps. Why not?

Jacek was having a break and nice obstacle board so I took it from him. What a difference. So much easier to ride, but indeed more difficult to start with. Too heavy to hold it in the starting position. Again I’d be unable to start up without the help of the crew. The guy was holding the board each time I was starting up.

Unfortunately after 2 rides I had to give back the wakeboard to Jacek and I took one of the pro boards which were for free. But they were with fins, which I realised I don’t like, so I had to sweet talk the guy to unscrew them. And guess what? He did. I had fun on the slippery board (this is how they call it).

After a while I got annoyed that I was not able to hold the board by myself at the start up (I’ve realised just now why my hip hurts that much, it’s not from keeping my balance on the rear leg when I was riding, it’s trying to start) so I’ve decided to go one level up and learn to start form the standing position from the elevated ledge which involved jumping with the board.

And again I was trying to jump, falling into the water, swimming to the shore, getting out and trying. In the end I’ve managed and I was so satisfied with myself almost like after finishing the marathon run. What’s more everyone was trying to help me when I was learning, they were giving me tips, asking how I’m doing and telling ‘Now’ to give me a sign when I should jump. But no wonder. I was the only girl there who got so involved.

By the end of the day I was not able to walk, talk, move or do anything. I’ve just wanted to get some food and go to bed to get some rest.

It is insane how exhausted you can get after 4 hours, but it was one of the best things so far that I’ve done in Emirates. The only drawback now is that I again have problems with my hip which on the other hand has impact on my running trainings and preparation to the Berlin Marathon.

Cable park in Abu Dhabi - Al Forsan. Beginners cable.

With the lame - easy start up board

Progress - obstacle board

During the ride

Jacek and Michal

Start up

Start up by me - was it successful one or not.....

........guess.......

..........unfortunatelly water was not refreshing at all

Floating.

I'm getting pro here ;-). Am I really or is it just a fake start up and I'll end up in the water anyways?

No fakes ;-)

I'm sitting on top of the World

Last weekend I’ve finally completed all must see in Dubai. I had a friend visiting me over the weekend and basically except going to the beach, resting and relaxing we did not do much. The only remaining touristic attraction was to go to Burj Khalifa. Finally!

I’ve booked tickets on-line a week before already, if you want to buy them at the entrance it costs 400Dh (sic!), although if you book them online you pay only 100 Dh.

We went there on Saturday after being at the beach, where we did some running, and trespassed from the Jumeirah Park Beach to the Kite Beach and then back, which was more risky as JPB is closed beach. Of course when we were coming there we’ve paid for the entrance, but we did not take tickets with us when we jumped over the fence to get out from there. Luckily we’ve managed to get in easily again without anyone noticing us jumping over the fence.

I was also lucky enough to spot two women in the water who were completely dressed with their heads covered, as this is the picture that I want to bring from here. Group of women in the sea wearing black robes and shawls. Unfortunately they were not wearing abayas, but at least they had their heads covered. I guess that to be able to shot such photo I should go to the beach on Monday, which is women day at the Jumeirah Beach Park.

This is where our luck was gone. Fog has come, we would not get dry after running and swimming in the sea, we went to the top of Burj Khalifa and did not see too much. What I was hoping to see was The World and Palm Jumeirah and airport maybe. I dunno how far it reaches, but I saw only the closest surrounding. It was cool too, although not that impressive. Even though cars were of the size of match boxes and we could see roofs of all buildings round it did not feel that high. We were at the 124 floor, so at the height of more than 400m. Burj Khalifa itself is 828m and more than 160 stories and is world’s tallest building. It was built in little more than 6 years. It was named Burj Khalifa – Khalifa’s Tower for the sake of Abu Dhabi sheik who helped Dubai when they were in some financial difficulties. It was to honour him and express gratitude for his help.

Burj Khalifa was expected to bring a lot of money from rental fees, but apparently these are apartments around it that bring money to their owners. Price of apartments with the view over the tower doubled at least, whereas probably more than half of the office and apartments spaces in Burj Khalifa is still unoccupied.

Having a guest also pushed me to go out for the dinner during the week. Usually I’m too lazy to go out somewhere during the week or even on Saturday evening, but with Pedro every evening was planned and we were meeting friends and having very nice dinners. House warming party of a German friend in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, dinner in Social House in Dubai Mall with two lads from France, dinner with German crew in Indian restaurant Manvaar (good, but Mumtazmahal in Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa was so much better) and finally oysters, french fries and beer in Warehouse in Le Royal Meridien with the French guys again. I’ve never been any great fan of beer and oysters, but that was fun! Especially that apparently I’ve never had oysters prepared like that and I never knew how to eat them properly, i.e. that you use the shell like tweezers to pick meat from oysters. Travelling broadens horizons ;-)

Covered swimming

Jumeirah Beach Park

Aquarium in Dubai Mall - aquarium with the biggest one piece of glass window

Paper butterflies in Dubai Mall

The biggest bullshit talk ever

Shiny Burj Khalifa

Waiting for the elevator. Average speed: 10m/s

View from Burj Khalifa over the Dubai Mall and fountains

View from Burj Khalifa

View from Burj Khalifa

View from Burj Khalifa. Dubai Mall again

View from Burj Khalifa. Dancing fountains during the show.

View from Burj Khalifa. Dancing fountains during the show. This is the best pic, as you can see the pattern which they make.

View from Burj Khalifa. Dancing fountains during the show.

A seven nation army couldn't hold me back

This weekend was very exhausting and active. It's already started on Wednesday when with Diti we went for a meeting organised by Internations - it's an expat portal, but not only locally here. Groups exist in every bigger city. It's basically targeted for people traveling for work and being in a need to make some friends in a new place where they arrive. Very good concept I think. Meeting itself also was ok it took place in Blends at the Address Marina. We made friends with two German girls (why am I not surprised, that German?), had one drink and went home.
But on the Thursday night out took completely different course. With some people we met in Barasti Bar - beach bar with sandy dance floor, electro music and light shows, life music on a top deck, shishas. Not bad one, but electro music was not entirely my kind, but I guess that I was so desperate for some dancing that I wasn't giving a monkeys and I was dancing there and made friends with another female (is that gonna remain Dubai trend?). This time with a girl from Czech Republic, but shortly after I was told that we have to go to another place. Sanctuary in Atlantis Hotel, which is located at the top of the Jumeirah Palm.
A the door we had to pay 100 Dh which is 20 euro. I've never paid that much to enter a club. And when we entered there was again alectro and house, but with live drumming, which was not anything that I would have wanted to pay 100Dh for. Gladily in the end it's showed up that there is seocond dance floor at the balcony with dance and R'n'B sounds and that music was awesome, so I was not regreting any more leaving Barasti and getting there. Music was awesome and I had great 2 hours of dancing. Unfortunately all clubs close here at 2 or 3 a.m. At least you can get some resonable amount of sleep unless you get up at 8 cause you had an appointment with your  colleagues to have breakfast at leave Dubai at 9 to go to Abu Dhabi.
Going to Abu Dhabi you still could get enough sleep if only you knew that excursion will be delayed about an hour.
In the mean time I've also realised that I've lost my mobile phone, I was guessing that it's happened in a cab. It must have slipped out of my pocket. And indeed this is what's happened. I've managed to call my Dubai mobile from my Polish one and after the cab driver picked it we've arranged that he'll bring it back to me in the evening and I'll pay him for that. Hand set that I am using is not the fancy one, but that'd be too much hassle to buy new one, new SIM card, recover all contacts. Paying him 50Dh for bringing it back to me was the easiest and also the cheapest option.
I was very, very frustrated with that delay (prolly also the fact that I was very tired made me more frustrated) and there was another aspect that I was very unhappy with and in the end I've just exploded. I was leaving the car and had a quarrel with two out of three of my colleagues. Last time that I had this kind of 'conversation' was in Siem Reap, I remember how winded up I was there. This time it was doubled. I just hate the fact that some information was hidden from me and I was not asked neither what I think nor what i want.
In the end we've straightened things out and I did not leave the car and I've calmed down and we reached Abu Dhabi. Where we were greeted by great Sheikh Zayed:

Sheikh Zayed welcomed us in Abu Dhabi

Next we directed our steps to Emirates Palace which was exactly behind his back:

Emirates Palace - colossal hotel with nearly 400 rooms, 114 domes, 1.3 km private beach

Stairs leading to Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace

Interior of Emirates Palace

Piano in Emirates Palace. Steinway & Sons

Emirates Palace - Private beach

My beloved tiles in Emirates Palace

There are 1002 chandeliers with Swarovski crystals

Abu Dhabi city center:

Park in Abu Dhabi, feels almost like Central Park in NY

Starbucks in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Mosque:

To get into Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Mosque I had to wear abaya (long black gown) and shayla (headscarf)

 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Mosque is also knows as Grand Mosque is the newest landmark in Abu Dhabi. It can accommodate up to 40000 worshippers in its central courtyard and main prayer hall. Conceived by the late Sheikh Zayed - the 'father' of the UAE.

Black & white

Beautiful flower patterns are to be found everywhere in Grand Mosque

Main prayer hall. Carpet which is on the floor is the world's largest Persian carpet and took 2000 craftsmen 2 years to complete.

Clock in the Mosque shows Gregorian time, Arabic time and times for prayer,

The composition of marble, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics takes design cues from Morocco, Turkey and India's Taj Mahal

Seven gold-plated crystal chandeliers dangle from the ceiling, the largest measures 10m in diameter and weights almost 9 tonnes.

Tiles in Mosque

Paper cut

Grand Mosque from distance

And as icing on the cake we went to Abu Dhabi Ferrari World, which except Formula Rosa - he fastest roller coaster on the world was disappointing.

Ferrari World is located at Yas Island developed to appeal to cultural sensibilities

Ferrari World - picture of a car

This is the fastest roller coaster in the world. It simulates g-force in formula 1. It speeds up to 240 km/h in 4 sec.

Arabic girls on Formula Rosa. Some of them wear those red 'condoms' to protect shayla from falling.

This was the cutest car I've ever seen.

Abu Dhabi Ferrari World

Boys