Tuesday 13th May 2025

Tuesday 13^th May

SHE SAID:

I slept well, despite my bruising, & we headed for the first HO HO Bus at 10am.

We changed buses at the terminal, Dubai Mall, to the blue route, & retraced some of the night tour stops, plus a few more. The weather was hotter than yesterday, over 40C we think; not great for walking around in!

We were back at the hotel around 3.30pm then took a taxi back to the Dubai Mall for dinner & a tour up the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. I had purchased the horrendously priced tickets to the 124th & 125th floors for after sunset, as they were a fair bit cheaper than pre-sunset, but on enquiring when we should start to queue we were told we could go up straight away, so pre-sunset! 

The dust smog was across the setting sun, making it quite boring. Though, the city lights were good once it was dark. Then the views from the outside looking up were great too. It was hard to imagine we were 125 levels up in the world's tallest building.

Day 2 of the hop on - hop off bus

Night tour of the Burj Khalifa

HE SAID:

We only decided at very short notice to get off the bus at the Atlantis Hotel. After a bit of a look around the public areas we thought we’d walk to the Burj ak Arab, the famous billowing sail-shaped building. Well, not really having a clear route, unable to find clear directions, and nearly melting in the 40+ degree midday sun, we gave up and went back to the air-conditioned Atlantis to cool off, and for me to dry off; my shirt was sweat-soaked. While at the Atlantis we thought a bite to eat was called for, so we headed to one of the many tacky, themed eateries. Seeking local food again we found a place selling the usual fare, shawarmas, and bought an over-priced one. But, to my amazement, and amusement of the girl serving me at the till when I nearly had a conniption, the small can of Pepsi to have with our meal cost 30 UAE Dirhams:$12.75! An absolute rip off! Yet there were hundreds and hundreds of people passing through and buying food and drinks; a licence to print money.

After our jaunt up the Burj Kahlifa we grabbed dinner in the 1200 shop Dubai Mall, which surrounds the base of the tower. Trying to eat local food again we ordered a tarchin, which is meat in a case of baked rice. It was very tasty and I'm glad we tried it.