Dubai and the Burj Al Arab

I arrived at the Atlanta airport waiting for Garry and Rich. Upon arrival I asked for bulkhead seats for the guys and all had been allotted to mothers and children. Sitting at the gate the reservationist called my name and asked me to come to the gate. She told me they needed more seats in the back and she was upgrading me to Business Class. I told her I'd love to hug her neck since the flight was 14 hours (instead of 17 hours originally thought). I DID not look at my boarding pass, but proceeded to call friends and tell them about my lucky day. I was so excited.

While talking to other passengers until the guys showed up passed some time - a rug dealer going to Kabul, and a privately contracted policeman stationed at a military Base near Peshawar in Afghanistan. Here comes Garry trying to find me so off we go to Delta's Crown Room for drinks, snacks, more drinks, and coffee. .
Finally the attendants were concerned we'd miss the boarding, so off we went getting in line to board. As they checked the boarding passes with our passports mine did not agree. It turned out that the original reservationist gave me the wrong boarding pass and NOW I'm back in coach. Of course you can just imagine Garry and Rich were for me! Garry and I asked the couple sitting with me if they would mind exchanging seats to accommodate all three of us sitting together. They obliged.

In the middle of the night the three of us paused our movies and headed back for coffee, water and yogurt and chatted with the flight attendants. At on point we all got so loud that a cooworker came back and told us to calm down. They wanted to visit the Burj with us, but another friend is already scedhuled to visit. Great movies passed the time and lots of laughs reminiensing about old trip and the possibility of new one like Iran to see 9 World Hertiage Sights - it's a ONE-TIME only trip. Everest basecamp didn't perticularily catch my attention. Buhtan is still in the running.

Enough about all that and the next few paragraphs -let's more on to Dubai and it's pure decadence.

After a relatively quick flight to Dubai, but only after firefighting machine at the Atlanta airport and our plane sprayed chemicals on a pallet of boxes that were smoking. The pilot said better now than in the air. I agreed 100 % with his decision. We left about 1hr and 45 min late.

After leaving customs we got money and proceeded to stood in one of five long queues at the airport to get a taxi. Anyone coming to Dubai I would strongly urge them to make prior arrangements for pickup rather than waiting in line. We stood for 35 minutes in 95 degree heat at 9:30pm. And yes, the tall woman with blonde hair did get some attention especially with the red glitter toes.

Ah, yes the Burj. Garry had to tell the name to the guard and we passed with the taxi driver and up to the front door, people coming form every angle to assist one. We never once had to go to checkin counter. Three Musketeers were asked to sit as she checked us in. I front of us he enjoyed a cold towel to wipe off after a lenghty flight and a dish of large dates stuffed with candied orange slices

The Hostess personally took us up the stairs to our room on the 22 floor overlooking the Palm Island and the World in addition to Muhammahd and Nevil who are our private butlers 24/7. It;s so totally over the top one just can't believe it. Well believe it - Through Garry card we were upgraded to a 8000 square foot room with three HUGE bedrooms and bathrooms and dressing room. The 2 story foyer, the shades move by remote control, there's a kicthen/a work out room, a study, wireless internet who came to get all of our laptaps on line with their code. NOTHING IS TOO MUCH TROUBLE
More candy and fruit, coffee, and water keep coming.

Tommorrow we plan to do the brunch at 10:30 whose notority is well know throughout Dubai, and the sight from the restaurant on the 27th floor.

GOing to bed - tomorrow the photos of our suite will be happening. Garry's Bed is mirrored. He will need to be monitored. Photos to follow tomorrow - I can bearly type anymore. GoodNight! I;m so tired and missing some events. One last thing - SAVE the Money and come to the Burj!!! What a treat. We've decided to hang around the hotel and all their ammenities like the pool, the water park, the beach, the golf cars, reestaurants, bars - ya da ya da.

I finally got to sleep last night around 1:30 and up at 9:00. Their world famous Brunch begins at 10:00, but we are going at 10:30. TOnight I think it's dinner in the seafood restaurant where you take a three minute vitual submarine tour to enter the restaurant. More to follow.

Caution: After writing last night I don't know if it all makes sense - forgive me.

Tamara