I'm lucky enough to have one of my best friends in the Oil and Gas Industry, which means she can swing a business trip to the Middle East and more importantly...Dubai! We have been making plans since before I left, so I have been looking forward to this trip! And to top it off, she managed to make here for Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day! Let the good times roll!
I took a few days off of school because how often will I be across the world with one of my best friends...I can't think of another opportunity. I left after school on Wednesday to meet Marisa at her hotel, The Address. This hotel was one of the best hotels in the UAE. It had a balcony with chairs and a table that faced the fountains at the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. I was ecstatic to see her as this was my piece of home...I was feeling extremely homesick. Marisa arrived with some care packages. My parents sent me gumbo mix, jambalaya mix, crystal light, candy corn, and Valentine's treats! Marisa surprised me with some Pat O's Hurricane Mix and a Chuy's t-shirt that resembled the packing for Tabasco. I couldn't have been happier...the little things! I've decided to have a late Mardi Gras party at my villa when I can find some sausage! The Address is next to Dubai Mall so we decided to eat a dinner that we couldn't get at home...Texas Roadhouse:) We did sit outside for a nice view of the Burj so it wasn't quite like home. This restaurant never disappoints. We went back to the hotel and got dressed for a few drinks at Neo's, which is on the top floor of The Address. A perfect night!
While Marisa went to work, I went to the Dubai Mall and had breakfast at Dean and Deluca. I had the American Breakfast of eggs, beef sausage and salad? Not quite IHOP but the coffee was delicious.
'
On Saturday, we woke up and went to Aquaventure, the waterpark at Atlantis. We did the "lazy" river and then a few rides. We went back to the beach and then had lunch at the cafe there. We went back to the room and got dressed and checked out. We went to Bur Dubai (the old part of Dubai) where we rode the abra (water taxi) and went to see the World's Largest piece of gold. Marisa had a blast walking through the Souk...she had on shorts! I should've warned her!!! I took her and her co-worker to Al Karama to do some knock-off shopping. We checked into a new hotel by the Marina (after getting lost a lot). We went next door and had pizza and called it a night. I knew this would be the point where I would get sad and homesickness set in. She would be going home and I would be going back to my home...Abu Dhabi. While, we had a great time, it was very hard saying goodbye. Thank you for making a short trip longer to see me Maris! I had such a great time that I will always remember! You're the best!!!! Till next time...
The hotel room at The Address
Bathroom
Tea and Coffee...yes, please!
View of Burj Khalifa from the room
Balcony
View from hotel room
View of pool from hotel room
Fountain show about to begin at Dubai Mall...you can see the all the people at the mall waiting for the show to start
Marisa on the balcony
Me on the balcony
Nice chairs with a table to put our wine glasses or cupcakes:)
The fountain show
Pretty impressive
View from Neo's-63rd Floor
The fountain show view from Neo's
Marisa and I at Neo's
Marisa saw these margarita pops on the menu and expected something totally different...they were exactly what the menu described...popsicles!
Marisa with her Margarita Pops...she was unsure what this would be after seeing it on the menu. It was served on a bed of shaved ice...we decided this would be the perfect pool drink.
After Neo's, we went back to our room and sat on the balcony and ate our cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery!
Red Velvet...yummy!
While Marisa went to work, I went to the Dubai Mall and had breakfast at Dean and Deluca. I had the American Breakfast of eggs, beef sausage and salad? Not quite IHOP but the coffee was delicious.
View of the Burj Khalifa from Dean and Deluca
All of the goodies my Mom sent with Marisa!
Marisa's treats for me!
A boat cleaning the fountains
Looking up at the Burj
The front of The Address
Relaxing by the pool
On Thursday, we transferred to another luxury hotel...Atlantis. Marisa came and met me after work and we checked out the hotel grounds. We went into the Lost Chambers Aquarium and saw some beautiful fish and jellyfish. We went outside for a drink by the beach and met some young men from Saudi at the bar. They spoke pretty decent English, as he said he graduated from Penn State. He promised to help Marisa get a working visa for Saudi...are you sure you want to go there Marisa???
That night, Valentine's night, we decided to call it an early night as jet lag set in for Marisa (know this all too well). The housekeeper was so kind and brought us roses and two bags full of toiletries. I tipped him and he was so happy. He told me I was the only person that tipped him.
That is one thing that I will never approve of here in the UAE...the way the workers are treated. We should be appreciative of everything they do without complaint. I never pick up my trash here or have to see a piece of trash anywhere in this country. I truly appreciate these men and women and the sacrifices they make for a better life for their family back in their home country. Ok, back to Atlantis:)
We decided to splurge and go all out for Friday brunch! Saffron was definitely the right choice. It was about AED 435 ($118.45) for brunch...but let me say, this was no brunch...this was a party! It starts at 12:30 where the crowd is waiting before it opens and goes on until 4pm. We get ushered in with a glass of champagne to welcome us. Then, we got seated right in front of the Jager shot bar (see picture below). Saffron was filled with different stations of food ranging from Asian inspired food, sushi, hamburgers, egg casserole, fruit, lobster, salad, and they even had CAJUN spiced chicken breast!
And with all the food, comes all the alcohol. They had stations set up for champagne, beer, jager, Kahulua, Bailey's, mojito, vodka shots, tequila shots, pineapple drinks in mini pineapples, coconut drinks in coconuts, watermelon drinks in watermelon with about 6 straws, and I know I'm forgetting some other stations.
The food was good and we relaxed next to our new best friends, Frenchy and Wales (not their real names but easy to remember as one was from France and one was from Wales). They entertained us throughout brunch and made it a memorable day and night! We met some Americans too that weren't teachers. They were working for the airlines and military in Dubai. After brunch, they invited us to go to 360 Bar with them so we found a Lexus outside and hopped in. Still don't know how we managed this...I think he was in the taxi line and we just got lucky:) We went to 360 at Jumierah. You get dropped off at the marina entrance and then you walk down the path to the bar that faces the Burj Al Arab. It was almost sunset so the pictures turned out amazing. Marisa wasn't impressed with the "Euro-Techno" mix the DJ was playing so we called our new Lexus Taxi friend and he came back and picked us up. We made another new friend waiting on him. He was visiting his Mom in Dubai and was in the Air Force in the US. He came back with us to Atlantis to go to the club there. When we got back to Atlantis, the bar was closed for a private function so we had a few drinks in the French restaurant and then called it a night. Definitely one for the books!
That night, Valentine's night, we decided to call it an early night as jet lag set in for Marisa (know this all too well). The housekeeper was so kind and brought us roses and two bags full of toiletries. I tipped him and he was so happy. He told me I was the only person that tipped him.
That is one thing that I will never approve of here in the UAE...the way the workers are treated. We should be appreciative of everything they do without complaint. I never pick up my trash here or have to see a piece of trash anywhere in this country. I truly appreciate these men and women and the sacrifices they make for a better life for their family back in their home country. Ok, back to Atlantis:)
Great picture...Marisa with the Arabian Gulf in the background
Marisa in front of Atlantis
The Valentines beach dinner setup...only $1,300 per couple!
Walking through the Lost Chambers Aquarium
Just a few LSU fish:)
We decided to splurge and go all out for Friday brunch! Saffron was definitely the right choice. It was about AED 435 ($118.45) for brunch...but let me say, this was no brunch...this was a party! It starts at 12:30 where the crowd is waiting before it opens and goes on until 4pm. We get ushered in with a glass of champagne to welcome us. Then, we got seated right in front of the Jager shot bar (see picture below). Saffron was filled with different stations of food ranging from Asian inspired food, sushi, hamburgers, egg casserole, fruit, lobster, salad, and they even had CAJUN spiced chicken breast!
And with all the food, comes all the alcohol. They had stations set up for champagne, beer, jager, Kahulua, Bailey's, mojito, vodka shots, tequila shots, pineapple drinks in mini pineapples, coconut drinks in coconuts, watermelon drinks in watermelon with about 6 straws, and I know I'm forgetting some other stations.
The food was good and we relaxed next to our new best friends, Frenchy and Wales (not their real names but easy to remember as one was from France and one was from Wales). They entertained us throughout brunch and made it a memorable day and night! We met some Americans too that weren't teachers. They were working for the airlines and military in Dubai. After brunch, they invited us to go to 360 Bar with them so we found a Lexus outside and hopped in. Still don't know how we managed this...I think he was in the taxi line and we just got lucky:) We went to 360 at Jumierah. You get dropped off at the marina entrance and then you walk down the path to the bar that faces the Burj Al Arab. It was almost sunset so the pictures turned out amazing. Marisa wasn't impressed with the "Euro-Techno" mix the DJ was playing so we called our new Lexus Taxi friend and he came back and picked us up. We made another new friend waiting on him. He was visiting his Mom in Dubai and was in the Air Force in the US. He came back with us to Atlantis to go to the club there. When we got back to Atlantis, the bar was closed for a private function so we had a few drinks in the French restaurant and then called it a night. Definitely one for the books!
The Dragon for Chinese New Year-Saffron was celebrating Chinese New Year.
The dessert station with a chocolate fountain, cakes, cookies, gelato, candy and so may other sweets
Part of the layout of Saffron with the DJ and dancing
I thought this might resemble a bloody mary but more like gazpacho
Marisa at the start of brunch with her champagne
Where we were seated...Jager. Marisa and I were laughing because we remembered our college days (which don't seem so long ago...but actually 11 years ago)! Fred's in Tigerland used to "serve" Jager shots (when they played the Fight Song-I'm getting old so I can't remember). I know most of you can remember those nights!
The pineapple drinks served in the pineapple and mojito's
Coconut drinks and mimosas
The ladies:)
Marisa and I are one of a kind...we both grew up in Louisiana and don't eat seafood. We decided to both branch out and try some lobster....
I'm not quite sure about this...
Marisa was all in!
The watermelon drink
'
She says...yum!
Marisa, Frenchy and Wales toasting good times!
I love this pic...classy Marisa and her champs!
At last call, each of us went back to one of the stations and grabbed enough for our group:)
So cute:)
A group of dancers...rolling on the river...they were having a real good time!
The jager stations starts up
Bubbles
Awww...
This Irish guy came to the Jager station and wanted a few pictures taken...he really knew how to ham it up
Jager station
Bailey's/Kahlua station
Dessert Station
Food stations...
Cajun chicken
DJ
Some of the American friends
So, at the end of the brunch...one of Frenchy and Wales friends stopped at the table and he's a magician and a pretty impressive one at that.
He told me to put sign a dirham and fold it up and give it to him. After some magical hand movement...he reached inside his jacket pocket and produced this sealed envelope. Inside the envelope was my signed money! Impressed!
The sealed envelope
That's it! Amazing!
The following pictures were a few fun ones we took on the way to 360 and at 360...
Waif...our driver for the night
Crystal and Marisa
Bowtie...enough said!
The American Ladies
The long walk back to the hotel to catch our ride!
On Saturday, we woke up and went to Aquaventure, the waterpark at Atlantis. We did the "lazy" river and then a few rides. We went back to the beach and then had lunch at the cafe there. We went back to the room and got dressed and checked out. We went to Bur Dubai (the old part of Dubai) where we rode the abra (water taxi) and went to see the World's Largest piece of gold. Marisa had a blast walking through the Souk...she had on shorts! I should've warned her!!! I took her and her co-worker to Al Karama to do some knock-off shopping. We checked into a new hotel by the Marina (after getting lost a lot). We went next door and had pizza and called it a night. I knew this would be the point where I would get sad and homesickness set in. She would be going home and I would be going back to my home...Abu Dhabi. While, we had a great time, it was very hard saying goodbye. Thank you for making a short trip longer to see me Maris! I had such a great time that I will always remember! You're the best!!!! Till next time...
The abra ride for AED1
The world's largest piece of gold and Marisa in shorts in a souk:)
No comments:
Post a Comment