Friday 6th April
Early February it came to our attention that Harley Davidson and Hummer we organizing a bike week rally thing! BIKE! That’s the only word I needed to here…..straight onto the ticket office and in my sticky little mitts I had the confirmation! Well the day was finally here.
We had a late lie, mainly because we had a late night….so late that we hadn’t removed the wrist bands from the Trilogy club the night before! DID I really go there!!!!! OMG…
Anyway, we decided we didn’t really need to get to the rally too early as there was an organized ride out till lunch. Seeing them all go out would just make me pine for my bike in the UK! Anyway we jumped in a cab at around 12:30 armed with our bit of paper saying it was at Media City……..NOTHING ELSE! Doh…..
Well what a taxi ride……nutter or what! We got close to media city and this guy was driving rather erratically to say the least…. My life was flashing before my eyes….we both realized he was doing some mad moves and in a Thelma and Louise style, grabbed each others hand…….it got to the point that CJD had to ask him to slow down…..it was so dangerous, but his excuse……..get this……….he was trying to catch up with the taxi in front to ask him where the bike show was!! We stopped to ask a construction worker and found some signs….we then rapidly bailed out to walk the rest of the journey in the searing heat! It really is warming up out here now!
Media City houses (as you would expect) the main media companies…..it probably has other stuff, but we were firmly heading to the beer garden so no exploring for us!
We were on one side of a lake and had a fantastic view of the stage that puddle of mud were supposed to be perform on…….we got to a checkpoint and was told to walk round to the main gate……..got our tickets and that was us……..a quick walk round (they were still setting up) drool over a few bikes, sports and choppers, and found a ladies petrol head club! GUTTED! Been here 6 months and didn’t know about that!!! They offer track days cars and bikes for the female fraternity plus a social meet at a sports bar to watch motorsport!!! GDI even more gutted!
We decided food was in order…..no breakfast so we were starved! Sausage all round!!!! You should see the size of it…..it had to be over a foot! (sorry 30cm). I have to say…..it was a bit much!!!!
Grabbed our first beverage and sat down to read our freebie bits and pieces! Then we were joined by some young bird OBVIOUSLY modeling herself on Kelly Osbourne (past) with proper attitude to boot…..rather light headed we couldn’t resist making the odd comment….especially when she said she was ‘gonna kill anyone who touches her bag man’ hahahahaha so funny listening to her try to get the groups attention demanding smokes etc…..hahahaha she must have been all of 14!!! (God I sound old)….
Got chatting to some Aussie construction workers that were sat next to us. Well to start with they asked CJD if she was from Ireland, to which she replied are you from New Zealand, I was killing myself!!!! So funny! When we had had our fill of construction woes and Dubai Summer discussions we decided to check out a few more bikes in the bike park!

Another drink in hand (getting the picture yet) we sat on the grass and listened to some guy playing some familiar covers and then the stunt bike came out! A Buell XB12S Lightning……the guy was really good…..had seen a similar stunt show a the BMF (British Motorcycle federation show)…..got that when I get home!! YAY!
Plenty of single wheel action and an impressive wheelie on a Harley Vrod! Those things are just not meant to be on one wheel!!!

Saw a really attractive Buell with orange tyres!!! tomahawk tyres......MMmmmm and YES i have already enquired about blue ones for my Hornet, but the reply was.......they are not available.....grrrrrr
More beer, more food and we just had enough! The music changed to heavy rock metal and that’s not our scene! Went to take photos of the stage but by 2100 we were in a cab! Cuppa char calling!!!

Saturday was rather non eventful, refreshing to wake up on top of the world, we hit Mamzar with NO headache! We did however underestimate the strength of the sun though….i was still on the banana oil…..factor 4……CJD on F10…….Hmmmmm touch and go……I think we need to up the protection as the sun is getting a lot stronger now!!!
We both got a little burnt around the eyes…..CJD looked like she had red eye shadow!!
Making the most of it, only a few W/E left……

Thursday Night!!!!!
We only have a few left, so its time to make the most of our nights out…..we were in search of CHEESE!!!! A local Dubai magazine had listed Scarlets as the best place for a Thursday night 70s 80s 90s extravaganza…so we all headed to waxy’s to start with! We had a rather limited crowd, missing Stu who was back in the UK for a week and Andy who had left!
After our fill of freebee cocktails (ladies only) some of us headed to the Emirates Towers! We had to stop out side for a random photo opportunity...CJD decided to lie down on white paving slabs in black trousers, at my feet to get the towers above my head!!!!

......Its a good job I had a disclaimer on my email…..they couldn’t blame me for this one! OMG it was like a ghost town in Scarletts! The music was ACE but the venue had no atmosphere at all! We stayed for as long as we could stand. I think the drinks in there were doubles, mainly to hide how dull the venue was and it also has affected my memory…..cant remember leaving scarletts and going to Souk Madinat, but I am informed we got a taxi! I really wanted a timeout….i HATE shiney clubbing!!!
120DHS to get in…..I HAVE NEVER PAID TO GO CLUBBING IN DUBAI! I guess it was to pay for the bottles of “artesian water” that came in bottles that looked better suited to being in a laboratory!
We headed for the roof which was some conciliation… clubbing in the open air looking at the Burj Al Arab! I recognized some of the tunes, but it didn’t give me the urge to go mad on the dance floor…….we stayed till gone 2 and then CJD, Ian and I left…….Ians leg was playing up after his Quad tumble…..you should see the cut on his leg!.......
In bed by 3……….not overly wasted!!! Thankfully!

Thursday 5th………Needs to be split….DAY AND NIGHT!
DAY!!!!
Due to the extension of our time here it was necessary to go off to Hatta again to renew our Visa’s……CJD and I hitched a ride with Kath and Ian as they needed to perform the same chore! Very kindly Ian offered to drive……giving me the chance to sit in the back and before even leaving the carpark I was catching some ZZZZZzzzzzz’s! well ok….it was about 10mins down the road! Unfortunately I cant really remember much of the journey, happily inspecting my eyelids, I awoke to find us at the checkpoint to get stamped out of the UAE! We got our car insurance and some refreshments and continued with the mission. Kath and I were were gaining some relief from the cold bottle of water, and some entertainment from the fact she got free plastic cups to drink from....chink chink!!!!After the mundane part we decided that as we were quite late (massive queues at the border!) we would go quadding at big red!
EXCELLENT! We love quadding….Kath decided to opt out and took videos and photos of us…..and Ian jumped on his first quadding experience! After around 10 mins in the pig pen, chasing, doughnutting, and speeding across the sand the bloke took us out on a safari!!! Up one side of big red and DOWN THE STEEP SIDE! It was ACE!
He took us over virgin sand dunes and into the unknown…..i bought up the rear which was fine until my bike broke!!! Was happily razzing along and I lost all drive! Put it in reverse and nothing! She was reving ok though! I got off to have a look. The chain was all limp……mmmm, that unusual…..then on closer inspection I had somehow managed to snap the main drive sprocket! It had completely snapped in the center……That bike needed towing……so…..stuck in the desert…..about 15mins from the bike place across sand dunes!!!!! I jumped on the guys bike who took me to where Ian and CJD were waiting……I then had to get on Ians bike!!! Not only was it his first time, but now he was taking a pillion…….I held on VERY TIGHTLY, i am surprised the guy could breath!……not least because as soon as I was on……he was heading for a REALLY steep part of the dune…..as the journey continued ian was getting confident…..i was a little nervous but if I fell off, it was only sand!!!
Back at the bike place, they gave me another bike to wreck!!!! Hahaha and 15mins in the dunes again….nice fellas!!! All was going brilliantly until I was looking for ian and found a couple of guys picking his bike up….it had gone right over……..we decided to call it a day!!!!!! Back to Dubai to get ready for another night out!

Wednesday 4th. I wanted to show Ant and Lise the Cocktail Bar at Emirates Towers, but after such a hectic week we only managed dinner at Scarlets….it was the perfect opportunity to reccy out the place for the Thursday night out!
It was a rather sedate affair……lots of talking and catching up…..and most important…..more photos together!

It was thier last night and we didnt stay late.....they had to pack to be away for 4am!

Mega quick post....so much has been done this week!!!!

Tuesday 3rd!!! 8 ladies and one man!!! My brother...............went to the Souk Madinat Jumierah theatre to see a production of Mamma Mia.....It was ACE! everyone singing and dancing at the end. We got such a buzz from it we are already seeing what is on in Manchester when we go back!!! the last time CJD and i went to the theatre there, we saw Puppetry of a Penis.....Hmmmmm this was a little more refined!!! I had seen Mamma Mia in London some years ago, and it was better than i remember!!!

Sunday 1st April, Following a full on weekend (probably the busiest since we have been here) i booked the Desert Safari with Jaffar again.....and because my sister in law is expecting i couldnt let Ant go on his own (what an excuse for me!!! i went for another sesh of dune bashing too!)

Now bearing in mind the races the night before were a rowdy old affair and it had taken everything we had to eat a Maccy Dees at lunch, i was really starting to feel the burn.....nevermind.....no rest for the Hardcore!

Jaffar did his rounds, picked me up in town, and off we went! The route is different from the last time i went, but it was EVEN BETTER......fantastic.......I think that guy has one of the BEST jobs in the world!! but it was ever apparent that the night before's exertions were haunting me over EVERY dune crest!

We stopped at a Camels pen to see some.........erm......CAMELS.....one was only 5 days old!!!! it was dead cute, although the mother wasnt to impressed by all the attention.

We got back to the camp and Ant had a burn on a Quad......we briefly looked at the poor camels giving the tourists rides, and we went in to the seated area...got some drinks and waited for the BBQ. We were seated with the other people in our 4x4.

Ant got himself a henna tattoo....and we kicked back while the belly dancer came on.........WELL we did till she started pulling people onto the stage to dance....OMG!

the lady on the table next to us really protested....i felt this hot wave of fear come over me as she neared where i was sitting!!! hahahah Phew, she got Hilary, the lady in the 4x4 with us......NO WAIT!!! cr4p, she grabbed my arm too! no point protesting you look like a right idiot, so (and i know this is a totally 'Not Me' thing to do) i got up and danced too! was a little strange...but when the coast was clear Hilary and I sneaked back to our table!!!

I was wearing a Hoody while everyone was wearing T shirts (resident darling!!) and i was boiling!

When the dancing finished it was back to the 4x4 and back to the flat!!! and well needed BED!

Saturday 31st March…..the Dubai World Cup….
Apparently a very prestigious race….I am not really into horses and racing so I didn’t really know a lot about it.
During the week, while we were organizing the snorkeling, another group were organizing a trip to the races…I declined as it would have to wear a dress!!! SHOCK HORROR! Not really my thing, and I find horse racing totally boring….just for good measure as my brother and his wife were out I emailed them to check, and they were of the same opinion………would rather stick hot pins in our eyes than watch horses run!
So picture my horror………sat on the sofa Friday morning…..another hangover, forcing dry toast down my neck and Ant says ‘guess what’s on this weekend’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! politely telling him I had emailed him he begged for us to try and get tickets…….On the way to Snoopy Island we stopped at the race track and got three tickets…..one MEGA problem……..we had to get outfits! So after a day at the beach we braved the busiest MOE I have seen since we have been here……..i begged CJD (the queen of shopping) to help me out! Shes a Star! Ant and lise struggled and ended up at Wafi City on Saturday morning, but thankfully I was sorted!
Saturday morning 0430 …………good ole mosque alarm clock goes off! We had booked the Hot air balloon………up, get ready, just leaving the flat and CJD checks her phone! While we were in the bathrooms, they sent a text CANCELLING the ride….too windy again! GDI! Having a mini sense of humour failure off with the clothes, back on the with the PJs back to get well needed sleep………
When we did eventually surface…ant and lise went shopping and we just chilled and watched the people around us having last minute nightmares….(I thought mine was bad!) Stu had to go pick his new suit up at 1230(it was being tailored) while we ate breakfast he came down to use our ironing board…. All in prep for everyone to meet on the roof for pre race going drinks!
Got ready and went to the roof….it was soooo warm! And windy! CJD averted a few Marilyn Monroe episodes (which were rather amusing!) until we got kicked off…..not because we had drinks, but because we had non residents up there…..Simple…..we bundled back to our balloon filled apartment…….for more drink!

We got taxis to the race course……..girls jumping in the first one we could find, leaving the guys behind……but only just narrowly getting there first…..Through the gates and headed into the International Village…..there were many local bars represented in this area so we grabbed a table at Irish Village. Only leaving there for food breaks. I don’t actually recall when the racing started…..too busy chatting away. As it got dark there was a realization that perhaps we should have put a little suncream on….DOH!!!!!
All the activity seemed to move down to the ‘party zone’…..it was kicking!
All the food stalls and more bars and another big screen, if you wanted to watch them… Kath thrust a Bullfrog in my hand......basically a mix of many things!!! wasnt drinking that on my own....not if i was to get to work the next day!
The last race was the Dubai world cup I think…..most of our group went to the race course to watch at least some horse action…….I don’t know how he managed it but Ant got right to the start finish line by blagging his way through and got video of the winning horse and the Sheik handing over the trophy!

After the race everyone headed back to the ‘party zone’ and………..well……..partied!!!!! HARD! So many photos, but can only really post a few!
There was an announcement that the bars were shutting, the group wasn’t going to finish the night like that so headed to another bar! Barasti!
It was a little too chilled and after one, and a discussion on why we should have gone dancing I Timed out……..How hard was work on Sunday!!!!!!!! Check out Daves Dubai Days!!! link top left for more photos!!!

Thursday 29th March…..
Now we are nearing the end of our time here, Some of the group are moving on to pastures new…..so we had a department farewell meal.
My brother and his wife arrived in the morning so I gave them a few suggestions of places to go for the evening. Meanwhile we all headed to Boardwalk for beers and food.
4 of us went straight from work and sat out over the creek with a couple of pitchers for a good hour and a half before we were joined by fellow colleagues.
Already in the spirit of the occasion we all ordered more drink and food and chilled out chatting about anything and everything.
6 of us decided that we would go on and continue the farewell and went to the bar next door called QDs. It was so busy we ended up perching on a wall until a seat became available.
The seated areas were like traditional Middle Eastern shelters with sofas. The music was quite loud and the seating pretty spread out, so we ended up in pairs talking, drinking and ordering a Hubbly Bubbly Pipe…..We stayed there until the urge to dance could not be ignored anymore! And the group split again leaving 4 of us (hardcore!!) heading off to Jimmy Dix!!!!
Now, Up till this point JD has been our ‘place to go’, but for some reason it didn’t seem as good as other nights so we are on the hunt for an alternative now. We left at 2:30ish and decided to head back to the flat to get a glass of tea…….it would seem that Stu has a shortage of mugs. After exerting more energy inflating a blow up mattress CJD flaked out on the couch………and “Timeout” was called!


Friday 30th March
Another road trip…………..this time we recruited a few of the guys from the office. Around 10 of us headed to Khor Fakken and Snoopy Island for snorkeling, and those that had a certificate went scuba diving.
CJD had to drive there as I was experiencing the effects of yet another night of partying! What felt like extreme effects!.........
The first thing we did when we got to Sandy beach was get some dirty food, and it sort of worked……for an hour or so!!!
We grabbed a spot on the sand……and at the hottest part of the day the sand was VERY hot……and hired our snorkel gear…..
I had the warnings from CJD at just how hot the sand was, but still, calmly walked towards the sea, until it felt like my feet were melting…..i have never run across a beach so fast in my life! I am sure if you listened closely enough you could hear the quenching of our feet in the sea!
Snorkeling, again, was ace. This time we went all the way round the island, in fact when on the far side of the rock we didn’t think we were going to have the pace to get back to shore………but still we saw no sharks…..my brother and some of the other guys saw them, but totally fatigued CJD and I just couldn’t go out again!. As the day passed by we caught a few ZZzzzzzs and by afternoon were up for a game of Frisbee……
Stu and Karl had come back from Scuba diving and we had a good crowd out in the water….swimming like nutters after our plastic disk!!! I had even recovered enough to manage some energetic Frisbee action too!
We left at 17:00 to drive back to Dubai because we had a last minute mind change about an event on the Saturday……..i will share that in the next post!!!