Dubai Day 2

After a lazy morning swimming and packing our bags we did a City Tour of Dubai. Last time we were in Dubai it was Ramadan so the old part of Dubai and the Souks were closed so we wanted to see them this time. 

We started with a walk around the Old Dubai Bastakiyas which is the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood which dates back to the 1890s. In its prime, the locality was capable of supporting 60 housing units, most of which were separated by narrow, winding lanes. We took a walk through the buildings and went inside a couple. It is amazing how much cooler it was inside with the Square Ventilation system they developed before air conditioning.

Our next stop was the Dubai Museum which is actually across the road from our hotel and housed within the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort further enables you to trace past the glorious history and experience an aura of time-honored fundamentals, with its myriad of distinctive arts and artifacts on display.  

After lunch which was a Shawarma (much like a yiros but with middle eastern spices) and very delicious. We then took a boat taxi across the Dubai Creek we visited the Spice Souk and Gold Souk which showcases the finest array of gold, diamond and platinum jewelry. Some of the Gold displayed in the shop windows was unbelievable. Walking back to the bus was extremely hot and I really felt I might pass out. Noel offered me his Crows cap but I would rather pass out than wear that lol.

Next we visited Jumeirah one of the emirate’s most upscale regions. We stopped at the picturesque Jumeirah Beach and took a walk along the sand admiring the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.

 Next stop the Souk Madinat within the Madinat Jumeirah. We also drove around Palm Island where the you find the amazing Atlantis Hotel and Water Park. We were there for sunset which was amazing with the haze in the sky from the dessert sand. Next we passed the Mall of the Emirates and the attractions that dot the gleaming Dubai Marina.

. The trip ends with a visit to Dubai Mall, where we enjoyed the dancing fountain show and took pictures of the towering Burj Khalifa from the waterfront.

Got back to the Hotel around 8:30pm had a much needed shower, a bite to eat and finished packing. A couple of hours rest before we left the hotel at 11:00pm to the airport for the trip home.

42 Degrees
11,328 Steps and 3 Floors

• Total Steps Trip 236,261
• Total Floors Trip 160
• Total Miles Trip 1,792 + Unknown with Jean & Bob
• Total KM Trip 2,883.94
• Fuel Cost = $300.32 AUS

Dubai

After a morning swim we headed to Dubai Mall. It has over 1,300 stores and include's one of the world's largest aquariums,  Dubai Ice Rink a Waterfall and Dubai Fountain. We watched the the water fountain which sprays water over 150 meters in the air and has over 1,000 unique water expressions set to music.

After the Water Show we headed to the food court for lunch and found some delicious Greek Giros.  We cruised the mall for a while looking at all the designer shops we can't afford and walked through the Souk bedazzled by the bling.

We then check out the aquarium which we saw last time we were here and it is still impressive.  It has the largest viewing platform on earth and over 30,000 aquatic animals including Sand Tiger Sharks and Stingrays.

After a pomegranate juice we headed back to the hotel.  My knee hurts more today than it has the whole holiday. We got back just before a bit of a sandstorm. The next photo is on the way back to the hotel. The second was about 20 minutes later.  Only lasted about 30 minutes. 

We headed down the road from our hotel and found the AL Shorafaa Restaurant which has Pakistan,  Indian and Arabic cuisine.  We had a mixed grill, Pulao Rice and garlic naan which was delicious. I also had a fresh lime and mint soda which was just like a mahito without the alcohol.

After dinner we walked the block and the only non locals we were offered the usual watched,  bags and perfumes.  Noel wanted a watch so we followed the hawker to his upstairs shop.  Wow he had the lot,  beautifully displayed and much better quality than the Bali and Thai stuff.  After much negotiations Noel bought himself a new Rolex.

44 degrees
11,357 steps

Wrexham to Manchester

This morning we went to the Pontcysylle Aqueduct. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee in the Vale of Llangollen in north east Wales. The 18-arched stone and cast iron structure is for use by narrowboats and was completed in 1805 having taken ten years to design and build. It is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest canal aqueduct in the world. We walked over the aqueduct and the views of the area are stunning.

Next stop was the start of the Shropshire Union Canal.  The water is directed into the canal at Horseshoe Falls.  Designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1808. Around 12 million gallons of water pressure are drawn from the River Dee to supply water to the canals and help supply drinking water to South Cheshire.

We then went to Llangollen for lunch at the Corn Mill. 

We said our goodbyes to Jean and Bob who have been wonderful hosts, we can't thank them enough for their hospitality.  We mad either drive to Manchester where we are staying overnight at Oddfellows on the Park.

Formally know as Bruntwood Hall its history is rich. From its beginnings as a home for stuff merchant John Douglas and his wife in 1861, a town hall in the war, one of the greatest equestrian studs in the North and a film company – its uses have been diverse and interesting.

Bruntwood Hall is an impressive building in the centre of Bruntwood Park. The Victorian Gothic building was constructed in 1861, making it over 150 years old.

Tonight we had dinner with my cousin Celia and her daughter Lisa. It was wonderful to see them and dinner was delicious at the Blue Tiffin  Indian Restaurant.

Early start tomorrow with a 10am flight to Dubai for the journey home.

20 degrees 

11,749 steps and 11 floors

230 miles = 370 km

Chester and Rhuddlan Castle

This morning we walked around historic Chester.The city of Chester was an important Roman stronghold. First stop was the museum to learn about the Roman History of the town. You can follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, medieval archers and elegant Georgian promenades of Chester with panoramic views on both sides as you explore the most complete circuit of city walls in the country. We only walked a part if it.

We then visited the Chester Cathedral which is a Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester. The cathedral (formerly the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, dedicated to Saint Werburgh) is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since 1541 it has been the seat of the Bishop of Chester. While we were there a funeral was talking place so the organ was being played.  It sounded magnificent and we were lucky to hear it.  The cloisters were stunning with beautiful stained glass windows the whole way around.

We strolled around Bridge St the Roman name for Bridge Street was Via Praetoria. Bridge Street starts at the Cross and continues down hill towards the river and the Old Dee Bridge. There are many shops on this street as there are rows on the East and West sides of the Street. The streets are beautiful and unique.  We stopped for a drink at the Boots Inn which was amazing.  The low ceiling and beams incredible.

We walked to the amphitheater along the wall then through the Roman gardens along the river back to the car.  Home for lunch to refuel for this afternoons adventure.

We spent the afternoon at Castell Rhuddlan.  King Edward I liked his castles to be on the coast. It was safer that way. If his ruthless campaign to subdue the Welsh ran into trouble, supplies could still get through by sea.

At Rhuddlan, several miles inland, the plan was to use a river instead. Just one problem – the meandering Clwyd wasn’t quite in the right place. So Edward conscripted hundreds of ditch-diggers to deepen and divert its course.

More than seven centuries later Rhuddlan still looks like a castle that was worth moving a river for. Begun in 1277 it was the first of the revolutionary concentric, or ‘walls within walls’, castles designed by master architect James of St George.

Most impressive was the inner diamond-shaped stronghold with its twin-towered gatehouses. This sat inside a ring of lower turreted walls. Further beyond was a deep dry moat linked to the River Clwyd.

The castle was designed by the same Master who designed Conwy Castle we visited yesterday.

We finished the day with dinner at the local gastro pub the Golden Lion to thank Jean and Bob for their wonderful hospitality the last few days.

19 degrees
11,574 Steps and 10 floors