This section is dedicated to Dani(ela) and Simon, our fabulous hosts for 3 wonderful days, and to Stella and Michael (Simon’s parents), our guides to Dubai. We stay in Dani’s and Simon’s really nice house which they share with 4 cats, enjoy great meals and barbecues in the garden, relax and do some sightseeing.

Our first visit is to the Dubai creek which we cross in the waterbus. The settlements of Dubai and Deira originated on the banks of this natural sea water arm running inland for about 10 km. The creek is also a natural harbor for dhows from as far away as India and East Africa. The ancient Al Fahidi Fort now houses the Dubai Museum with displays of everyday life in old Dubai. Another witness of old Dubai is the Heritage House built in 1910 and now also a museum. Close by are the sukhs were e.g. gold, spices, silk and carpets are sold.

The next day we are bound for Atlantis, the theme hotel on the tip of the famous artificial palm island. Its main attraction is a large aquarium that is set up like a landscape from the sunken continent Atlantis. In walking through 10 chambers one can explore the life of 65.000 marine inhabitants.

On our third day we join the Open Doors. Open Minds. program at Jumeira mosque. It is one of the hundreds of mosques in Dubai and on 4 days of the week it is open to visitors of all religions for a guided tour. Two young ladies explain what’s going on in a mosque from the ritual washing to the daily prayers. Simon and Michael volunteer to demonstrate how close men and women in separate groups stand during the prayer - although they are not exactly rubbing shoulders due to their difference in height.

Our trips around Dubai are accompanied by the different impressing skylines and buildings of Dubai including the landmark Burj al Arab hotel which is illuminated in green on our last night to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. After 3 wonderful days it is time to say good-bye to Dani, Simon, Stella and Michael and to board the plane that will finally take us back to Germany.