Day 2, December 24: Our First Full Day in Dubai

Today, we both got up rested from our journey and time difference from yesterday in pretty good shape. I was hungry so we went to explore the breakfast buffet that is a part of our hotel package. This is clearly a luxury hotel!! The food at the buffet was reflective of cuisines around the world. Everything you could want (but grits) was on the buffet.

We both enjoyed eggs our way from the chef at the omelet station, plenty of fresh baked pastries and breads, hashbrowns, yogurt, turkey bacon, fruit, coffee and detox water. My oh my was it a great breakfast!

We came back to the room after breakfast and Patrise immediately went to bed for a couple of hours. I worked on the blog and froze in the living room area while Patrise slumbered in the cool air. When she arose, needless to say I was not in a great mood. She had made plans for us to have a couples' massage, and I just grudgingly went along. However, that was the best move I could have made. The massage was excellent. We then went to enjoy lunch around the infinity pool, located outdoors on the 64th floor. Did I mention that our hotel is in the same area as the Burj Khalifa? You can see it from anywhere in the hotel. There are really spectacular views available of this side of the city from the 64th floor. Some of the photos from this morning are here:

Patrise with our breakfast; views of the Dubai skyline from the breakfast room.

Views from the Paramount Hotel rooftop, with an infinity pool and bar.

After lunch, we returned to the room. This time, Doug needed the nap. While he was napping, I adventured out. I caught a cab; the driver's name was Ali, and he is from Pakistan. He is trained as a civil engineer in Pakistan, but unable to work in that profession in Dubai, so he drives a cab. He hopes to immigrate to the United States some day. We had a great conversation as he drove me to the "regular side of town" to shop for plain white pants for Doug. I saw lots of regular people from other countries in east Asia, the Middle East, and Africa driving and shopping -- living everyday life that is not on display the EMARR tourist district, where we are staying. Unfortunately, I did not get a single picture. Perhaps, Doug and I will get a chance to go back. In that way, I can guarantee there would be photos taken (smile).

When I returned from my self-arranged excursion, Doug was still napping.. I had to wake him up so that he would not oversleep. Once he woke up, we ordered dinner from the room service menu. After which, we played 500 gin rummy, then got ready for bed.

Tomorrow after breakfast, we will meet up with the other travelers who arrived this evening. We will have a half-day tour of the city. Then, on Christmas night, we will experience dinner on a dhow, a traditional ship of the Emirates and other countries in this part of the world.

We are looking forward to Christmas Day!