Getting to grips with Dubai

It's been an eventful visit so far. It's been lovely, of course, being a useful mother and grandmother and Daisy is lots of fun. I'm loving my time with her. She can't quite manage to say "grandma" but under duress yells out "yamma" which is even better. Below is a familiar sight approaching.

Unfortunately, I've had the virus from hell that refuses to go away. I'm thankful for my travel/medical insurance. I'm enjoying finding out more about Dubai, and haven't come to any real conclusions so far. It seems to have some really good things going for it, and some things I don't like. The people are generally really lovely. The men in particular are very friendly and love children and Daisy is always getting swept up for a cuddle or enticed into a smile. Dubai seems to attract a lot of Westerners in their 30s. There are interesting, challenging jobs (mostly for the men) and the women have a great social life, being mostly in Bec's position with a toddler or two. They meet for coffee mornings at the mall, and in the afternoons gather round the very nice neighbourhood pools. There are maids for the housework, and the beauticians do a great trade.

View from one side of the house - a big lake, good walking spot when not too hot

And the view from the other side - seldom much action on streets because of heat

Bec and Andy have two new vehicles, cheap to buy, and the large Pajero with a big tank took about NZ$35 to fill. Food is cheaper than NZ overall. Eating out varies from cheap to expensive but plenty of choice. Rent is very expensive. The roads are many-laned and in good condition, but a nightmare dealing with all the trucks and the quite aggressive drivers. There is no public transport system, but taxis are plentiful and cheap. They are building an overground Metro service which will be ready in a few years. The real downside for me is the exploitation of thousands of immigrant workers. They are badly paid (there's no minimum wage) have to work through the heat of the day, and only occasionally get to visit their families (mostly in India). The scale of development here is phenomenal, almost unbelievable. Tower blocks, both residential and commercial, are popping up just everywhere, not just a few at a time, but hundreds, probably thousands. Off-shore island developments are targetting the super-rich.

Not just the most development, but the tallest building in the world (from Saturday)

Arabian Ranches, where Bec and Andy live, is about half an hour from the airport and a bit of a drive anywhere, but there doesn't seem to be a town centre, more a series of developed areas with malls. Because it is so hot at around mid-40s, you seldom see people walking on the streets, so everything happens in these airconditioned spaces, which are quite interesting and diversely themed as in the Mall of the Emirates with a ski slope complete with chairlift. You can sit in Costa drinking coffee and watch the action, or hire a chalet overlooking the slopes and stay for a few days. All contained within the mall.

As many people as can seem to leave Dubai for as long as possible during these exceptionally hot few months. Blake arrived a few hours ago for a three days, on route to his head office in Switzerland. Then France, Korea and back to Singapore. It's great he managed to co-ordinate his visit with mine, and the house is big enough for us all. I think he wants to go skiing tomorrow.

Modelling new dress from grandma

Local organic supermarket - NZ apples about NZ$5 kg