The Seven Sands of the United Arab Emirates

That's right, seven different colours of sand in the Emirates: red, light red, cream, brown, blue, black and white. I haven't seen any of these crazy-coloured sands yet, like blue or black, but damn that's cool.

On the way back from the airport we tour around Dubai for a bit, then stop for brunch at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel - Louise calls it paradise and I'm inclined to agree...

The lobby of the Madinat Jumeirah

Outside the washrooms...I just thought this was funny

Through the courtyard to the beach...

On the hotel grounds on the way to the market in the next building...

Louise and I dipping our toes in the Persian/Arabian Gulf. That's the Burj

Al Arab (a.k.a. the big sail hotel) in the background. It's the only seven star

hotel in the world and if you're not staying there, they charge something

like $35 just to get through the door.

Dad and Louise

Their house has remarkably spacious rooms and high ceilings. The rooms echo. Every floor surface is beautifully tiled. There is something regal about bare feet on a cool tile floor, especially in these surroundings - it makes me feel exalted, almost mythic.

For dinner we have steak with asparagus, lots of wine, blue cheese with strawberries ;) and camembert, and chocolate mouse cake for dessert. I literally fall into bed after having been awake for 35 hours.

Hearing the call to prayer in the early morning hours when the house is dark and quiet is nothing less than haunting. If you've never heard it before, here's a quick example of what I hear five times a day.

On the flip side, Louise laughs when she tells me that sometimes (especially in the morning) the guy coughs into the microphone during the actual prayer.

It's 24 degrees and sunny. Thai massage for me and a facial for Louise, then shopping. This traveling thing sure is grueling - I don't know how I'll ever survive.