Aranjuez

We visited the Summer home of the kings & queens of yesteryear with Donna.

Another Time, Another Life

Check out this video we found on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_o0tPDJWOs
Recognize the woman with the short brown hair, purple hat and long cigarette at :47 and 1:08?
This was filmed on Star Island, Miami Beach, in 1998.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi

This is the 3rd largest mosque in the world, able to hold 40,000 worshippers at once! The chandeliers are the largest in the world, made of Swarovski crystals, gold & silver. The carpet, from Iran, is the largest hand-made in the world. It took hundreds of women more than 2 years to complete. The thread is woven so tightly that it is fireproof! No, Ingrid did not convert...she has issues with me taking any more wives. You can go here to see a nice video of the mosque...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzW021XoJRs&feature=related

Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the classy capital of UAE. If you can imagine Dubai as a city where the less than classy nouveau rich go to flaunt their wealth, Abu Dhabi is the city where very classy old monied jet-setters go to discreetly spend their money. The hotel cost over 2 billion US to build, rooms run from $500 to $15,000 a night, there are numerous penthouse suites reserved only for members of the Royal Emiratis, and Andrea Bocelli will be performing here next weekend (incase you have a little spare time & alotta spare change!) And yes, that is real gold on the walls and ceiling.

Ibn Battuta Mall

This HUGE mall is divided into regions of the world, like China, Turkey, & Tunisia. It takes about 2 hours to walk and windowshop in one direction, but at the end, you can take a golf cart back to the start for about $1.00.

Deira (Old Dubai)

Here is where we took dhou boats along the river, met our friends Taieb & Fairouz, and visited the gold & spice souks.

The United Arab Emirates

All I can say is WOW. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

More to come!