This is settling in day, we should still be jet lagged and having irregular sleeping patterns – but NO we managed to sleep a good 9 hours even though we both got up about 4 times to pee as we had drunk that much water yesterday!  Great news and a great feeling to wake up and feel fine.

We had a 10:42 tee off time at the Dubai Creek golf Course, which is in the Dubai City Centre.  It used to be the host venue for the Dubai Desert Classic.  Today it is hotter than yesterday, a little more humid.  It is another 30 minute drive to the golf course, getting around in Dubai seems to take forever.  But another chance to look at the amazing architecture – it is like it is a portfolio for who is who in architecture.  My favourite is the twisted building, it is so cool. The tower is designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill SOM architectural group, the same group who did the concept design for the Burj Khalifa which is where we will stay on our return home.  Some photos of the buildings – taken from the car.

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The golf course experience was much the same as the Els Club, the staff are so welcoming and whip your clubs from you and set them up.  They usher you into the air con as soon as possible, anything to make you more comfortable.  Then out onto the course, the golf course itself is in the middle of the city and alongside the main river – which makes for a lot of lakes and water.  I played off the Mens tees again, I struggled with the length not being able to make par 4s in two.  I played a lot better and handled the heat better than yesterday.  We both did okay until about 14 – when we were struggling, getting grumpy and  not coping.  I am pleased to say that we limped in after 18 holes having enjoyed the course – by far my favourite so far.  Sorry Ernie!

They had one Tiger Tee that was on a platform built out into the river, here is a video of me teeing off it, and yes my ball went into the water.

This evening we went out for a stroll along the Walk ( Dubai’s version of a Ramblas), below is a screenshot of my watch with the temperature at 6:45pm

It is hard to say what this city would be like in season which is the winter, but the Walk lacked atmosphere, saying that we were early.  There were some cool murals and a gorgeous sunset. Here are some snaps

For mum and Jen, the hotel flower arrangements are quite a cool idea.  They are bunches of roses leant in vases of different heights to make up a mass arrangement.  The photos don’t do it justice but do give you an idea of what it looks like.  Novel I thought.

Total Steps 9,917 – better get to the Gym tomorrow to make up for it.  As I write this John has already gone to sleep and snoring his head off..  Better make sure I get some beauty sleep don’t want him beating me on the golf course again.

Categories: Portugal

Shaz Thompson

Mad about golf, enthusiastic about life, totally in love with my husband and just having fun.