What to do with 3 hours in Dubai?

We've all seen the palm tree style community that Dubai has built (at least we thought it was done) where everything is built on reclaimed land right out on the ocean. If viewed from above, it looks like a big palm tree. Well, we wanted to go see that, as well as the world's first 7 star hotel (The Burj).

Imagine our disappointment when the information guy tells us all those communities are under construction and so, no, we can't go see them. As for the Burj, it's a long way from the airport and we wouldn't have enough time to go see it.

Ok, then where do we go? He sent us on our way into the downtown (Diera). Armed with our map and in search of bus 401 we went in.

I didn't mention yet that it's like 5:30 am right now and nothing is open and it's still pitch black outside.

So we get off the bus and enter into something that hmm....how to describe it....wasn't so pleasant and comfortable? Yeah....sounds good.

We strolled for about 5 minutes and decided, let's catch a cab and try to go see the Burj.....

20 minutes later, we're standing in front of this crazy hotel...and when I say in front I mean in front of the gate since they wouldn't let us in to see it up close without eating there. Yeah, like we can afford that...

A few pictures and we were off back on a bus towards the airport. A funny thing about the buses there....they have a section for Ladies only at the front. Like we knew that right? So guess where we sit? Yup, right at the front. I clued in after noticing it was nothing but women up front and I'm pretty sure I got some weird looks. Sigh...

Well, we managed to get back to the airport, through customs and onto our gate in time for our trip out. What a morning!

I must say that everyone one we talked to was very very nice. Helped us out, AND could speak perfect english! Sweet!