17 June. Exploring by Metro @ night - Emirates Towers - Dubai Marina - Dubai Mall -

My tired body ruled and made me sleep until midday so I took myself down to the hotel's restaurant and stored up some energy by sampling every dish in the buffet. The Lebanese dishes were tasty....hommus, baba ghanoush, tabouli, pita bread, crudites....lentil soup....salads, ham, cheeses....then the cooked dishes: fish, chicken, rice, vegetables...all in keeping with their cuisine......and swished down with lots of water.
I avoided the heat of the day and set off at 18:00.

I quickly explore the Creek near my hotel, watched the men busily loading the Dhows......

.......then walked to the Metro. Arriving at the Union Station 20 minutes later, I couldn't believe that I had stood in the same area 2 days ago, disoriented, thinking that I was kms away from my hotel and in fact, it was my closest station! Not to worry, I had certainly seen much more of the local activities during my scenic routes than other tourists!

Where was I going? I didn't really know but there were lots of choices as I had read so much about the 'places to be and to go'. It was my last night and my silver metro card had plenty of credit so I could get on and off the trains often.  
First focus was The Marina at the end of the line....but as we pulled into Emirates Towers station I impulsively alighted.....a long walk and several questions later, I got outside to be dwarfed by skyscapers of all amazing architectural shapes. The Towers were too far away to walk to but....they looked impressive against the night sky. Back on the train....gently herded into the Women and children's cabin away from the men. The city rushed by and I happily identified major landmarks. At The Marina I took a taxi to The Marriott Hotel and went up to 52nd floor. The views across The Palms and the Jumeriah area were visually stunning and very informative. Thanks to Stewart and Lynne, from the ghost walking tour in London, for giving me the locals' info on where to go! Metro back to Burj Dubai station, near Dubai Mall where I decided to finish my night by watching the dancing fountain.....appropriate I thought to finish where I started!!! The ice skating rink had been set up with a huge screen and bean bags in its centre, on which to show and watch the World Cup. The Gold Souk was a contrast from that in Old Dubai....no hagglers...airconditioning...freedom to actually browse their wares....peaceful but nowhere near as exciting!

I was loving capturing the night lights and hype of activity so late at night. I meandered my way along the glittering streets, stopping to take pics....when Will and Stewart stopped me as they returned from the Metro, and informed me that the last train had left @ 22:15 and it was nearly 23:00!!!.....
Oh Well...! Back to the Mall....Information desk...free shuttle bus leaves 00:15 to Deira....Thank heavens as it would have been an expensive taxi trip home!
Deposited at the hotel closest to Pearl Continental....I could see its structure and as I was near Union Station, I knew it was about a 20min walk home.....I didn't account for the busy main road having an impassable fence running along its entire center median strip....I couldn't cross the road unless I walked 15mins along this road, used the overpass, then walked 15 mins back to where I needed to be.....I had NO choice but to do just that!.....wearily I arrived in my room, spent ages paying for my accomodation, skyped GT, packed my bags, arranged a wake up call @ 6:30, then fell into a deep sleep for 3 whole hours before my call rudely interrupted my dreams! My interrupted night had resulted in a complimentary breakfast and airport transfer ....both for which I was very grateful!