Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Now Playing: When you're hot - you're hot
Well, i'm off on my big Africa adventure.

Boy, it's difficult to not bow and say "sumimasen" when trying to get someone's attention here. i have slipped with an "arigato" or two since i've been here. It makes me giggle when i get a surprised look from someone.

So, wow, i'm in Dubai. Woo, i'm in an internet cafe! oh, my gosh. Can you believe it?

I flew out of KIX, Osaka International Airport, on Sat. July 24th at 7pm. There were a few glitches getting here, but nothing that i couldn't handle with a charge card. I couldn't read my Japanese plane ticket and didn't realize that the total weight limit for BOTH BAGS was 20 kg. Well, with even a light-weight bike that is impossible. It was going to cost me an extra $1,000 to get the bike on the plane. Good grief. I managed to take all the tools, pedals, and other heavy objects out of those damn bags and stash them in my carry-on luggage and still walk straight. The wonderful lady at the ticket counter totally ignored the fact that now i was way overweight for the carry-on baggage. After weighing the suitcases three times, i got the total down to 31 kg. She must have felt really sorry for me because she charged me for only 5 kg. over - $240 - what a deal, eh?

I am staying in Dubai for two days and then will have the same problem getting my bike on the plane again so I had the presence of mind at 4am local time after a 9.5 hour plane ride to ask at the airport in Dubai if i could send my bike on to Dar es Salaam without having to pay this exorbitant rate again. They sent me over to cargo and i sent the bike on for a measly $150. Hopefully it will be waiting at the airport in DAR for me when i arrive on Tuesday. I HOPE.

Dubai is incredible and here are some facts about UAE:
"The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, formed when the British withdrew from the Persian Gulf in 1971. It boasts mountains, beaches, deserts, oases, camel racing, Bedouin markets and the legendary duty-free shopping of Dubai, all packed into a relatively small area." Lonely Planet Guide
To look at a map of where Dubai is: CLICK HERE


It is a true desert. Until recently it hadn't rained here for 25 years. The swimming pool on the roof top of my hotel is so hot i couldn't stick my hand in it for more than a second! I think it was about 107 degrees today. Not bad considering that it isn't nearly as humid as Japan. You just want to stick to the shade and avoid standing in the direct sun for too long. I went on a guided tour of the city and went to the Dubai Museum. Tonight i'll do a cruise on the river after sunset and watch the lights of the town.

Construction is everywhere. The biggest airport is being built as well as the soon-to-be-the-tallest-building in the world. They are advertising "Palm Village" which is a series of islets connected to look like a palm tree when viewed from space. Good grief.

So that's about it for now.

This internet cafe is a block from my hotel and, by the way, my hotel rooms are larger than my apartment in Japan. If my luck continues and i find more internet cafes, i'll keep you updated.

peace and love


Photos now up on my Tanzania Website