I have been MIA for a month because we went on our Spring trip to UAE and Oman. Here is a little bit of that trip. I am just sharing the LIVE posts of the journal we were keeping on Facebook as we traveled. As many world travelers know, WIFI is not always good, so it is hard to constantly post. More in depth and better thought out posts will come eventually about all the wonderful things we saw throughout the region.
Here we go:
+Before departure:
Here is our cat Machaca. As soon as I bring out the backpacks, she knows what’s happening. Our two cats and dog should not complain though. They have the best pet sitter in the whole wide world, our friend David. Nonetheless, she knows we’re leaving for a while and this is how she protests.
#ImNotMoving
+Departure Day:
It’s the most wonderful day of the year….
Travel Day!
Guess who is happy/excited like it’s her birthday, wedding day, anniversary, Christmas, birth of a child, all rolled into one?
First stop Atlanta, then off to Dubai. I’ll bring you all a souvenir, maybe some oil.
#Vámonos #ThisTimeImSureTheyWillTradeMeForCamelsTheseThreeBoys (They tried in Egypt…)
*The pic is blurry because it is 4am and this is how much my eyes focus at this hour.
+Atlanta layover
8 hour layover in Atlanta. Perfect time to go check out the World of Coca Cola and eat hot dogs and burgers at the iconic The Varsity (since 1928) overlooking the Olympic Torch even with bad weather.
Now it’s time for the 15+ hour flight to Dubai. The boys have been training for this one their whole lives.
The four Whitneys have landed in Dubai and we are settling into an apartment next to a mosque. Looking forward to the Call to Prayer at 5am…
That was a long flight but it was really a #PieceOfCake.
Good night from the UAE!
+ Old Dubai
The boys are excited to see all the glitz and glamour of the new and ultra modern Dubai but first, one must look at the past to understand the present.
So today today we toured Old Dubai. The Dubai creek has every type of water rides, from this giant modern wooden yacht, to the dhows (traditional Emirati sailing vessels) or the small abras (water taxis).
There are lots of fresh juice bars along the creek so we got a incredibly delicious mango juice and started our day.
The Al Ahmadiya School was the first school to be built in Dubai in 1912 and it is now a museum.
Very nicely restored and interesting displays. As you can see, Wayne was trying to teach the boys something in one of the restored classrooms and Vincent fell asleep on his desk…
There are many souks (markets) in old Dubai.
First we wandered around the Spice Souk. Ahhh! The hundred different smells from all the stands fill the air. These spices were the reason why America was discovered unintentionally.
After walking through the apparel and fabrics souks, we arrived at the old Gold Souk. And gold we found! 
These gold dresses and necklesses were stunning! Who on Earth wears this stuff? Gold, gold and more gold. Amazing!
#IboughtThatDressButDontTellWayne #ImLyingImPoorHere
As we were walking, Wayne saw the unmistakable garage doors. A Fire Station. The firefighter that invited us in was incredibly nice and even with his broken English, him and Wayne hit it off.
These guys had a ping pong table right next to the fire engines. That goes to show you that all firemen around the world are exactly the same. They work hard but they also know how to relax and have fun.
The Fire Chief showed up and was very excited when Wayne told him he was a fireman from California. Even Arabs LOVE California….who doesnt, really?
If there is one thing that is universal, it’s fire. We have seen fire departments in all 30 countries. And they are all the same.
#DubaiFireDepartmentCheck
We then crossed the creek in a traditional abra. 1 dirham each (about .27 cents).
The Al Fahidi quarter (formerly Bastakiya) is and old picturesque neighborhood that today houses all sorts of free museums like the Stamps Museum, Coins Museum, Art Museum, Emirati Culture and Islam Museum, and the Dubai Museum.
It’s fun to get lost in this maze-like neighborhood.
I felt like Princess Jasmin!
#IneedaGenie
*On my next post we head to New Dubai. Stay tuned!
Four Whitneys One World 