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From Thursday, 3 May...
How ironic that I closed the last post by commenting that I was not a "night club kind of guy". I'm really not. Yet, there I was at 0300 last night in "The Aparment" under flashing lights and enormous speakers, singing along with the rest of the crowd to 80's song after 80's song (anyone who knows me well will have hard time picturing this scene). We enjoyed our last full night in port.

...Pause.... From Today...
I guess I should back up a bit. I obviously haven't posted in the last couple of days, despite my luxurious wi-fi connection available at the hotel. As nice and relaxing as that lounge was, I just ran out of steam at the end of each day before I had a chance to do any worthwhile writing. Five day port visits are oxymornically a sprint to do nothing. Actually, I had several objectives for this break. I wanted to shop for some specific items, such as new work out socks, some gifts for the girls, some jewelry for Janell, some new running shoes, and to get measured for a custom suit. Only got two of five. Also didn't get a single run or bike ride in during this port. Perhaps the 100 degree heat was a factor there.

I did get out on the 3rd morning and play a couple sets of tennis. It was me and the Admin O against the XO and PXO. They won the first full set 6-3, and we won the second, which was cut short due to some poor suckers waiting to play after us at noon! We took it 3-2. That heat was brutal. I spent the afternoon at Wild Wadi Waterpark, either floating through the "Master Blaster", flying down the "Jumeirah Sceirah," or bobbing in the standing wave pool. Great way to beat the heat. The park is located right between two of the most iconic hotels in the Dubai area, the Burj Al Arab, and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Check out these photos of the helipad at the Burj. Saw a few shocking things at Wild Wadi. Way too many European men in their "continental" bathing suits. Apparently, the board short craze hasn't caught on in the old world. There outta be a law.

Well, depending on who you ask, in the Islam world there are many such laws. As such, I actually watched FULLY-covered Muslim women floating in intertubes on the "Master Blaster". Wild. And then there was the abominable sand man and his band of merry men. While we were waiting in line (in the tower leading up to the 108 ft drop) for the Jumeirah Sceirah, a group of young men joined the line a level below us. They seemed to be led by a large arab guy who was probably in the mid to late twenties and had a boyish looking face and enough body hair that he could easily be mistaken for a black bear. No exageration. Just after they arrived, they broke out in a chant-like lively song, accompanied by shouts and clapping while they waited in line. Between songs, the guy pulled out a cigarate and lit up. Fortunately, the park attendant quickly put a stop to the smoke that was filling up the small tower. But then the song broke out again. If I had a choice, I'm not sure if I would have endured the smoke or the song.

As it was, my turn came up quickly and off I went down the slide. As with most tall vertical water slides, the proper body position is legs crossed and arms crossed across the chest. There's a good reason for this position. For a split second I uncrossed my legs as I hit the deep water at the bottom during my deceleration. I immediately regretted my actions. Enough said.

Well, it's close to midnight and I actually have a morning flight tomorrow, so I'll have to hold off on the part about the 80's music till next time. Today was a day of alerts and paperwork for me. I'll continue my port report soon.