Dubai
Before-sunrise departure to go on a falconry safari with Platinum Heritage. Not particularly into birds, but spending the morning with Ares (alti saker falcon), Artemis (pharaoh owl), and Mo (hawk, species I forgot) was pretty cool. Much more interesting to get up close and personal with the birds than in a zoo, and quite different than in the wild. The traditional breakfast wasn't bad either, although I was a bit surprised we were still fed breakfast given it is Ramadan. They threw in a quick camel ride and bit of wildlife/nature driving as well in keeping with calling it a safari rather than just a falcony demonstration.
Having little familarity with breakfast in the area, I will refrain from comment although it seemed pretty good. The drive back to the hotel showed off a bit of the still very impressive Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building (829.8 meters/2,722 ft). Back to the hotel in time for lunch, which out of respect to the local customs, I grabbed pastries from the hotel bakery and took them up to my room.
Later in the evening, headed over to the executive lounge in the JW Marriott. Caught up with Tom Stuker and his sister Roxy, along with another UA frequent flier, Thomas, for snacks and drinks, before heading off to the airport. United, as one of Emirates' partners, is one of the only other airlines operating out of Terminal 3-- and lots of United employees training the contract staff on the ground. Trekked over to the Marhaba Lounge before the flight for some decidedly indifferent food as well.
Thomas, Abhishek, and a few others were also on tonight's inaugural flight from Dubai to Newark (DXB-EWR). Something like 30 hours on the ground in Dubai for us crazies?