Hi Folks,

Well, that’s one week that I was glad to see the back of.  Don’t know what it was, but nothing seemed to go right last week.  The traffic; often the bain of my life, was worse than usual. Work was annoyingly, well, annoying. Even the weather seemed to be conspiring with overcast, yet hot, sticky and unpleasant days. Pretty much everything seemed to be winding me up. So thank goodness we had our weekend at the Jumeira Beach Hotel booked. I needed some beach days.

Jumeira Beach Hotel

After a week that seemed determined to drag on for ever, Thursday arrived and we checked into the Jumeira Beach

Hotel for a staycation. And boy did we  need it.

We last stayed at the Jumeira Beach in April this year.  There after, it was closed for a bit of a revamp. It only reopened again in October, so we would be some of the first guests to enjoy the new look hotel.  We had all thoroughly enjoyed our  last stay. Hence I was really looking forward to seeing how the new Jumeira Beach shaped up.

Bad Start

Things didn’t start too well.  Small daughter had a swimming gala on Thursday evening. (She did really well, thank you for asking. Won both her races 😁).  But this meant we would be tied up and unable to check in until around 8.00pm. That was half a night gone.  However, Wifey, God bless her, suggested I should go straight from work and chill out in the Dhow and Anchor Bar in the hotel and they would join me as soon as they could.  As there is another swimming gala next Thursday, that seemed like a sterling idea.

Escaping early from work turned out to be impossible. The week wasn’t going to let me get away that easily, oh no. Late queries from my clients, last minute telephone calls.  Urgent orders requiring signature.  Still, I managed to clear the decks by around 5.45pm and jumped in the car. The traffic was horrible. Everyone and their mother seemed to be going to Jumeira.  We crawled along, the light fading and my bar time dwindling, until eventually, the road just seemed to clear.  5 minutes later, I was there.

Bad to Worse

Valet parking at the hotel was easy enough. Grabbed my smallish bag and hurried into the reception for a looksee. There had been much made of the amazing new hotel reception. Hmm. Bit disappointing actually. I think, I preferred the old reception. This was all sparkling and new but a bit minimalist and clinical for my tastes. Still, it’s just the reception.

No queue, so straight to the desk.  Now, in the UAE, as with a lot of countries, you need either your passport or ID card to check in to an hotel. I always carry my ID. But not this time.  In fact, I couldn’t find my wallet which has my ID in it.  I searched every single pocket I had with me. Twice.  Trousers, briefcase, travel bag. But no. Wasn’t there.  It dawned on me, I hadn’t seen or needed my wallet all day, so had I actually picked it up.  No idea.

In desperation, I apologized and dashed outside to see if I had left it in the car. Of course the car had been driven off to be parked. 10 mins later car arrives back and nice man loads all my luggage up for me. I am busy hunting through every compartment in the car for the missing wallet. Fingers crossed, hoping that I had absent mindedly stuck it somewhere. Around this time, my phone rings. Wifey with an update on the swimming and seeing if I was in the bar yet.  I may have been  bit curt with her.  Unfair as it was hardly her fault, but I was a tad agitated by this stage.  Off the phone, I realized my bags were back in the car so demanded he take them out again, which confused him.  Still couldn’t find my wallet, so thought I had better go home and get my passport and ‘travel wallet’ so would he please put them back in again.  And then, gloriously, I spotted the wallet between the drivers seat and centre console. Huzzah. Bags back out please and back into the hotel.

 

The Wallet

Back at reception, a bit disheveled and sweaty by now, I  produced my ID and finally checked in.

“ And how do you want to pay sir?”

What? It’s already paid. I prepaid.

“ No Sir, it isn’t”

Oh yes it is. I definitely prepaid.

“Oh no you didn’t”

Well this was going nowhere other than turning into a pantomime I didn’t want to take part in, so I dug out my iPad to show him the booking confirmation.  Bugger.  Wasn’t prepaid. But my local day to day wallet only has a debit card not a credit card and they don’t accept debit cards.  Fortunately, I realized I had a credit card in my bag. No idea if it had sufficient credit on it to cover the extortionate bill, but with fingers crossed again, give it a go.  Success.  Finally got the room key and made it into the hotel.

The New Rooms

We were on the 4th floor. The corridor smelled new and clean. The room even more so. It was fine. Nice big bed. Sofa bed for Small Daughter. Nice big en suite. Wonderful sea view looking out onto the Burj al Arab. Fine. But I was still feeling vaguely disappointed.  The old rooms were just as nice. So what had they been doing for all these months?  Or perhaps it’s just my current state of mind. I am horribly home sick. Or perhaps it’s because we stayed at the Burj al Arab since we were last here? It is a difficult, if not impossible act to follow.  Not sure.

The Dhow and Anchor

Irrespective of my unease, I leapt in the shower, quickly changed and headed off to the Dhow and Anchor.  I loved this place last time we were here.  It hadn’t changed. Exactly the same as far as I could see. Well, almost. I had convinced myself they had served Hobgoblin Bitter last time I was here. If they did, it had gone. Disappointing. But, they still had a decent selection, so I opted for  London Pride and tried their Fish Pie.

The beer was fine and very welcome. The fish pie was really good. Plenty of fish, salmon, white fish, prawns and scallops. Really nice.  Finally, Wifey and Small Daughter arrived. I was feeling a little more relaxed by this stage. They weren’t.

I had forgotten I had texted Wifey to say I was going to the room after dinner and would meet her there.  A final pint of LP had tempted me and I was engrossed reading a book. They had gone to the room, hammered on the door. Tried to call me (my battery had given up the ghost) and then come looking for me. However, I was parked in the back corner, so on first glance, well hidden. Oops.

And So to Bed

A couple of drinks later, everyone was happy, even small daughter and she was only on Sprite. A highly recommended Fish Pie for Wifey and some Mac and Cheese for Small and all was well in the world.  After dinner we went for a walk by the marina. Not many boats moored this time of year, but it was pleasantly warm and the Burj looked amazing with its light show dancing up and down its unmistakeable shape.  We watched the fish in the shallows leaping about. Obviously a big predator also fancied some fish pie. And then it was bed time.

Back in the room, the entertainment system was rather good. Plenty of channels to choose from. We opted for Animal Planet. Small entertained herself playing with the controls for opening ad closing the curtains and dimming the lights for a while. Like the rest of us she had had a long week and had worked hard at her swimming gala, so she was soon asleep and we were not long in following her.

Beach Days

Normally, and I may have mentioned this before, but normally, waking Small up and getting her out of bed for school at stupid o’clock is not easy. However, the weekends are a different matter. When she can lie in bed, she invariably wakes  early. And so it was at 06.30 on Friday morning, we were awoken by the curtains being electronically opened and Sponge Bob bloody square pants on the TV. Hello Friday.

Breakfast

Small isn’t a big breakfast eater. Wifey and I planned on trying the full English on offer in the Dhow and Anchor, but

Small wasn’t up for that. As a compromise, Wifey took her to the breakfast buffet at the Kitchen Connection restaurant.  By all accounts it was extremely good. I opted to stay in bed another 30 mins before meeting Wifey in the Dhow and Anchor.   Small demolished a vast plate of scrambled eggs and bacon as well as a couple of waffles heavily loaded with chocolate spread. We are great believers in a healthy diet, ahem.  After breakfast she wanted to go to the Kids club. This is a great facility. Lots of activities to occupy your little darlings in a great setting. She loved it last time we stayed and was equally taken by the place this time. And a happy Small means a happy Wife and Wannabe.

At the sensible time of around 09.00hrs we sat down to a full English spread at the Dhow and Anchor. It was very good.  The freshly squeezed orange juice was very nice. The coffee, hot and the service delightful, yet unobtrusive.  I have to say, I preferred the breakfast served by the Copper Dog at the Doubletrees by Hilton, but we are talking degrees here. This was a very nice breakfast.

The Beach

With the help of a small crane, I managed to make it to the beach after breakfast.  It was warm, but not too hot. There was a pleasant and refreshing breeze. Better yet, there are multiple beach bars to satisfy your every need. Not that we needed anything at this stage, still stuffed from breakfast.

This was one area where I could see a difference in the hotel. The outside areas do seem better. The swimming pools seem to have been modified and are pleasant places to be. The beach loungers and shades are all new and not overly crowded in together.  Of course the view of the Burj Al Arab is always good.

We whiled  away a few hours happily chatting. Periodically, we wandered across to see if Small wanted to join us, but she was having far too much fun.  A few cocktails helped the afternoon pass by and all too soon, it was starting to get dark.

Small was still happily Kids clubbing. She had been painting, sculpting, swimming, singing, dancing, cooking and generally playing.  I had been feeling guilty about her being in Club all day. Now I was feeling a bit miffed we couldn’t compete with Club.   None the less we persuaded her to come with us and got dressed for dinner.

Souq Madinat

Once we were all suitably showered and attired, we had a quick snifter at the bar then grabbed a hotel golf cart to the Souq Madinat.  These shuttle carts run back and forward connecting all of the Jumeira facilities and are jolly convenient.

It was fairly quiet in the Souq, but that meant no queuing for tables. There are lots of

good eateries to choose from, as well as some interesting little shops.  After some debate we ended up in the Belgian Cafe. Again.  I know. We are creatures of habit. But why not. We all  like the place. Small enjoys the kids menu which includes  a huge pattern she can color in. If I am good, she lets me help.  She also loves their steak and fritte.   On this occasion, wifey and I went for the unlimited ribs. Big mistake. The ribs were superb. Tender, fall off the bone meat and very tasty. Problem was we were both stuffed after the first portion. So definitely didn’t need the unlimited option.  You live and learn.

After dinner, we perused the small shops around the Souq. They are all aimed at the

many tourists and oh how we scoffed at the silly prices. Still ended up buying a pretty little bracelet for Small. Well, she had done really well at her swimming.

A  leisurely wander back the buggy stop and hitched a ride on the next golf cart heading to the Jumeira Beach Hotel. And so ended another pleasant day.

In Summary

Next morning was a slightly more leisurely start to the day. We all went down for a buffet breakfast at Kitchen Connections. The food there really is very good.  After another mountain of scrambled eggs, Small wanted to go to Club again.  Well as long as she is happy, it meant we could enjoy another leisurely breakfast.

After breakfast, Wifey and I  packed and got ready to leave. We had requested a late check out and so with time to spare, had another beach day. Well, a pool day to be exact.  This time, Small graced us with her presence, which  was nice.

I have to say, I am hopeless. Knowing we had to leave later that day, I just wanted to go. None the less we all lasted until after 4.00pm. Small discovered beach art, so we had to watch her come up with some wonderful, albeit temporary creations. She was good at it and as with all art projects, put her heart and soul into it.   But as it got later, I got more twitchy and eventually had to give up. I got changed, paid the bill and we headed off home.

So, how was it?  Trying to be objective, it was every bit as good as our previous stay.

Small had a ball and can’t wait to go back.  Wifey thought it was absolutely fine. The staff were great. Friendly and efficient. The food was very good and everything is wonderfully new and squeaky clean.  As for me. I couldn’t shake this feeling of vague disappointment.  It was good. But, I genuinely believe that the Burj Al Arab has spoiled me. No way could the poor old Beach match the Burj. But then again, whilst expensive, it’s still an awful lot cheaper than the Burj.  I think I was also expecting to see bigger changes after the 6 month shutdown. It’s a very nice 5 star hotel. But it was every bit as nice before. Or perhaps I am just horribly spoiled.

Would I recommend the place. Absolutely. Unless you can afford the Burj prices. I think we’ll be back again. Probably next month. I have enough Sirius points for a couple of free nights, so it would be rude not too and Small does love Club. More quiet leisurely breakfasts for Wifey and I.

And Finally….

Under the, “You Couldn’t make it up” category, the news story that boggled my mind this week involved the Sailers

sauna in east London.  An establishment for gay men, it got on the wrong side of the equality laws after asking a client to leave following complaints from other customers. The man in question was born a woman but identifies as a man. The trouble appears to have been, he still had his lady parts and was lacking in the trouser sausage department.  This made the gay gentleman clientele rather uncomfortable.  There is also the issue that ‘The Sailors’ license states it is strictly for men. Hence the interesting, if unusual query to the local council.  Can a man have a vagina?  As I say, you couldn’t make this stuff up, especially as it appears, the answer is ‘Yes’

 

But Seriously

Today as I write this, it’s Armistice Day and the 100th year since the end of the 1st World War.   I was impressed that even here, in the UAE, there was a widespread recognition of the day and red poppies were more evident than might be expected.  This makes it all the more despicable that back in the UK, there have been cases of  mindless vandalism of war memorials and of the ‘There But Not There’ symbols. It’s incredibly disrespectful and I hope the perpetrators are thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

They will not be forgotten.  1914 – 1918