Licence to drink

So it's been a few weeks... here's a general recap on what's been going on Dubai-side...

I managed to complete another important bit of residence admin: getting the alcoholic drinks licence. Yep, that's right - it's not an alcohol licence, it's an alcoholic licence. Another fantastic Dubai contradiction given the Islamic culture on which this city is based... Without it, as a resident I could be busted for keeping or transporting booze so it's a good job I've got one. Technically I think you're supposed to have it to even order a beer in a bar, although no-one seems to be entirely sure of the rules - the police included I think.

I spent a couple of days in Kuwait City a few weeks ago. It was really interesting to see another city in the region, especially as it couldn't be more different to Dubai. It's hotter, less developed and all a bit tired and tatty looking, although no less wealthy - probably more so in fact. It's obviously got a very interesting history and like Dubai has seen a great deal of change over the past 20 years. That said there isn't really much comparison in terms of where to live as a Western expat - although I only spent one night there and didn't really get time to look around, there doesn't seem to be a great deal to do as a resident. There are some nice restaurants and a few fancy malls, but that's about it I think - unless taking a trip over the border for a weekend in Iraq is your thing. The country is dry so there are no drinks to be had, although the weekend after I left there was apparently a function at the British Embassy that certain senior business figures in Kuwait get invited to, and at which you can get a drink. If you can fight your way to the bar past the mountains of Ferrero Rocher that is.

The last few weekends have been spent brunching (Crown Plaza Deira, Towers Rotana Sheikh Zayed Road, Ember at the Dubai Mall Address Hotel...) and lazing by the pool or on the beach. Last weekend though we headed to Wild Wadi waterpark - somewhere I've always wanted to visit in Dubai. It was fantastic - rides that shoot you up hill on a rubber ring (unless you're the enormous bloke who was in the queue in front of us who was so fat he got half way up and then ground to a halt - causing them to stop the water flow and the big man having to walk all the way to the top - hilarious). There are a couple of rides where you actually feel like you could fall off of the flimsy raft you're sat on and plummet 100 feet to your death. However the most extreme thrill of the entire water park is the walk between each ride - the temperature of the concrete underfoot is so unbelievably hot that you find yourself hopping and jumping from puddle to puddle, and literally running across the dry sections to seek some shade. You could fry an egg on it!

I'm heading back to the UK again in a couple of weeks for wedding number two of four, followed by Glastonbury which I cannot wait for, so am hoping to take some of the Middle East sunshine back with me. Actually it'll be nice to get back just to cool down for a bit...