Dubai

[lovejoy]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

[lovejoy]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Or, given it's lovejoy, Afghanistan.

Stay classy.

[olaftab]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

Stay indoors. Jump in the cooled swimming pool and go skiing.

[AV84]

Looks like Ings in the background (middle pic)

Might be this guy? Todd Alcock.

[Sexual Ealing]

Looks like Ings in the background (middle pic)

Might be this guy? Todd Alcock.

I should hope he is with a barnet like that.

[LeeS]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

Also agree. Fun fact, the previous Sultan was known to be gay. He ruled for decades and was so revered (and discreet) that no one in that strictly conservative country said a word about it.

[VillaTim]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

Also agree. Fun fact, the previous Sultan was known to be gay. He ruled for decades and was so revered (and discreet) that no one in that strictly conservative country said a word about it.

Sandringham educated and a conservationist very much like Charles . His legacy was to keep Oman like it is and not become Dubai 2.0

[Border villan]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

Also agree. Fun fact, the previous Sultan was known to be gay. He ruled for decades and was so revered (and discreet) that no one in that strictly conservative country said a word about it.

Sandringham educated and a conservationist very much like Charles . His legacy was to keep Oman like it is and not become Dubai 2.0

Do you mean Sandhurst not Sandringham?

[VillaTim]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

Also agree. Fun fact, the previous Sultan was known to be gay. He ruled for decades and was so revered (and discreet) that no one in that strictly conservative country said a word about it.

Sandringham educated and a conservationist very much like Charles . His legacy was to keep Oman like it is and not become Dubai 2.0

Do you mean Sandhurst not Sandringham?

Yeah bloody predictive text

[Sexual Ealing]

When I try to write Sandhurst my predictive text produces 'Cooper's Injury is a bell-piece'. Bloody technology.

[AV84]

Is this friendly today? What time UK?

There's a video up of a training session today. You can see there's about 7 or 8 young players there. I've not seen enough of them before to identify who they are, but anyone who watched the U21 or u18s should be able to tell is who is there.

[Hookeysmith]

Is it available to watch on any platform?

[johnc]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Yes, I've visited there as well. I agree it is more normal and relaxed, although I spent most of my time on a resort a bit away from Muscat.

Also agree. Fun fact, the previous Sultan was known to be gay. He ruled for decades and was so revered (and discreet) that no one in that strictly conservative country said a word about it.

I am not sure about the discrete. I sued to go there once or twice a year back in the 90s with work and while it was common knowledge that the Sultan was gay it was also known that the young men who drove around Muscat in bright pink cars had been given them by the Sultan because he enjoyed their company

[Brend'Watkins]

The Sultan of Browneye.

[Olneythelonely]

When I try to write Sandhurst my predictive text produces 'Cooper's Injury is a bell-piece'. Bloody technology.

Lovely stuff.