Sandstorm!

We experienced our first sandstorm today! Caused by strong winds of about 20knots, sand gets whipped up into the air and the city is blanketed with a fog-like appearance. In conditions like these, it's best not to go out into the desert and to try and stay indoors...

Sand sand everywhere! Driving on Sheikh Zayed Road

View of the skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road during the sandstorm

...so, we spent the day with friends having brunch then browsing the shops in the Souq at the Madinat Jumeirah - an amazing resort.

Beautiful architecture inside the Souq Madinat

One of the shops inside the Souq Madinat
selling Arabian treasures
Persian carpets for sale

There is also a 1000 seat outdoor ampitheatre that overlooks a man-made creek that runs through the Madinat Jumeirah where you can catch an abra, or water taxi. This is very different to riding in a traditional abra across the Dubai Creek to Deira.

The ampitheatre at the Madinat Jumeirah

Set around the waterways in this beautiful resort, are bars, restaurants and cafes. Some even offering a view of the neighbouring Burj al Arab, the only 7 star hotel in the world.

Madinat Jumeirah

It was also amazing to see 4 or 5 turtles swimming in the waterway. If you look near the bottom of the picture below, you'll be able to see them! (Click on the picture for a larger view).

Looking towards the hotel resort's private beach