Travel Series: Dubai International Airport

So I'm starting a new mini-series! Gonna be somewhat similar to the Mauritius and Kenya posts I've had up a few months ago. And what better place to start than at an airport - to be exact, the Dubai International Airport - which is possibly the busiest transit airport in the world. I mean, I know a lot of people who transit in Dubai on their way to Europe, or to the States, or to the Africa region, but none who actually get out of the airport (other than the handful of you who actually work there).


Anyway this is my 5th transit in the last few months - and since I only had about an hour's layover this time (i.e. not enough time to find a place to sit, get comfy and sleep), I thought I'd walk around and see if it was possible to snap interesting photos ... at an airport!










I thought these were decent shots - but you be the judge! And oh, since this is still supposed to be primarily a foodie blog, I did stop for some tea (or supper, depending which time zone you measure by) at Paul pâtisserie.


They've got a delightful selection of pastries, bread and assorted cake.


I have no idea if this Paul is related to that apparently très awesome French pastry maker of the same name, or if it's just some remarkably similar looking knock-off.


In any case, my regular cappucino was average in every way. The anglaise apple, while tasting decently good, was as cold as your windows on a rainy morning. Yuck. And before you point out that I could have asked them to heat it, I'll point out that for AED 32 (RM27) for a slice of pie and a miserable coffee, there shouldn't have been any need to ask in the first place.

Boo Paul, boo. I sure hope you aren't the real Pareesian Paul.

Photo Spam: Mauritius Diary (Post #1, Day 2)

Photo Spam time! Just some random shots about my working trip to Mauritius! It's only my second day here so I haven't actually gone to any touristy-type places, but anyway we start off with a fountain. In the Dubai airport. And you thought KLIA was cool :)


There's another big manmade pond/garden there too:


So anyway I'm staying at a small residential township area named Quatre Bornes, in a rented apartment. Office is in Ebene City, about 10 minutes' drive away. The 'commercial' area of Quatre Bornes is quite quiet, if I'm honest.


Lots of cars, though.


And since this is supposed to be a food blog, here's some Kebab shop named Shabaan Snacks.


Chicken, Shredded cabbage, some kind of vegetable, and 3 sauces in a Baguette. Doesn't look like much but tasted great - 75Rs I think.


Random musing: I've seen Proton Waja's, Wira's and Perodua Kelisa's, all the way here in the African continent! Don't know whether to have the 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit, or to feel bad for the sorry sods who bought Protons over Hondas or Toyotas. Oh, random wall.


Saw lots of sugar cane fields on the road from the airport.


Distant mountains ...


Don't know what building this was, but it looked nice. Couldn't get a good angle cos the security guard chased me away after this shot :(


Same buildings.


Some important building. Houses one of the government ministries if I'm not mistaken.


Things here are expensive! Food is okay, but groceries and household goods are pricey. I bought a smallish tube of Johnson's & Johnson's facial wash/scrub for 270Rs T_T (usd1 = 29.9Rs, myr1 = 9.69Rs)


Day 2 thoughts: I thought the entire continent of Africa was supposed to be dry, hot, and humid, but it's been pretty damn cold these 2 days. Like Genting Highlands cold, brrr. Read Wikipedia if you want actual facts about Mauritius.