Hotel Life

The hotel you are placed in upon arrival is any one's guess. However, you will probably be provided with a buffet breakfast as part of your stay. The spread at the Intercontinental was European and Arabic. Keep your mind open when you see beans, fish and rice at breakfast. Of course there will be some cold cuts, cheese, bread and yogurt as well. They will also have eggs and beef sausage and beef bacon and pancakes (probably). To save money, many people took some of the rolls and cold cuts to their rooms for later. The hotels caught on to this practice and pretty much shut it down early. 

My suggestion would be to take a taxi to the closest Lulu's, Carrefour, Spinneys or Abu Dhabi Co-operative to pick up some ready made food, either in the deli or the bakery area. They will have food from all over the world, Indian, Arabic, fried chicken, barb-b-que etc., ready to eat, and hot if you want it heated up and it is very reasonably priced. Pick up some cheese and crackers or things to snack on in the hotel room. 

The hotel concierge will be happy to tell you the closest store. If you can share a taxi with two or three people and split the fare, it will be very inexpensive. 

One night after you have been here, it will be suggested to you to visit the local lebanese restaurant for an Iftar meal (the meal after breaking the fast in the evening during Ramadan). It is good, but it isn't the BEST Lebanese place around. It is rite of passage to visit the Lebanese Flower, so go, enjoy and feel a bit more acclimated. 

In the first few days in the hotel, you will recover from jet lag, experience the hotel and all the amenities available, and venture out to a few places to take care of a few needs. 

Eventually people will be discussing all the touristy type activities they want to try out. The big bus tour, a dune bashing drive with Iftar dinner complete with camel rides, a trip to the Grand Mosque and more. 

Honestly, the only one if these I chose to try is the Grand Mosque. It is a beautiful mosque and air conditioned. 

Don't worry if you don't have an abaya, they will provide you with one. They will want you to wear a shayla (phonetically) as well. 

I can't even describe how hot it was and to have an abaya on over my street clothes was outrageously hot. 

My advice: DON'T DO IT! 

You are going to be here for at least one year, and hopefully two. It will be cooler in October and in the winter months, the weather is so pleasant. Any of these activities and many others will be much more enjoyable then. 

Go to the malls. Pay attention and take notes as to what stores you really like and want to return to. In the two years I have been here, I have not been to all the malls. If you want to see Dubai, take the bus and go to the malls there. 

Stay in the hotel and hang out at the pool while getting to know some of the others you are sharing this wonderful adventure with. 

Then, when it is cooler, go to the souks, the western region to see the beautiful and amazing sand dunes and resorts, the touristy attractions and all this wonderful place has to share with you. 

In fact, when I get back from holiday, I will come and hang at the pool with you...