To say that the hotel we are staying in is swanky would be an understatement. We got this very fancy set-up through a deal that our travel agent got us. We are not accustomed to such finery but the price was right. Raffles Palm Jumeirah sits on the outer-left wing of the famous Palm Jumeirah island – a totally manmade island that resembles a palm leaf, boasting luxury housing, luxury hotels and luxury restaurants.

We planned a day of relaxation after our nearly three weeks of being on the go. Alas, everyone relaxed but Marshall, who spent much of the day tracking down a set of crutches and a wheelchair for Sharon. Yes, the left knee, which got hyper-extended back in August and has not been the same since, finally succumbed to the walking, hiking, stair climbing, and in and out of jumbo buses over the last three weeks. We are hoping a couple days on crutches will ease it up a bit and touring can resume.

In the evening, we attended a traditional Dhow Dinner cruise. There are many operators of these boats, sailing from the Dubai Marina and JBR area of Dubai, just at the base of the Palm Jumeriah. We piled aboard and enjoyed a dinner buffet, while taking in all the lights and sounds. It’s a little touristy, but a fun activity in the evening. The weather was pleasant, the lights fantastic and we just sat back and took it all in.

Tomorrow: Burj Khalifa and High Tea