Another weekend down!

Wow had the most amazing weekend! Friday is a morning of relaxing - nothing is open. So touched base with friends in Abu Dhabi city, jumped in a taxi and headed up there. Abu Dhabi city is about as far away from Al Ain (where I am) as Palmerston North is from Wellington. The ride only cost me $50 NZ (so cheap) and I now have a taxi driver who knows where I live so I can call him for my rides until I get a car.
Went straight to Marina Mall to meet my friend - amazing place for those of you who like shopping...and skiing! Yes it has a snow dome in it. Probably the most disconcerting thing for me was that the food court and the amusement park are in the same place - so you sit and eat lovely food while rollercoasters scream over the top of you!
We then headed to the Emirates Palace. Google this guys - I can't remember the website - but probably the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time. It is a hotel - with gorgeous driveways up (despite being in very central spot, you feel quite remote thanks to the long and lush driveways) and amazing staff - but the public can go and visit. So we rocked on up in our shorts and walked around in awe. There is gold and crystal and opulance everywhere! Will put up pics from it but has to be experienced to be believed. We then sat for a drink (or two) and my first was called "Beauty" - and blue as! Was 122 dirhams (about $50 NZ) and was my friend's shout - thanks!
Later we headed out from the apartment for tea - about 10.30pm (time goes fast when having fun) to a Lebanese place - I was the only female there - the men here go out together and have food, drinks and smoke together - females stay at home with the kids.
Saturday, (your Sunday) I got up and walked around for a while - town was too noisy to sleep - went to Nissan and checked out the dream car! :0) I then met some friends, who came up from Al Ain on the bus, at the mall and we went shopping - IKEA didn't know what hit it! My apartment looks so much better now. We had a van to come home in (thankfully!) and it was a squeeze but we got there.
This morning we went to see the school - amazing place and nice staff. They have everything from a cafeteria that is huge to a cinema room. So excited about it all. We only stayed for a few hours and will do that each day this week - the kids are back next week so will be full on then.
The weather is still warm but getting used to it quite quickly. Love coming home to air con though!