McSasso - Reunited!

She had me at "You aren't going to buy that piece of crap, are you?"

Yes, thanks to Eden and Georgia - aged 3 - lusting after the same overpriced Disney scooter at the South Bay Galleria - I met my best friend.   It was the first time Georgia and Eden bonded over sparkly princesses, and it was the first of many times this amazing woman would make me laugh over the years.  We have seen the world from the same rose colored Tom Ford aviators for years - and now we finally got a chance to see a beautiful part of the world together. 

It was an amazing week - the Best of Dubai tour 2011.  I am so proud of my bestie for braving the 17 hour flight and the rumors of chaos in the region.  And her husband Jim is simply the best house guest in the world.  He loves everything, appreciates everything, experiences everything, eats everything.  Invite him places - he's worth it.  And of course the Biscuit - otherwise known as E-Bear - grows only more beautiful, adorable, and hilarious with age.  The girls were delirious with joy to see her!  The only way to do this trip justice is with pictures - so here they are. 

THE McCOYS IN DUBAI! 

First stop: The Dubai World Cup (Horse Racing)

AKA: Good Excuse for a Fancy Hat Outing

A visit to the Dubai Mall - the largest mall in the world.  The girls insisted we tell people they were triplets.  I guess we only decided to feed the tall one:



Holding up the Burj Khalifa:



And a trip to Kidzania.  It is a "kids world" where they perform adult jobs, get paid for them (who knew you could get paid for performing surgery using a spatula?), open bank accounts, and learn important trades like brick-layer and grocery store cashier.  Here are our budding surgeons:

Our very talented Air Hostesses:

And of course - every parent's dream - Nightclub Singers:



After all the excitement, the adults decided to reward ourselves with dinner at Nobu at the Atlantis.  Luckily, the two signature suites were empty, so we got a grand tour!  Here is the Neptune Suite - which has the giant fish tank as walls!

And the Bridge Suite - a 6,000 square foot mini-palace.  "Hello - We live here!"

A perfect day to head to the top of the Burj Khalifa! 

Amazing view from the deck:

And a view of "The World".  By the same people who brought you "The Palm" - a development of islands that when seen from above actually look like a map of the world. 

And of course, what vacation would be complete without....ROAD TRIP! 

We ventured into the Empty Quarter of Abu Dhabi.  Aptly named because it is quite literally empty - only miles and miles of beautiful rolling dunes.  Our resort was smack in the middle of the Empty:

A Pool with a View:

And a tranquil camel ride with some of the most loving, amazing camels ever (usually camels = not so nice):

The kids playing on the dunes - it gives you perspective on just how HUGE these things are!

And I did my best to give my friend her "Sex in the City" moment with a dinner in the Arabian desert:

And of course - what visit to Dubai would be complete without - say it with me - BRUNCH!

It was with much sadness that we closed out the week with Dolphins and Aquaventure.  It was much, much too short.  We can't wait for the next adventure!  Goodbye McCoys!  We miss you - and so do the dolphins!