We touched down at the Dubai airport at night but the land transfer was a no-show.

 

After ~1h plus, the coach pulled up and the guide explained that the original guide met with an accident on the way to the airport.

 

We finally reached Grand Excelsior Hotel past midnight, hungry and sleepy. After a tasty meal of cup noodles, we concussed into a deep slumber, sleeping through our morning alarms.

 

 

The breakfast hours were almost over when we woke up so we scrambled down to the restaurant. Luckily there was still food on the buffet trays. During breakfast, we were told that the agent had arranged for complimentary lunch in compensation for previous night's delay (Like!).

 

After lunch, we decided to hike towards Burj Al Arab.

 

 

We first walked to Emirates Mall from our hotel.

 

 

There, we crossed the Emirates Station overpass and walked down the stretch of Umm Suqeim Rd.

 

 

At the end of the road, we stumbled upon Madinat Jumeirah, an Arabian style resort.

 

 

We entered the lavish Arabian style resort hoping to find a way to the beach to see the Dubai coast. But not unexpected, access to the beach was limited to the resort's guests.

 

 

Nevertheless we walked around the Souk Madinat where there were a number of cart shops selling interesting wares.

 

 

At one of the stalls, an artist would conjure up colourful paintings of names adorned with icons of Dubai like camels, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa etc.

 

 

Famished after the exerting hike, we scampered back to Emirates Mall and rewarded ourselves with our favorite 'Supreme Chicken' meal for dinner.