When I went to Dubai I really enjoyed the trip. Some of my friends were a little hesitant to travel there due to concerns over safety and culture. I am here to assure you that there isn’t a safer place to travel! The people were lovely and very hospitable. Dubai is a tourist destination, so they are welcoming and appreciative of guests.
Granted it was hot, but you didn’t really notice it because you are too busy looking in awe at the buildings. Modern, sleek and high-tech is the best way to describe today’s Dubai.
I’m sure you all have seen the Burj Al Arab hotel on television or in photographs. It’s the 5-star hotel that looks like a sailboat and it is magnificent. I remember Matt Laur and Tiger Woods playing golf on the helipad…..there’s no getting those balls back! The hotel is so tall I couldn’t even fit all of it in the photo frame.
Tourists aren’t allowed thru the gates without a reservation in the bar, restaurant or for high tea. If I were staying at the hotel, then I’m not sure I would want to see tourists traipsing in all day thru the lobby. It’s a privacy thing. It’s a very exclusive hotel.
During our trip to Dubai, a group of us decided to go for high tea. We thought it would be a great way to experience the luxuries of the Burj Al Arab hotel. High tea was served from 1-3:30pm and the charge was $138.86 US dollars. High tea at the Burj has 7 courses. It was truly an adventure of a lifetime.
We arrived at the hotel and had to show our reservation at the gate to be let in. We were allowed to go thru the gates and proceed to the hotel. It was like going to Wonkaland. Very exciting!
When we were seated for the tea we were served a glass of Louis Roederer champagne to begin. You know how I love champagne! Off to a great start.
The next course was a berry tart. It looked almost like a culinary work of art. Almost too pretty to eat!
No high tea would be complete without finger sandwiches. The course included combinations such as goat cheese with pomegranate seeds, tomato and cucumber on whole wheat, cucumber and cream cheese, and lastly smoked salmon and cream cheese. Smoked salmon and cream cheese was my favorite.
Chef’s carving came next. Kobe beef tenderloin so tender it was like butter. A little dollop of mashed potatoes completed the serving. But wait, there’s more!
Next they brought out a tray of scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream. I had heard of clotted cream but wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it was really tasty! According to Wikipedia Devonshire Clotted Cream is:
“Clotted cream (sometimes called scalded, clouted, Devonshire or Cornish cream) is a thick cream made by indirectly heating full-cream cow’s milk using steam or a water bath and then leaving it in shallow pans to cool slowly. During this time, the cream content rises to the surface and forms “clots” or “clouts”. It forms an essential part of a cream tea.”
The tray was completed with an assortment of French pastries. I found that people of Dubai love sweet treats. Definitely my kind of people!
Photo courtesy of Burj Al Arab
Did mention that in the ladies restroom they provided toiletries by Hermes?
If you ever get the chance to travel to Dubai, DO IT! The people are lovely and it is the epitome of luxury. You have to see it to believe it. xoxo
