FIRST LEGS 

On Dec. 22 we flew to Ottawa to spend Christmas with Matthew and his family.  This was a very pleasant visit highlighted by an extended family dinner for 12 on Christmas Day, and then another dinner for 10 (with good friends of Matthew) on Boxing Day.  My role in these festivities was to select wines and open the bottles.  I think I was successful as Matthew’s cellar is now in need of considerable re-stocking.  As you can see from the picture Santa Claus was able to find Matthew’s house. 

We flew to Toronto on the 27th for an overnight stay at an airport hotel (strangely not near the airport) and had an Air Emerates flight to Dubai the next day.  This was our first time flying with Emerates; and what an experience that was.  Firstly, they sent a very large black Cadillac to collet us at the hotel.  Once on board we were given glasses of Veuve-Clicquot. 

I then discovered that the bar/lounge at the back of our cabin had a great 18-year old Scotch.  With our main meal we were served 2011 Chateau Larriver Haut-Brion.  Service was astounding.  Whenever Betty decided to use the facilities someone instantly appeared to take her arm. 

Navigating the world’s second largest airport (Dubai) took a long time but we eventually got to our bus, which was then delayed because of a mechanical barrier failing to open.  Friday prayers delayed maintenance workers from helping.  However, we eventually got to Abu Dahbi tired and hungry.  I managed to score a reservation for comfort food at Polo Grill, but by the time our luggage arrived we scrambled to make the designated time.  Nonetheless the Champagne paired perfectly with my lobster bisque.  However, during the main course I seemed to get into a competition with the Sommelier who wanted my cabernet glass  always full, while I tried desperately to lower the level.  Perhaps this had something to do with Betty’s kicking me awake when dessert arrived. 

On our first full day on board we docked in Doha, Qatar.  As Betty’s legs are not functioning well she skipped the tour.  Qatar is a very wealthy country of 3 million people who earn lots of money, but pay no taxes.  Only 15% of the population ( Bedoins) are eligible for citizenship, and the rest are mostly from India.  Anyone can move to Qatar semi-permanently provided they either get a job or buy an apartment.  The downside is that during Aug/Sept the temperatures reach 60 degrees C with high humidity. 

The architecture in Doha is quite spectacular. The above picture shows the national theatre, made entirely of marble imported from Greece.

People in Doha do not own cats or dogs as pets.  Rather everyone has falcons (there is even a falcon hospital) and lots own camels (which they race).  It is interesting to see a camel lot near a Rolls Royce dealer. 

In the evening we joined a couple at the Captain’s cocktail party.  The elderly gentleman immediately diagnosed Betty’s walking issue (I’m guessing he used to be a doctor) and gave some medication advice.  Interesting to see if her doctors back home agree.  We ate dinner at the French restaurant and sat with a lovely German couple.  He rose from being a street cop to head of all the police in Saxony.