It was my last breakfast in India this morning, and the drive to the airport was still as exotic as when I first arrived. India is beautiful, so photogenic and unbelievably colourful.

Then I had a 15 hour wait over in Dubai so whilst sipping cocktails in the Le Meridian I actually got most of my email work done for the day so figured I’d go out on one of the Desert Tours. It was with Arabian Adventures and was really worthwhile and excellent value. First up was being picked up in a 4×4 and driven out to the desert. The other people in the car were all Ozzies so it was pretty much guaranteed we’d have a laugh.

Then you hit the dunes, and it’s better than any roller coaster. Well, it’s not that violent or fast at all, it’s just really, really cool to be out in the real desert. (My brain has been having a hard time realising just where I am this year). You stop for a couple of times to see the camels and the desert sunset, then head off to a camp for dinner. It was a bit touristy at the end, but for a night out it was pretty cool. The food was nice, the belly dancing was great and the free wine made for a fun time. The arabian coffee and dried fruits were nice, just don’t tell my girlfriend that I had a “date” in the desert tonight. (I have a feeling I’m going to have to spend a long time explaining that joke!)

There were also free henna tattoos of scorpions and cobras and things, but I figured they wouldn’t be the best thing to have when trying to get through Japanese immigration tonight!

The big thing that hit me was how developed Dubai was compared to India. Road markings! And people who follow them! It was a pretty huge contrast. Then a ten hour flight to Japan which was sort of mixture between the two.