After a fabulous time in Bordeaux, we were homeward bound to New Zealand. We planned a stop-over in Dubai, at our favourite hotel, the The One and Only, Royal Mirage, The Palace.  As it happened, it coincided with my birthday.

The stunning entrance to the One and Only, Royal Mirage, The Palace.

Our first day, we visited the Mall of the Emirates and bought a couple of birthday treats so I could lie poolside ALL day on my birthday.

I don’t think I’ve ever have had a birthday like this, where I actually had the whole day to myself, albeit Tim making a few lovely suggestions around food and presents.

So for breakfast I had a large bowl of fruit, with all the trimmings, passionfruit, nuts, seeds and a good Greek yogurt.

Then, it was straight to the pool, with my audio book. The loungers are like beds, with towel rolls to support your head, gallons of iced water, shade if required and a great menu to dip into when needed.

The hotel pool.

I alternated between the pool and private beach, wallowing in the tepid water. I’m not sure how anything survives in 38 degree temperature, but the water was clear and small creatures, like shrimp darted about.

Despite the beach looking very inner city, the water was crystal clear.

We lunched at BBG, an alfresco restaurant on the beach, with views of Dubai’s skyline. I selected a watermelon, avocado and cucumber salad, with a parsley, mint and avocado oil dressing. The flavours and texture were scrumptious. We didn’t want to over eat has Tim had a surprise up his sleeve for dinner.

The view from the BBG restaurant

My delicious salad

In the evening we ate at Pierchic, an award winning Italian Restauarnat at Jumeirah Al Qasr, at the end of a pier.

The beautiful Italian restaurant over looking the water.

Our view.

We had the best table in the house, a corner window where we looked at the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab through one window, and the sunset from the other.We dined on silky gnocchi, spinach and ricotta ravioli, truffle risotto and of course tiramisu, leaving us very contented.

It was a birthday to remember, as they all should be as we cherish our senior years.