The holiday started with an interesting "Body Scan" at Manchester Airport T2. The security team kindly offers to show me how it works. Despite many rumours, after the scan, you are showed a computer cartoon like image of a person and a red blob highlights any suspicious areas on your computer person.
 
After this little demonstration by the security team we enjoyed a very pleasant flight with Qatar Airways and although I thought this would be a dry flight - gin & tonics and other alcoholic beverages were available throughout the flight.

Our change in Doha was very quick and we literally walked from one aircraft through "In Transit" security and onto our short 40 minute flight to Dubai.

The taxi ride to the Excelsior Creek Hotel took less than 10 minutes.

It's almost 5am and time for a sleep before our lunchtime adventure to the Emirates Mall for shopping and some ski-ing.

The taxi ride from the Creek to the Emirates Mall is approx 40Dr (£8) and takes 10 minutes on Fri or Sat. On work days I would use the Metro it will be much quicker and cheaper. The journey then would take at least 30 minutes.

We decided to check out Ski Dubai which is situated within the Emirates Mall and we were not disappointed.

There's two area's - the Snow Park for smaller children and parents who are not skiing but wish to use the play area including rides down slopes on rubber rings - and the main piste for skiers and snowboarders.

It costs 100AED for adults and 90AED for children to play and 200AED to ski (£40pp)

Inside it is huge, with button and chair lifts and there are several stages where you can get off and ski down to the bottom.

I spent a couple of hours skiing with my daughter Jessica but we could easily have spent a couple more.

This is a huge great place to spend a morning or afternoon and if you can ski, as we both can, the two different runs are more than adequate.

After our time on the piste we ventured off into the Mall and boy, is it huge..!! It most certainly is the largest indoor shopping area I have been in and you can quite easily spend the whole afternoon shopping, and some more!!

It was 6pm and we had a table reserved at "Spice Island" for 6.30pm. The taxi ride takes between 10 and 25 minutes depending on traffic to the Renaissance Hotel where Spice Island is located.

You simply MUST pre book a table with my team at CruiseDubai.co.uk during your visit to Dubai. This is (in my opinion) a great place to eat with a difference.

Spice Island is self service - but by no means cafe like in any way. It is high quality with different cultural food styles. For example: Indian, Italian, Mongolian, Chinese, Sushi, Lobster, Stir Fry's, Salads, Cheeses and a great choice of fruits and for those with a sweet tooth, great deserts.

Pay for the medium package at 219 AED (£44). This includes ALL food and ALL drinks!! There is no need to pay for the higher package just for a couple more named brands. Our package included brands such as Stella, Tiger Beer, Johhny Walker etc

If your group or if you are a couple or a younger person that does not require alcoholic drinks, there is a standard package for soft drinks only at 169 AED (£34)

I am always careful about recommending restaurants, but because of the special style of Spice Island - there is something for everyone in a great atmosphere. Thank you Sheikh Ian for the beautiful birthday cake.

Back to the excellent Excelsior Creek Hotel, and time for a quick drink and a game of darts back at the Excelsior's English style pub before bed.