Going to Get Beer

You can drink alcohol in the UAE, but you need a drinking license. In Dubai, if you have a resident permit, you need a license to purchase or consume alcohol. Visitors and vacationers can drink alcohol, but only on hotel properties. Technically, if you're staying with friends at their home, you're not allowed to drink on their property unless you have a license.

There are liquor stores in Dubai, but they charge about 30% duty on everything. So, usually we purchase our alcohol when we go through duty free or we go to Umm al Quwain, a nearby emirate. In UAQ, there's a store called the Baracuda where you can get booze without a liquor license and without paying duty. So, every few months or so, we head over there. It's about an hour drive.

It is hilarious to see people coming out of the shop with their shopping trolleys FULL - as they can barely steer the thing to their car. BIG smiles are on everyone's face. This time, we didn't need too much. Picked up some wine for the neighbors and also stocked up for Ramadan (which comes around August 22 this year). And since Russell & Lyra will just be getting back from the US the weekend before that, this way we don't have to rush over there - as they close for the entire month of Ramadan.

On the way, there is a stretch of road with free-range camels. Almost every time we see some on the road. So, I had my camera out and ready for some photos.