Post Card from Sharjah: 'From extreme poverty to 7 star hotels'

Arriving in Sharjah from India was like going from one extreme to the next; from extreme poverty and disorder to one of the wealthiest and more organized areas of the world. I've heard a lot about the UAE and Dubai and it has been good to finally see this part of the world first-hand. So far we've seen the only 7 star hotel in the world which is built 500 metres of-shore in the sea and which costs around R100 000 a night to stay in the top-floor penthouse suite. The Holiday International hotel where we're staying in Sharjah hardly compares but has a great pool area around which we have our daily lunches and work on our tans.

Yesterday we went to an oasis in the desert; the Dubai water world, which is basically a complex of water rides and slides, wave pools and sandy beaches, ala the Lost City. There were 4 couples, the Kirstens, Cronjes, Van Zyls and Bouchie (and Caroline) and Neil Mac and myself. After spending 5 hours in the sun, evening activities were cut short and early to bed was the call for the day.

The boys are looking good cricket-wise. I injured my finger in the last game in India, stabbing it in the ground while fielding a ball. It was really sore for 2 days and the fizz even took me for an x-ray but it's feeling a lot better now. The conditions here seem to suit us better than the other teams with the pitch being slightly quicker and favouring our bowlers. We are confident we have a good chance of winning the tournament and will be going all out to finish off this leg of the tour by bringing the trophy home. Obviously this will be good for returning home and going into the Aussie one-day series with some good confidence and playing some good cricket.

Back off the field again, it was great news to hear that Nantie popped the question to Tanya and she accepted. Another youngster gone west. This obviously puts a lot more pressure on Mark and Jacques.

This weekend sees a lot of activity for the boys to stay busy during our two rest days. Tomorrow some of the guys are going to the Dubai Cup, the richest horse race in the world with a purse of $US 6 000000 for the winner. Others are going on a 4X4 desert dune drive and camel ride finishing off with an "Arabian Braai" in the evening in the desert. Hansie wanted to know if the tour company provided the camels to which Polly replied, "No H, you have to bring your own!" Still others are going to take in the "world best" aquatic acrobatic display and those who aren't doing anything will probably find some more time to shop around for those bargain buys during the Festival when the shops stay open till 1 am.

My highlight of the weekend will be the arrival of my girlfriend Jacqui on Sunday morning; hold onto your credit cards.