I'm writing this post on the plane from Dubai to Dar Es Salaam and will hopefully be able to post it as soon as we land, although I'm doubtful right now because the wireless in Dubai was hit and miss I can imagine what it will be like in Tanzania. Our plane was two hours late arriving in Dubai but that didn't stop us from hitting the town. We first stopped at the beach next to the only 7 star hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab... We didn't stay there:) The next stop was at a couple more 5+ star hotels including Atlantis on the Palm Island. I think we finally got back to the hotel at around 3 am, even then we sat around chatting for a while. Goodtimes! I'll post more if and when I get a chance.

Arriving at our hotel...




Early morning sight-seeing










Atlantis...





Image of Burj Al Arab (lower-right)



Getting Ready to board our plane for Africa (image from Ray Santana)

Shane has officially started his trip for the Grace Ormonde benefit shoot with Thirst Relief International. During this trip he will be working alongside 12 other amazing photographers

Ray Santana, Mike Colon, David Burke, Andrew Bryant, Ben Harrison, David & Luke Edmonson, Jason Thon, Jeff LaPlante, Jim Davis-Hicks, Melissa Jill and Phillip Glickman

as well as auction winners Laura Parker and Michelle Walker. Their current plans for the trip include:

-working with Thirst Relief International to provide life-saving clean water to Tanzanians

- A photoshoot with models from South Africa wearing fair trade jewelry by The Leakey Collection and gowns that were donated by the following amazing dress designers:

Ines Di Santo
Amy Michelson
Adele Wechsler
Angel Sanchez
Jenny Packham

– an African safari!


Shane and the team flew out of California Monday evening and arrived in Dubai early Wednesday morning (somewhere around 12:00am from what I understand). After checking into their hotel they all took a midnight tour of Dubai. I'm told it was still around 100 degrees and humid at 3:00am.