Dubai - Citibank Colombia | Banca Online · P1 / LUXE DUBAI Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab ... Bastien used his ... Sip and sup at this elemental

Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE ItinerariesP1 / LUXE DUBAI

Citi PrestigeSM

Dubai

IN ONLY 50 YEARS THIS LITTLE MUSLIM PEARL-FISHING VILLAGE, NESTLED BETWEEN THE ARABIAN GULF AND THE DESERT, HAS TRANSFORMED ITSELF INTO A RITZY, DECADENT PLAYGROUND OF SUN, SAND, SHOPPING AND SPA.

And what it doesn’t have, it’s building.

To navigate the city, take the Gulf

as north and Dubai Creek as your

center, then the original old quarter

Deira is to the east, downtown Dubai,

comprising happening hubs Dubai Mall

and sky-high Burj Khalifa, is to the

west, and continuing west along the

coast are glitzy Jumeirah and Dubai

Marina. So, go on Aladdin, rub that

magic lamp…

The cult pocket city guides and mobile

apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler

www.luxecityguides.comCITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES


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• Weather: the perfect time to

visit is Nov-Apr, take a pashmina for

the cooler evenings; avoid

Jul-mid-Sep when temperatures can

soar to the high 40s

(115°F and above).

• Don’t use sunscreen, use sunBLOCK.

• Check ahead and plan around

Ramadan month when the city

fasts from sunrise to sunset, or the

prophet’s birthday when bars are

shut, and virtue is essential.

• Dubai International Airport to Emirates

Towers: 25 mins / DHS 60.

• English is widely spoken, and the

people are friendly.

• Dubai lacks a proper address

system and landmarks are often

used instead. Get your concierge

or driver to call ahead or get a map

faxed if in doubt.

Blah blah• The metro is cheap and handy for

mall hopping, but taxis are plentiful

and the easiest way to get around.

• Events to watch for: Dubai World

Cup (Mar) – gee-gees (sans

gambling); Dubai Desert Classic

– gold (Feb/Mar); Art Dubai –

international contemporary art

fair (Mar); Rugby 7s – strapping

men in shorts (Nov/Dec); and Dubai

Film Festival (Dec) – Clooney

and Cruise fest.

• Dubai’s weekend is Fri-Sat. Many

small shops don’t open until

4pm on Fridays, but all of the

big malls open from 10am and

trade until late.

• The city is very safe, there is

virtually no crime.

• Dubai is remarkably liberal, both in

behavior and dress, but egregious

displays of anger and saucy

behavior are frowned upon, and

there is a ZERO tolerance of

drunk-driving = jail.

• Alcohol is served only in

restaurants/bars attached to hotels,

and the prices charged

are often criminal.

• Tipping is not obligatory,

but appreciated.

• Currency: UAE Dirham. DHS 3.67 =

US$1 fixed.

• Country code is +971 and 4

for Dubai, local mobiles start

with either 050 or 055 and

landlines 04.

• Directory enquiries 181, international

directory enquiries 151.

• Police and ambulance 999,

fire 997.


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A former professional skier, Bastien

Gonzalez discovered his calling after a

serious skiing accident left him in need of

physical therapy. After attaining podiatry

qualifications, Bastien used his scientific

knowledge to enhance and perfect the

art of nail care in his now world-famous

pedicures and manicures. Bastien has

since opened 13 PEDI:MANI:CURE Studios

in exclusive hotels all over the world, as

well as launched his Révérence de Bastien

product range.

www.bastiengonzalez.com

LUXE INSIDER

Bastien Gonzalez


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1) WHAT’S THE ONE THING EVERY VISITOR TO DUBAI MUST DO AND WHY?

You must visit World’s tallest building

Burj Khalifa, a living wonder, and

stunning work of art. The views are

simply spectacular.

www.burjkhalifa.ae

2) WHAT ARE 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND WHY? WHAT DISHES DO YOU ORDER AT THESE PLACES?

I love Nobu in Atlantis, the world-

renowned Japanese, a truly stunning

restaurant and unforgettable

experience. There is a sushi bar and

sake lounge, I love the Nobu signature

dishes Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa

soy sauce dressing and Black Cod in

Miso. The Moroccan restaurant Tagine

in the Royal Mirage hotel has lovely,

hand polished and waxed tobacco-

colored walls, and lots of lanterns,

rugs and decorative pieces from

around the region – the couscous

is amazing. And last but not least

PierChic in the Madiant Jumeriah,

the stroll along the pier is just the

precursor to one of the most romantic

locations in Dubai, the seafood is

great and the views of the

Gulf breathtaking.

3) WHERE IS THE BEST COFFEE (OR TEA) IN DUBAI, AND WHY?

Historically speaking, there should

be no better place to drink coffee

than here in the Middle East – it

was first roasted in nearby Yemen.

Café Bateel, a Saudi-owned chain,

is keeping traditional Arabic coffee

(often referred to as Turkish coffee)

en vogue with local Emiratis. In many

respects, Bateel is the Middle East’s

answer to Starbucks and there’s as

much emphasis on dates and shisha

as there is coffee. Nonetheless, the

coffee is delicious – it isn’t filtered and

is flavored with an array of spices –

principally cardamom, but also saffron

cloves, and cinnamon.

www.bateel.com

4) WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR A COCKTAIL AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

101 sits on the very tip of The Palm’s

crescent, but can also be reached via

boat from sister hotel One&Only Royal

Mirage. With sweeping panoramic

views of the Dubai skyline beyond, the

striking 101 dining lounge with alfresco

seating overwater also features a

chill-out lounge with seaside tables

and bar. You can enjoy a selection of

light Mediterranean food; from tapas

and large fresh salads to seafood (the

seafood paella is my favorite) it’s the

perfect setting for afternoon cocktails.

Order the mojito!

www.jumeirah.com

5) WHAT’S THE BEST DAY TRIP TO TAKE FROM YOUR CITY, AND WHY?

There are some amazing day trips

and over night trips in the desert. You

can drive to the northern Musandam

Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman, a

simple 120-minute journey from Dubai

with beautiful setting of the Mountains

on one side and sandy beach on the

other. Recently for my birthday I

stayed at the Qasr Al Sarab in Abu

Dhabi’s spectacular Empty Quarter. I

stay in many luxury hotels around the

world but for me this place was truly

amazing, I will definitely return, you

are literally in the desert and then

this fortress appears from nowhere.

Peaceful, tranquil, it was the perfect

weekend. I even got to eat couscous

under the stars – true Arabic style!

www.qasralsarab.anantara.com

LUXE INSIDER

Bastien Gonzalez

www.noburestaurants.com

www.royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com

www.jumeirah.com


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LUXE Loves

AL MAHA RESORT AND SPA Hotel

Stay overnight or simply dine at this

Bedouin-style retreat within a 225sqkm

conservation area where wild oryx and

gazelle roam amongst the five-star,

tented suites, each with its own plunge

pool. Dine in private on your balcony

overlooking the dunes, or take a camel

ride to the fantastic spa, or the shaded

champagne bar terrace for blazing

sunsets, and don’t forget to practice

your archery and falconry!.

ARMANI HOTEL

Hotel

Sashay down the catwalk corridors

of Giorgio’s temple of beige and gold

minimalism with leather walls, tatami

flooring and green marble bathrooms

with namesake products for use, plus

exclusive Armani/Privé lounge, Milan’s

prestigious Peck Deli, swank spa and

Armani retail in the hotel and adjacent

Dubai Mall.

XVA GALLERY Hotel

A quaint renovated traditional majilis-

style boutique hotel in the heritage

area of chain-dominated Dubai,

with wind towers and shaded open

courtyards to enjoy the nearby calls to

prayer. The adjoining vegetarian café

with legendary mint lemonade is a

favorite among locals and celebrities.

Dubai Desert Conservation

Reserve / off the Dubai to Al Ain

Highway / +971 4 832 9900

www.al-maha.com

Burj Khalifa / +971 4 888 3888

www.dubai.armanihotels.com

Bastakiya / Bur Dubai / +971 4 353 5383

www.xvahotel.com


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LUXE Loves

AL NAFOORAH

Dining

This swish and zesty Lebanese

destination covers all bases – business

meets, family venue, post-retail

lunchkin or romantic diner, and

sits perfectly located for designer

shopping too. Check out the terrace

(closed in summer) and be sure not to

miss the excellent hot and cold mezze

and killer kebbeh.

NASIMI BEACH

Club

A Miami vibe in Dubai setting makes

this shoreline terrace the place to go

for full moons, international DJs and

Ibiza-party crowds. Each evening, the

beach amenities convert to a lounge

club with music, ambient lighting and

sofas for drinks, shisha and lounging.

360°

Bar

Panoramic views of the city and

the Persian Gulf lull loungers and

groovers at this circular offshore siren

situated at the end of its own pier.

Sip sundowners on the deck or twirl

and whirl under the starlight in the

hedonistic electronic playground above.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers / Sheikh

Zayed Road / +971 4 319 8088

www.jumeirah.com

Atlantis Dubai / +971 4 426 2626 /

noon-12.3am Sat-Thu, till 2am Fri /

closed summer

www.atlantisthepalm.com

Marina Restaurant Rooftop /

Jumeirah Beach Hotel / +971 4 406

8999 / from 5pm daily / closed

summer / re-opens September

www.jumeirah.com

PIERCHIC

Dining

Stroll along the candlelit pier to this

romantic love-den set over the gulf for

the ideal place to propose or rekindle,

and say yes to delicious Gallic seafood

dishes, impeccable service, balmy

breezes and azure waters. An added

plus is that no children under 10 are

allowed. Peace, perfect peace.

ZUMA

Dining

Sip and sup at this elemental dream of

soaring glass, granite, steel and timber

‘izakaya’ where suits and models rub

shoulders at blond wood tables, the

sushi and robata grill counters or the

slick mezzanine lounge. The two or four

course lunch is great value.

SHU

Dining

Hang out with the locals at this

popular Middle Eastern mezze and

shisha lounge where the laid-back

atmosphere, vibrant furnishings, glass

bauble chandeliers, and chill patio are

ideal for watching the passing parade

along trendy Jumeirah Beach Road.

Jumeirah Beach Road / opp. Jumeirah

Beach Park / +971 4 349 1303 /

10am-2am daily

www.jumeirah.com

Bldg 6 / Gate Village / DIFC /

+971 4 425 5660

www.zumarestaurant.com

Al Qasr / Madinat Jumeirah /

Jumeirah / +971 4 366 6730

www.madinatjumeirah.com


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LUXE Loves

www.royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com

THE BLUE SOUQ (CENTRAL MARKET)

Shopping

Ditch Dubai when looking for Arabian

carpets. Instead, this most famous

of Sharjah’s souks offers reputable

vendors and the best bargains,

provided you’ve honed your haggling

skills. The floor above houses the best

carpet shop selection in the country,

plus gold jewelry and gems galore.

For authentic Nain and Kashan rugs,

Persian Carpet Kingdom within the

Souq is the safest bet.

ALADDIN SHOES

Shopping

For shoes to make your toes curl,

head to the best in the business,

where Mohommed can custom-make

beautiful, sequined Persian slippers

in only 2-3 days, with matching

embroidered belts. Just head to the

Bur Dubai Old Souk Abra and you

can’t miss Aladdin.

AMARA

Activities

Moorish Amara spa knows what

the weary traveler kneads: private

suites with personal walled garden,

outdoor rain shower, and a luxurious

assortment of massages, body and

facial treatments. Customize the

ambient music and prepare for a

pampering using skin guru Anne

Semonin’s signature products. Then,

make a day of it with free reign of

Park Hyatt’s facilities, including pool,

steam room, sauna and fitness center.

ARABIAN ADVENTURES

Activities

Forget the headache of planning, this

polished outfit arranges desert safaris,

visits to racing stables, luxury cruises,

fishing, water sports, helicopter tours,

romantic dinners in exotic spots, golf

escapes and more. You can book

privately or join another group.

THE THIRD LINE

Shopping

Expansive, edgy, tucked away gallery

that’s the place to see and buy regional

and international contemporary Middle

Eastern art. Cutting-edge exhibits

feature international-caliber diasporic

artists like Toronto-based Abbas

Akhavan and New York-based Youssef

Nabil, for public and collection.

Park Hyatt / Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht

Club / +971 4 602 1234

www.dubai.park.hyatt.com

+971 4 303 4888

www.arabian-adventures.com

Al Majaz / close to Sharjah Creek /

+971 06 573 5098 / 9am-1pm & 4-11pm

Sat-Thu, 4-11pm Fri

www.persiancarpetkingdom.com

Dubai Old Souk / Bastakiya

/ +971 4 050 515 4351

Al Quoz Industrial Estate / Interchange

No. 3, Exit 42 / +971 4 341 1367

www.thethirdline.com

ROOFTOP BAR

Bar

The ultimate in cushion-strewn, laid-

back Arab loveliness. This sheik-chic,

picture-perfect setting is the best

place in Dubai to watch the sunset

with cocktails, with knockout views

of the Gulf and the somewhat bizarre

Palm development. Great mezze

nibbles too.

Arabian Court / One&Only Royal

Mirage / Juemirah / +971 4 399

9999 / 5pm-1am


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LUXE LoathesJULY / AUGUST TEMPERATURES

High 40s (115°F and above), and

seriously not funny.

TRAFFIC

Drivers are one problem, the traffic

is another. Prepare for 3hr gridlock

during rush hour, which is every hour.

CONSTRUCTION

Cranes (not of the fowl variety) abound

in construction central Dubai.

DUBAI DRIVERS

The international melange of people

in Dubai means international driving

tendencies with blurred laws. Be

prepared for some of the worst drivers

on the planet!


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Fab vs. Drab

ARRIVE IN STYLE

Being stuck in traffic purgatory during

rush hour is infuriating when trying to get

to the Park Hyatt’s Terrace for alfresco

cocktails, so do the smart thing instead

and hire an abra (boat) at 100Dhs/1hr

to cruise along the Dubai Creek to Park

Hyatt’s marina, arriving at The Terrace

fresh and cool. Simply board at any abra

station along the creek.


SKY HIGH

Avoid battling with the hordes of tourists

for prime viewing real estate on the

observation deck of the world’s tallest

tower, the Burj Khalifa, by chartering a

helicopter from Arabian Adventures and

flying around the Burj instead.

www.burjkhalifa.ae

www.arabian-adventures.com

POOL TIME

Swimming in the sea is pleasant, but

the construction residue and towering

cranes near the beaches are not, so stick

with the smart set by dipping into the

not too hot, not too cold, but ‘just right’

clean waters of the chilled swimming pool

bordered by beautifully landscaped

lush gardens at the One&Only Royal

Mirage Hotel.

www.oneandonlyresorts.com

UNDERWATER

The Persian Gulf’s vast network of on-

going land expansion has all but scared

away the marine life, so snorkelling,

sailing or diving can be less than idyllic.

Instead charter a sleek cruiser or fit-for-a-

sheikh yacht for offshore diving, deep-

sea fishing, sunset sails, or customized

itineraries through Art Marine.

www.artmarine.net

PERSONAL SHOPPER

Getting lost in the world’s largest malls

and sprawling souks of retail mecca Dubai

can be no joke, so discover the city’s

hush-hush shopping secrets with Divine,

celebrity-stylist Kelly Lundberg’s team of

crack personal shoppers.

www.divine.ae


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Escape the summer heat in the urban-

glam Grosvenor House. Your personal

butler can arrange for breakfast in bed

before you venture to the old quarter of

Deira for the Spice and Gold Souks; the

souks open from 9am so cab there early

to avoid the notorious Dubai traffic, or

allocate plenty of extra time for gridlock.

After reaching the Deira Old Souk Abra

Station drop-off point, take the tiny alley

that runs behind the area’s ochre-colored

shops to and find aromatic saffron, cumin

and the myriad delights of the Spice Souk.

The Gold Souk is further along the main

road up Old Baladiya Road, but trot on

to nearby Souk Deira Street for a heady

concoction of perfume stores with their

LUXE ITINERARY

Romance

signature jars of heavy oils. Escape the

encroaching heat by continuing down this

street and turning right to bring you to

the Old Souk Abra Station. Embark your

chartered abra (see Drab vs Fab) and

cruise down the stunning Dubai Creek to

lunch at Park Hyatt’s scrumptious Middle

Eastern offering Café Arabesque. While

the a la carte items can be hit or miss, the

mezze buffet of fresh Jordanian, Syrian

and Lebanese starters is unmissable, but

don’t over-indulge as you’ll want to make

your way to your couples’ suite at the

Moorish-zen palace of the resort’s Amara

Spa (see LUXE Loves). Here, you can

choose from a wealth of spa packages like

the luxurious 5-hr Diamond Journey that

includes Thai, reflexology and Indian

head massages to free blocked energy

and an illuminating facial to leave you

glowing. To maintain your zen, simply

step from the spa onto The Terrace for

fabulous sundowner views of the marina,

then take a leisurely cab to seafood haven

Pierchic (see LUXE Loves) to end the

evening at this lover’s fairytale set over

the Persian Gulf.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Style

The sun is shining and the thermostat

hasn’t climbed above 115 degrees (high

40s) yet, perfect time to take an Arabian

Adventures (see Drab vs fab) helicopter

ride around the city, over the stunning

coastline and the architectural splendors

of the manmade Palm Jumeirah

archipelago and the world’s tallest

building, the Burj Khalifa. Afterwards, take

the complimentary Royal Mirage Hotel

coach to Media City, and enjoy Middle

Eastern fusion salads and sandwiches

at Lime Tree Café opposite. Escape the

now scorching heat at the Jumeirah

Zabeel Saray’s palatial Talise Ottoman

Spa where their Turkish hammams and

hydrotherapy rooms are the icing on the

cake of luxurious treatments. A few hours

of this Turkish delight then it’s off to

Souk Madinat for a sweets and macarons

stop at Vivel Patisserie, sating the Dubai

sweet tooth since 1992. Marathon retail

is in order after such a patisserie feast,

so head to the Dubai Marina to partake in

the city’s unofficial sport, shopping. Begin

on the northern end of the pedestrianized

Marina Walk, opposite the Ritz Carlton,

to behold high style emporium Boutique

1, where a divine shrine to labels from

Martin Grant to Thom Browne, plus a

denim bar and personal stylists await

you. Accessorize your new look with

ornate shoes and bags by Gina, Fendi,

Dior and more in nearby Opera. Now

that you can dress to impress, throw

on your new threads for a night on the

town starting with supper at Zuma, and

finishing at ultra-slick Armani/Privé (see

LUXE Loves) nightclub, for a vibrant mix

of international beats, great drinks and

hi-so crowd. Tired? Why look further than

a suite at Armani Hotel (see LUXE Loves)

downstairs…. how convenient is that!


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Dubai may be a business hub, but

that certainly doesn’t make it easy

to get around in. Unless you want to

teleconference while stuck in a three-

hour long traffic jam, stay in Jumeirah

Emirates Towers, located in the financial

district, and featuring with breathtaking

views of Burj Kahlifa and complimentary

access to Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s private

beach (in case you get a post-meeting

tanning window). With the hotel sorted,

let’s get your attire in order! If you have

48 hours in the city or you visit Dubai

regularly, take the time to get sized up

at Parmar Tailors for a custom suit made

from luxurious European fabrics – they’ve

been outfitting captains of industry

and young dandies since 1956. Busy

businesswomen should contact Divine

LUXE ITINERARY

Business(see Drab vs Fab) for celebrity-stylist Kelly

Lundberg’s expertise. Now, with your

outfit in the works, it’s time to get rid

of any signs of and fatigue. Men can try

‘The Perfect Shave’ and a Thai or sports

massage at the decadent grooming

lounge for men, 1847, conveniently

located on the Emirates Towers Boulevard

below the hotel. Ladies, freshen up

at Armani Hotel’s signature Armani/

SPA with a customized treatment using

namesake products. Now you’re feeling

refreshed, head to you pre-booked lunch

table at zesty Lebanese Al Nafoorah. Its

lovely terrace and specialty hot and cold

mezze dishes are sure to impress that

important lunch client. For a pre-dinner

drinks meeting, the laidback, beachside,

contemporary-Arabian indoor/outdoor

Jetty Lounge is the perfect choice, and

when it’s time to sign on the dotted line,

dinner at nearby 101 Dining Lounge and

Bar, with its Mediterranean tapas and

seafood dishes, plus sweeping panoramic

views of the Dubai skyline, is a sure-fire

deal-clincher.


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LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials

• Grosvenor House

Al Sufouh Road / West Marina /

+971 4 399 8888

www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com

• Café Arabesque

Park Hyatt / Dubai Creek Golf &

Yacht Club /+971 4 602 1234


• Amara Spa

Park Hyatt / Dubai Creek Golf &

Yacht Club / +971 4 602 1234


• Pierchic

Al Qasr / Madinat Jumeirah /

Jumeirah / +971 4 366 6730

www.madinatjumeirah.com

• Arabian Adventures

(see Drab vs fab)

• Lime Tree Café

Jumeirah Beach Road (next to

Spinney’s) / +971 4 366 9320

www.thelimetreecafe.com

• Talise Ottoman Spa

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel / The

Palm Jumeirah / Crescent Road

(West) / +971 4 453 0455

www.jumeirah.com

• Vivel Patisserie

Souk Madinat Jumierah /

+971 4 368 6006

www.vivel.com

ROMANTIC ITINERARY STYLISH ITINERARY

• Boutique 1

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach

Residence / +971 4 425 7888

www.boutique1.com

• Zuma

Bldg 6 / Gate Village / DIFC /

+971 4 425 5660

www.zumarestaurant.com

• Armani/Privé (see LUXE Loves)

• Armani Hotel (see LUXE Loves)


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• Jumeirah Emirates Towers /

Sheikh Zayed Road /

+971 4 330 0000

www.jumeirah.com

• Parmar Tailors / 25c Street /

Al Souq Al Kabeer / near the

Astoria Hotel / +971 4 353 5648

www.parmartailors.com

• Divine

www.divine.ae

BUSINESS ITINERARY

• 1847 / Jumeirah Emirates Towers /

Sheikh Zayed Road/

+971 4 330 1847

www.thegroomingco.com/1847

• Armani

SPA (see LUXE Loves)

• Al Nafoorah / Jumeirah Emirates

Towers / Sheikh Zayed Road /

+971 4 319 8088

www.jumeirah.com

• Jetty Lounge

Beachfront / One & Only Royal Mirage

/ Jumeirah /

+971 4 399 9999

www.thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com

• 101 Dining Lounge and Bar

One & Only The Palm /

+971 4 440 1010

www.thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com

LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials


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Your LUXE notes

Documents

Dubai - Citibank Colombia | Banca Online · P1 / LUXE DUBAI Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab ... Bastien used his ... Sip and sup at this elemental