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Dubai
Feb 28, 2013 13:58:37 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Feb 28, 2013 13:58:37 GMT
Tell me, what do think when you hear Dubai? Skyscarpers? Check. Glitzy malls? Check. In fact, the Ibn batutah Mall feels very much like a historic site. It's based on six areas Ibn Batutah travelled to in the 13/14th centuries, China, India, Tunisia, Persia, Egypt and Andalusia. Here is the China Court. Other pictures from that mall: But Dubai has lots more too. If it feels too commercialised and modern, you should head to be old area od Dubai, Bur Dubai and Deira. These areas are home to the souks (markets) and the old architecture. The below is a commerce area in Bur Dubai, while it's not exactly too old, it's still a reminder that you're in Dubai and not some Western metropolis. Here is a mosque in Bur Dubai. Very close is the Gold Souk. Of course, there was a police patrol around.
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Dubai
Feb 28, 2013 14:14:08 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2013 14:14:08 GMT
I'm glad to see those photos of the market. Actually, that is what Dubai still looked like the one and only time I had to spend a week there -- the skyscraper craze had not yet begun, and there was only one modern shopping mall.
On the old port was the "Russian market" which consisted of old babuskas selling things like packages of plastic forks or batteries. This was during the low point of the Russian crash after the breakup of the Soviet Union, and the U.A.E. was one of the only places where Russians could go without a visa. Thousands of them flooded there with one way tickets, thinking they were going to strike it rich. Probably a few of them did.
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Dubai
Feb 28, 2013 15:07:36 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Feb 28, 2013 15:07:36 GMT
Thanks for your response, Kerouac. Now, that explains the significant amount of Russian/eastern European expats in Dubai. Yes, there were Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos but... Russians? Was surprised at that time!
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Dubai
Feb 28, 2013 15:24:39 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Feb 28, 2013 15:24:39 GMT
Dubai is a city of superlatives. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. ONe can go to the Burj al Arab observation deck- AED 100 (US$ 27.50 or so) and four times that amount for on the spot tickets- that is, if it's available. THe most famous hotel in the world. Burj al Arab. You just can't go to the Burj al Arab. If you're not staying there, you must have an advance reservation for High Tea or at the bar (no under 21s allowed). I usually detest overpriced 5-star food but this was just amazing. We went for the high tea. You have some finger sandwiches and a small array of snacks, an alcoholic beverage (or a non-alcoholic wine for underage) followed by a tea, hot chocolate etc and I think one thing more, can't remember. Service is amazing. Dress code must be followed, either Emirati dress or, for guys, shirt/pant/formal shoes. The first metro in the Arab Peninsula (when you exclude Egypt)
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Dubai
Mar 1, 2013 16:59:14 GMT
Post by bixaorellana on Mar 1, 2013 16:59:14 GMT
Absolutely fascinating, Ansh! I love the way you've laid out this report, serving up the expected views of Dubai first, then taking us further in.
Kerouac, how interesting to learn about the eastern European contingent there.
Ansh, do you know the purpose of the ornamental wooden screens in the market -- for shade?
The tallest building in the world is extremely beautiful in a surprisingly 1930s way. My first thought was "the Emerald City".
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Dubai
Mar 2, 2013 1:12:05 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 2, 2013 1:12:05 GMT
Thanks, and yes, I'd be guessing that the ornamental wooden screens are used for shade although another reason is just design- it is the Gold Souk after all. It needs some distinguishing from the surrounding area, because without the screen, it looks the same.
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Dubai
Mar 2, 2013 8:31:36 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 2, 2013 8:31:36 GMT
First a few more pictures of the concrete jungle. As we are still in the "modern' part, let me introduce the Dubai Fountain, at the base of Dubai Mall. Now, let's travel back to the old area- but we're stuck in the bad evening traffic! Will post more later.
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Dubai
Mar 2, 2013 8:47:46 GMT
Post by bjd on Mar 2, 2013 8:47:46 GMT
Thanks for showing this, Ansh. It's definitely not a place I would care to go, not being a fan of shopping or lack of greenery. I hadn't expected to see so many tourists.
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Dubai
Mar 2, 2013 11:34:37 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 2, 2013 11:34:37 GMT
Cheers bjd. It had still a little more greenery than I expected for a desert city. Now, back to the old area- this is the gold souk at night. Dubai, like many other cities, has a river transportation network, but I can't for the life of me imagine how these crowded open boats are run, if at all, in summers. You can also charter your own abra (boat) on the Dubai Creek, the nucleus of Bur Dubai/Deira (these two neighbourhoods are separated by the creek). We chartered our own boat for one hour. The views are good- one one side is the traditional commerce area, with lots of small shops selling chocolates and saffron. On the other side are many branches/offices of the various MNCs in Dubai, although the main skyscrapers are located near Burj Khalifa, which is called Downtown Dubai.
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Dubai
Mar 2, 2013 11:46:34 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 2, 2013 11:46:34 GMT
More pictures from Bur Dubai/Deira. Above is the Bur Dubai's Bastakiah District with its characteristic Persian architecture including wind towers. Below is an indoor souk called Naif Market. And more photos from the area: About the latter: I like how Bur Dubai has remained a safe place to walk with broad pavements while there's no hindrance to drivers. Why I say "safe" is because Dubai has an extremely high accident and fatality rate. I saw one accident here- but a small one. Accidents are high because of speeds- on the main traffic-light free stretch (Sheikh Zayed Rd- the area where most of the malls are located, plus the main road into Downtown Dubai), traffic drives all the time above 100 kph. Near our hotel in Bur Dubai, we were crossing the road on a t-junction, where the vehicles from the perpendicular road were turning left- believe me, they didn't break at all! They continued making the 90 degree turn at the same speed as they approached the junction- including the buses- so there was a noticeable shrieking sound.
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Dubai
Mar 3, 2013 3:17:04 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 3, 2013 3:17:04 GMT
I loved the city's view from our hotel room- the room straddled a corner in the building so we had this view: Every night before sleeping, I spent a few minutes just watching the traffic, there was some characteristic noise of the traffic here, a different, atypical sort of sound. It was consistent, of the same pitch and loudness. And the other view was of the surrounding residential area: Dubai is home to the DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival)- occurring every year in Jan/Feb. We caught its start. Surprisingly (or not), prices were still high- of things like clothes and electronics. Here were the fireworks for the start of the festival.
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Dubai
Mar 3, 2013 7:31:05 GMT
Post by bjd on Mar 3, 2013 7:31:05 GMT
Thanks, Ansh. The gold souk and what remains of the old city is more interesting. As would be a boat trip.
A shopping festival??! Do they not have anything else to celebrate?
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Dubai
Mar 3, 2013 9:26:48 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 3, 2013 9:26:48 GMT
Ha ha, just ways to get tourists to empty their wallets! Of course, though, when it comes to actual clothes and all that shopping, Dubai is nothing too special- easily comparable to most other main cities in the world. But some tourists do buy local Emirati dress- such as at Naif Market.
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Dubai
Mar 6, 2013 12:58:15 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 6, 2013 12:58:15 GMT
If you're tired of all the urbnisation, why not visit the desert? Oh sorry, you can't, cause you're right in it! Several companies run desert safaris- touristy packages either for a day (afternoon- night) or overnight. We took the former, it included dune-bashing (very nice!), dinner, a belly-dance show and extras were beer and quad-bikes. The starting of the desert: And on...
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Dubai
Mar 6, 2013 13:38:57 GMT
Post by tod2 on Mar 6, 2013 13:38:57 GMT
I'm looking forward to seeing more of the tourist desert party! Not because I want to do it, but because my son and his wife went there on business and did the Desert Safari ( I think they called it). Have you got more photos? Of the Belly Dancing? What about the food offered?
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Dubai
Mar 6, 2013 15:02:16 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 6, 2013 15:02:16 GMT
I do have more photos- sorry, can't post now, later for sure.
Food- I don't even remember; it was definitely not great- but their humous was good.
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Dubai
Mar 7, 2013 0:26:39 GMT
Post by bixaorellana on Mar 7, 2013 0:26:39 GMT
That dune picture is very beautiful. Are the line of cars all for the desert safari? If so, you were quite a ways away from everyone else. I won't ask why you'd gone off into the desert.
Where did the eating, dancing, etc. take place?
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Dubai
Mar 7, 2013 1:04:43 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Mar 7, 2013 1:04:43 GMT
Yes, all those cars are for the desert safari- they were just joining up together so we were a distance away- but there were others behind as well. Nearby, they had built a camp of sorts with some ground seating, the spread out buffet and the belly-dancing- will post pictures later.
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Dubai
Nov 2, 2014 9:40:05 GMT
Post by amboseli on Nov 2, 2014 9:40:05 GMT
Leaving for Dubai and Oman in three weeks. I don't know what to expect from Dubai. Opnions are so different. Some say it's soooooo artificial (I'm sure it is), others say it's heaven on earth (I'm sure it is, if you have $$$), ... We'll see. We'll only be there for 3 days, on our way to Oman where we will be touring the country - with a roadbook - for 2 weeks. I'm getting excited. My husband is getting more and more nervous. He shouldn't be looking at youtube video's 'Pray&Drive_ Crossing Jebel Akhdar' and that sort of things ...
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Dubai
Nov 2, 2014 10:40:10 GMT
Post by onlyMark on Nov 2, 2014 10:40:10 GMT
I'd be very interested in any reports from Oman. I've though often of going there for a drive around the country and it's not out of the question yet, so I'd hang on your every word.
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Dubai
Nov 2, 2014 14:21:17 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Nov 2, 2014 14:21:17 GMT
amboseli, in Dubai, consider spending your time around the Creek, in the areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. Take an abra (boat) ride in the Creek, check out the architecture in the Bastakiyah District. The Dubai Museum building looks great from the outside, but not sure how good it is, maybe worth checking out? It will be what you make of it.
Enjoy your trip!
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Dubai
Nov 2, 2014 16:13:41 GMT
Post by amboseli on Nov 2, 2014 16:13:41 GMT
Thank you anshjain. Our hotel is at the other side of Dubai (Marina) but we sure want to spend time in the old centre. I'm more interested in the old souks than in the new luxury malls. We have a reservation for 'lunch with a view' on the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott Harbour. Should be nice, if the weather is clear.
onlyMark I always write a trip report for each of our travels. I'll share it after I translated in English.
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Dubai
Nov 2, 2014 16:40:18 GMT
Post by onlyMark on Nov 2, 2014 16:40:18 GMT
Thanks.
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Dubai
Nov 3, 2014 2:04:04 GMT
Post by nycgirl on Nov 3, 2014 2:04:04 GMT
Great trip report. Dubai sure looks like an incredible place. I'm not much of a mall person, but that mall looks very nice to visit. I especially like the fourth picture, just lovely.
That skyline is amazing. Interestingly, I read that a good amount of space in some of those skyscrapers is actually unused. Kinda like the skyscrapers of NYC in the 1930s when the Empire State Building was dubbed the "Empty State Building."
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