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Dubai 13/11 - 16/11
Dubai is a Modern city built only over the last 50 years, it was a poor fishing village and then when oil was discovered it brought an influx of people and money. Although the oil is due to run out very soon the biggest income for Dubai is tourism. Dubai is also the largest consumer of water in the world to maintain being a green city and the majority of its water is desalinated water, water in fact is more expensive than fuel here.
Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world and although mainly Muslim there are a lot of different cultures and religions and they all live together harmoniously. They do have Capital punishment here but that last time it was used was in the 1980's, severe crimes like murder and rape do not happen in Dubai.
There are a lot of markets in Dubai and you can barter with all shops, they expect it so you can always get what you want for cheaper than asking price.
Saturday 13 Nov 2010
I arrive in Dubai and the first thing I notise is how shiny everything is… and I ,mean everything! From the floor tiles, wall tines and large silver pillars that line the halls, as I get further into the airport it begins to look more like a 5 star hotel with high roofs, glass lifts and water features. I pass through passport control and collect my Baggage and find my airport transfer people, Orient Tours.
I wasn't too sure as we drove through the city to my apartments about the place, the city was the strangest thing I had seen, the buildings were all so new and didn't seem to have any character, it just seemed like a whole lot of concrete and really quite boring. I decided once I checked in to have a walk around the area of my hotel, usally most cities have cafes and coffee shops lining the streets near tourism areas, nope not here. The whole block nothing but hotel apartments and large office buildings. I return to my room a bit disappointed and decide to have a nap.
I wake up in the early evening and head to Direa City Centre where I booked my night tour, I then when and had some dinner at this place called (Something) Fridays. It was a funky place wear the waitresses wore sticking and socks over socks, skirts with slacks and big badges and funny carnival looking hats. It also had stuff stuck to that walls as wall features I guess, stuff like a super nintendo, big plastic hands, tricycles…. Just real random stuff.
I jumped on the bus at 7:30 and took the tour. The bus was a double decker with open roof and it was a guided tour with a guide called Sajid, it was informative and fun and it was a completely different Dubai from what I had seen during the day.
Sunday 14 Nov 2010
I got up early to catch the "Big Bus Day tour" witch I had booked the night before when I booked the night tour. It was basicly a "hop on, Hop off" service that ran all day witch included entry into the Musem and Boat tour as well as a few walking tours.
My first stop was the Museum where they had, well museum stuff, I like all old stuff and things so I enjoyed it. Then I walked over to the Basta Art Café that I saw on Getaway and had a drink, there I relaxed until 11 before walking back to the Museum to do the Arabian Treasure walking tour. It was good to see I had the same guide from the night before Sajid! The tour took us through the Souks of the City, the textile, Spice and Gold Souks. Sajid dobbed me into trying on the traditional Muslim women's outfit which I didn't mind at all. During the tour I got talking to Lissa from Malaysia who was also alone and our day plan was the same so we decided to travel together for the day. We caught a Taxi back to stop 5 where the boat tour left from in hope to catch the 1:30 and got there just on time. That went for an hour, it was ok, but nothing special just a quiet boat ride really. We then walked back to Burjuman shopping centre to catch the bus in the Blue Line, the blue Line was basically the same tour as the night one but during the day. Because it was getting late in the afternoon I decided I would just ride the tour and not get off, Lissa did however and we said goodbye and exchanged contact details.
Monday 15 Nov 2010
I get up early so I can book into a Safari tour, when I talked to the Guide they informed me that they were all sold out but if I was to return in an hour she would try to find me a spot! Luckily because I was alone they could fit me in! I decide to spend the morning walking through the markets again, last time with the tour it was a but rushed but this time I could take my time, I did the same walking route and do some shopping. I get a bit bored of it about 11 so I catch a taxi back to my apartment where I decide that im just going to relax and enjoy the sun by the pool.
At 3 I meet up with my tour guide and we head off in the 4wd, the drive to the dunes takes about an hour and the scenery the whole way was breathtaking! After a short stop for photos and to meet up with the rest of the group we set off on the 4wd dune bashing, it was awesome, so scary at times and I swear the car should be tumbling around like a ball! The dunes too get really big and somewhat unpredictable; you have no idea coming over a crest what's on the other side!
After that we head to the Safari BBQ dinner where they had all sorts of things to do and look at like quad bikes and camel riding. I spent some time looking around before sitting down for dinner with some guys from turkey. They didn't speak much English but I still had a good time with them and we swapped contact details.
I really enjoyed my stay in Dubai and found it quite reasonably priced even though it may seem expensive. Before I left Australia I got 1600 Dirham which is about $500AUD and I haven't had get any more money than that out. For that amount it has covered all meals (eating out), many Taxi rides, Big Bus day tour, Bus night tour, Desert Safari tour plus money to shop at the markets and I have $300 Dirham left over after all that. The desert landscape is amazing and Dubai is certainly a place worth seeing even if only passing through!
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Smashy Sounds fantabulous Monstah...keep updating! :) xo stay safe