(I travelled from Heathrow using Qatar Airways via Doha).
Date travelled: 27-30 January 2007
As little as 50 years ago, the city of Dubai was a small fishing village. Now it is one of the most exciting cities in the world.
British citizens visiting Dubai for stays up to 30 days do not require a visa. However, if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport, you may be in for some problems with the border police. You have been warned.
From the airport, take bus 401 direct to the centre, tickets 3 Dirhams (about 40p). I stayed at the Pacific Hotel, which is right in the centre of the city.
From the hotel, walk 5 minutes up Deira Street towards the famous Gold Souk, where there are around 600 small market stalls selling excellent quality gold jewellery at excellent prices.
The Dubai Gold Souk.
Walk through the Souk, possibly picking up a bargain watch along the way. From here, you will arrive at one of the bus stops of the "Big Bus Company" open-top tourist buses that travel through the city. For 150 Dirhams (about £18), they offer two different hop-on hop-off tours, with unlimited travel for 24hours. The first tour I will talk about is the "City Tour". This bus travels to all the major highlights in the city centre.
The first stop is the Dubai Creek, which is Dubai's harbour. Here, you can take an Abra (water taxi), across to the other side of the creek for 1 Dirham (about 15p). Or, on the other side of the road from the creek is Dubai's Spice Souk, where spices from all over the Middle East are available for purchase.
Dubai Creek.
The next stop is the clocktower, which features in all seven of the United Arab Emirates' major cities, to celebrate independence from Britain in 1971.
Dubai Clocktower.
The bus continues around the city towards Dubai Museum. The Museum, built in 1800 as a military fort, converted into a museum, is the oldest building in Dubai.
Dubai Museum.
Other stops on this tour include the former house of the former Dubai leader Sheikh Zahed Al Maktoum, plus the Deira Centre, one of Dubai's many shopping malls.
At night, when the city is much cooler, the markets of Dubai come to life. Be prepared to be hassled by shopkeepers enticing you into their shops as you walk through.
To witness some beautiful night landscapes in Dubai, find yourself a taxi, and have 150 Dirhams (£20) ready. Ask the taxi to take you to the Burj el Arab, which is the most famous hotel in the Middle East (30-45 minutes by taxi), and one of the most famous in the World. The hotel is built to represent a sailing boat. Next to the Burj el Arab is the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's second most famous hotel, built to resemble a wave. If you have £2000 a night you can stay at either of these hotels. Its £20 just to walk in the door!
The Burj el Arab and Palm Jumeirah at Night
From the hotels, ask to go to "Global Village". Global Village is a theme park open until midnight, and features pavilions from 39 of the worlds' countries, including...
...Britain.
If you get a chance, stop at one of the cafés in the centre by the market before you go to sleep, and try one of the excellent Kebabs, served with some strong Arabian coffee, followed by a go on a Shisha, a free-standing water pipe consisting of a water-filled container topped with flavoured tobacco. Lovely!
The next day, head back to the "Big Bus Company" bus stop, and get on the "Beach Tour". This route follows the coast and back along the main motorway. The first sight is the Jumeira Mosque, Dubai's biggest Mosque, and the only one open to non-muslims on Thursdays and Sundays.
Jumeira Mosque.
You also pass the Burj el Arab again. Notice the heleport on the roof, and the controversial crucifix shape of the rear.
The Burj el Arab by Day.
From here, you head towards the United Arab Emirates' main motorway through the country. The bus soon stops at "Ski Dubai", the World's third largest indoor ski slope.
Ski Dubai.
As you continue along the main road, you will notice a big tower under construction. This is Burj Dubai. Once built, the tower will be the the World's tallest building at a reported 808 metres. However, the tower has been designed in such a way that it can grow if it loses the World record!
Burj Dubai.
The main road now starts to be surrounded by tall skyscrapers. This is now Sheikh Zahed Road, and all of Dubai's most impressive buildings are located here.
Sheikh Zayed Road.
Future building projects in the city include "Dubai Land", the World's biggest theme park, two artificial residential islands in the Gulf, underwater hotels, and another theme park called "Jurassic Park", featuring bionic dinosaurs made in Japan. Definately Foreign Direct Investment gone crazy!
Whilst in Dubai, a definate excursion to undertake is the Safari Desert Tour (cost 200 Dirhams - £30). You get picked up from your hotel, and taken to the Arabian Desert in a 4x4. You get a thrilling, if not bumpy ride into the desert. You stop for a break at a camel farm. You will also get a professional photo taken by one of the tour reps.
A Camel.
Whilst you're here, you will also witness a lovely view of an Arabian sunset.
An Arabian Sunset.
The tour then takes you to a camp by the border with Oman. You are a guest at a marvellous Arabian feast. Also here are camel rides and exotic belly dancing from local girls. You can also purchase small gifts here, including your professional photo (49 Dirhams - £7).
Arabian Belly Dancing.
Once you've been at the camp for about 2 hours, the tour then concludes with a ride back through the desert, and to your hotel.
Dubai. Quite simply - an amazing place.
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