| Page Views: 9,255 Last Visit to Dubai: - I Live Here | Dynamic, ever-changing, friendly, exciting... by colin_bramso - last update: Sep 3, 2008 |
| Al Khor - The Creek - heart of Dubai |
I've built two Travelogues called "You absolutely must see..." on what I consider to be the absolute 'must do' tour of Dubai.
Helping you understand the layout of Dubai and where to stay is at "There are two Dubais".
Moving to Dubai? The answers to many of the questions we're regularly asked in the Forum are in the Travelogue called "Moving to Dubai FAQs".
Scroll down to find them and click on the links.
Geina and I lived in Dubai from 1977 to 1984. In fact it's where we met - we'd both gone there to work, me from the UK and Geina from Singapore. We holidayed here in 1987, again in 2000, and we spent March 2005 here too. Finally we bought an apartment, as foreigners are now allowed to own property, and we moved back here in October '05.
It's a dynamic modern city so a huge amount has changed, and the current construction boom is truly mind-boggling. July 21, 2007 was the day Burj Dubai became the tallest tower in the world, for example. But there is still enough of the 'old' Dubai that we remember for us to see again.
It's a friendly, cosmopolitan, safe, bustling city with a long history of trading with other countries, especially Iran across the Gulf and the sub-continent. As a result the people are more welcoming to foreigners, more open in their attitude than many in the area. The local indiginous people make up only about 20% of the total population, so it is a true international city rather than being typically Arab.
The city is divided into two by the Creek, Al Khor in Arabic, which is one of the major reasons for Dubai's trading success over the years.
The modern buildings, especially along the Creek on Deira-side, are stunning examples of modern architecture. But close by are the older parts, bustling narrow lanes running through the old souk area and the 'local' shops.
Traditional buildings still exist right in the heart of the city too, examples of the pre-airconditioning system of windtowers which kept the houses cool in the searing summer heat.
Some of the best hotels in the world are in Dubai, each with bars and restaurants, many with a disco. The choice is difficult - in the heart of the city on the Creek or a beach resort. Maybe a week in each is the answer!
Shopping is a delight. From the most modern shopping malls you'll find anywhere in the world to the old souks and local shopping areas. Products come in from literally all over the world, so you'll see many things you won't see at home.
There are many more photos and much more information about Dubai on my United Arab Emirates page. |
|  | Dubai was originally a small village set on the banks of the Creek - an inlet from the Gulf which runs a few kilometres then sinks into the desert. There's a wetland at the end which is a bird sancturay where there are big flocks of flamingoes to be seen. The Creek was safe haven for the dhows which traded around the Gulf and as far as India and Pakistan. Pearl diving was big business, fish were caught, dates grown, then trade in gold became big business. Then came oil, and in the early 1970s oil prices rocketed. This coincided with Beirut, which had been the staging post for most Middle East business, being caught up in war. As a result Dubai, already famous as a trading port, became the centre for Middle East business. The growth was phenomenal and it became, to my mind, one of the world's great cities.
The Creek is still the focal point of the city. Traditional dhows still tie up to load and unload an amazing variety of cargo. The abras, small ferries, still give a cheap, fascinating method of crossing from Deira-side to Bur Dubai, in spite of there being a tunnel and two bridges. The abras can be hired for a personal trip along the creek too. And dhows converted into restaurants now cruise the creek for sunset dinner tours.
Just a word to the people who complain that the 'old Dubai' has been destroyed to make way for the new city. It's not true. Dubai was a very small town built around the bend in the creek, consisting of small clusters of buildings in Shindagha, Bur Dubai and Deira. It was founded only in 1833, so it has a very short history. Nearly all of the new buildings are on what was empty desert. |
| | Just behind the ultra-modern buildings on Deira-side is the older Dubai, which is my favourite part. This is where you'll find the rows of little local shops, the souks, the old buildings.
The windtowers on top of the buildings were designed before electricity and air-conditioning were around. A square chimney-type structure, the breeze was drawn down the four channels to the rooms below. Wet sacking was often hung in the towers to cool the breeze as it moved through.
The souks are largely in sections - the gold shops all together, the spice merchants side-by-side, the material traders all together. Fascinating places to spend time in because they give the essence of the 'real' Dubai.
Away from the city you'll find some of the best beaches, the clearest and warmest water you'll ever find. There are various public beaches or hotels with beach clubs, so choose whichever you prefer.
This is a place I can confidently recommend for a holiday. So many people transit Dubai and don't spend time here, and they're missing a wonderful destination. |
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 Comments for colin_bramso about Dubai | | | | |
Chuckaziz Wed Oct 14, 2009 13:44 UTC
Hi Colin, very helpful tips on Dubai. Thanks. | Chyan Wed Oct 7, 2009 14:50 UTC
Hi, Colin, i assume Dubai Metro travel from Airport Terminal 3 to Khaleed Bin Waleed Station is faster than abra travel from Creek to Bur Dubai, right? | quborsi Thu Jun 4, 2009 13:45 UTC
Hi Colin, Thank you for your nice review for La Dolce Vita restaurant. It is good to know we are pleasing our customers. Regards Charlie Quborsi La Dolce Vita | bugipogi Tue Apr 21, 2009 09:02 UTC
Hey Colin, Great page you got here... i am actually thinking of 'updating' my Dubai page but after I read your page... I dont think I will. Many people will benefit from your site... GREAT! |
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