"City of Souks and Skyscrapers" Dubai by kit_mc

Dubai Travel Guide: 3,629 reviews and 9,919 photos

5 days escape from drizzly London...

So Dubai. When I said to some people that I was going to Dubai, a common response was why? Well, because I'd never been to the Middle East, because I'd never been to a none-English speaking country outside of Europe, because it's 33 degrees in November and there was a pool on the roof of the hotel! That's why!

And because I was intrigued by the mix of Western and Arabic, by a cosmopolitan city in the desert where only 22% of the inhabitants are actually Emerati. So here are a few pages to give you a taster!

When to go...

Dubai Creek by night

Well, if it's nightlife that you're after, perhaps best not to arrive half way through Ramadan and a day after the President of the UAE has died... Luckily, it wasn't clubbing that had brought us to Dubai and we knew enough about Ramadan to be prepared for no drinking, smoking or eating in public during the daytime. Unfortunately the President's death we couldn't have anticipated, so the three days of mourning during which businesses were all closed, threatened to put a halt to the tourist activities.

That said, we managed to get a lot done in a little time, and the remaining day of mourning meant that we spent our first full day in the fabulous Wild Wadi Waterpark, after which things got more or less back to normal. Ramadan can be a really interesting time for Europeans to go because the nights really buzz as people come out to break fast and you get a real feel for the Arabic nature of the place.

Sightseeing, shopping and ...er... camels.

Another view from the Creek - Municipal Building

So over the course of the 5 days or so that I was there, I - * saw the city from an open top doubledecker bus in 33+ degree heat, * rode on Abras (wooden commuter boats) across the Creek, * strolled through massive shopping malls, * hung out on the hotel's rooftop pool, * visited the Dubai museum, mosques and souks, * ate lots, * was driven at hair-raising speed over sand dunes on a desert 'safari' in an air-conditioned 4x4 ... and er.. rode a camel. Well, it had to be done!

I hope you enjoy my pages from Dubai!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Guaranteed sun, great hotels, cool cityscapes and landscapes, where the Western influence is obvious but not as entirely all-pervading as at first sight.
Cons:Not the cheapest place, terrifically hot.

Last visit to Dubai: Nov 2004
Intro Updated Dec 21, 2004
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Reviews (9)

Can you see the 4x4? Can you see it? - Dubai

Desert Safaris Things to Do (3)

Perhaps not a trip for the more ecologically friendly amongst us I'm afraid. This consists of being taken out into the... more travel advice

Ifthar buffets Warnings and Dangers (1)

During Ramadan most restaurants open after sunset with an 'Ifthar buffet' as everyone gathers to break the fast. While... more travel advice

Wild Wadi Waterpark Things to Do (3)

This place is so much fun!! Mainly you'll be surrounded non-locals and ex-pats. So don't expect a taste of local... more travel advice

Dubai Museum Things to Do (3)

To be honest, this is only a 'must see' as there isn't a whole lot of 'cultural stuff' that one can do in Dubai. The... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Getting about
Tourist Traps (1)
Big Bus Company

Comments (3)

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JessH Aug 1, 2007 at 10:04 PM

Nice little page here; I'm glad you enjoyed my "chaotic" city. I also like small, local eateries, but there's a good reason why I avoid a lot of them.. had to find out the hard way! Greetings from 46 degrees (could you please send a rain cloud?!) Jess
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priscila_h May 12, 2005 at 8:25 AM

Well done! The dessert safari sounds interesting... the pic is great! =0) Priscila
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Narviking Jan 8, 2005 at 6:10 PM

Nice page. Had such a great time myself in Dubai some years ago. Greetings from Norway !!