"Fastest Growing City in the World" a Dubai Travel Page by longsanborn

The Dubai I saw was flashy, amazing, extravagantly fun and a bit surreal. It is a hot-bed of activities and super development. Dubai is really two towns merged into one and divided by Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai), an inlet of the Gulf. The Deira lies to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. Both districts are home to traditional architecture and bustling souks (markets), but the old city center is in Deira.

I only had 4 days/3 nights in Dubai and I wanted to see as much as possible. On the first day, I joined a Desert Safari where I was part of a 20-cars convoy and riding in a new Toyota 4x4 Landcruiser going for "dune bashing". The Safari included a visit to a camel farm, watching the sun sets over the sand dunes (awesome sight). After watching the sun set, I went for a camel ride, which was set up outside the Bedouin-style camp. Later, I was enjoying a BBQ dinner sitting cross-legged on cushions and carpets under a large tent, while watching belly-dancing (including a sword dance), smoking scented water pipes, and then star gazing when the lights were turned-off. It was a fantastically cool evening - I had so much fun.

On the 2nd day, I took the Big Bus City Tour (just like the one in London) where I got to see the city from the top of an open-top double-decker bus. I chose to sit under the shaded part of the bus as the brilliant sun could burn my delicate skin. One ticket covers 2 routes and it's valid for 24 hours. I could hop-on and hop-off at my leisure. Included in the Big Bus City Tour was an Arabian Dhow Cruise along the Creek, Dubai's famous waterway. The Big Bus City Tour was the best way for me to see Dubai in a short span of time.

The 3rd day, my girl friend took me to the famous Burj Al Arab (7-star luxury hotel) for morning Brunch, and then we shopped at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah (large modern souk in traditional building where one can shop in air-conditioning comfort; it's complete with man-made water canals). I saw the Jumeirah Beach Hotel (shape of a wave), which was next to the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Hotel. The Souk Madinat Jumeirah was only 5 minutes walk from both hotels.

If you are planning to visit Dubai for the first time, don't miss going to these 3 landmarks. Leaving Dubai is not complete if you have not seen the Burj Al Arab hotel.

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Down the great construction boulevard of Dubai

Cosmopolitan and Culturally Diverse City

Dubai is lauded as a tolerant, cosmopolitan and culturally-diverse city, where roughly 80% of its population is comprised of non-citizens. Majority of its workers are from across South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan, India), South-east Asia (Philippines & Indonesia) and China. Small percentage of expats are from western Europe and Russia. While Arabic is the official language, English is the language of business. Hence, English-speaking tourists/visitors will find no difficulty communicating in Dubai.

Dubai is seen as the playground for the rich and famous, with ultra-modern 5-star beach hotels and sprawling duty-free mega shopping malls and brand boutiques. Many famous and high-end brands are on offer in almost every shopping malls. Electronics and gold, silver, and diamond jewelry can be bought reasonably "cheap" here.

Dubai offers its visitors (tourists and businessmen alike) luxury beach hotels (Jumeirah Beach Hotel), world-class tennis, golf, and horse racing events, an indoor ski slope (yes, must see - go to Mall of the Emirates) and the opportunity to invest and/or buy property on man-made islands shaped like the palm (Jumeirah Palm) and the world's continents.

Already lined with dozens of modern roads and high skyscrapers, Dubai is currently experiencing a construction boom that includes plans for the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai (scheduled for completion in 2008).

Along with the modernization and westernization of Dubai, come the usual headaches that is associated with major cities around the world - i.e. environmental problems, pollution, terrible traffic jam, labour exploitation and seedy prostitution.

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The famous 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel

When to Visit Dubai

The best time of the year to visit Dubai is between November and April, when the weather is coolest.

The rest of the year will be scorching hot (maximum 50 degree Celsius) and very uncomfortable. You will be spending your time running from one air-conditioned environment to the next instead of getting out and exploring the city. Even the Arabs will be leaving Dubai for their holidays during the hot summer season.