| Page Views: 1,503 Last Visit to Dubai: June, 2005 | Dubai by janiebaxter - last update: Nov 25, 2007 |
My trip to Dubai was purely for a bit of RnR so this page doesn't include sights in the city. This was one of the rare occasions where I stayed in 2 hotels and was quite happy not leaving either of them to explore. Not the traveller's philosophy I know, but I enjoyed the luxury and the rest.
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton on Jumerai Beach, then spent 5 nigthts at Al Maha desert resort for me to get my desert fix. This trip was pre-Algeria and gave me a taste of the desert - and a hunger for more!
Al Maha means "Arabian Oryx" and these beautiful antelopes were all around us in the resort. In the hot afternoons when everyone else was sleeping I would sit by our outdoor pool overlooking the desert and watch them come and drink from the pool. They are very shy and any slight movement would scare them away. The desert here does not provide enough food for them so they are fed every day by the staff to supplement their diet. There were also a few African Oryx which we rarely saw, and other antelopes which were often seen eating the grass around the resort.
This was June so the temperature was approaching 50 degrees (apparently it never reaches 50 in Dubai, as everyone would be allowed to stop work if it did!) and all activities were taken in the early morning or late afternoon. |
|  | Fabulous Facilities at Al Maha Al Maha has fabulous suites, wonderful to relax in, with their own pool. The main swimming pool is wonderfully big and the experience of swimming surrounded by desert was a bit surreal. |
Traditional Arabic Sports One of the best features of Al Maha was the unusual activities on offer, based on the traditional Arabic sports - Falconry demonstrations, Archery lessons, Camel rides to watch the Sunset. If you are keen on horse riding they have the most amazing Arab horses to ride. Not being a rider myself I managed to fall off the oldest, slowest and most placid old neddy in the stable! If you are a horse rider they will take you on a gallop on the Arab stallions they have here and I believe they are very impressive. One of the more modern and enjoyable pursuits we enjoyed was "dune bashing" - driving up and down the huge sand dunes in 4 wheel drives. | | |
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| Pros: | "Desert, Beaches and Luxury" | | Cons: | "Lacks atmosphere - a bit too modern and commercial" | | In A Nutshell: | "Good for a short break" |
janiebaxter's Dubai Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 4 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for janiebaxter about Dubai | | | | |
36waterfalls Sun Nov 25, 2007 07:58 UTC
Well...one has to spoil herself sometimes ;-) Happy birthday Jane. May your day be filled with joy and laughter! | MM212 Sat Nov 17, 2007 02:40 UTC
Interesting perspective. I see you were closer to the Oryx than I was. |
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