I just spent 4 nights in Dubai last week. What a place. Great for a weeks getaway if you live in Europe or within a 6 hour flight.
The construction that has taken place over the last decade is unimaginable and the availability of goods, from luxury cars to a cheap pair of running shoes is incredible.
Dubai sports many large shopping centres, all of which have boutiques showing off very unaffordable designer clothing. I satisfied myself with just trying on stuff and looking wishfully in the mirror. They have great coffee shops and to eat out is so cheap, and the quality of food is excellent.
If you are ever in Dubai, and you are a gourmet.. there is a place called "Goodies" in the Wafi centre. It could be described as an arabic delicatessen, as it sells fresh exotic fruits, nuts, dried fruits, candied fruits, it has a nougat bar, a pastry bar, a chocolate bar, and various section of various meals made especially for the bar, split up into chicken, lamb, beef and arabic. Mmmmm..... and needless to say a HUGE shawarma counter and kebab counter.
You sit outside on the balcony in the very pleasant Emirates winter weather (27deg C) and order from any of the counters... there is no alcohol served but the fresh fruit juices are incredible.
You can spend hours in Souk, (market area) negotiating prices on camera gear, all kinds of electronic gear, clothes, DVDs, you name it, you can get it.
There are tourists of all nationalities. UK passports don't require a visa but for those countries that do they scan your retina on your way in. Doesn't make much sense to me as terrorists could travel on any other passport.
The service in Dubai is very good and it is so clean.. the public services in the shopping complexes are immaculate (in fact there is a permanent cleaner in every one cleaning up after each person).
There is a lot of activity going on in Dubai, aside from being situated on the warm Arabic Gulf coast. I didn't get time to dive as i was being like a child in a toy shop with his Dad's credit card... spoilt myself rotten.
Places to stay
Crowne Plaza Hotel (Sheik Zayed Rd, stayed there it was great)
Burj Al Arab (v. expensive but worth the treat)
Arabian Court (One and Only hotel)
Sheraton
There are also some self-catering apartments with a swimming pool at 50USD per night called Golden Sands. I didn't stay there but it was recommended to me.
The traffic is horrendous and the best way to get around is by taxi, there is one at every corner you go to and you are never stuck anywhere.
Word of warning, take one empty suitcase with you. I had to buy one over there and filled it my credit card is screaming now.
Cheers,
island_sands
The construction that has taken place over the last decade is unimaginable and the availability of goods, from luxury cars to a cheap pair of running shoes is incredible.
Dubai sports many large shopping centres, all of which have boutiques showing off very unaffordable designer clothing. I satisfied myself with just trying on stuff and looking wishfully in the mirror. They have great coffee shops and to eat out is so cheap, and the quality of food is excellent.
If you are ever in Dubai, and you are a gourmet.. there is a place called "Goodies" in the Wafi centre. It could be described as an arabic delicatessen, as it sells fresh exotic fruits, nuts, dried fruits, candied fruits, it has a nougat bar, a pastry bar, a chocolate bar, and various section of various meals made especially for the bar, split up into chicken, lamb, beef and arabic. Mmmmm..... and needless to say a HUGE shawarma counter and kebab counter.
You sit outside on the balcony in the very pleasant Emirates winter weather (27deg C) and order from any of the counters... there is no alcohol served but the fresh fruit juices are incredible.
You can spend hours in Souk, (market area) negotiating prices on camera gear, all kinds of electronic gear, clothes, DVDs, you name it, you can get it.
There are tourists of all nationalities. UK passports don't require a visa but for those countries that do they scan your retina on your way in. Doesn't make much sense to me as terrorists could travel on any other passport.
The service in Dubai is very good and it is so clean.. the public services in the shopping complexes are immaculate (in fact there is a permanent cleaner in every one cleaning up after each person).
There is a lot of activity going on in Dubai, aside from being situated on the warm Arabic Gulf coast. I didn't get time to dive as i was being like a child in a toy shop with his Dad's credit card... spoilt myself rotten.
Places to stay
Crowne Plaza Hotel (Sheik Zayed Rd, stayed there it was great)
Burj Al Arab (v. expensive but worth the treat)
Arabian Court (One and Only hotel)
Sheraton
There are also some self-catering apartments with a swimming pool at 50USD per night called Golden Sands. I didn't stay there but it was recommended to me.
The traffic is horrendous and the best way to get around is by taxi, there is one at every corner you go to and you are never stuck anywhere.
Word of warning, take one empty suitcase with you. I had to buy one over there and filled it
my credit card is screaming now.Cheers,
island_sands
