Dubai
Where better to go for a weekend break?
04.06.2009 - 07.06.2009
38 °C
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Dubai
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One thing that cannot be said about Dubai, is that the city as a "whole" is greater than the sum of its parts. In fact one of the disappointing things about the "whole" Dubai experience is the predominance of "holes".
I am sure that once it is finished - in around 2083? - it may look as amazing as the planners originally envisaged, but for now it appears to be a series of amazing structures in the midst of one of the world's biggest building sites.
However, that is not to say that we didn't enjoy the experience, because we did, nor could it be said that we didn't maximise our time there as the following itinerary hopefully demonstrates: -
Day 1 - 6 hour flight from London lands in Dubai at 8pm, and we're partying by 10pm!
Day 2 - The day started with a drive to the old part of the city and an hour's cruise down the river, which was great value, as with some strange "reverse negotiations" the boat owner managed to haggle us down(!) to about £5 a head. Later in the morining we paid a visit to one of the world's biggest shopping malls - so big that it contains a massive ski slope with real (albeit man made) snow; in the afternoon we headed off for a 5-hour dessert safari, which included racing across the dunes in a convoy of 50 jeeps, prior to an evening bar-b-que, as the sun set over the dessert - not to mention a short camel ride, which added to the experience!
Day 3 - After the excitement of the previous day, today saw more culture and refinement, attending a mosque in the morning, and a really interesting talk ("Open doors & open minds") from one of the muslim clerics, prior to heading to the Burj al Arab 7 Star (?) Hotel for afternoon tea on the 26th floor overlooking the Dubai skyline/building site.
At £70 a head we didn't really expect to get value for money, but the quantity and quality of the food and the overall experience, made it something that I would recommend any visitor to Dubai doing.
Later in the afternoon, we visited our 2nd shopping mall, this time "the world's largest" and which contained a full size ice rink, prior to a late meal outside, against a backdrop of an amazing musical fountain show, that Disney would have been proud of.
Day 4 - An early rise at 4.30, prior to leaving Dubai and home for lunch-time on Sunday.
Despite the fact that it's quite a long way to go for 2 full days in the city it was a fun experience. I wouldn't rush back, but I'm very glad I went.
Posted by RED1STONEY 03.06.2009 22:28 Archived in United Arab Emirates Tagged round_the_world
