Dubai

As promised in this POST; Next Chapter – DUBAI and ABU DHABI!!! Although you might think this is the Travel Channel, Don’t get it twisted, this is Milna’s blog!

As always I will present you a quick run down of must-see places in Dubai:

The malls

Since I’m catering to a female audience this is probably the only thing they will read in this guide. Fear not girls, Dubai will not disappoint, it’s a shopping paradise. Dubai actually is home to the world’s largest shopping mall. Every single store you can think of finds it’s place here. This complex of stores, restaurants and entrainment is overwhelming in my opinion.  Be aware that if you start shopping you will have a hard time stopping. (hahahah that rimes :D) In my case, I did not enter a any stores (unbelievable right?!)I was too focused to see everything on my list too waste my time in shops getting more stuff I don’t need…

Desert Safari

The Desert Safari trips are very commercialized, and not authentic at all. But that doesn’t make them any less exiting. The programme is: pick up - dune bashing – desert time – camp time (dinner, henna, camels, hookah/shisha etc) – drop off. Skip the dune bashing if you get easily sick. Note:collect several offers and pick the cheapest one. They all have exactly the same to offer. My highlights were seeing the desert and riding the camel.

Burj Khalifa

Be sure to purchase the tickets 4-6 days ahead, online or at their counter at Dubai Mall. Best time is at sun set. This is the highest observatory deck in the world, on the highest building in the world. Being a construction engineer I was more impressed by the building then the view. A total must!

The Dubai Fountain

She made me cry! Why I’m referring to her as ”she”? She dances, sings and changes color ever half an hour, and that is much more that I can say for myself!

This is one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen! BTW, it’s totally free. Warning: once you start watching her you are mesmerized.. Umm, just watch the video!

Damn you fountain for making me cry once again!!!

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Abu Dhabi

Do not pay 50€ for the guided trips. You can take a regular express buss from Al Ghuaiba for 4€ each way. Once in Abu Dhabi take any buss, they all stop at the mosque. Mosque entry is free and open to non-Muslims as well. Just be aware of the clothing regulations. There are also free guided tours. All that for about 10€/per person, you can thank me later…

The mosque is breathtaking, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Marble, Gold, swarovski crystals, fountains and more gold…!

And when in Abu Dhabi also take time to see the city. Compared to Dubai, it’s Washington to Las Vegas. And I prefer Abu Dhabi any day over Dubai!!

Burj al Arab

(Downloaded from google)

Know that you can not just walk in, you have to have reservations. The cheapest one is about 50€/person for tea, so naturally we skipped tea ;)

Madinat Jumeirah

Please notice that visiting this, you are walking into a enormous shopping centre; looking like a miniature ”Arabic city” – a quintessential Dubaian example of opulent kitch on an epic scale. From this site you have a perfect view of the Burj al Arab,  you can take a nice stroll or enjoy a meal/drink in the restaurants/bars.

Deira souks

Here your get an authentic taste of Dubai’s traditional atmosphere behind all the glitz and sparkle, and meet the ”workforce” behind Dubai. These residential areas are for taxi drivers, bartenders and mortal people, not the rich Emiratis. Gold souk, perfume and Spices souk, are all vibrant marketplaces for the tough ones. Expect to be pulled in all directions, and offers being screamed in your face. Never buy by the initial price, it’s custom to haggle down to 50 to 75%.

Dubai Marina

This is one of two pedestrian areas, encouraging Dubai's citizens to WALK, something they don’t do often. And I cannot blame them. Don’t even dream about strolling through Dubai, it’s not possible. Highway’s connect Downtown and the Marina, no sidewalks, scorching heat.. yea just forget it..

But back to the Marina, it’s really beautiful and nicely adorned like everything else in Dubai, and a big pro you can walk there!

Beaches

There are beautiful beaches in Dubai. There are park-beaches with entry-fees and all alimentaries (lounge chairs, showers, bars etc) and there are public beaches that equals  only sand + sea!

A few more facts:

- Dubai is an extremely safe place, with 0% crime rate. You can relax and not worry about getting robbed.

- Please note that in Dubai, however modernized or westernized they have become, still Sharia laws apply. Although probably no one will make a fuss over shorts in a shopping mall, it’s nice to show respect and cover up knees and shoulders (especially breasts *.* !!!!)

- I will try to say this without sounding like a insensitive  person. When in Dubai, if your means allow it, spoil yourself to a 5 star hotel. What is considered 5* in Europe, is 3* in Dubai. What 5* in Dubai means – a waiter that only waits your table, complimentary drinks at the pool all day, so much food that it can feed a village, fresh roses in room, people that assist you in the public toilets (I didn't use that service ?!), real towels instead of paper, designer toiletries. Our room was spectacular and I don’t regret a penny spent.
All my guides focus on saving money, but once in a while I like to treat myself to something nice. I highly recommend our hotel: Auris Plaza Hotel

- In Dubai everything is the biggest, tallest, greatest etc..For my taste Dubai was spectacular and breathtaking, very bright and sparkly on one hand. On the other hand it wasn’t authentic, and a bit kitch. 

- Keep a look out for the Emiratis, because they make up about 15% of the population.

- We visited Dubai in September 2012. Keep in mind that the best time to visit UAE is in the winter months when the weather is optimal.

It's not a bird, It's not a plane, it's BATMAN (WOMAN)

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