What to do/see in Dubai?

Dubai is the most liberal Arab state in the world and do's and dont's are just a matter of common sense.

One of my favourite places in Dubai is the Gold Souk - best not to take the wife though

Its a long time since I was in Dubai, or any of the Emirates (Trucial States in those days).

Weekends (Thusday and Friday) we used to either drive throught the mountains past Masafi and on to Fujirah and Khor Fakhan on the east coast where the mountains meet the blue Indian Ocean. Or we would drive across the desert to Al Ain and the Buraimi Oasis which is on the Oman border and has wonderful historic archeology - try reading "Looking for Dilmun" before you go. (Although Dilmun was probably present-day Bahrain, the old copper route passed through Buraymi and the shoreline near Abu Dhabi)

These days you can do thses trips in a hire-car along well built roads rather than needing a Landrover. But if you get the chance to take an off-road drive into the mountains or desert then do so. Sitting alone in a desert without wind or any other sound is quite an experience.

The souks are all worth a visit.

Cheers

Don

Check to see if you have an Israeli immigration stamp in your passport - this could require you to obtain a new passport. Based on my 1995 experience

Many years ago (1995) there was an excellent Museum of the Desert do not know if it is still there.

The usual touristy things to do are a city guide trip including a little boat across the creek, dune bashing in a 4x4 combined with a meal and belly dancing (!), romantic evening meal on the creek and a trip to the Burj al Arab hotel.
As for rules... around hotels western rules apply although swimsuits in restaurants are frowned upon. A woman should keep her arms and legs covered when around the city. This isn't really a rule, but it helps her to feel more comfortable when shopping/haggling/eating etc.
I apologise for my boring reply but I'm still hungover. Might go to bed.

Tony

Probably one of the most picturesque mountain routes in the area is Wadi Bih which runs east from Ra's al Khaymah, through the northern enclave of Oman and out to the east coast at Dibbah. The route climbs over 1000 meters through the Musandam mountain range which is a barren range of jagged rock about 2000 to 3000 meters high, running from the Straights of Hormuz down to Muscat and beyond.

Not only do some of these drives offer spectactular desert and mountain scenery, but you get a glimpse of a by-gone age and values.

Well worth the effort.

Cheers

Don

PS remember sunset is about 6:30 every night, year round.

Thanks for all the comments and tips so far- the drives Don suggests look like a good plan - we like mountains!

keep 'em coming

Ian

Visit the Palm Islands.

Most of the hotels & restaurants give fantastic service. The duty free in the airport isn't as good as it used to be, so don't necessarily think everything there is a bargain. The souk is good, watersports are also good, & there is a great indoor snowdome, for skiing/boarding! Sounds weird, & god only knows what the environmentalists must think of their air-con bill, but its great fun & strange to go skiing when its 40 deg outside. They supply all clothes & gear.
Matt.

Ian,

My recommendations (I live in Dubai)

1. Do the desert 'dune bashing' trip.
'Arabian Adventures' are a good company.

2. Go to 'Mall of the Emirates' to see the indoor ski slope (you said you liked mountains). Shops aplenty.

3. Have a look at the (soon to be) tallest building in the world on the main street. You can't miss it...

4. The Gold Souk is a good bet, but go at night as it's getting hotter by the day at this time of year.

5. Go for a bus tour with 'The Big Bus Company'. They will take you round all the places of interest in the town and you can jump on and off the various buses as you please.

6. The Palm Island(s) are a joke. Talk about not giving a f*ck about the environment. It's like topiary with sand...

7. Go for a drink/ meal at 'The Royal Mirage Hotel'. It's beautiful. The 'Burj Al Arab' hotel is nice from the outside but tacky as hell inside.

8. A trip to Wadi Bih as Don said is good if you have the time. Incredible landscape (oh and a 12 year old with a machine gun at the border, depending on which way you go....) Arabian Adventures mentioned above will probably do this....

8. Etiquette
Do not get into a fight with a local.
Give horse transporters a wide berth.
Expect every driver to do the wrong thing.
Do not 'flick the bird' or do the V sign to anybody.
A woman only needs to cover up to avert stares - it's not really an issue.

9. Drink lots of water

Have a great time and let us know how you got on when you return...

A few more tips for Dubai:-

- dont be surprised by traffic jams
- your duty free allowance on entry is 4 litres
- visit the Irish Village or the Cyclone to see expats at their best
- the Naim agent (??) is Dubai Audio but they prefer Linn
- Karama is the place to buy fake goods
- a smattering of Russian may help in the souks
- contemplate the environment whilst taking in the Palms, the indoor ski slopes, the skyscrapers, the traffic and other pollution that are all part of the Dubai lifestyle

The sad truth is that the Dubai that Don recalls has gone forever. It used to be a charming place. The coast to coast route on Wadi Bih has been closed for a while. There are still some great trips into the desert and mountains, but they are getting harder to find and the distances you need to travel are greater. Arabian Adventures will be able to give you a taste of it, but dont be surprised if you are part of a herd of tourists. Some of the hotels and restaurants are fantastic (especially the Royal Mirage)but I am not sure if you are visiting Dubai for the flash hotels.

What is even sadder is that it looks like Abu Dhabi will be going the same way soon. Massive new developments,the older parts of town being redeveloped and spoiled. 100 new hotels being built around the coast.

If contemplating buying property just consider why a developer recently offered a free Jaguar car with every apartment.......

Dubai glitters, and all that glitters is not gold. The weather should be warm and pleasant (if maybe a trifle hot recently) and you can expect good service wherever you stay.

Hydrate if you are not used to the heat.

Finally, stay clear of miserable old expats who can only whine about how great things used to be, and how the whole world is going to the dogs...

Have a great holiday.

david