Retired Nomads: April 19, 2013 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 8:00a overnight

A bit of background on Dubai:

“Sinbad the sailor used to call Dubai Creek home, but he wouldn’t recognize it today. Dubai has always served as a bridge between East and West. In the past, Dubai's trade links stretched from Western Europe to Southeast Asia and China. The result was the creation of one of the most protean societies in the world. Nestled in the very heart of Islam, Dubai remains unique in its embrace of the West. Bedouin may still roam the desert, but Dubai also plays hosts to international tennis and golf tournaments. Tourists flock to its shores while the pace of development continues at a frenetic pace, from massive artificial islands to the astounding Burj Al Arab Hotel.

Dubai is actually two cities in one: the Khor Dubai, an inlet of the Persian Gulf, separates Deira, the old city, from Bur Dubai. The Emirati culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab and Bedouin culture. Being a highly cosmopolitan society, the UAE has a diverse and vibrant culture. The influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent as well. Five times every day, Muslims are called to the prayer from the minarets of mosques which are scattered around the country.

Falcon training is one of the national symbols which can be seen on the Coat of arms of the United Arab Emirates and were used as hunters, trained by the Bedouin tribes. Other symbols are the Camel and the Arabian horse.”

We have 2 days here to explore one of the richest places on the planet. Everything here is over the top opulence! A huge contrast from our stop in India. I loved India so that isn’t a criticism, just an observation of the differences.

We opted for the 2 day HOHO bus including the night tour. Since we arrived on a Friday (their Holy day), we had to re-arrange our day since many things were closed. It worked out well. We used the Big Red Bus company and they were running shuttles right from the port and had an office inside so we could buy the tickets and they answered questions. They put us on the right shuttle based on whether we wanted the Blue or the Red Route so you didn’t have to change shuttles. (the most organized HOHO we have ever used)

Today was overcast so even though it was hot (high 90’s) it didn’t feel bad outside, even sitting up on the open deck on top for the best views. We started with the Blue Route which was their Beach tour.

We went passed the Deira City Centre (Shopping Mall, Restaurants, Cinemas, Entertainment) and the Wafi City (Shops, Bars, Restaurants, Spa, Entertainment) This place was phenomenal. It was shaped like a pyramid with Egyptian themes. We didn’t get off to see the hotel and shops, but WOW

sail in

We did stop at the Jumeirah Mosque (Arranged tours available on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 10am). We weren’t there on a day when they do the tours, but it was a great photo op. It is one of the most photographed sites in Dubai and a splendid example of Islamic architecture. It had baroque towers, minarets and an impressive dome. We were thirsty and walked to a local small grocery store and got some sodas and a chocolate brownie. Yum!

We caught the next bus and went by the Mercato Mall (Shops, Restaurants, Cinemas, Entertainment and Supermarket) and then we passed the Jumeriah Beach Park and got off at the Jumeriah Public Beach. Very beautiful beach area. It had a great view of the Burj Al Arab Hotel that is shaped like a huge sail and sits on an island built just for the hotel. It’s an opulent 5 star hotel with 60 stories and is the world’s tallest all-suite hotel in the world over water at 321 meters high.

We passed by the Souq Madinat Jumeriah (Traditional Souk, Shopping, Restaurants, Entertainment), Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Royal Meridien Hotel, Oasis Beach Hotel, Hilton Jumirah Beach and the Sheraton Beach Hotel.

We did get off to see the Atlantis Hotel which is very much like the one in the Bahamas but waaaay more lavish. We ran into Jeff & Julie and Karen & Steve here. We got some photos inside and out and then caught the next bus.

Gold vending machine....

We got off at the Mall of the Emirates/Ski Dubai. This place is amazing! Again, over the top excess. Every high end brand in lavish stores, an indoor Ski Slope, waterfall, Shops, Restaurants, Cinemas, Entertainment, Supermarket and more. We grabbed lunch here before walking about the mall to see its highlights. This place was great people watching. The Emirati men pushing their babies in strollers, playing with their kids or walking with their wives was a treat to see. The Emirati men wear the Kandura and the women wear the Abaya.

beautiful waterfall

We then went to the Dubai Mall which of course was again WOW! We strolled around here before meeting there for our “To The Top” reservation that we made online 30 days in advance. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. We traded in our internet receipt for actual tickets and waited in line for it to be 4:00. Then we were put through security (like at an airport) where our bags were scanned. We then waited in line to go through a revolving door to wait in line for the elevators. After about 30 minutes or so we got on the high speed elevator to the floor to ceiling glass widows of the observation deck on level 124 where we got panoramic views of the city, dessert and ocean. The building is 2,680 feet tall. There are more than 124 floors, but they are mostly maintenance floors. Spectacular! We spent quite a bit of time there and then got some dinner before heading to the meeting point for the Night Bus Tour.

Burj Khalifa

inside the elevator at the top floor

views from the top

huge aquarium in the mall

dinner

We ran into Karen & Steve and Jeff & Julie already on the bus. It was a pretty evening ride around the city and the lights were beautiful. It is narrated and was very enjoyable. We all got off at a stop close to the port and took a taxi the rest of the way. (about $4.00) We shared a taxi with Ginger & Joe and Jeff & Julie taxi shared with Karen and Steve.