Thursday, March 29, 2012

The diversity of Dubai. Part 2.


The culture in Dubai is very diverse.
You will find people from all over the world, especially today due to the economic expansion that needs more qualified expatriate white-collar employees
Before its recent 21st century economic expansion, Dubai culture was rather consistent throughout the Emirate.
There was not much immigrant population other than workers from nearby Middle Eastern and Asian nations like India and Pakistan.
Iranians were the first to migrate to Dubai  followed by Indians and Pakistanis .
Today however, the culture of Dubai has become much diverse.

Despite the multicultural society, everyone seems to coexist without much conflict. A big reason for the safety and peace in Dubai is fear of the local Government or "Sheikdom" as people like to call it. 

 In a single ruler nation, only the ruler has the final word. There are no ifs, ands and buts.
Local laws are very strict on crime committing individuals. The biggest threat the law poses to Dubai residents is the ability to deport them anytime with no questions asked.
People are living in Dubai for a reason, the biggest being jobs. If they are deported, they will loose their livelihood. 
In fact everyone says Dubai is a safe place, and I think so too. But crime is "omnipresent". It exists everywhere in the world. Is it  much less???































Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Last day in Dubai

Since the 1st of March I've visited 3 cities in UAE, a plenty of places of interest.
 Here is the list.
Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain.


Cities we’ve visited
Sights we’ve enjoyed
Shopping
Meals
Other impressions





Dubai
Global Village 
Al Karama
Hummus
People
Singing fountains
Mall of the Emirates
Tabuli
Car accidents
Souk Al Bahar
Dragon Mart
fatush
Marrocco Bath
Dubai Mall
Carrefurr
Camel milk
Massage
Burj Khalifa
Boutique 1

Swimming pool
JBR
Missoni


Jumeirah Beach
Textile Souk


Dubai Marina
Gold Souk


Bur Dubai/
Spice Souk


Deira
Old  Grand Souk


Dubai Creek
Dubai Mall


Camel Museum
Green Belt


Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House
River Island


Diving village
Forever 21


Heritage Village



Palm Jumeirah



Atlantis



Dolphin Bay



Helicopter Tour



Jumeirah



Zaabeel Sarai



Murdiff City Center



Desert Safari



Dhow Cruise Dinner



Textile Souk



Gold Souk



Spice Souk



Old  Grand Souk



Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque



The Emirates Palace



Al Ain
Oasis



Jebel Hafeet 



the border with Oman



the Green Mubazarrah




Sunday, March 18, 2012

The diversity of Dubai

The museums of Dubai


With considerable groundwater, the oases around Al Ain are worth watching. Al Ain Oasis is situated near the Al Ain Museum in the heart of the city. The date palm plantations are sectioned into a number of small farms with permanent access for pedestrians and farmer’s vehicles. There are two mosques as well within the plantation. Qatarrah Oasis is important because of a long history of human habitation around this belt. It is also a significant archaeological site. The falaj irrigation system is noteworthy, which is preserved in the working condition. The site of the Date palms, fruits and greenery are pleasing to the eyes in the desert. Hili Oasis is a date plantation near the Hili and Al Rumeilah Forts.


House of the Camels



 The House, known as "Beit Al-Rekkab" (House of the Camels), was built in the forties of the the twentieth Century in Al-Shindagha, next to the house of the late Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum. It belongs to the late Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum and was constructed along several phases.

The house is a single storey building built on 664 sq. m. area, with a height of 4.75 m. A central spacious yard surrounded by rooms and large sitting rooms on all sides. The house can be accessed through to entrances on the western and eastern sides.

The building was refurbished and furnished to house the "Camel Museum" to explain the history of camels, there prestige to the Arabs, their names and camels in Arabic literature. The important elements and components of the building: Camel History, Camels and Arabs, The Race, Camel Anatomy, Camel Racing, Auditorium, Electronic Games and Administration.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House



Located in Al Shindagha Rd at Bur Dubai, it is one of the oldest houses in the city, and a fine example of local architecture. Constructed in 1896 from sandstone by Shaikh Saeed, the grandfather of the present ruler; the house has been restored and converted into a museum a century later. 


Al Maktoum House has a superb vision of the sea because it was built with the aim of being a commanding point to monitor shipping activity from its balconies. The museum boasts its beautiful wind-towers and layers of rooms constructed around a central courtyard; and contains an exhibition illuminating Dubai's progress from the last 50 years, including a great collection of photographs. 


First a national monument, now the Museum of Historical Photographs and Documents, this house is a marvellous work of architecture. Its first resident, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, governed the city during the first half of the 20th century (his grandson rules today). Exhibits cover the sheikh's life and go on to explore stamps, coins and other local paraphernalia.



Heritage and Diving Village



Located next to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoums’s House in Al Shindagha, the village features reconstructions of Dubai’s maritime past. Displays include a tented bedouin village with traditional weapons, chests and household utensils. Shops sell handicrafts and camel and donkey rides are sometimes available. Folk dance and music performances are staged from time to time.




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Dubai creek. Dhow cruise dinner.

Good place to visit when in Dubai.It´s more typical then the other luxurious places as Jumerah, Downtown Dubai, Marina Dubai, The Palm Jumerah. The Creek is what Dubai was all about from its foundation until the 1990s. You can still see the traditional dhows (and a working dhow ship yard) that were the basis of its mercantile prosperity before the tourism and real estate booms. We took a Dhow Cruise





Dubai helicopter tour

The Dubai Helicopter tour provides various spectacular views of the various major sightseeing destinations in Dubai from the sky as you fly in a helicopter. From the sky, we saw the Burj Khalifa, hotel Atlantis, the World Islands, Dubai Creek and the Burj Arab. Looking at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the face of the earth was mind blowing. The Palm Beach’s view from the top was absolutely beautiful. We were allowed to take some mind blowing snaps of these places from the sky. Although expensive, it is something worth the money. It is a great way to explore Dubai’s tourist highlights. 



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Friday, March 16, 2012

Dolphin Bay. Atlantis. Palm.

Dolphin Bay. Atlantis.

The dolphin centre here is very well maintained with a good balance of education and entertainment. The group leader and trainer were very good.  I am not a confident swimmer so chose the Dolphin Adventure package. Once in a wetsuit, we were shown into a room and shown a presentation giving information about dolphins and what to expect.

Once in the water, there was the opportunity to 'hold' a dolphin, to kiss the dolphin and to dance with the dolphin. There was a professional photographer and photos were available to purchase afterwards. 
In order to spectate, there was an additional cost to gain access to the beach where you were able to take your own photos.

I loved it and thought it was a fabulous experience.The adventure with dolphins was amazing. It was a bit expansive but for once a life time, it was worth it.




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