Right lads. I'm off to Dubai on Saturday with the wife, has anyone been and if so do you have any recommendations on what to do while there ? Cheers.
I live in Abu Dhabi Bizzare..which is only 50 minute drive from Dubai, so i'm there quite often. Places to go...Burj Khalifa..tallest building in the world..underneath it is the Dubai Mall, biggest Mall in the world, Amazing aquaruim in there. Also the Burj Al Arab, the weird sail shaped hotel..The Palm jumereirah, The souk (old arab market) Go on a Dow around up and down the river. Its am amazing place, you will have a great time
I used to be out in abu dhabi as well, would say all the above the old town is a good laugh and you can stock up on your old robex and casino watches, if you get the chance you should get up to al ain, the only way you will really see the old uae.
When I was in the Army I was posted to Sharjah which is just up the road from Dubai, about the same as Sunderland to Durham. I went to Dubai a couple of times but it was nothing like it is now. I was in Sharjah 1969-1970 I did go water skiing in the creek at Dubai but the main memory was getting rowed by a ferryman over the water which seperates Dubai in half. They will have bridges now of course. It was a dump when I was there although I saw a few really expensive cars there. The rich there are incredibly rich and most of the rest didn't have two flies to rub together. At Sharjah we had a RAF airfield although it won't be the one you land on. I also done a posting in Bahrain. The weather there in the Gulf is hot but it's a pleasant hot and not humid and sticky. The sea is actually too hot to stand in for the first few yards where it is shallow and not much wave movement. Where it's deeper it is (at least it was) very clear and you can see barracuda, rays and loads of sea snakes, yellow and black ones. They look scary and are seriously poisonous but they are not aggressive. On exercise in the Gulf (on HMS Intrepid) I saw loads of Hammerheads and Manta Rays. Where we used to go swimming in the sea there was a permanent 'shark watcher' up a tower in case any sharks were spotted. In the Souks it's like a spicy Jacky Whites. Of course it will all be different now. The Burj al Arab Tower wasn't even a concept. So then, I don't know about what to do now but the weather is always fantastic and comfortable. The locals were very friendly when I was there and that probably is true now.
Take lots of cash... a beer and a G&T costs over £20 in most places. there aren't lots of bars like in normal places... the watering holes are all inside hotels. enjoy!
I've just booked dinner in the burj al Arab on the top floor restaurant and also booked to go up the burj khalifa. Looking forward to it. Cheers all.
My wife and I love the place Marra... Try.. Emirates Mall for indoor ski slope Dubai Mall for amazing water show Spice Souk Take an Abra trip up the river Wild Wadi water park... The list is endless... Enjoy!
Brilliant but pricey. We caught the Burj Khalifa about sunset and the water show was excellent, went to the top of the tower and saw the same display about two hours later and from that height it was even better looking down on it.
i used to like the resort by Jebel Ali, on what was the edge of town on the way down to Abu Dhabi. bit more chilled than the beaches and hotels around the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah beach area but no idea if it has been redeveloped. The madinat is worth a visit - they did a good job there. old town souk and dubai creek is a must, too. lots of great golf courses, if you play. obviously theres dune buggies, wadi bashing and a trip up to the mountains is worth it. i used to like gping to Fujairah as lots more sea life for snorkling and the 'purple headed mountains' at dawn and dusk are quite a sight. as for bars, don't take the mrs to the cyclone bar! my jaw hit the floor first time i was taken there. i was being shown round town by a south american airplane trader i'd met whilst on a business trip and he knew the interesting spots..... few years back now like.
It's an ultra-expensive,, man-made **** hole mate, I've been there many many times from the early 70's to the present day and each time I go, I honestly can't wait to get out of the place.
each to their own Blind......But I don't see graffiti, dog shoite, petty crime, the streets are cleaner than anywhere I have ever been...I am saving more than I ever have saved, so all in all I am finding the UAE a pretty good place to live. But as I say, each to his own
As you say, each to their own. If you're coining it, it makes sense for a few years to build up the war chest. I know people who've lived there a long time, and others who have stayed. I found it too difficult in the summer. I'm a real outdoorsy type, and the place did me in not being able to go outside. there's only so many games of golf you can play in 50 degree heat - in the buggy, drinking 2litres of water a hole - at least you get round quick as there's no other mad ****er out on the course! I may actually be going back this winter for a brief break. I'm fascinated to see how the place has evolved since I left in 2006. I actually preferred Abu Dhabi as a place to live...less manic than Dubai. good luck with it, pal.
Yes, your right mate, all cities are man-made, but this one has just sprung up out of nothing, it has no character at all, just money money money, and if you haven't got it, forget it, very similar to Singapore but less bars and girls. I agree with you, each to his own, but after 40 years of travelling the world, I've been to a hell of a lot of places and Dubai is way down at the bottom of my list of places to visit again.
