We took a minibus from Al Ain, which took us to the city center in Dubai (90 minutes away) for around $5 each. A pretty good deal, I think - especially considering some of our cab rides within Dubai were more expensive than this!
Our first stop was to walk through Old Dubai, which is centered around a small creek that acted as a harbor when the town was first settled.
We saw some pictures of the city in the 1950s, when it was nothing more than a small trading and pearl diving center. There is certainly a huge contrast, in a very short period of time! We took a look at a recreation of a traditional Bedouin settlement. The Bedouins are still around in this area - a large group with roots in Sudan travels with their camels up to this area to buy, sell, and trade their animals.
From there, we shopped a little bit in one of the souks (open-air markets) in the area.
After touring around, it was time for lunch. We popped into the Basta Cafe (passing up the opportunity for camel burgers at the place next door) for some comically oversized salads and sandwiches. The cafe was shaded and quiet, which was a nice break from walking all morning.
From there, we tried to take the Metro to the Burj Khalifa, the brand new tallest building in the world. However, though the Metro is operating, only a few stations are open. The station we were by was not yet open, so we had to take a cab. The strange part about that was that our driver, when we asked to go to the tower, had to call for directions. That was confusing - the building is big enough to see from anywhere in the city, and it is certainly a famous spot. So why did he not know how to get there?
Once there, it was an amazing site. The building is a spectacle, for sure - it is unbelievably large. It stretches skyward on a scale that easily dwarfs anything else in this city, which is chocked full of modern skyscrapers.
The outside is done, but the building is not open yet. The observation deck was open, but closed this week due to electrical problems. So, we could not get into it. Instead, we walked in the new mall next door - which was clearly higher class than we could afford.
I was expecting a lot of construction, but it was astounding to see how much of the city was still in the process of being built. Outside of "Old Dubai" it seemed that more buildings were fenced off, awaiting completion, than were open. I'd say that this place needs a few more years to mature - that is, if the city has the money to finish it all!
We took the Metro from the Burj Khalifa to the Mall of the Emirates. We ate some ice cream, and walked over to check out the world-famous "Ski Dubai."
This winter wonderland had skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and a host of snow-related activities for all ages. The area was full of families, bundled in identical parkas, frolicking in the cold. We missed the big storm in America, so I guess this is as close as we will get.
Dubai decadence - the fanciest hotels, the tallest buildings, the most outrageous land reclamation projects - but perhaps it is best epitomized by mall skiing!
We also went out to the beach to see the Burj-al-Arab and to watch the sunset. We set our feet in to the Persian Gulf, so that we have now been in the water in both sides of the ocean (Singapore, last year).
Though not spectacular, it was fun to watch the sun go down over the water. Here, you can see the "7-star" Burj-al-Arab, one of the most opulent hotels in the world. (Note the helipad on the top left - my favorite part!)
Finally, we headed back to mall where I ate a big Papa John's pizza, which tasted great with beef sausage and beef pepperoni.
Exhausted, we headed back to the bus station, and finally arrived home in Al Ain shortly after midnight. What a day!
-alan
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1 comment:
YAY! Thanks for the updates and pictures! You will have to include a video or two as well if you get a chance. And...yes! Rachel IS beautiful next to the matching yellow tree!
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