Dubai

Reading a recent post of HighFlyer's she reminded me of a certain part of our trip to Dubai. Much to my wife's dismay and annoyance was that whilst there for 5 days I asked everyone we met if they were from Dubai and it wasn't until the last morning that I actually found somebody.

So whilst I agree with everybodies opinions of the hotels, skiing, mall and golf, Dubai sadly is "soul less", it has no character of its own. Even the bits which you think are local i.e. the souks are run and staffed by outsiders.

So if a mini V-flyers trip is ever arranged again my vote goes for the caribbean. My wife thinks I'm a saddo.

My wife thinks I'm a saddo.

what for liking the caribbean!!

No. For prefering the Caribbean to anywhere else in the world.

Also sounds like London... Took me longer then 5 days to meet a real londerner!!!

Patrick

[Nottingham Nick]

I understand what you are saying, Tony. I would imagine that the Dubai that the tourists are guided towards, and indeed seek out, is not the 'real Dubai' - in the same way that Disney isn't the real Florida!

It is fairly new as a tourist destination, and seems to be creating a 'Disneyeque' fantasy land of riches and opulence.

Playing devil's advocate though, Sandals and other 5* resorts in the Caribbean are hardly typical of how the locals live, are they? [8D]:D;)


Nick

Nick you are absolutely correct with your comments. However, in any island in the Caribbean you can always find local food. The nearest I got to it in Dubai was a Lebanese restaurant, I could not find anywhere advertised as a local eatery. Also bare in mind I stayed in between Abu Dabi and Dubai not exactly in the "disney" bit.

I was in Kuwait immediately after the first war (not 1914-18)and that is very similar, its just another American state. Moan over with now.

Just out of interest, how long is the journey between abu dhabi and dubai, and how easy is it to travel between the two?

Sailor Good morning. Didn't bother going along to Abu Dabi but an Aussie couple in the hotel lived there and they said it took them just over an hour to drive to Jebel Ali. Dubai airport was about 50 minutes from us depending on traffic. There is a 3 lane motorway between the two.
Looking forward to your belly dance in the hotel LOL

Shame about the lack of local cuisine Tony- I was looking forward to trying some authentic middle eastern food.

[honey lamb]

What was the golf like? We're off to Dubai tomorrow [^] and Aer John will be keen to try it out

DragonLady.
Lebanese food comes highly recommended. Also you will probably end up in the "Mall Of Emirates", the place is absolutely amazing. Upstairs they have a restaurant food court and a seperate fast food court. I have got to say both have the most diverse range of food I have ever seen under one roof.

One other point which nobody has mentioned yet is that we found the shops in the mall cheaper for most things than the duty free at the airport. A good example of this is a Sony T9 camera which our friends brought at the mall which was 10% dearer at the airport.

Enjoy your holiday.

HoneyLamb.
Can't really comment on the golf as before we went we had plans to try a few of the famous courses out. We stayed at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort Hotel which was magic, the course although only 9 holes was one of the best I have played on. As labour is cheap and plentiful over there they have a green keeper on every hole who would just walk up and down repairing any marks on the tees, fairways, bunkers and greens. The buggies come with sat nav, ball and club cleaners and they have a buggy going round with iced towels to keep you cool.

I know I whinged about lack of character in Dubai but the pair of us will probably return there (the hotel) as it was so good and away from all the building works.

Will do!!Thanks for the advice Tony particularly regarding the duty free being more expensive-Mall of the Emirates is on the (growing)list of retail therapy expeditions.
Julie

For anyone who's been to Dubai, how long did you go for and was it long enough? I'm trying to guage how long to go for. Cheers.

Phil,
we only went for 5 days but we still ended up spending a small fortune. If you are into beaches and hotel swimming pools then a fortnight would be fine. If you are after culture a week is long enough

Thanks Tony T. I was thinking of going for 3-7 days. The hotels seem really expensive!

[honey lamb]

We went for four days and that was fine for us. Because of school holidays etc., we tend to stay no longer than 4 days in anyone place

As much as I love Dubai, I prefer Abu Dhabi- less like a holiday resort and you meet the real ... (what do you call someone from the UAE?)

The same when I'm in MŽxico, Cancœn is just awful- but MŽrida is such a contrast and you meet the real mexicans.

Having read the TR's and reports about Dubai it all sounds wonderful. The V-F dinner in the Burj looked wonderful but the fact that a bottle if Corona costs EIGHTEEN POUNDS takes the edge off it slightly for me!

Regards

John

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by JAT74L
the fact that a bottle if Corona costs EIGHTEEN POUNDS takes the edge off it slightly for me!

John,

Who said that? Im just curious as while the drinks in the hotel were of course higher priced than those in a lot of other hotels, i cant believe that a bottle of Corona was really that much?

Thanks,
Sarah

Tommy - someone from the UAE who is also a decendant of the original people is called a National. All the rest are Expatriots, even if they were born here. Note this is the official definition not my view point, so don't flame me! From the little I have thus far seen I whole heartedly agree about Abu Dhabi.

As to expensive booze. I am please to report that haveing been here 2 days I already have my licence to buy supplies from the local supermarket. It is kept behind a red curtain and is cheaper than in the UK. The hotel prices are too much!

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by sailor99
As to expensive booze. I am please to report that haveing been here 2 days I already have my licence to buy supplies from the local supermarket. It is kept behind a red curtain and is cheaper than in the UK. The hotel prices are too much!

Ah yes, I'm glad to see you have your priorities right! [y]