Dubai UE
I headed here for a week for work. Interesting place.
No pictures for a while. I just arrived last night and it looks like my evil plan of not sleeping on the 26 hour plane ride has worked to beat the jet lag. I woke up at 9:00 am local time ( 10:00 pm home time) and feel good. I think I finally found a use for twitter and it would have been neat to see my one sentence comments as I roamed the streets of Dubai last night.
Here’s what I remember:
I expected an European kind of vibe but the infrastructure, roads, and especially cars all have a North American vibe. I haven’t seen a Motorcycle or scooter yet but all of the cars look like full-size N.A. cars where I’ve seen several hummers, some Dodges, and a lot of Toyota sedans.
The streets around my hotel is just one big shopping area like much of India but the streets are immaculate. My brain is confused because the shopping is like India’s but the streets are cleaner than N.A. I’m pretty laid back when it comes to travel and new cultures but I don’t even get a hint of culture shock yet except for how men interact with each other and the occasional full robe and head covering on a very few men and women.
Welcome to Burj Al ArabArrive in absolute awe, stay individually inspired.In it’s relatively short tenure on the Dubai coastline this legendary and symbolic hotel has attracted international attention and awe, ensuring its place as one of the most photographed structures in the world. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai skyline. Illuminated at night by choreographed lighting representing water and fire – Burj Al Arab is simply individual, inspired, impressive. This all-suite hotel reflects the very finest that the world has to offer. With your chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check-in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers, you can be assured of the ultimate in personal service throughout your stay.
Quite a view from the beach |
| Madinat Jumeirah the Arabian Resort – Dubai Welcome to one of the most fascinating resorts in the world  Another hotel view from the same beach |
Dubai Creek or Khor Dubai Khor Dubay) is a saltwater creek located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Some sources say that the creek extended as far inland as Al Ain, and that the Ancient Greeks called it River Zara.[1] Historically, the creek divided the city into two main sections – Deira and Bur Dubai. It was along the Bur Dubai creek area that members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the 19th century, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city.[2] In the early 20th century, the creek, though incapable then of supporting large scale transportation, served as a minor port for dhows coming as far away as India or East Africa. Although it impeded the entry of ships due to current flow, the creek remained an important element in establishing the commercial position of Dubai, being the only port or harbour in the city.[3] Dubai’s pearling industry, which formed the main sector of the city’s economy, was based primarily on expeditions in the creek, prior to the invention of cultured pearls in the 1930s.Fishing, also an important industry at the time, was also based along the creek, whose warm and shallow waters supported a wide variety of marine life. Dhows used for purposes of fishing were also built on the foreshore of the creek.[4] The importance of the creek as a site of commercial activity was a justification to introduce improvements to allow larger vessels to transit, as well as to facilitate loading and unloading activities. This led, in 1955, to a plan to develop the creek, which involved dredging shallow areas, building of breakwaters, and developing its beach to become a quay suitable for loading and unloading of cargo.[3] The creek was first dredged in 1961 to permit 7 feet (2.1 m) draft vessels to cross through the creek at all times.[5] The creek was dredged again in the 1960s and 1970s so that it could offer anchorage for local and coastal shipping of up to about 500 tons.[6] The dredging opened up the creek to much more continuous traffic of merchandise, including the development of re-export, and gave Dubai an advantage over Sharjah, the other dominant trading centre in the region at the time.[6] Al Maktoum Bridge, the first bridge connecting Bur Dubai and Deira was constructed in 1963. Although the importance of the creek as a port has diminished with the development of the Jebel Ali Port, smaller facilities, such as Port Saeed, continue to exist along the creek, providing porting to traders from the region and the subcontinent.Including the most remarkable buildings alongside the Deira side of the Creek are the Deira Twin Towers, Dubai Creek Tower, Sheraton Dubai Creek, National Bank and Chamber of Commerce.[7] The creek’s initial inlet into mainland Dubai is along the Deira Corniche and Al Ras areas of eastern Dubai and along the Al Shindagha area of western Dubai. It then progresses south-eastward through the mainland, passing through Port Saeed and Dubai Creek Park. The creek’s natural ending is at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from its origin at the Persian Gulf. The traditional form of transport between the eastern and western sections of Dubai via the creek was through abras, which continue to operate in Dubai. In addition, the eastern and western sections are linked via four bridges (Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay Crossing and Floating Bridge) and one tunnel (Al Shindagha Tunnel).     
I took a boat ride from the Textile Souq (Market) on one side of the |
| Arabian Courtyard Arabian hospitality begins to come alive the moment you enter the portals and enter the welcoming lobby. Warmth meets efficiency as you are made to feel at home instantly. The heritage inspired ambience with cool marble and warm tones of rich wood, invites you to be part of it all.Our 4 star Dubai hotel is centrally located in Bur Dubai, next to Dubai Museum and walking distance to the Dubai Creek, Bastakiya Heritage Area, Souk Al Kabeer (Meena Bazaar), Textile Market, Bank Street, Computer Street and Port Rashid. The Spice Market, Gold Souk and Heritage Village are easily accessible via the Abra (water taxi). A short drive of 3 K.M to Dubai World Trade Center & Exhibition Halls as well as Sheikh Zayed Road, the business hub of Dubai. Only 6 K.M from the Dubai International airport.With 173 elegantly furnished rooms in traditional Arabic theme including 23 lavish suites and 41 executive rooms, our central hotel offers all the latest amenities for discerning travelers. A variety of dining and entertainment options as well as conference & banquet with the latest technology are on offer. Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa also offers a fully equipped health & recreation center as well as a Wellness Spa.   
Wonderful hotel with a great Indian Restaurant! |
Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, was built around 1787, and once guarded the landward approaches to the town.Renovated in 1971 for use as a museum, its colourful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life. One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and sieves. Also on display, are artefacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium BC.    
The best description I read about this Museum is that they tried to |
| Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the world’s first indoor black run or practice your turns on the gentle beginner slopes. Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snowboarders can also practice their stunts in the Freestyle Zone. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the huge interactive Snow Park, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world. You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment. Your skis will carry you down the slope, and our quad-chairlift and tow lift will promptly carry you back to the top for another run.You will enjoy our themed restaurants; St Moritz Café at the entrance to Ski Dubai, and Avalanche Café at mid-station, with views of the slope. Our exclusive retail shop, Snow Pro, has expert staff to advise you on your equipment needs and our team of professional Snow School instructors will guide you through the simple, fun process of learning to ski or snowboard.
I can see how this could be fun for a person who has never experienced snow, snowboarding, or skiing and is was worth the experience of saying I skied in the morning and went to the beach in the afternoon but it was some of the lamest snowboarding ever. The snow had a very strange and forgiving texture and an entire run of the “expert” slope took 1.30 minutes after stretching it out. The chairlift took 8 minutes. Check out this video of my mad skills |
 Non-Alcoholic, Fruit Flavored Malt Beverage?? WTF! Not Good. |
