3/13/10

City Of Merchants

Day 1 in Dubai: For our first morning in Dubai, we prepared our own breakfast and enjoyed the beautiful and very relaxing view of the sea from the 27th floor. We wanted to set up our breakfast in the balcony but it was a very cold February morning. At 11am, we took the complimentary shuttle service to visit the Mall of the Emirates and headed back to the hotel to catch our City tour pick up at 2:50 PM. I booked a City of Merchants Tour through the Arabian Adventure desk in the hotel lobby priced at 145 each.
------------------Arabian Adventures-----------------
UAE's top travel agency that aranges tours and safaris.
                               
 Since it’s my family’s first time in Dubai, I thought it was great to start our 4-day trip learning about Dubai’s history and seeing the old and new Dubai on our first day. Our tour guide was a German lady named “Elitha”. The bus was full, about 45 of us there. The tour was in German and English. Our guide said that it’s the first time that the German’s (or maybe the non-English) out-numbered the English participants.

 ---------------------The iconic, Burj Al Arab-----------------
Said to be one of the world's most luxurious hotels, burj al arab stands on a reclaimed land that is designed to resemble the sail of a dhow.  You need to have a reservation to enter this hotel the cheapest is to book an afternoon tea at 250 dhs.
 The assembly point was near the Burj al Arab, so our cameras begun rolling here. There were like 3 Arabian adventure buses convoy.
-----Jumeirah Mosque-----
A modern Islamic architecture
Our guide was talking all the time, pointing the different places we were passing through. She was very accommodating in answering if there are questions raised. Then we stopped at the Majilis, The Barasti, Jumeirah mosque, Sheiks Palace, Dubai Museum and then we crossed the creek with a quick abra ride and the last stop was in Spice Souk and Gold Souk. We were given 30 minutes to look around freely and told gather back at 7:30 pm. Those who wish to buy and stay some more may take the taxi back to their hotel. At almost 9pm after dropping all other guests in different hotels, we retired that night very tired…

 ------The Barasti--------
Wind catcher from the old times in Dubai


 
--------Dubai Museum------
*There is a 5dhs entrance fee to enter this museum.
----------------------Ride an Abra ---------------------
*at 1 dhs to cross from bur duabai to deira side or vise versa

-----------The Gold Souk------------
Most shops here are open until 10pm.


*if you are not part of the tour

2 comments:

Me and My Itchy Feet :)

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