Adding to my adventures in the Middle East, I jump back to UAE from Jordan.
For my time here, I book just a single hotel in Dubai for a week. To the heart of the downtown district. A perfect refuge to catch my breath after a fast pace visit of Jordan.
Dubai and all of UAE is a crazy expensive holiday. But WOW, do they deliver in return. Ultra modern, immaculate, lit-up like a Christmas holiday….only 1000x more. I’m shocked by the magnitude and wealth of their cities.
I spend most of my time here walking the downtown area. At-least 10k/day. Plenty of exercise. The worlds tallest building – Burj Khalifa dominates the skyline of downtown Dubai. And-that’s saying something. Skyscrapers everywhere. This city make ALL the US and European cities an embarrassment. Its like being in an upscale Disney resort. The light show and fountains are in a wonder. My hotel room is on the 27th floor of different skyscraper – and it feels puny!
I travel from the ancient sights of Jordan, particularly Petra. To the mega-modern, skyscraper city of UAE. Shocking to experience. Mankind can build amazing stuff!!! Two opposite ends of human history.
UAE is less of a wild adventure than most places I prefer to explore, but it’s a required addition to my travel experiences. It gives perspective to the wealth that oil money can produce. Pakistani and Indian labors build everything, sweep the streets, mind the shops and restaurants. Strange at-first, but you grow accustomed to it. Often its American or European Engineers and architects, by not the labor. I hear more Indian and Pakistani language on the street then Arabic – slightly disappointing, but that’s life in the UAE. Thankfully for me, everyone speaks English.
On arrival, the driver tells me of first receiving the Chinese vaccine, then Pfizer one,,,and its boosters. He’s had 5 shots already. Will this ever end ? Masks required everywhere, gloves at the hotel breakfast. That part isn’t cool, but its not my country – their rules. It was very different in Jordan, where few wear masks.
The highlight of Dubai is watching the evening light show, while smoking shisha by the fountain. Opulence is the word of the day. Conspicuous consumption.
I described Dubai in my Instagram:
“Dubai makes an embarrassment of ANY city in the US or Europe. Metro’s like Japan, immaculate streets like Singapore, a skyline like Shanghai, street art like Melbourne, food like Paris, an eclectic mix of culture like NYC’ - WOW this place isn’t normal”
I rode the Metro to Expo 2020. A huge Epcot-like theme part for 195 countries of the world. Lots of cool architecture. But most countries just had movies, and souvenir shops inside. Maybe a little are. Selling their country. No rides. And the queues were not for me. 40-60minutes for the popular Country exhibits. I did get into Saudi Arabia, and about 15 others. The best (and saddest) part is they let me in for free – because I’m a Senior citizen of the planet. Russia had the most interesting architecture of all – curious.
No crime, no-one sleeping on the street or hawking for money (at least downtown).
Another highlight was a trip to the top of Burj Khalifa. I ride to the 148th floor. Crazy high. The tallest building in the World. A magnet. All eyes turn to it day or night – and its justified. Amazing.
The Dubai Mall, and Dubai fountain, restaurants, hotels and other skyscrapers surrounding the Burj are out-of-this world. At one point in this downtown Dubai construction. UAE had more cranes constructing Skyscrapers the all the world had combined. They built this out of a desert. Now it’s an oasis.
My final full day here, I explored the Dubai Creek area. Old Dubai.
The Al Fahidi district, and the Deira Gold Souq. Taking a taxi there, on highways that look like Atlanta – interesting. But the best part of my transportation that day was crossing the Dubai Creek in a abras – a water taxi. For only Dirham, about a 25c. It was the only thing cheap in Dubai. Wonder why ?
Finishing my adventure to Dubai Creek, I navigate the Metro again. Way better and cheaper then a taxi. It can only drop me a the mall, and another walk to my hotel. I’m well exercised here.
In the Souq’s, bazar’s packed with retail shops was a more ‘real-life’ experience in UAE. Downtown is stunning, but everywhere isn’t downtown. This is more normal. Walking the Souq’s, every shop has a hawker. Selling Cashmere, spices, Gold and Silver, Fridg magnets (there everywhere on the planet). Unfortunately, I failed to find a single patch for my backpack. I’ll have to order that one from China, they have everything.
Rush rush again. My airline (Emirates) canceled my onward flight to Africa. After 100 phone calls, I was able to rebook, but only for a 4am flight. Insane. Oh well, travel in the 20’s. Its not like the 10’s for sure. I pass another rushed PCR test, and I am permitted to travel. Off to DBX at 1:30am. Not a fun part of travel, but I’m blessed to be permitted travel at all.
Dubai is not to be missed for world travelers. Just a peek and you’ll never think about home the same again. They hawk retirement homes here. Any takers?
Comments