My Travel Blog
November 2011 - Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
I had a stopover in Dubai just enough time to visit some tourist sites including the 'At The Top' Observation Deck in the Burj Khalifa. It is best to book your ticket for the Observation Deck in advance from the website to save disappointment if you have only limited time in Dubai.
Jumeirah Mosque
Al Fahidi Fort
Burj Khalifa is currently the worlds tallest building
Looking down on Burj Khalifa lake from the Observation Deck
View over Dubai from the Observation Deck
Souk Al Bahar is located on an island in the Burj Khalifa lake
Sophisticated irrigation systems allow plants to survive in Dubai
December 2012 - Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
I am back in Dubai again this time staying at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel just across the road from the Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort in the oldest part of Dubai.
A dhow (traditional boat) sits on top of the
underground section of the Dubai Museum
Type of house once used by inhabitants of the Gulf coast
Small boat used for transporting people across the creek
Wind towers (windcatchers) are a common feature
on buildings in this historic area of the city
Foundations of the Wall of Old Dubai built
~1800 A.D. from coral stones and gypsum
The Al Shandagah Watch-Tower
The Dubai Heritage Village
In Dubai even the bus shelters have air conditioning
The Textile Souk is shaded by an ornate wooden roof
The Spice Souk is located in Deira on the other side of the Creek
Station where you can get an Abra (water taxi)
to cross the Creek from Bur Dubai to Deira
Crossing the Creek in a traditional boat - cost 1 Dirham
Cruise boat with restaurant
Atlantis Palm Hotel viewed from the monorail
connecting the Palm Jumeirah to the mainland
Aquaventure water park as seen from the monorail
Rock breakwater on the seaward facing
encircling crescent of the Palm Jumeirah
Burj Al Arab a luxury hotel built to resemble a ships sail
I went on a desert safari which started out by driving over sand dunes (Dune Bashing) in a Toyota Land Cruiser before visiting a Bedouin camp where amoungst other activities you can experience a short camel ride. Food was provided in the evening however whereas it was over 30oC in Dubai during the day it can get quite chilly out in the desert at night.
One of the camels at the Bedouin camp
Falcons were traditionally used to hunt for food in winter
URL = http://www.fungus.org.uk/blog/ Copyright © 2000 - 2013, all rights reserved.