Dubai Diary (Updated 4/2)

Day 1:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54339&l=da2ec&id=507049473 (Part 1)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54341&l=e8dca&id=507049473 (Part 2)

So what's Dubai like? Although most of Dubai is still under construction, you can't help but marvel at the unique and modern offices, malls and hotels. Villas and residences are sandcastle-esque, with brown walls and boxy designs. Phillies dominate the hospitality sector, whereas the cabbies are your usual Indians and Pakistanis.

On our first day, we went to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It's basically a one-stop tourist destination, where you can buy anything from magic lamps to Starbucks frappes. While there, we alighted on an "abra" tour. The guide enthusiastically pointed out where several famous people stayed, such as Michael Schumaker and George Clooney. The one fact that amazes me was that the entire place was built in only 3 years, with construction going on 24/7 during that time. Conjures up images of whips being cracked at labourers eh?

Saw (and took many photos of) the 7 star Burj al Arab from here. Turns out we cannot go in to have a look unless we are guests =( Oh well, someday after I strike the Tattslotto I will be back!

From there, we took a cab to Atlantis, at the Palm Jumeirah. There was a water park, dolphin bay and "lost chambers" aquarium. Didn't go in any of the above, just took some photos at the central aquarium. Stopped for dessert at Cold Stone (Cold Stone =/= Cold Rock? Menu also exactly the same...)

They should have built a look-out point for tourists to see the whole "palm". Maybe they do for hotel guests, I don't know. Most of it is still not completed anyway, it really will be an awesome sight in future.

Went back to Pisces at Souk for dinner. Started with seared scallops... yum! For our main course, we had a whole sea bass cooked in a sea salt crust. The fish was really tender and the accompanying veges and potatoes were perfect. We left very very full and satisfied.


Day 2:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54510&l=bbe09&id=507049473

Desert Safari = AWESOME! Watching the land cruiser navigate the dunes while being thrown around as if in a roller coaster ranks is unbelievable. Stops included a camel farm, a sunset point and an Arabian village.

Although very touristy, the village was fun! Got to ride the camels on a short round trip (while 2 other camels escaped! haha poor guy was deciding whether to run after the camels or keep with us). Also took that infamous photo in the local garb hehe. Capped off a fun night with a mish-mash of Arabian(?) food piled up on a plate, while watching a belly dancer perform.


Day 3

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54767&l=3fb86&id=507049473

Went to the Dubai Mall. It was huge, but most of the shop lots were not open yet. Lesson of the day.. go queue up for the taxi early! We waited more than half an hour. And when we did get one, he was a psycho who almost got us killed! Fucking talking on the phone while driving... a lorry almost rammed us side-on but the other guy did a 180 degree spin on the highway right beside us. Luckily no one was hurt. I hate cabbies!