Dubai is Amazing. It feels like I have stepped back in time but at the same time it feels like I have skipped 2 decades into the future. For those who haven't been to Dubai, this city is really a buzzing metropolis in the middle of the desert. From artificial grass to pretend pyramids on top of buildings this city is a must see. Surprisingly it feels safe too.
The flight to was a little better than the flight to Singapore. Service seemed a little better and the seats ever so slightly more spacious.
We arrived at Dubai Airport this morning feeling very drowsy. Although, we had the whole flight to sleep, comfort was an issue. The Dubai Airport is amazing. It is a a 4 storey Terminal that looks like a shopping centre and the windows look like traditional clay building windows. There were thousands of people in the airport at 7am as 8 or so flight had just come into Dubai. There are not to many other airlines other than Emirates that fly into Dubai. The thing that astounished us were there amount of people sleeping on the floor int he airport. We were unsure if these people were waiting for flights (as they were in the arrivals hall) or if they had decided to set up a home at this international terminal.
After checking through customs we had our own very guide meet us. We thought we'd play it safe in Dubai due to the huge cultural differences. We were driven to our hotel in a Holden Statesmen equivalent. Cars in are opposite to Australia. The drivers seat is on the left hand side. Not to mention it is really awkard crossing roads here as the cars also drive on the left.
If you ever think road rage is an issue in Australia think again. Every 2 seconds you will here someone beeping their horn at another car and for the most trivial reasons. The drivers here are very impatient. But I guess as most of the car owners here have expensive luxury cars or huge yank tanks (that guzzle fuel) time is precious to them.
It was surprising to find a really large Indian and Philipino population here. It turns out that alot of them come here to work which seems to be the case in Singapore too. Apparently, 70% of Dubai are foreigners, 20% are from other arab nations and 10% are native UAE (United Arab Emirates) locals. It is very strange.
Today we went on a dune safari which included 4 wheel driving on the sand dunes in the desert (very cool), camel riding, belly dancing, and a huge Arabian dinner. Along the way the drivers stop over at a souvenier shop. It was here that Asher and I bought the traditional head pieces and robes. We looked very cool in them. Its going to be a good costume for themed parties back home.
On the way to the Safari we saw a construction sign that read "Bin Laden Construction Company". Obviously Osama's family business still runs strongly in the Arabic world.
Suprisingly Dubai is not as hot as first imagined. We have been told it is winter here and that it usually gets up to 50 degrees in Summer. The top temperature so far has been 30 degrees. Not too bad considering.
Tim
L-R: Asher and Tim in traditional dress. Steven in Australian dress.
The flight to was a little better than the flight to Singapore. Service seemed a little better and the seats ever so slightly more spacious.
We arrived at Dubai Airport this morning feeling very drowsy. Although, we had the whole flight to sleep, comfort was an issue. The Dubai Airport is amazing. It is a a 4 storey Terminal that looks like a shopping centre and the windows look like traditional clay building windows. There were thousands of people in the airport at 7am as 8 or so flight had just come into Dubai. There are not to many other airlines other than Emirates that fly into Dubai. The thing that astounished us were there amount of people sleeping on the floor int he airport. We were unsure if these people were waiting for flights (as they were in the arrivals hall) or if they had decided to set up a home at this international terminal.
After checking through customs we had our own very guide meet us. We thought we'd play it safe in Dubai due to the huge cultural differences. We were driven to our hotel in a Holden Statesmen equivalent. Cars in are opposite to Australia. The drivers seat is on the left hand side. Not to mention it is really awkard crossing roads here as the cars also drive on the left.
If you ever think road rage is an issue in Australia think again. Every 2 seconds you will here someone beeping their horn at another car and for the most trivial reasons. The drivers here are very impatient. But I guess as most of the car owners here have expensive luxury cars or huge yank tanks (that guzzle fuel) time is precious to them.
It was surprising to find a really large Indian and Philipino population here. It turns out that alot of them come here to work which seems to be the case in Singapore too. Apparently, 70% of Dubai are foreigners, 20% are from other arab nations and 10% are native UAE (United Arab Emirates) locals. It is very strange.
Today we went on a dune safari which included 4 wheel driving on the sand dunes in the desert (very cool), camel riding, belly dancing, and a huge Arabian dinner. Along the way the drivers stop over at a souvenier shop. It was here that Asher and I bought the traditional head pieces and robes. We looked very cool in them. Its going to be a good costume for themed parties back home.
On the way to the Safari we saw a construction sign that read "Bin Laden Construction Company". Obviously Osama's family business still runs strongly in the Arabic world.
Suprisingly Dubai is not as hot as first imagined. We have been told it is winter here and that it usually gets up to 50 degrees in Summer. The top temperature so far has been 30 degrees. Not too bad considering.
Tim
L-R: Asher and Tim in traditional dress. Steven in Australian dress.
L-R: Tim, Steven and Asher at the Dune Safari and Belly Dancing Feast.
2 comments:
Good to hear you are having fun. Are you really gonna drag robes around? As far as I ahve observed you haven't really started the real backing yet. It will be interesting to see what happens in Europe when you start running out of cash=)
hmm i dare you to wear those at brisbane airport. TERRORIST!! very very bad idea boys...lol
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