dubai04

          ~2004~


       Rome - May 2004
       Naples - May 2004
       Pompeii - May 2004
       Capri - May 2004
       Florence - May 2004

       Singapore - August 2004

       Makkah - September 2004
       Madinah - September 2004

       Dubai - September 2004


       My Overseas Travel
       My Local Travel
       My Reflection

DUBAI

Dubai has some of world's best shopping: you can buy a Mercedes at the airport or even a diamond-encrusted saddle. If that's not your thing, what else does the city have to offer? Dubai is a great weekend destination. Word is spreading fast and the city is becoming more renowned for its excellent beaches, tax-free shopping and year-round sun.

A Visit to the Dubai museum is a must on every Dubai itinerary. Housed within the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799 to defend the city against invasion, the museum's diverse collection of exhibits offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage.

Much of Dubai's wealth comes from trade, and, as a seasoned bargain hunter, It may come as a surprise to you, but everything sold in the Gold Souk in Deira is made from gold. Deira lies to the north of the Dubai Creek (or Khor Dubai) and is the old city centre, while Bur Dubai lies to the south. The streets of the souk are just chock-a-block, with some 300 stalls to choose from. Make sure to watch the scales, as sales are based on weight. Bargain hard.

While you're in Deira, you could also try the literally named Perfume, Spice and Electronics Souks, or the Covered Souk, where you'll find items such as textiles, spices and henna. Don't worry too much about street names while you're there; if you need to get somewhere, just describe what you want or what your hotel looks like, and you'll be pointed in the right direction.

From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors. The emirate embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area.

In a single day, the tourist can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with windtowers to ultra-modern shopping malls.

The emirate is both a dynamic international business centre and a laid-back tourist escape; a city where the sophistication of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era.

But these contrasts give Dubai its unique flavour and personality; a cosmopolitan society with an international lifestyle, yet with a culture deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia.

Since earliest times, Dubai has been a meeting place, bringing together the Bedouin of the desert interior with the pearl-diver, the merchant of the city with the sea-going fisherman.

Dubai is an ultramodern city. In appearance it is clean, safe, and ultimately dynamic; a shrine to the ebb and flow of capitalism at its best. Very little which is obsolete remains and markets here tend to sell gold and electronics rather then more traditional goods.

Jumeiriah Mosque

Camel ride @ Safari Adventure

Dubai Museum

Nakheel Apartment @ Ghurair City

Millennium Hotel

HAPPINESS (I)

Happiness lies for those who cry,
those who hurt,
those who have searched,
and those who have tried,
for only they can
appreciate the importance of
people who have
touched their lives.

HAPPINESS (II)

May you have enough
happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow
to keep you human,
enough hope to make you happy.

I was in Dubai again in2006....