Dubai, the possible land

What once a desert, now has turned to be a bustling city with sky-scrappers and modern buildings everywhere. There was no trace of a desert unless you go to the outskirt of Dubai. Amazing! I have been to Dubai twice years ago but it was a brief stay and Dubai has not expanded as now (which is still expanding). A few days after coming back from India, Maz (my second daughter) sent me e-ticket to Dubai. It was a hectic 9-day stay in Dubai occupied with activities everyday. Maz was at work attending meetings and I was left alone to enjoy my time in Dubai.
We stayed at Flora Creek Hotel Apartment, a cozy service apartment from 26 Feb to 6 March 2010, very near the Metro station and across the road to Diera City Center Mall.
My first day began by exploring the Metro and Diera City Center Mall and getting information on how to move around in Dubai. It was easy exploring Dubai. I decided to buy the 2 day Big Bus tour (the hop -on and hop-off bus which cost Dirham 285). With a map, Maz helped me to plan where to go and explore the stop areas so that I could make the most of the city. Tourists find it so convenient to see Dubai by this Big Bus tour.


The Blue line took me to see Jumeirah Mosque at Stop 13, an old mosque opened to Muslims and non-Muslims. The government is encouraging understanding among non-Muslims about Islam and it's practices. Unfortunately that day, 1 March 2010 (Monday), the mosque was closed but it's really beautiful, with colourful landscape and clean. The Big Bus stops every 20 minutes and so we can time ourselves and make the most of our tour.






At stop 16, Jumeirah Public Beach, I was able to take a closer photo background of Burj Al-Arab, the 7 Star Hotel where the rich and famous stay. No, I didn't go there as even to enter the hotel we have to pay a hefty fee. Thank you, I'll do it when I marry a super rich Arab Sheikh some day! Alamak, I forgot I am not a sweet young thing anymore!!!!
The sea is so clear and sparkling under the sun. The beach is wide but in summer the heat must be killing. Like other places, Dubai is such a clean city, even the toilets. They use water to wash too but it's dry and clean with no smell. Why can't we, Malaysians, do the same?






The Jumeirah Public Beach, clean with clear blue water.









Stop 17, took me to Souk Medinat Jumeirah, a magnificent Souk with commanding view of the Burj Al Arab. All the souks in the malls are incredibly beautiful with selected and expensive merchandise. I just bought sandwiches and ate while looking around in order to save time to see as much as possible. Traveling alone gave me opportunity to make friends with different nationalities and they helped me to take photos. In the process, I made new friends.









The Souk Medinat Jumeirah surrounded by man-made canal with great view of Burj Al Arab.









The next stop was the one I was really keen to see, the Atlantis on the Palm. The Palm is incredible. Though not complete yet, huge houses and apartments are built on rows according to the palm leaves. About 25% only have been occupied and the construction is still actively going on. To see the the overall view of the Palm, I took the monorail to see part of the panoramic view of the part that is almost completed. It is really something to see. This is a place where Hollywood film stars, successful footballers and the multi-millionaires bought a piece of the Palm. To me it's frightening and intimidating, though fascinatingly beautiful. The water park, the dolphin play, the aquarium etc are for public but access is so expensive. I have satisfied my curiousity and I was happy.






The biggest waterpark at the Palm.













The exclusive apartments in Atlantis on Palm.









The Mall of Emirates at Stop 19 was another attraction where Ski Dubai is. Ski Dubai is the biggest indoor skiing facility in the world. Walking around in Dubai Malls gave me a headache and tired legs. Fotunately (or unfortunately) the sales were over and the price have gone back to normal - so crazily pricey. I didn't have time to do the skiing that day but I returned to Mall Emirates for beginners lesson in skiing on 4 March. What an experience!!! Yeah, the boots are so heavy that I hardly could lift my feet to walk. The oldest and the slowest in the group of 7, my poor bums took a beating when I fell so many times. Abdul, the Moroccan ski instructor, gave me a special attention and jokingly told me, I fell because I forgot to say 'Allahu Akabar'. Behaving like a child, I screamed, laughed and giggled when I toppled over and patted my back when I was successful going down the gentle slope upright. It was a wonderful experience. Will I repeat this? No, Thank you. I think one attempt is enough. I am lucky I don't suffer from osteoporosis.


At Stop 20, the Dubai Mall. It will take a day or two see all the shops in the mall. The biggest mall in the world, that's where I found Olympic skating rink, huge aquarium for public to see and a cascading waterfall. At night, there is the water fountain show that's so bewitching.
By the time I wanted to leave Dubai Mall, I have more than enough of Dubai for the day. It was already late and Maz was calling me wondering where her mother was.









The high artificial waterfall cascading down into a pool below with diving figures to depict reality. So fascinating.











Burj Dubai, one of the tallest towers in the world, pushing our Petronas Twin Towers behind. Taken at Dubai Mall.












So, if you visit Dubai, one easy way to see the city is by Big Bus Tour. The buses are punctual, the drivers and the staff are helpful and they tried to make your visit memorable. Above all, it is one of the safest cities in the world. I felt comfortable walking around in Dubai alone.