I terribly wanted a BREAK; wanted to be away from the household chores and responsibilities. And it did come at the right time. Just few months back, on 23rd November 2009, we took the Jazeera flight to Dubai from Kuwait. After our arrival at Dubai International Airport, my husband collected the immigration form which he filled for three of us. After filling the form we had to do our eye scan. We then made three slips of 185AED each from the National Bank of Dubai by paying them cash and then submitted our passports for the visa’s which we immediately got.
The driver from Hotel Dolphin came to receive us, so there was no problem. We stayed at the hotel for seven days. The room was very clean and was well furnished. The location of the hotel is very good if you are looking for quick and easy access to all important areas of Dubai. There are plenty of Indian restaurants nearby and the breakfast provided by the hotel is extremely good if you like Indian vegetarian food.
We decided to explore the area Meena Bazar, where we would stay that evening. The area is also known as “Little India” as nearly 90% of population are Indians. There is great variety of clothes, imitation jewellery, and accessories for girls, shoes, electronic items, perfumes, gold shops, kid’s cloths, souvenir shops and much more in this area. You have to bargain hard, and after bargaining you will find that prices are very reasonable.
Morning, after breakfast at the hotel, Jeet, my husband went out and fixed our travel plan for our stay with the travel agent. After his return, went out to the nearby Malls. First we went to “Al-Khaleej Mall” (you will find lot of gift/ souvenir shops here); then to “Al-Ain-Shopping Center” (this Mall is full with computer and computer related items). Just next to this Mall,is “Spinney’s”, a famous chain of 24hrs Shopping Center in Dubai. This shopping center is like our Sultan Center in Kuwait. After lunch, we got ready for the Desert Safari.
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Your visit to Dubai is incomplete if you have not taken the Desert Safari tour. It is an experience of a life time as one enjoys the roller coaster ride on the sand dunes. The action packed desert safari takes you on a journey from a desert to a mountain in a four wheel drive to an isolated desert camp where lot of activities and entertainment awaits you. There are many tour companies that organize trips into the desert with a wide variety of activities. You have options of morning safari, evening safari or overnight safari. We took the evening safari and had booked two seats at Hourmuz Tours through our travel agent. It is suggested that while you reach the camp site you should taste the Arabic coffee and dates. Within couple of hours they start the barbecue dinner under the starry skies. Variety of continental and Arabian dishes is included in the menu including vegetarian and non vegetarian. As you have your dinner you will be entertained by a traditional belly dancer in the centre stage. She will mesmerize you with her moves and if lucky will be called on stage to dance with her. We thoroughly enjoyed.
The next day we visited the Gold Souq at the Deira area. Each and every window of the shops adorned with gold ornaments and artifacts. While moving around the souq, we came across KANZ Jewels L.L.C,a big gold shop. We were amazed by the very big gold ring in the shop. We entered the shop and came to know that it is the BIGGEST gold ring in the world manufactured by Taiba. Just next to the Gold Souq is the Spice Souq. The intensive and exotic aroma of the different spices which includes valuable saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nuts, henna and aniseed, entices many visitors into purchasing some spices. Potteries, souvenirs, various types of baskets, rice, textiles, rugs, incense etc are also sold. The spice market is a fantastic experience, you should not miss.
Our next destination was the Jumeirah Mosque, located in Dubai’s beachside area. Our agent informed us that this is the largest and the most beautiful mosque in Dubai. It’s the only mosque in the country which is open to non-Musilm. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organizes visits to the mosque for non-muslims. Our next destination was Mercato Mall.I was mesmerized as I entered the Mall. I talked to the security officer, who was an Indian. He informed that this double storied mall is the first themed shopping mall in the Middle East and UAE. The imposing columns, distinctive flooring, and the ambience give it the Italian feel. The retail outlets boast of all the international brands. It is a paradise for shoppers. Just opposite the Mall, our famous designer Manish Malhotra has his studio.
After enjoying in the Jumeirah beach which was full with tourist, we went to Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island. It is in the shape of a palm tree. We drove through the tunnel and reached Hotel Atlantis. But you can also take the metro to the hotel. It is a resort and is located at the centre of the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah. I was impressed by the magnanimity, grandeur and interior decoration of the hotel. Then we drove to “Mall of Emirates”. Anything you could possibly wish for, you will get here. But its biggest claim to fame is the Middle East's first indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai.You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment.
From Mall of Emirates, our tour guide took us to Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping mall. It is part of the Burj Khalifa complex, world’s tallest building and opposite Souk Al Bahar. We moved around, and came to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which is one of the main attractions of the Mall. We purchased tickets for the aquarium but the experience was much below our expectation. We did not feel as if we were walking “under water”, through a long tunnel. Though it was a tunnel, it was not that long, just a few steps and it was over. We felt we wasted 70 dirham unnecessarily. Anyway, we came hurriedly outside to take our seat as it was few minutes to 6pm; time for Dubai Fountain to start. This is the most breathtaking attraction of the Mall, and thousands of tourist and residence come to see this most spectacular fountain. As the fountain dances to the music it sprays water over 150 meters in the air. You will experience a symphony of sound, light and water as you watch the Dubai Fountain dance to stirring musical pieces from powerful Italian classics and renowned Arabic compositions to Bollywood favorites and beautiful African rhythms.
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As I had hurt my leg at Hotel Atlantis, we decided to stay in our hotel room and take rest the next day. In the evening as I felt better, we decided to visit Dubai Museum. At aro