Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates which was formed in 1971 by seven Sheikhs to control their emirates 9 kingdoms, and rule, as a council, over the region. The seven Emirates are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Amm Al-Qaiwan, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah. Dubai is actually two cities separated by a river known as the Dubai Creek. On the Creek’s north side is Deira and on the south side is Dubai. However the universal name for the whole area is Dubai. Only 15% of the people in Dubai are citizens and they generally don’t work. The other 85% are imported labor and do all the work. No one becomes a citizen of the Emirate unless born into it.
We docked at the Dubai International Port Terminal. A really modern building with shops, information center and free high-speed Wi-FI. I think you got my last e-mail and blog from Dubai. Did I mentioned that the average age of the passengers on this cruise is up there? We are the youngsters. Unfortunately this is the usual sight that meets us on docking.
We docked across from the Queen Elizabeth II which was sold to Dubai several years ago to become a hotel similar to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. With the world-wide recession work has stopped on that project but the ship is well maintained and powered-up awaiting the day work resumes. You can also see the Burj Khalifa in the background. It is the worlds tallest building at 828 meters. More on that later.
Ever wonder how you perform maintenance on a life boat while away from home port?
Parked a little way down the dock from us was the Dubai Sheikh’s personal yacht.
Since we missed out on some shopping in India it was decided to start off with a trip to the Dubai Old Souk. A souk in the term for a market. There are a number of souks around town, some specializing and some general items. Here are some shots of town as we drove to the souk. It was nice to get back to a country where there were rules of the road, traffic signals, well maintained cars, and a general order to things.
This caught me by surprise but these two blue and white motorcycles are a medial team for response to accidents.
This the start of the souk. Most souks have the wooden covering over the walks.
While most of the shops were clothes in this souk some people managed to find the occasional different product.
What the well dressed family wears.
Care for some shoes?
Dubai is noted for it’s architecture.
An apartment complex.
And the Burj Al Arab or the “sail building.” This is the Jumeira Beach Hotel.
The complex that supports the Burj Khalifa is one of the largest malls in Dubai. It also includes the Dubai Aquarium. That evening I decided to take a break and while Noreen wandered around the mall I went SCUBA diving in the Aquarium. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world and full of sharks and rays.
The front of the tank inside the mall. The reflections you see are the lights of the stores across the aisle. You can see the three stories of the mall in the reflection.
Here I am diving in the tank with my guide. I’m on the right. You can see the people in the tunnel that runs under the middle of the aquarium walking behind us. It was a fun night.
Here is a shark coming in over my right shoulder. I didn’t see him until he smiled at me.
An interesting aside. Their Mother’s Day is April 3rd ours is May 8th. Note their cards read “Mum” rather than “Mom.” I think that is a result of the long history of relations with British companies and politics before anyone else.
The next day we decided to get serious about this souk business. Remember that there are general and specialized souks. So off we went to the specialized Gold Souk. The Gold Souk was on the other side of the Dubai Creek. We could take a taxi and a bridge, but that isn’t much fun. So off we went the local way. There a numbers of Abras (water ferries) that cross the creek day and night.
An Abras ferry stand.
An Abras pulling out. That is a dhow in the upper left. They are used for longer trips and moving cargo.
Noreen on our Abras getting ready to sail. It costs about 25 cents to cross the Creek. After the Tuc Tuc in India it took some quick talking to convince her it was safe and a good idea. Life jackets are located at the closest boating store.
Our fellow passengers.
Passing a number of tied up dhows. They live on these boats.
Noreen and our Captain after a successful crossing.
While on the way to the Gold Souk we passed through the Spice Souk. Note the roof that seems to signify a souk.
We also passed through some different types of housing and a Mosque. Note the air conditioners.
Can you tell we arrived at the Gold Souk? See the happy smile.
All gold stores.
This requires careful study.
Wait, we found some diamond stores. Noreen conducting some negotiations with the store owner through the widow.
As I understood the situation, we didn’t need any more gold (at this time) but diamonds were a different story. Suffice it to say that Noreen left with another package in her purse.
At the middle of the Gold souk
It was a long day wandering through Dubai and souks. We decided to take a Creek dinner cruise before rejoining our ship and an early morning departure. This was our dinner dhow.
My cutie dinning partner
And her escort.
We weren’t the only dinner cruise dhow on the Creek. Here are a line of them getting ready to sail.
The twin Rolex Buildings. I guess they are selling some watches in Dubai.
Passing another dinner dhow.
A large Mosque illuminated for the evening.
The Abras I spoke of earlier run all the time.
And one final picture on the way back to the ship to show the song is true…”It’s a small world after all.”
This picture shows the Dubai skyline. That is not smog. That is sand blowing in form Abu Dabi. They have an army of people working to clean-up the sand in teh city all the time.
This is an Australian warship we passed sailing out of Dubai while he was heading in.
Thanks for joining us in Dubai. Now it is off to Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
We docked at the Dubai International Port Terminal. A really modern building with shops, information center and free high-speed Wi-FI. I think you got my last e-mail and blog from Dubai. Did I mentioned that the average age of the passengers on this cruise is up there? We are the youngsters. Unfortunately this is the usual sight that meets us on docking.
We docked across from the Queen Elizabeth II which was sold to Dubai several years ago to become a hotel similar to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. With the world-wide recession work has stopped on that project but the ship is well maintained and powered-up awaiting the day work resumes. You can also see the Burj Khalifa in the background. It is the worlds tallest building at 828 meters. More on that later.
Ever wonder how you perform maintenance on a life boat while away from home port?
Parked a little way down the dock from us was the Dubai Sheikh’s personal yacht.
Since we missed out on some shopping in India it was decided to start off with a trip to the Dubai Old Souk. A souk in the term for a market. There are a number of souks around town, some specializing and some general items. Here are some shots of town as we drove to the souk. It was nice to get back to a country where there were rules of the road, traffic signals, well maintained cars, and a general order to things.
This caught me by surprise but these two blue and white motorcycles are a medial team for response to accidents.
This the start of the souk. Most souks have the wooden covering over the walks.
While most of the shops were clothes in this souk some people managed to find the occasional different product.
What the well dressed family wears.
Care for some shoes?
Dubai is noted for it’s architecture.
An apartment complex.
Of course the two most famous buildings in Dubai and known around the world are the Burj Khalifa.
And the Burj Al Arab or the “sail building.” This is the Jumeira Beach Hotel.
The complex that supports the Burj Khalifa is one of the largest malls in Dubai. It also includes the Dubai Aquarium. That evening I decided to take a break and while Noreen wandered around the mall I went SCUBA diving in the Aquarium. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world and full of sharks and rays.
The front of the tank inside the mall. The reflections you see are the lights of the stores across the aisle. You can see the three stories of the mall in the reflection.
Here I am diving in the tank with my guide. I’m on the right. You can see the people in the tunnel that runs under the middle of the aquarium walking behind us. It was a fun night.
Here is a shark coming in over my right shoulder. I didn’t see him until he smiled at me.
An interesting aside. Their Mother’s Day is April 3rd ours is May 8th. Note their cards read “Mum” rather than “Mom.” I think that is a result of the long history of relations with British companies and politics before anyone else.
The next day we decided to get serious about this souk business. Remember that there are general and specialized souks. So off we went to the specialized Gold Souk. The Gold Souk was on the other side of the Dubai Creek. We could take a taxi and a bridge, but that isn’t much fun. So off we went the local way. There a numbers of Abras (water ferries) that cross the creek day and night.
An Abras ferry stand.
An Abras pulling out. That is a dhow in the upper left. They are used for longer trips and moving cargo.
Noreen on our Abras getting ready to sail. It costs about 25 cents to cross the Creek. After the Tuc Tuc in India it took some quick talking to convince her it was safe and a good idea. Life jackets are located at the closest boating store.
Our fellow passengers.
Passing a number of tied up dhows. They live on these boats.
Noreen and our Captain after a successful crossing.
While on the way to the Gold Souk we passed through the Spice Souk. Note the roof that seems to signify a souk.
We also passed through some different types of housing and a Mosque. Note the air conditioners.
Can you tell we arrived at the Gold Souk? See the happy smile.
All gold stores.
This requires careful study.
Wait, we found some diamond stores. Noreen conducting some negotiations with the store owner through the widow.
As I understood the situation, we didn’t need any more gold (at this time) but diamonds were a different story. Suffice it to say that Noreen left with another package in her purse.
At the middle of the Gold souk
It was a long day wandering through Dubai and souks. We decided to take a Creek dinner cruise before rejoining our ship and an early morning departure. This was our dinner dhow.
My cutie dinning partner
And her escort.
We weren’t the only dinner cruise dhow on the Creek. Here are a line of them getting ready to sail.
The twin Rolex Buildings. I guess they are selling some watches in Dubai.
Passing another dinner dhow.
A large Mosque illuminated for the evening.
The Abras I spoke of earlier run all the time.
And one final picture on the way back to the ship to show the song is true…”It’s a small world after all.”
This picture shows the Dubai skyline. That is not smog. That is sand blowing in form Abu Dabi. They have an army of people working to clean-up the sand in teh city all the time.
Excellent....you are the Rick Steves of Boeing. In Dubai, and your other stops, have you seen cyclists sharing the roads?
ReplyDeleteawsome pics I especially appreciated your unusual visit to the aquaruim. Must be nice! How on earth did you arrange THAT! Noreen looks like she is having an awsome time.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting about the warships trailing you. How close are you coming to Libya? You guys are really catching some great sites. Can't wait to see you again and hear about them first hand.
ReplyDeleteEddie
Dubai architecture looks like from another planet, and then look,.... a KFC sign. Awesome pictures. Ken, liked your up close and personal new friend, the SHARK. Looks like the dive was thrilling and the shopping for a new piece of jewelry equally as exciting. Never saw so much gold all in one place.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great story-teller Ken! Really enjoying these pix and living vicariously through your adventures (the diving, jewelry shopping and general sight-seeing)!
ReplyDelete