My journey to Dubai
“I’ve seen it all before” or “Have never been there yet”? Inkar Malik’s travel notes will prove insightful either way.
IM
Inkar Malik
Mon, 05 Jun 2023
Dubai is one of the most popular destinations and its tourist sites are familiar to many of our compatriots. Therefore, we were very interested to find out what life is like outside the all-inclusive hotels. And on this trip, we decided to live as "locals". Fortunately, a visa at the entrance is granted for 30 days, which was enough for our experience.
In the first days, enjoying the sun and the waters of the Persian Gulf was the number one plan, and there are many interesting places
After reading the reviews on the Internet, I liked the description of Kite Beach, so we went there. It is located near the line of popular beaches of Jumeirah. This, in fact, is a great place for both individual and family sports breaks.
I have never seen so many types of entertaining water attractions for children on a beach. From trampolines to competitions with obstacles in a huge inflatable pool. The clean sandy beach and the sea with a gentle slope into the water suited us perfectly. The sight of sails soaring in the sky and bright surfers' kites complements the overall picture. There is also a kitesurfing school on the beach, where you can hire a private instructor for a few hours, and equipment is included in the fee of the lesson. At the same time, there are enough places for a relaxing stay. There are numerous cafes with a variety of cuisine for both meat-eaters and vegetarians along the beach. Alternatively, you can bring food with you, except alcoholic beverages. There are private showers on the beach, sun loungers and umbrellas which can all be rented..
Dubai is famous for its markets, specializing in everything from gold to shrimp. Why not taste fresh seafood? The largest and most popular market - The Waterfront market - is located in the Deira area.
The market offers a wide choice of products. It is a paradise for seafood lovers: lobsters, crabs, clams, shrimp and squid to name a few. The smell of saltwater and fresh seafood does not offend the nose, but on the contrary, encourages you to buy something delicious. Chefs of upscale restaurants, shop owners and locals come to the market every morning.
The purchased seafood can be taken to local cafes and cooked there according to your taste. It is impossible to describe the level of pleasure. Since this is the old district of Dubai, it is quite far from the tourist area. Bazaar Souk Al Bahar on Umm Suqeim 1 Street is an alternative to the market in Deira. It is better to go to the markets in the morning or after 7 pm for fresh deliveries directly from fishing boats.
For those who do not like going to the market, there is the Seaview restaurant near the Al Bahar market. The restaurant has its own fishermen and boat that brings fresh seafood each day.
You can also experience the local flavour by taking a ride on the abra, a traditional Arab wooden boat with a canopy. Abra is one of the oldest types of transport in Dubai, but it is now used primarily for tourists.
We chose a station on the bay of Dubai Creek. It turned out that at this station it is still used as a transport by locals. Thanks to a walk on the abra, we were able to fully enjoy the beauty of Dubai Creek Bay. It is a new beautiful place in Dubai with gorgeous views of the evening sunset and every corner of it evokes a romantic mood.
Shopping should be definitely added to a leisurely walk on the Abra. Huge local TECs like Dubai Mall are well known, but I found Festival City mall more interesting.
It takes only 10 minutes by taxi from Dubai Creek to Festival City. Shopping seemed to be more affordable here, the building is located on a spacious embankment and attracts visitors with its daily fountain show. Spectacular dancing of water jets with fire elements and even a laser show, every day after sunset, sends chills through your heart.
There is a “Robot cafe”, before the exit to the bay from the mall, it is impossible to pass it. You may have a little difficulty with the menu on the display screen, but after making an order, you will get a show from charming robots who will prepare everything themselves and serve you. During the break, robot bartenders dance to beautiful Arabic melodies. An unusual sight!
Our family fell in love with The Green Planet near The City walk promenade. This is a 4-storey complex. There is a giant tree trunk with many nests, eco-houses for marsupials and hanging bridges at the centre of the complex.
Imagine, being taken up by an elevator to the top of the dome, and going down by spiral staircase around a tree. And all this time, birds of amazing colours will fly around you. Lemurs rush by, sloths sleep on the branches, friendly marsupials stretch themselves under the rays of the sun, and you are calmly nearby and you may feel that they are watching you. The air inside is fresh and humid. Feeding animals is strictly prohibited, as well as touching rare tropical plants listed in the Red Book. Tropical insects and dangerous reptiles are at a safe distance, you can touch them only under the supervision of an employee of the complex. Such exoticism will not leave anyone indifferent. And you will definitely feel like you are in the middle of the Amazon rainforest.
There are so many places to talk about: galleries, museums, and the ethnic place Outlet village. Different shows from all over the world take place in Dubai. You can enjoy opera, go to the legendary La Perla performances, test yourself on various crazy slides of water parks, refresh yourself on the indoor ski track and, of course, have dinner in Sky in Dubai.
Before leaving Dubai, buy fresh dates, pistachio halva and delicious hummus to share with your loved ones and maintain the pleasant after-taste of your trip in a way that lasts.