Dubai: One City, Two Sides, Three Days

I have lost count of the number of times i have flown through Dubai on my way to other places. This time however, I decided I had the time and opportunity to have a stop-over and for three days explore Dubai. Like other travellers, I have stalked the Social pages and looked for advice as to what to see and do. Flying into Dubai one can see the incredible skyline and the standout icon of the Burj Khalifa, so that was on my list of places to visit. Inescapable is also The Palm, its distinct shape of reclaimed land, jutting out from the coastline into the sea, so it was also added to my list. And dare I say it, I'm a shopper, so Dubai Mall was a must.

The Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers is my base for the three nights/days in Dubai. Close enough to the airport it wasn't a long or expensive trip by taxi and yet far enough away that Dubai city remains easily accessible. Situated on Dubai Creek the restaurants and pool area gave one expansive views over the water to the city. Wooden dhow, the local timber fishing boats, sit moored next to multi million dollar super-yachts. At night, the dhow illuminated with lights, float up and down the Creek feeding tourists as they take in the night time views.

The name Dubai means 'two sides' and the origin of this stretches far back to the early visitors and traders as they determined which of the two sides of the creek they would locate. One side is now DownTown and the other, the Deira or creek-side.  From the Sheraton into downtown is about a 15 minute taxi ride which cost around $30 Dirham or $11.50 Aus. From the airport I was able to catch a 'ladies only' taxi with a female driver to the hotel at the cost of $45 Dirham. 

Arriving mid afternoon from my 14 hour flight, I settled into the hotel and found my way around. The Club Lounge for snacks and drinks and a most delightful full afternoon tea service, and in the evening a complimentary glass of wine and plenty enough food for me to make my evening meal of.

The hotel also provided a complimentary shuttle to the Dubai Mall so day two was sorted! Billed as the largest shopping centre in the world ( though I think the Mall of America in Minneapolis might take umbrage at the claim) it certainly is large enough to fully occupy me for the day. Not just the shopping though there was certainly extraordinary variety, but also for the range of things to do and see. First on my list was the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. I did love the tunnel that you walk through as the sharks and stingrays swim overhead. The zoo is a series of spaces with large tanks to each side showing rare and exotic fish and overhead, birds fly freely around through the rainforest canopy.

The Mall also features a Waterfall with remarkable 'divers' falling from the summit.

For the Festival of Fashion which is an annual event, the Mall had a Star Wars display  featuring the life-size Storm Troopers and Darth Vader. 

Fashion Avenue's central atrium had life-size fairies fluttering down through the space in vivid shades of green, blue and pink.

Outside of the Mall is the Burj Khalifa and the water fountains. The Burj Khalifa truly is a remarkable building. The pictures don't really prepare one for how tall it is and how the silver needle-like structure catches the sun.Nearly impossible to capture an image of the entire building in one shot on an iPhone. In the afternoon, the water fountains put on a show - timed to music, the fountains shoot water unto 150 feet into the air reminding me of fireworks. Every half hour a different show so having enjoyed the first one at 1.30pm I took a late lunch at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed my dumplings at a prime window seat and the show at 2pm. I must have walked miles as I took in the other features of the mall including its own Souk Market, the Galeries Lafayette and a whole level devoted to shoe shops!

Day three and I had booked a city tour from the desk in the lobby of the hotel. Guaranteed pick up and delivery back to the hotel was included so I felt secure as a solo traveller that I couldnt/wouldn't get lost. Some of the most interesting information I garnered about Dubai came from the tour guide Ali. Everywhere in Dubai is a construction zone and the city is preparing itself for the 2020 Expo. While there is over 500 hotels in Dubai an additional 80 are being built for the influx of expected visitors. One of these hotels is being constructed underwater which I think is amazing. Upon completion, a central tower will rise up out of the ocean for two hours each day, to accommodate both check in and check out. Apparently each room will feature a wall of glass looking out into the ocean's depths. While it will be an incredible feat of construction and will sure to attract visitors, I think being underwater for 22 hours in the day may be a little claustrophobic for me. 

Ali was also incredibly proud of the standard of living in Dubai. He assured our tour group that all medical and education is free, totally free! Students even receive their uniforms, books etc. Newly wed nationals receive a free house! There is no income tax which is why, according to Ali, everyone owns 5-10 cars because what else is there to spend money on?

The four hours of the tour took in the major city sights - the Atlantis Palm resort, Jumeirah Beach, the historic centre of Dubai and the Burj Al Arab. All extremely interesting.  What particularly caught my attention was driving past the marina, I saw the Queen Elizabeth 2 moored. Now being turned into a luxury floating hotel, it will be where I stay when I next return to Dubai in September. Something to definitely look forward to.

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