Jet ski in Dubai

The weather is still nice, the sea still very warm, so maybe you'll feel like jet ski? If the anwser is yes, then head to Sharjah (Al Mamzar part of Sharjah. Go in Expo direction, then make U-turn on round about and then after a few meters turn right for the sea). The rate is about 120Dhs per 1 hour, and I think that's enough of riding/ driving/ splashing :-)

Spoken Arabic Course at SMCCU

Yesterday SMCCU announced new dates for Spoken Arabic Course. The fee is 1250Dhs and it takes 18 weeks. There are very few places left so hurry up! I've already signed in, and the first classes are on next Saturday! Can't wait!

Pale in Dubai

I've just come back from nice holidays at home. They all of course loved to see us again, but "why are you so pale? You are living in Dubai!" Yeap, right...

But the summer is almost over and we can start being outside in daylight without risking some "fainting" and heavy sweating, go to the beach, get some sun tan, sit in cafe outside.

Oh, cooler times! Here I come!

My metro ride

On Friday afternoon I went to Mall of the Emirates to board metro. It was just before 2pm, but crowd was already there waiting for doors to be opened. Finally, short after 2pm we were let in. Some people have already bought the tickets, and there was a little stirr in cashiers' area, because people didn't know where to go, which ticket to buy, and of course bunch of people were trying to avoid queue...After some queuing we bought our red tickets and went to the platform. Metro station is very nice inside, quality of the fit out is very good as well, but what's missing is a little screen saying when the next train will arrive. Anyway, our metro car was quite empty at the time of boarding so we could sit and look around without people "hanging" above you, but on our trip back we weren't that lucky...
...crowd was inside, crowd was outside waiting to get in. And some just gave up, because the metro cars were totaly full! Well, I think that in a short time the first curiosity will go away and then you can enjoy your quiet metro ride (at least on Fridays, I hope).
Our metro experience was positive and I hope that more and more people will favour this mean of transport. I also hope that next time I'm on the metro the staff will run more smoothly and efficiently. Anyway, go and try it yourself!

Metro is up and running

So it's done. Widely awaited Metro opening took place yesterday and became number one headline in the papers. Now it's time to buy a ticket myself and try it.

Photo: screenprint found on Gulf News web page.

09.09.09 - Dubai Metro launch

Historic day for Dubai - today the metro will be officialy open for public!

09 September 2009 is a date to remember!
Here is a galleria at Mall of the Emirates getting ready for the evening inauguration ceremony which will be done by Shaikh Mohammad himself at 09pm. But apparently the crowd is kept at distance from the central area. I thought that I can go down to MoE to see opening ceremony and Shaikh of course, but I'd better stay home and buy tomorrow's newspaper.

Those hands built the city

It's sad but Dubai doesn't treat its workers good...People who build the city's skycrapers, malls and roads sometimes must wait long hours in the heat for a bus to take them to the campuses. Dirty, hungry and after a long shift they usually sit on the pavement and...wait.

Summer by pool

Summer spent by the swimming pool is the best alternative in hot Dubai. Luckily every apartment building has got one, maybe not so fancy one as above, but hey, pool is pool!

Wind in Bur Dubai

Even some little blow of the wind is welcome. Here are some fabrics sold everywhere in Bur Dubai.

Camels in Deira Shopping Center

Don't worry, they are fake ones. But that's just another Ramadan display.

Abandoned Dubai

It's unreal to see Dubai's places so empty. Few days ago I went to Madinat Jumeirah (last time I visited it maybe 4 months ago) and couldn't believe that it's so abandoned. Some tourist were hanging around souq streets, but restaurant weren't as full as usually. Hmm, I think that now, during summer and Ramadan the best thing I can do is to stay home, rent some DVDs or buy bunch of books and wait for better, cooler times.

Dubai Metro

Dubai Metro is said to be open on 09th September, so it's in another 2 weeks. Well, I hope that they'll manage to prepare everything for a big day, because now I can see that the stations are in different stages of completion. Anyway, I just can't wait for my first metro trip - it will be nice to see the city from the different angle.

Kilim rug love

I just can't help, but I adore kilim rugs. Those ones are just gorgeous, colourful and with additional pompons or embroidery. Find them at the Majlis Gallery.

Small details in Bur Dubai

Hmm, no inspiration today...

Have a nice Iftar dinner.

First day of Ramadan

Hi, today's first day of Ramadan. Shopping malls are changed completly - no music in the shops, all cafes and restaurants closed, very few people hanging around. Well, not surprising - it's time of fasting and praying for Muslim which will end around 19th September. Be patient and forgiving during this time.

Kilim rug

Last Friday we went to Sharjah, to Blue Souq to get some puffs, but we ended up with buying our first kilim rug (pictured). It originates from Iranian place called Somak. I don't know if you like to haggle or not, but I can assure you that's a lot of fun. Don't rush, take your time, accept tea and browse a lot of carpets first - it's a part of the "haggling game". The sellers at Sheba Store weren't pushy which I liked, and we all had a good laugh every time when I was lowering down the price until we reached an agreement. So, at the end: if you feel that the price is right for you, buy it!

Dubai T-shirt

Cheap, definitely from Dubai and for everyone - Dubai tee. It makes a perfect holiday souvenir to bring home, doesn't it.... ;-)

Design Dubai: Majlis Gallery

Beautifuly and tastefuly decorated Majlis Gallery is another great place in Bastakiya. This well-established place is a must stop for everyone who is looking for a quality decorative objects or gifts with arabic feel.

Design Dubai: Basta Art Cafe

Design Dubai wouldn't be complete wihout mentioning Basta Art Cafe located in Bastakiya. Simple, tasty food, relaxing atmosphere at the courtyard, and mint cooler (as seen here) make this cafe a perfect spot not only for tourist, but for all Dubai'ers (?) as well.

Henna tattoo

What can be better souvenir from Dubai than a nice henna tattoo that will go off after a week, but will attract that curious look from people back in your country?

Burj Dubai's opening soon

I read in a paper that Burj Dubai (which stands for "Tower of Dubai" - very original name....) will open its doors on December 2, which is National Day in UAE.

Business Bay by night

Business Bay by night - work still on. This is a place to go if you want to see the biggest construction site in the world (?).

Another Japan mix

Please enjoy another Japanese mix of old and new.

Today we jump over to Japan

Tokyo is highly addictive. It's exotic (at least for European crowd) city/country with so many contradictions. It has great mix of old, new with handful of extravaganza. I really want to go back!

Batu Caves (Malaysia)

Batu Caves are situated 17km north from Kuala Lumpur. It's a Hindu shrine, but I think that a main highlight of Batu Caves are the monkeys! It's so much fun to observe them free-walking. We didn't try to touch them so I cannot tell if they bite. The taxi will take you for around 15-25 MYR (agree price first).

Melaka (Malaysia)

Melaka (or Malacca) - is located 2h drive south from Kuala Lumpur, but I think it's really worth going there. If your time is limited, you can go to Tourist Office in KL and purchase an organised one day trip down to Melaka (around 120MYR/pp) or catch a bus at Puduraya Bus Station in KL (buy tickets one day in advance). The historical center of Melaka was put on UNESCO Heritage Site list. Here you'll find colourful rickshaws and great Chinatown with many nice shops and cafes, and beautiful temples. I liked it very much!

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur - friendly Asian city with plenty to do. Bukit Bintag part of the city will be a good pick to stay cos it's close to mono rail, shops, restaurants, cafes, and Petronas Towers. Malaysian people tend to stay outside till late at night, so at the evenings the streets are crowded and full of life.

Hot Dubai

Hey,

I'm back in Dubai, which is very humid, hot and hazy those days...

And it's time to go back to "real life" but it seems so difficult since my head is still full of images from Malaysia and Japan...hmm. I want to go back!! And I want another holidays!! Please:-)

I hope you don't mind if for a couple next days I'll be showing you some nice images from my trip. Starting tomorrow!

Oh, holidays!!!

For many, Dubai is a dream holiday destination, but we couldn't wait to leave it for a couple weeks. So, for next 3 weeks we're hanging around through the Asia - see you in August!! Till then, please enjoy my older posts.

Design Dubai: Kitsch cupcakes

Kitsch cupcakes is a nice little place on Jumeirah Road (on right hand side going in Mercato direction) where you can sample cupcakes which are not only lovely decorated ,but delicious as well. Selection is big enough to make you wonder which one to buy. My favourite is red muffin topped with white cheese cream. Price: 14 Dhs per one.

Design Dubai: 50° at Souk Al Bahar

50° - is another great place with funny gadgets, some clothes, bags and some interesting furniture (yes, this is again armchair from Noel Duigan), like by Ibride (eg. ostrich table). But I think that location is not very convenient, because I noticed that usually there are very few people hanging around.

Design Dubai: XVA

XVA - cafe, gallery and boutique hotel, is one of my favourite places in Dubai. Everything is beautifuly arranged around the courtyard, and adjacent small rooms offer some surprises like window tower room with comfy sofas, shop, and gallery spaces. You can stop here for a coffee and delicious vegetarian lunch or you can just browse around. Upstairs there is a hotel.

Design Dubai: S*uce

S*uce is one of not many independent boutiques in Dubai. If you are fed up of chain shops selling the same clothes all over the world then this is your stop (but rather expensive...). Another thing I like about S*uce (pronunciation: Sauce) is interior of their shops. Make sure you visit their branch in Dubai Mall to see bath tube-transfered-into-quirky-sofa and lights made of vintage tea cups (as seen here ).