Dubai--Gateway to Desert Adventures

The complete article originally appeared in Arizona Highroads, March/April 2012
http://highroads.az.aaa.com/article/gateway-desert-adventures?page=1

Dubai is truly a city of excesses, with the largest, biggest, tallest, and most spectacular of everything. Rapid and enormous growth has made the city an exciting place, but noise, dust, and commotion are unfortunate byproducts.

Beach at Fujairah resort on the Indian Ocean

As first-time visitors, my husband and I marveled at stunning glass and steel structures and wandered through elaborately decorated modern malls, while also taking in the souks (native markets), forts, and waterways of Old Dubai. There’s a lot of history here, though overshadowed by thousands of building cranes that line the landscape.

After riding the ancient abra (water taxi) across Dubai Creek, buying all the pashminas and spices I could carry home in my luggage, and haggling for that special piece of gold jewelry, it was time to escape the city for a different view of the region. Excursions provide an important perspective to better understand the federation of independent states on the Persian Gulf known as United Arab Emirates.

Pool and hotel at Fujairah Rotana Resort on the Gulf of Oman

Click on the link above to read about our overnight escape to Fujairah Rotana Resort. Known for golden sandy beaches and sparkling water, Fujairah is located on the East Coast of Unite Arab Emirates, on the Gulf of Oman, which leads into the Indian Ocean.

Another day we explored Al Ain—a natural oasis in the desert about an hour-and-a-half drive southeast from Dubai. Called the Garden City, Al Ain was once a place of respite for ancient wandering Bedouin tribes who traveled at night to escape the heat. It’s an important historical and archeological site off the beaten path for most tourists.

Historic buildings in Al Ain

On the last day of our week-long visit to Dubai City, we took the highly recommended Desert Safari, an adventure only 45 minutes from the city limits, but a world away for the senses. Trips begin in late afternoon, when the air has cooled, and take visitors to a dry, virtually uninhabited environment in one of the largest deserts in the world--a stark contrast to the bustling, well-irrigated city.

Riding the desert dunes is like being on a theme park ride!

Entertainment by a belly dancer
on the desert safari

Up and down our guide drove over steep sand banks, down hills, and then plowing back up again. For more than an hour, we skimmed magnificent dunes, marveled at geometric wind-swept patterns in the sand, and, at one point, slowed down for a herd of camels crossing the path.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

 

Americans prefer U.S. destinations for vacation

According to new research, the USA tops vacation destination choices for Americans.  Dubai and Bahamas Islands were next, with European destinations further down the top ten list.

National parks such as Grand Tetons are favorite destinations
for many Americans.

The study was carried out by www.vouchercloud.net in order to find out more about the lifestyle habits and holiday choices of US citizens, especially those looking for discounts when planning a vacation. Via email 2,852 American adults aged 18 and over took part in the survey, all of whom had booked at least one vacation during the last three years.

Incredible architecture is a calling card
in Dubai.

All respondents were first asked, “Have you been on vacation outside of the USA in the last 18 months?” to which three quarters of respondents (74%) stated that they hadn’t left the USA for a vacation in the last 18 months.

The survey then asked respondents to identify their favorite holiday destinations, places that they had been to or would like to go to in the future. The respondents were provided with a list of locations and asked to select all that applied with these preferred holiday destinations:

1.       Destinations within the USA – 68%
2.       The Bahamas Islands – 44%
3.       Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 41%
4.       London, England – 39%
5.       Cancun, Mexico – 32%
6.       Paris, France – 29%
7.       Sydney, Australia – 27%
8.       Montego Bay, Jamaica – 18%
9.       Bangkok, Thailand – 15%
10.   Vancouver, Canada – 12%

The Eiffel Tower is an icon of Paris
that people want to see.

The respondents who had selected ‘Destinations within the USA’ as one of their favourites, were then asked to provide the reasons why they liked to vacation in their home country. The majority of respondents (86%) stated that they ‘enjoy the food and culture in the USA’ or that ‘the USA has everything I want from a vacation’ (77%), while a third stated that they enjoy ‘exploring different parts of my own country’ (31%).

 “The USA is a huge country with so much to offer and something to please everyone. From beaches and great hiking places to art galleries and city skyscrapers, there is so much diversity and excitement. It’s no wonder that it tops the charts,” says Matthew Wood of vouchercloud.

If you’re looking for discounts and special offers to help make your vacation more affordable, whether in the USA or elsewhere in the world, check the website.  “Everything from shows in Vegas to dinners in NYC can be done on a budget,” Wood adds.

Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards in the shadow of Vancouver's skyline.

Information courtesy of Leanne Bryan, 10 Yetis Public Relations

Photos by Beverly Burmeier, from my own travels.

Dubai is a city made for shopping

No visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be complete without a Shopping Day!  So we set out to experience several different types of shopping venues.

Madinat Jumeirah Souk combines traditional architecture and items
with features of modern malls.

First, we took the bus to Madinat Jumeirah Souk, a vibrant Arabian market with a great selection of traditional clothing and decorative items. Although the market had a traditional ambience, today's shoppers have a wide selection of items in this pseudo-modern mall.  From the grounds we had an excellent view of Burj Al Arab, the hotel that resembles a sailboat and the only 7-star hotel in the world. No wonder it was named the world's leading hotel in 2013. 

Soon after we wandered inside, I found a lovely patchwork pillow cover and a beaded runner for my dining table. Purchases one and two.


Burj Al Arab is a famous landmark
in Dubai.

Many lovely items like this
traditionally patterned rug
were for sale in Madinat.
 

Next we went to the Mall of the Emirates, the largest mall outside North America and a premier shopping experience that could take all day. More than 500 stores range from economical H and M to Italian boutiques offering designer fashions. Other shops featured children’s items, sports, home furnishings, jewelry, electronics, sports equipment, and more. 

Overall the mall was very clean, well lit, attractive, spacious, and relatively free of noise and hubbub—and there are no taxes. Serious shoppers might want to stay in the five-star 400-room Kempinski Hotel on premises. During the hour and a half spent there I bought a notebook at Carrefour (Dubai’s Wal-Mart equivalent) and a party dress to wear to dinner that evening.  Purchases three and four.

Of course, what this mall is most famous for isn’t hanging on the racks. There’s an indoor ski area filled with real snow—quite a layout, although during our visit only a few snowboarders glided down the slope, while a couple of young children played in the only snow found in the desert.



Outside Mall of the Emirates. The large white structure
is the indoor ski slope.

Dubai is known as the city of gold, so shopping for jewelry was a must. The gold souk (market) is filled with up to 400 small shops with flashy electric signs attracting shoppers looking for bargains—and with plenty of cash to spend on gleaming gold and diamonds.  

Children accustomed to desert sand
enjoy playing in the snow at Mall
of the Emirates.

Gold, which is sold by weight according to the market price of the day, is cheaper in Dubai than in most other cities of the world (plus no taxes). Streets around the market are hives of activity with many nationalities crowding into the shops, especially after siesta time, when it’s cooler--around 4 p.m. or later.

If the market atmosphere of the gold souk, where haggling hard is part of the game, isn’t for you, or you can’t find a unique piece, go to the Gold and Diamond Park.  That was our choice.  There we found more than 80 jewelry shops and manufacturers offering distinct collections.  Take time to browse the shops for artisans whose style appeals to you, and dine in the outdoor courtyard. 

We sought out Cara Jewelry, a shop patronized by celebrities and recommended for service and quality. Sure enough, it was crowded while most other stores had few customers. As I window shopped outside, a clerk inside mirrored my steps—moving from one display case to the next as I shuffled along. I almost didn’t go in, but when I did, he was right there to help.




Find unusual gold jewelry--or have a piece custom-
made at stores like Cara in the Gold and Diamond Park.

Most jewelry pieces are yellow gold (18, 22, or 24 carats), but white and pink gold, which are mixtures with other metals, are also available. I fell in love with glittering dangle earrings constructed of all three types of gold, and Larry found a ring in a unique design that also incorporated yellow, white, and pink gold. Purchases five and six.

Textiles are a big draw in the souks or
traditional markets of Dubai.

Whether you’re looking for traditional items, bargain hunting, choosing quality jewelry, or tackling a ski slope in a land of sand, Dubai is a shopper’s delight.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier