6th May 2010

Departed Melbourne Airport for Dubai. Dubai is a city-state in the United Arab Emirates, located within the emirate of the same name. The emirate of Dubai is located southeast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and is one of the seven emirates that make up the country.

Arrived late afternoon. Checked into the Novatel Deira City hotel and booked a Dhow Dinner Cruise along Dubai Creek. The weather was perfect for a night cruise and the sights were amazing. The saltwater creek divided the city into two main sections - Deira and Bur Dubai. There were remarkable buildings alongside the Deira side of the Creek , Deira Twin Towersw, Dubai Creek Tower, Sheraton Dubai Creek, National Bank and Chamber of Commerce.

7th May 2010

Woke up early to a loud noise, thought there was a party next door, opened the window and the noise was coming from a nearby mosque. The adhan is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the muezzin five times a day summoning Muslims for mandatory prayers.

Bought myself a Hop on Hop Off Bus Ticket. Took the Blue Route this morning leaving at 9am. This journey took three hours and I saw the Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach Park and Public Beach, Atlantis, Wild Wadi, Deiri Mall, Wafi, Mereato, Madirat Jumeriah, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Festival City, Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Sheikh Zahed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Trade Centre and finished at Deira Mall for some shopping.

In the afternoon I went on a guided City Tour which was a mixture of the old and the new Dubai. The old was the Bastakiya area, one of the oldest in Dubai, with its ancient houses bedecked with wind towers. These towers provided ventilation in the days before air-conditioning. Next a visit to the Dubai Museum housed in the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort. Here were realistic displays, giving a fascinating glimpse of the historical links of the city with trading and pearl diving. Finally we boarded an Abra (old water taxi) across the creek to visit the aromatic Spice Souk and then the extensive Gold Souk, with the most exquisite pieces on display. The tour of the new city was a drive first to the Jumeirah Mosque which is a superb example of modern Islamic architecture, and onto the Burj Al Arab, the iconic sail-shaped hotel, which is the world's tallest water-based all-suite 7 star hotel. It illuminates at night by choreographed lighting representing water and fire. Then a drive along Sheik Zahedan Road, the 'Manhattan' of Dubai, with it's high rise glass buildings, passing the Ski Dubai, the region's only indoor ski dome offering fresh real snow all year round, and then viewing, from a distance, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world 828m. We also drove to the Zabeel Palace. There were peacocks walking around the surrounds and the Palace Gates were heavily guarded.

Had tea at the motel and an early night.