What to Do, When in Dubai Part 1

An ordinary day facing a 7-star spectacle. Burj Al Arab.
They say it usually takes a week-long vacation or longer to experience first hand the best - and maybe the worst - of a city or country you are traveling to. That's probably the case why I'm no fan of the quick 3-day, 2-night travel package gig. In the case of our first excursion into the Desert City of Dubai, we certainly got carried away by the amazing transformation of this 21st century city and how it has become the new center of the world (read more HERE).


My previous post on Dubai highlighted more on getting here and where to stay. I don't usually go bias on featuring more of the places I've been, but this desert city that lies within the Persian Gulf is certainly an exception, due in part to a lot of things that you can do here as a valued guest. Of course, most attractions don't welcome you with free admission, so never forget to prepare yourself. Dubai may not be that budget-friendly, but keeping up with how much to prepare will save you a lot in an expensive environment.


When you get to Dubai, please know that a lot can happen from the time I visited (New Year 2015) to the time you arrive. A lot of extraordinary stuff can sprout from one patch of desert to the next. In the meantime, here is Part 1 of the absolute can't-miss attractions and things to do in the extravagant Emirate of Dubai. No particular order followed.


A quick view of Dubai's past before welcoming the present.
Admission: AED 3
If you want to know more about how and where Dubai got its humble beginnings, it won't harm a bit to take a walkthrough what was once known as Al Fahidi Fort. A tunnel of history awaits its guests who are intrigued on how the people of today choose to pay tribute to the heroes of the past who have contributed to the city's progress. For beautiful ancient architecture that takes you back in time, head over to Bastakiya.
Gold. Gold everywhere.
In our travels, we have grown accustomed to souvenir shops and local markets that sell a wide variety of stuff like shirts and key chains. But a market for gold? Dubai is probably the only place I know in the world has dedicated an entire block for vendors selling this precious commodity in the form of jewelry or coins. And they are even more willing to blind you with the gold they display! The gold souk is ideal for people looking for authentic gold which they can keep. Just be on the look out for the prices and bargains which may sound too good to be true in the souk (or market in Arabic).
They sell gold by the gram and quality.
No wonder most people even label Dubai as the "City of Gold". If you can't get enough of more gold, you can even withdraw it right from the ATMs located all across the city! Gold is widely accepted as a mode of payment in most establishments. So much for paper money being the standard of currency.
Gold coins, or bars?

From Paris with love at the Garden.
Admission: AED 30
If you fancy about beautiful flower arrangements, visit Dubai Miracle Garden, highly regarded as the world's largest outdoor garden. The fact that this garden filled with over 45 million flowers on display is built right in the middle of the desert makes it a living miracle. The Garden does not usually open in the summer due to extreme weather conditions, so make sure you visit the place when it is open. It may take you at least a 40 minute ride from the city center to get there, but it would all be worth it for your eyes to see.

A flower garden arrangement of the Burj Khalifa.

Colors and flowers fill the Garden everyday.
Cruise along the Creek with a dhow like this.
Admission to the Cruise: Included on our tour package
As valued guests of Dubai, it is almost necessary to experience cruising along the historic Dubai Creek, riding a dhow while enjoying a sumptuous authentic Arabic dinner and entertainment. While on the dhow, experience the outside view of Dubai's old district and the development of the nearby areas. Whether with family, friends or loved ones, this cruise is available every night for your pleasure.
Inside the Dhow, with dinner prepared to be served.
Just some panorama I got.
Dubai's famous landmark is certainly a can't miss attraction. Even if you don't have to enter the lobby of the world-famous Burj Al Arab for an afternoon tea (This tour itself is ridiculously expensive! Not for the faint of heart), you can enjoy the view of this magnificent hotel from a public Jumeirah Beach just nearby. Experience the white sand beach facing the Persian Gulf (admission is free, by the way), all the while having that beautiful 7-star hotel standing right next to you.
Take a dip.
No captions needed here.
Admission: Included in our tour package
For a traveler who does not have the luxury of experiencing true desert life, I highly recommend including this afternoon desert safari. From your hotel you will be greeted with a Land Cruiser that takes you far away from the city into the desert. Once everything is checked, the driver/tour guide starts plowing right through the sand dunes, bashing them left and right, making it an epic ride that you can enjoy only in desert places like Dubai. As the day slowly turns to night, the driver pulls over for you to witness a beautiful sun setting over the desert.
Just one of the over 25 different camps around the Dubai desert.
Other activities in the desert include camel riding, sand boarding and riding on an ATV. By night, you will be taken to a camp where you are gathered together with fellow travelers to connect with them. Try smoking with a Shisha or get a henna personally made by the locals. Enjoy the shawarma, kebabs and the dinner all served for you. And be entertained by the dancers to the tune of Arabic music to cap off a wonderful experience.
A belly dancer takes the stage after dinner.
This is only part one, and it feels like a lot can be done when in Dubai. Stay tuned for part two.

In the meantime, start planning your Dubai getaway!

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