Big boys toys !!!
by airasia
The main mode of transportation in Dubai is a car.
They are cheaper to own and sometimes cheaper to rent compare to taking a taxi/cab. For beginners like me or where I come from, owning a car is quite expensive and choices of cars are limited.
As for Dubai, a beginner will go ‘wow’!. Why ? simply because you could probably see world greatest car here. And if you are into ‘top gear’ Dubai is the place for you !
The fleet of ‘Hummers’ is a sight! The ladies here cruise in H2 hummers. Toyota FJ here and there. Porsche Cayenne is like everywhere and at one point I thought, it is a national car.
At some countries, if you own a Porsche Cayenne, we go WOW…but over here is like just another car.
Dubai gets ‘real’ showroom for Maseratti, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. Other countries if you are lucky you get to buy them through catalogues only.
BMW X6, Bentley, Aston Martin, Mustang, Lexus, Range Rover, Toyota 4WD Land Cruiser, Dodge Charger are such a pleasure to watch them driven by.
Cars are pretty affordable. And in fact buying a car is the only cheapest thing here in Dubai.
On the average a good car cost less than AED 100,000. And a really really good car like Hummer, FJ or Mercedes may just cost you under AED 400,000.
Petrol is cheap as well. Resulting to this, the folks here drive big CC cars ranging from 3 liters to 4.5 liters.
won't hurt to greet them with asallam alaikum!
by rachelleiris
* inshallah.. this perhaps is the most favorite expression of muslims.. inshallah if you can hail a cab during rush hours. inshallah if you can book a hotel during the world cup season... inshallah if you get to your destination in time for your appointment -- as traffic is unpredictable... inshallah if you can return from your exit in qish. by osmosis, i too have been using this word. i guess, by now, you know that it means "God-willing". inshallah if i can ever finish these pages...
* try not to be annoyed by the early morning call to prayer (adhan)... (and the mid-morning, noon and endless calls to prayer -- i think it's a total of five per day). to muslims, it is music to their ears. you would surely be awaken by this but do not complain about it. you can go back to sleep after the "adhan" or you could use it as a “wake-up call.” as for me, whose flat is right beside a mosque, i used to get bothered by it for the first couple of mornings... but by this time, no matter how loud the adhan is, i am not at all disturbed by it. i wouldn't even budge in my deep sleep. suffice it to say.. don't worry, you'll get used to it. in no time, you won't even notice it.
* "asallam alaikum!” (peace be with you) is the most common way of greeting the locals.. the reply to which is.. “alaikum sallam!” (may peace be with you too!). they will not be offended to hear these greetings from non-muslims.. in fact, they will even be amused. i've used these greetings several times... and almost always, i would see the locals and non-locals alike -- smiling (even beaming!) as they respond "alaikum sallam". so go ahead.. practice these words before you hit the arab roads.
inshallah, you'll get it in no time!
Clean and green
by fareleira
Dubai is clean and green everywhere you go there's flowers, palm trees and the green grass is well kept.
The streets are clean and I never smels ok, if you visit the emirate of Sharja right west of the airport you can see the diference.
"Mamma-Mia!" - the biggest mall in Jumeirah
by JessH about MERCATO MALL
Mercato (Italian for market) is the first themed mall in the Middle East and UAE. This is the largest shopping mall along the Jumeirah Beach Road!
With its large glass roof, picturesque bridges & small court yards its hustling & bustling, but find yourself a comfy corner in one of the cafes for a nicely relaxing time.
Mercato is an inspired creation from well-known Italian architect Daniele Morelli.
The interior of the mall replicates the concept of several squares (cute & cozy!), with rural scenes painted on the walls, tall stylish pillars and sparkly-shiny marble floors (definitly typical for Dubai, not necessarily Italy! ;-) It's cheesy, but it's cute.
TIP: Traffic around the Mercato Mall can be hellish!
Especially on Fridays & in the evenings. There's a large car park + underground parking, but this is (as with many malls in Dubai) hardly enough. Either get there early, or ask your hotel reception for free transportation (bus schedule) to and from Mercato, or take a taxi to avoid circling for a parking space when you could spend the time shopping! As with all large malls in Dubai, the choices are endless. You'll find pretty much everything you may (or may not) be looking for!
Some of the most noteworthy stores & facilities of the mall include:
> Cinema (Century Cinemas)
> Virgin Megastore.
> Triumph Lingery.
> Starbuck's (isn't it annoying how they get everywhere?!)
> Spinney's supermarket.
> Bella Donna Italian Restaurant (click to see photo! Sit outside on the balcony & you can just about see the ocean)
> Fiesta Restaurant.
> Paul's French Bakery (very nice, freshly-baked breads!)
> Costa Coffee.
> Food Court.
NOTE:
The cafes and restaurant within the mall are Unlicensed - no alcoholic beverages.
In the UAE, only restaurants in hotels may obtain the licence to serve alcohol. Cafes/Restaurants in shopping malls are therefore not licenced, but usually offer a huge variety of soft-drinks, "mocktails" & fresh fruit juices.
Opening Hours:
Saturdays - Thursdays: 10:00am - 10:00pm.
Fridays: 02:00pm - midnight. No haggling here! You're not in the souks - so you pay what's on the price tag and the shops are mostly high-profile!
UPDATE: Since January 2008 a smoking ban has come into effect in Dubai's shopping malls.
ABRA (CADABRA)
by DAO
The most scenic way of getting across the Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai is by taking a ride on a traditional Abra (long boat). You just kind of jump on and off. Watch your step! Seating is on long benches. The cost is half a Dirham (about 15 cents US) and only takes about 5 minutes. Take your camera because you will get some of the best views of Dubai. Magic!
Please note: For Female travellers, please allow room between you and local men. They don't see many ladies on these boats and cultural modesty means they need to afford you extra space.
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The fountain tracks below..
Karting at Dubai Autodrome
Dubai International Airport
Burj al Arab
