Cine Star Cinemas
by najamrulz
Cine Star cinemas are located on level-2 of Deira City Centre. These are 11 cinemas showing different movies at a time. Normal economy seat ticket cost AED 30 ( $ 8 appox) per person. You can also become their "Star Club" member to enjoy attractive discounts. There is an exclusive lounge and food court inside for cinema guests.
They also have VIP seating with more luxury for guests. But VIP ticket is expensive for sure. All cinemas have digital sound system, huge flat screen, air conditioned halls and very comfortable seating arrangement. in both classes. I love to watch movies in Cine Star cinema whenever I go to Dubai. Mostly i prefer watching their late night shows. I just take my dinner from exclusive food court and enjoy them while
watching movie. In short, watching a movie in Cine Star cinemas is an experience of the life time.
You may check out their website at http://www.cinestarcinemas.com/ for more details. For information about movie timings please dial +971 4 949000.
Dubai essentials & What to wear
by JessH
An insulated "freezer-bag" for keeping your food & drinks cool is always useful when going into the desert or to a public beach. (these bags can be purchased at most supermarkets in the freezer section) Dubai is very liberal, but it's still a Muslim city: Keep this 1 Golden Rule in mind:
WHAT TO WEAR DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
M E N should not wear shorts unless they are at the beach. Long, light trousers and t-shirts/shirts with collar are appropriate for malls, museums, souks, etc.
W O M E N, it's obviously more complicated:
When dining/partying at clubs & Western restaurants: Pretty much anything goes.
In malls & "Western" areas: knee-length skirts & tops that cover the shoulders (and stomach) & are not too deep-cut are fine.
When visiting souks, mosques or the museum: it's best to wear long skirts or trousers & loose tops to cover down to the elbows as not to offend anyone & not to attract any unwanted attention.
Golden Rule No. 2: Ladies, if you show too much skin, everyone will think you're a prostitute. B.Y.O. Sun Lotion! Sun lotion is only used by tourists and Western expatriates in the UAE (Arabs & Asians generally bleach their skin to become whiter, whilst we spend hours trying to tan... crazy world) Therefore, sun lotion is relatively expensive in Dubai and I suggest bringing your own from home.
Also, it can be quite windy at Dubai beaches, which dries-out the skin; dry skin is the main reason we get sunburn. For that reason, sun tanning OILS actually prevent sunburn better than high-factor white, sticky lotions. (I recommend Hawaiian Tropic tanning oils) Don't take your brand-new, expensive, digital camera-gear to the beach or desert with you unless you have a seal-tight carrying case/bag for it... the sand gets everywhere and can really mess-up your equipment ;-)
photo equipment, that is!!! A good pair of sunglasses is a must (also for children!) as well as a wide-rimmed hat. Sunglasses can also help to keep the sand out of your eyes... it get's quite windy.
TIP for Women: Instead of going back to the hotel & changing every few hours, to be on the safe side: wear long skirts or light trousers & tops that cover the shoulders. I *always* carry a light cardigan or shawl / pashmina with me to cover my shoulders if I should decide to visit a more "conservative" area... it's also useful to keep warm, as the airconditioning in malls & restaurants can be freezing cold! Electricity: 220V, 50Hz .
Plugs/Socket: 3 rectangular pins (exactly the same as in the UK)
JULY 2008: PUBLIC DECENCY LAWS in the UAE: http://www.gulfnews.com/gngalleries/galleries/10227399.html
--> UPDATE August 2009: Dubai's shopping malls have now introduced flyers & posters requesting shoppers to dress appropriately. FULL STORY: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10338386.html
Shopping in Arabian style
by Kuznetsov_Sergey about Medinat Souq
Madinat Jumeirah is the new city of Arabia in Dubai; the resort is Arabian-styled featuring UAE architecture and design. It has a wonderful mall (souq) where you can buy whatever you want in memory of your visit the UAE.
There are plenty of restaurants, shops and entertainment possibilities within Madinat Jumeirah. More a themed shopping mall than a traditional Arabian market, the souq is a bit of a tourist trap. Prices are several times more expensive than they are in real souqs.
THE ROAD TO COCKTAIL NIRVANA
by Siddha3th about GINSENG
Oriental meets industrial in this divine little haven of spirits. Snuggled seclusively deep in the recesses of Wafi Pyramids, Ginseng plays up the intimacy factor with some truly stunning decor. The spot's warehouse-like origins having been varnished with a thick, rich texture of lounge-like exotica. Circular ceiling lamps, deep red textured walls inscribed with large Asian-character calligraphy, snug couches lining the walls, high steel and leather barstools around the tables,
and lighting which almost begs for the music
to be soft, subdued sexy fare. Which it duly is.
Everything seems just right. The size of the place - small yet open. The staff - courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. And the increasingly hard-to-ignore food menu. California maki rolls, sashimi, spicy black-bean beef, the Ginseng platter filled with seafood goodness and other imaginative seafood dishes.
But Ginseng carries the easy demeanour which comes from the confidence of knowing that there's something which it does like no other - its cocktails. Heavenly, expertly whipped up delights these are. Espresso Martinis, Rasbertinis, Lemongrass Bruleés, Rickshaws, Peach 'n Plum Caiprissimas... simply, the road to cocktail Nirvana. Smart 'n Sexy.
Big Bus Company
by sue_stone
One familiar site that we saw in Dubai were some red open-topped double-decker buses, just like the ones in London. These are part of the Big Bus Company's Dubai city tours, one of those hop-on-hop-off type of tours, where your ticket is valid for 24 hours and you can travel around the city hopping off at any of the 23 stops that take your fancy.
There are two routes - the red route, which stays more in the centre of town, and the blue route, which travels down to the beaches. The website has a map that shows you the route and all of the stops. Included in the ticket price is entry to places like the Dubai Museum, and also enables you to participate in a souq walking tour, and a tour on the Creek (there are details of this on the website too).
We had planned to use the Big Bus Company during our visit to Dubai, but ran out of time. I wanted to include this tip though, as I thought it may be helpful to those researching a trip to Dubai.
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Polynesian band at Bamboo Lagoon
Al Fahidi Fort
Seef Street at dusk (Dubai, January 2009)
Beachside villas on a frond of Palm Jumeirah
