Astonishing Emirates: story of my journey to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Hatta

For most of my friends, when I said I wanted to go to Dubai, I replied, "we going to do, a city in full construction, all artificial, where luxury and opulence reign supreme." My stubbornness to the desire to discover new places, the extraordinary company of my brother and my father (are not born globetrotter like me ..) have done that on January 29 I flew to Dubai via Qatar Doha. A note of credit must be made to Qatar Airways which has an economy-class seats far apart, a monitor for each passenger a chance to see the movie you want in an hour that you want between 300 titles, as much a choice between music and video games; can also choose what to eat ... I am eating a chicken with yogurt and curry which was delicious! Friendly staff, ready to pamper the passenger.
Dubai I loved it, especially the sense of brotherhood and mutual aid among people, for his order and his sense of safety and cleanliness. Here c is one of the lowest crime rates in the world (0.2%) and that of the jewelers diamonds and precious stones as big as walnuts and keep the doors open! The feeling of security was so much going around the streets at night. I've never seen a bum not a toxic, although they all work here maybe people are just dusting off the garbage can or lamp post (yes I've seen people with duvet electrostatic cleaning lampposts and bins!). Construction sites all work safely, tied with ropes and helmets, you think that even to water the garden under the Burj Khalifa a worker had his helmet on his head ..
In Dubai, the majority of people coming from all over the world and I think I may venture to call it a global city. The original inhabitants of the area are distinguished by their traditional clothes, are very friendly and have a great sense of hospitality and for any information you need they'll respond with a smile (as we in Italy, no?). For citizens of the emirates health care is free and have free schools (including universities). Surely they are the ones that are doing better because of wandering in mall mall I've ever seen with families after a baby sitter or more (usually Filipino). Another peculiarity is that Dubai is a city built for families, there are spaces for children, in every bathroom there is a comfort, and respect for women is strongly felt, you think it's on the Metro bus the first part is dedicated only to women or families with children.
A city rich Dubai, you can also see the cars on the road: a gogo Cayenne, Mercedes, Lexus, ... all cars from 60 000 euro up ... well here but the petrol is only about 1.5 dirhams per liter (5 dhirham = 1 euro).

As we move to Dubai.
We often took the subway was inaugurated on 09.09.2009 that is super efficient, clean and very easy to overcome potential traffic problems. It should take a silver card from 20 dhr (4 euro) in 14 dhr traffic, the card must be passed in front of the sensor gate measure of the departure station and then goes over the sensor of the arrival station. The same card is also used for buses, even these very clean and safe. When you stop the traffic can be recharged at stations in the metro bus stops (these are casottini along the road with air conditioning in them ..)
TAXI there are in unlimited quantities are very cheap, you do realize that once to 30 minutes (and traveling in Dubai 100 KM / H because the main roads from four lanes up, then we would have done even those of 20-30 km way ..) I payed only 'equivalent of our 10 euro!. Consider also the fact that the taxi that the touring cars have GPS and are constantly monitored for speed and for the place where they are so high security for the customer!
ABRA: the boat is typical of Dubai with which one moves from one side of the creek to the other (inlet of the sea that divides Dubai into two parts) very economical, cost one dirham.
I was particularly touched by the kindness of the people on the subway and on buses, they asked you if you looked at them too if you really wanted to sit ... all super nice! Then both the drivers that those working in the subway responded to my questions always smiling and thanking me!

I recommend everyone a trip to the Emirates, we should learn a lot from this country, the kindness, courtesy, the way in which people from all over the world live together without problems, compliance with the rules and the degree of civility and respect you have for people. I think the Sheikko Dubai is a great leader and who can govern his territory in an egregious and certainly will not have problems to recover after the crisis. It had us in Italy for people like him!

 

What to see

Dubai OLD
The old Dubai was a center of trade between the Indies and the West, Dubai was also famous for pearl fishing. Us on a day we visited the Dubai Museum which is located in Bur Dubai, then walk we visited the old neighborhood where there are Persian Bastakya the famous wind towers, the area has been restored and you can see the interior homes and in some there are exhibitions of modern art, photography and other restaurants and cafes. Bastakya I liked a lot is full of alleys and courtyards to discover. From here we continued on foot along the bank of the creek to get to the souk, and then to Hindi lane, the street where you can buy Indian saris, fabrics and incense. We then went to the Big Mosque, where we entered, I had women in the department only a poor little room, but my men had a bigger room, but not worth visiting for its architecture, but it was a cultural experience. Also walking along the creek we came to the old house of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, where inside there are photos of old Dubai, historical pictures and collections of coins and antiques. Coming back we took a lane in front of Hindi Abra who brought us the other side (Deira) and we went to the spice market and the gold, the impressive amount of gold and diamonds and other stones in the windows with all the doors open! ! We then moved on to the Deira City Centre ... (Mall)

JUMEIRA MOSQUITO
It is a very beautiful mosque which is located in proximity to the beach. The guided tours are just a few days at 10.

Dubai MARINA, THE WALK, HERITAGE VILLAGE ON THE BEACH
We spent an afternoon walking along the walk, the walk along the beach with shops, bars and restaurants that is behind the Dubai Marina. Very interesting reconstruction of a typical village on the beach where you will meet those who will offer Arabic coffee and dates, you will see women who sew, cook, scenes of daily life and falcons with their owners ready to be photographed. Very beautiful also dances and dances of men. Beautiful atmosphere of warmth and welcome of the people, I felt at home! (I forgot to tell you all this for free ...)

JUMEIRAH BEACH PARK
If you want to relax in the beautiful beaches of Dubai, this is the best solution, the cost of entry to the park is 5 DRH (1 euro), inside there are lush gardens, baths, bars, gas and free water coming to the shore zone There are changing rooms, showers, palm trees and the possibility to rent sun umbrellas and towels. The sea in Dubai is beautiful, white sand, crystal clear water, perfect temperature for bathing and for children.

HOTEL
Dubai is famous for its luxury hotels and extravagant forms.

Burj Al Arab
To enter the 'most famous 7-star hotel in the world need to book a free drink (tea or breakfast, lunch or dinner), which is not cheap ... it starts from 60 Euros per head (in an average restaurant in Dubai with 25 to 30 euro you eat in three and a lot!) then we are not going in and we have only to observe the sunset from the outside.
Near Madinat JUMEIRA that there is a reconstruction of typical buildings where inside there are restaurants, shops, a river which is navigable with a abra and a hotel, a good place to spend an afternoon after a morning sea ...

ATLANTIS
The Atlantis Hotel situated at the end of a palm-shaped island can be reached via taxi or with a monorail at 25 DRH return.
We went by taxi or the monorail but the journey more attractive even if more expensive (so to speak, are stretched to 5 euro!), Is certainly one of the monorail from which you can see the leaves of palm with number of villas (that beautiful!). Inside the hotel you can see the last of the chambers or rooms where there are huge aquariums and everything is inspired by the myth of Atlantis.

MALL:
Dubai is the shopping capital, in late January to late February, there is a festival of shopping.
I can not quantify the exact number of the Mall there is an 'infinity and many others under construction (in the mall palm on the palm of Atlantis).
I think that the various malls have a function not only commercial but also social and entertainment for the inhabitants of the city, in fact you can go to the cinema (there are also gold class cinema where you can lie), see shows in various places, go to a restaurant or fast food, go and pray in the mosque, or why not even go to the gym .... Basically, the mall is a city within a city.
The thing that amazes me is that the bathrooms are spotless, for hauling the sciaquone there is a photocell, two taps in the sink: one for water and one for the soap (many in the sink dispenses foam soap mixed with water). This bathroom is always a special area for mothers with children and a makeup area ... is Arab women themselves up so much and even if they wear the veil are always in front of the mirror with their mega cosmetic bag of tricks looking to bounce back ..
Needless to say, the local mall on beset the various ultra designer boutiques and then dress their traditional dress .. (Women's clothes with bright blacks wrists, back, and with the same design also in the veil on his head ...)
Since our trip was bed and breakfast package, we used the mall as a place for lunch or dinner as the convenience and quality of restaurants and attractions in the evening.
I've had several shot but personally what I like best are the malls of Dubai and the Mall of Emirates.

MALL OF EMIRATES
This mall is famous for its ski and snowboard bob. There are shops to suit all budgets, a gallery in the Italian style, where you can find the biggest names in Italian. Should go to eat at the Lebanese restaurant at Haman on the third floor, in three of us spent about 25 euro and we got up with a full belly!

Dubai MALL
Under the new symbol of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, this mall offers shopping for all budgets and numerous restaurants. Come here after 18, and position yourself in the courtyard on the dancing fountains from 18 30 ... every half hour there is a show of fountains with different kinds of music .... Beautiful high jets of water to the music under the beautiful Burji Khalifa. On the ground floor of the mall we booked a visit to the 124 th floor of Burj one day in advance at a cost of 100DHR head (20 euro) if you plan to enter the immediate cost is 400DRH (80 euro). With a single lift with special effects in just 45 seconds, we climbed to the terrace to the 124 th floor of the tower! From here gratacieli Dubai seem little house of lego .... You can see the sea and the various islands .... We climbed to 1230, Board book a time in the middle of the day because the morning in Dubai, there is always a bit 'of mist.
The Fountain is an Arab-style bridge that leads to the Souk al Bahar, a building in Arabic style with lots of very nice typical shops.
We ate in Downtown Deli and Hatami.
To see inside the Gold Souk mall, all in Arabic style with diamond prices ridiculously low compared to those Italians ... ....

IBN MALL
This mall very very cheap prices for the clothes to electronics is inspired by five different nations, there are 5 courts, Andalusia, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, China

Other malls, Abu Dhabi, Hatta

FESTIVAL CITY
It's a nice mall overlooking the banks of the creek with lots of entertainment, cinema, outdoor shows, water games, the ideal place to spend a Friday night ...

Deira City Centre
Nice mall with stores for everyone and good choice of restaurants, we dined on Iran Hatami (is present in almost every mall in Dubai) very good. Price € 25 for 3 on the total

Burjuman Mall
It was in front of our hotel, is one of the oldest, not worth the trip. From here you will reach on foot with a 20 minute walk to the Al Karama district, where there are fish markets and property tarot.

A day in the mountains of Oman:

Hatta pools
The border with Oman is only 120km from Dubai, with an off-road we have traveled a road that crossed the desert and we arrived on the rocky mountains of Oman through the Heritage Village. Here, rocks and small canyons carved by rivers have dried up now that you can swim in natural pools among the rocks, walking trails and enjoy the quiet of the desert mountains.
Excursions can be booked with the travel assistant of the hotel for the price of 40 euro each, a jeep to ourselves available.
A day in the luxurious Abu Dhabi
The first thing we visited in Abu Dhabi was a superb Zayed mosque, only this is worth the trip! To enter the women must make robe and veil, and everyone must remove their shoes. They say that this is the second largest mosque in the world preceded by that of Mecca. Remarkable is the carpet in the floor, the largest in the world that has ever been made by hand from 'Iran, the inlays in white marble depicting colorful flowers in an elegant beauty. The bathrooms of the mosque are decorated with beautiful mosaics.
We went to the Heritage Village and then to the Marina Mall and then to the Emirates Palca. This hotel is fantastic, a beautiful private beach and the interior very well kept. It is here that the sheik of Abu Dhabi will welcome an official visit.