Dubai - United Arab Emirates

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May 12th 2008

Published: May 24th 2008

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Woody11

Bastakiya 2

The dome within Bastakiya

Monday 12th May - Landed in Dubai at 5am local time. Waited over an hour for my luggage before getting a taxi to the Rami Hotel in Bur Dubai and checked in early. Walked down to the most ancient part of Dubai - Bastakiya, which has a conservation program in place to protect its heritage. The heat was a shock to the system approaching 40 degrees before lunchtime so headed down to the Dubai Creek and took a boat cruise before disembarking on the other side in Bur Deira and wondered around the gold souks. Had lunch at the Hilton which was air conditioned before heading back to my hotel room for a 1 hour power nap. Was woken around 5pm by the loudspeakers of the islamic prayer which were right outside my hotel. Took a cab to Jumeirah which is just past where all the new development is going on - This city is on crack with the amount of money going into it! Went past the tallest building in the world (still under construction) and then to The Madinat which was amazing - an indoors air conditioned market with surrounding outdoor waters and restaurants of the finest quality. Then

Bastakiya

Looking up one of the ancient alley ways

over for a look at the infamous 7 star hotel - Barj Al Arab - but only as far as the entry gates as you need to make a booking just to have a cocktail in the top Skyview Bar. Took some photos and then headed back to a bar (Zar Bar) in the Madinat for a beer and a cocktail and watched the lights circling the skies from the Barj Al Arab before grabbing a cab back to Bur Dubai in the old city.

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