Thread: traveling to Dubai

Hello!

I will be in Dubai for five days (10/30-11/4) and am looking for recommendations of things to do, shows to see, and stuff to buy. I'm staying with a friend who is teaching at the American University of Dubai, but I don't think he will have bellydance-specific recommendations. :)

Thanks in advance,
Maura

Dubai is a great place with lots of things to see and do. Prepare to be amazed!
We walked around town with our mouths wide open....

Last time I was there on a cruise with my mother so I didn't go to see a dancer.
But they can be found in Lebanese restaurants. I would go into a hotel and ask at the receiption. Just pretend to be a guest, those hotels are so big, they won't know you don't life there

There is plenty of shopping, but mostly in glitzy malls with international brands.

You MUST go to Wafi Mall. It's ancient Egyptian themed and has a great underground souk in styles of various Arab countries. The Egyptian section has a small shop with souvenir style bellydance supplies (don't expect too much though!).
And there's a wonderful Lebanese restaurant too.
WAFI : Dubai shopping, souk, luxury hotel, restaurants and spa

MEISSOUN

I didn't do any bellydance-related activities when I was in Dubai either, but it is an amazing place. Immaculate, looks like the Emerald City.

The malls are beyond spectacular. I didn't go to the most famous one, with the indoor ski slope, but the one I went to had a 2-story aquarium and an ice skating rink.

I really enjoyed taking the small, very old-school ferry across the 'creek' to the old souk.

It's a wonderful city to walk in, and the subway/light rail system is safe and sparkling clean and easy to use.

Thanks, Lauren_ and Meissoun! The malls are DEFINITELY on my list and we'll try to see at least one show. WAFI looks amazing.

Yay! This isn't until October and I am already really excited. :)

Astryd Farrah has a place in Dubai and would be good to contact if you want dance classes and she would have lots of information on dancers and sights to see
Astryd Farah - Egyptian Dance Artist

The mall with the ski slope is Mall of the Emirates, to get there you could either take the metro or its an easy taxi ride, all the drivers know it. The mall with the aquarium and ice skating rink is Dubai Mall, its huge and could take you a day to wander around. In the basement area of Dubai Mall there's the Arabian Court, lots of abaya and galabeya shops and glittery things. While you're in the mall you can take a trip up the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world. From the 124th floor you'll get a spectacular view of Dubai particularly if you go at sunset. You can also look down on the fountain while it does its' show. The visit costs 100dirhams and you'll be up there for about an hour, plenty of time to take pics, admire the gold dispensing machine and buy momentos. To get tickets, walk along the lower ground floor level of the Mall towards the food court and you'll see the Burj ticket office. Sometimes its fully booked so you might have to buy tickets for later in the day or the following day.

Take a walk down to the historic Bastikiya area by the Creek, its the art area with lots of galleries in old style Emirati houses many with the traditional wind towers. The Sheikh Mohamed Centre is in Bastikiya so you'll be able to learn more about Emirati life there. Also close by is Al Fahidi fort which now houses the Dubai Museum, well worth a visit particularly for the insight into Dubai's pearl diving past.

Take a trip to Jumeirah Mosque and take the guided tour. From memory, by October the tours are only twice a week on Sunday and Thursday at 10am but you'd have to double check that. The fee is 10 dirhams. The visits are very informative and the guides are always open to questions. You'll need to dress conservatively and cover your head.

Wander around the textile souq then take the abra across The Creek (which is like a river) it only costs one dirham for each trip and is a great experience. On the other side is the gold souq which is well worth a look and also the covered souq. Don't forget to haggle! Only tacky 'tourist' costumes for sale there. For costume making accessories, there's an incredible range in an area called Satwa (and textiles too.) Also in Satwa is Ravis, the best Indian/Pakistani restaurant in the universe, its not a flash place but the food is wonderful (and cheap).

If you have time head to Abu Dhabi (about 1.5 hour trip each way by car) to visit the Grand Mosque (the Sheikh Zayed Mosque) mind boggling, you can walk round with a guide or go round inside on your own. Abaya and hijab required but they're available for visitors to borrow.

You'll find dancers in the Lebanese restaurants/clubs in the hotels in Dubai: the Marooj Rotana across the road from Dubai Mall, Crowne Plaza, Grand Hyatt, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Carlton Tower, Bab al Shams just to name a few all have dancers. The dancer usually changes every month.

Ah, now I REALLY want to go back to Dubai! I think I will fly Emirates on my next trip to India and spend some days in Dubai on the way back.
Nearly as many Indian people in the UAE as in India, but still looks like a different universe

MEISSOUN

If you have a few days here it'd be a pleasure to show you round Meissoun and I'll be sure to take you to Ravis :-)

Originally Posted by meissoun

Ah, now I REALLY want to go back to Dubai! I think I will fly Emirates on my next trip to India and spend some days in Dubai on the way back.
Nearly as many Indian people in the UAE as in India, but still looks like a different universe

MEISSOUN

Thanks, Aziza_UAE for all of that information!

The bulk of my trip will actually be in Thailand, but I flew Emirates so I could do the layover in Dubai. I might do that for my next trip to India, too. :)

if you're wanting to do some shopping, grab a taxi and ask him to take you to the 'Antiques Museum' in Al Quoz. Despite the name, it isn't a museum nor does it sell antiques, its an Alladin's Cave of every type of souvenir or gift you could ever want. Amongst the huge array of things they have lots of hip scarves, pashminas and some basic costumes.

Originally Posted by Aziza_UAE

If you have a few days here it'd be a pleasure to show you round Meissoun and I'll be sure to take you to Ravis :-)

Oh, that would be fabulous! I am planning for February. Just haven't chosen yet where exactly I want to go in India - I just need to "be in India" again

MEISSOUN