11th September 2014 to 16th September 2014
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
solo travel
Let's be real. No parents would be without worries if their kid is travelling alone.
But let me assure you, Dubai is sufficient safe for a sole female traveller, provided the usual precaution is taken (ie. don't walk in dark allies, always watch your drink). Frankly, my parents were not to concern as well.
Dubai is the first middle east country I set foot on. Turkey didn't turn out well because dad thought it was too dangerous, even though the trip would be free of charge.
The first thing I thought about Dubai was the hot air. No, Malaysia has humid air. Dubai has hot, hot air. There is absolutely no moisture in air you are breathing.
The second thing I conclude from the trip was that Dubai really IS a family business in disguised as a government. Everything is related to Emirates Group. Emaar (construction hand of Emirates) builds everything. On the off chance that they don't, you must have had some good relations to someone big in EG. Hotels, the most glamorous of them all are owned and operated by Emirates, such as JW Marriott (which is also the tallest hotel in the world. No surprise that tallest 'something' must have been built in Dubai because they can) . You get discounts on Emirates' hotels if you fly in via Emirates Airlines. You also get discounts on your VISA FEES if you fly via Emirates. It is a substantial discount. Imagine, private wings influencing the price of national immigration issues. Unless of course, immigration was privatised in Dubai, which I am not aware of. In the event of the former, it basically proves just how connected the government of Dubai is with EG, and the amount of control EG has over Dubai. #respect
The second thing I conclude from the trip was that Dubai really IS a family business in disguised as a government. Everything is related to Emirates Group. Emaar (construction hand of Emirates) builds everything. On the off chance that they don't, you must have had some good relations to someone big in EG. Hotels, the most glamorous of them all are owned and operated by Emirates, such as JW Marriott (which is also the tallest hotel in the world. No surprise that tallest 'something' must have been built in Dubai because they can) . You get discounts on Emirates' hotels if you fly in via Emirates Airlines. You also get discounts on your VISA FEES if you fly via Emirates. It is a substantial discount. Imagine, private wings influencing the price of national immigration issues. Unless of course, immigration was privatised in Dubai, which I am not aware of. In the event of the former, it basically proves just how connected the government of Dubai is with EG, and the amount of control EG has over Dubai. #respect
Dubai's trains are driver-less. It is timely and reliable.
There are also selected cars for females only. No accidental ass-grab on trains here.
A desert safari is a must in any middle east country.
I took one with Arabian Adventures. I highly recommend them because they have their own camp in the desert, as opposed to a few companies sharing a camp.
Dinner was a buffet and I lost count on the number of falafel I chowed down during the night.
I've had falafel before, but mashed peas never sounded appetising to me, neither did it taste good before.
One falafel in Dubai later, it was all I had the whole night.
WHERE WERE ALL THE GOOD FALAFELS THE PAST FEW YEARS OF MY LIFE?
A bowl of falafel, unlimited beer and a shisha bong made my night.
Everything else tasted good too, the dessert was authentic middle eastern. I know because I've had a friend bought me some and it was sweet as Nutella on an innocent child.
They have free flow of drinks, alcohol (beer and wine) and bottled water.
One thing that could have been better was the temperature.
The desert was hot and so was the food. It made it a little uncomfortable but I guess I could not complain too much because that was what I signed up for (I'm pretty sure I played some part in global warming).
They have free flow of drinks, alcohol (beer and wine) and bottled water.
One thing that could have been better was the temperature.
The desert was hot and so was the food. It made it a little uncomfortable but I guess I could not complain too much because that was what I signed up for (I'm pretty sure I played some part in global warming).
A clip of the belly dancing.
At first, it felt intimidating to go on a tour alone but it was so easy to make friends when you're alone!
I hung out with a Russian mother-daughter couple (but daughter works for Australia's Emirates ground crew and the mother lives in Japan), a Brazilian father-son couple (whom the father told me he was a best friend of one of the Gracie family when I told him I do BJJ!!) & a London-born Pakistani girl and her mom from Camden Town (after 30 minutes of chatting, her mom invited me to her home when she knew I was heading to London after).
Wish I took more photos during the safari expedition but I was too busy having fun.
Water taxis for AED1.
It's so very simple but just sufficient.
Met another local on the water taxi who told me that the creek is still very active in transporting goods to the inner parts of the middle east.
Those barges are filled to the brim, I don't even think it's actually legal to carry that much.
Accommodation @ Barjeel Heritage Guest House.
It's a really small guest house (less than 15 rooms if i remember correctly).
But the rooms and the surroundings are beautifully decorated.
It would be questionable to want to leave the place. I love how the guest house maintained, as much as possible, the old structures to personify the olden days.
This is my small accommodation, could you believe it?
Dubai Aquarium. My siblings would have loved this attraction.
The highlight of my trip: Scuba diving with the sharks.
I even brought back two shark tooth I found at the bottom of the aquarium!
I'm basically half way through my diving licence after my dive in Dubai.
The Dubai Waterfall.
It's amazing how one mall (Dubai Mall), could fit so many attractions/iconic symbols.
I got lost in the Dubai Mall.
I was only planning to spend about 2-3 hours there but it extended to 5 hours.
No, didn't get side tracked by the shops. I only bought one cap for my brother and 2 postcards actually.
It took so long because I was trying to find the correct exit to the train station.
It's that big.
In Dubai Mall, you'll find cuisine of any and every kind.
Barjeel (my accommodation) was located next to the Creek and so was surrounded by the working class people of Dubai (mostly, if not all, foreigners).
I didn't bug me at all, because I never wanted to see Dubai in all the disguised glamour.
But I had problems when it comes to looking for food.
Somehow, most of the cheaper eats near Creek were filled with men customers.
Although it was a safe city (even as my female cabbie admits), one must not tempt fate.
I was quite apprehensive about eating in a place where I was not comfortable in.
My first night, I had take-outs from the restaurant and ate within the security of my hotel room. Which was fine by me, because the heat was scorching.
However, my next few meals were all taken at proper restaurants, mainly in the malls.
Therefore, my comment on food in Dubai, would be inaccurate as they were very much 'commercialised'.
In the malls, food was good but the price tag was quite high. On average, I spend about AED40-50 for a single person meal. Since I couldn't finish a portion myself, I usually order a little more than one person's portion at lunch and take away the rest for my dinner. So, a small eater would cost about AED70/day.
Still an exorbitant price tag, if you ask me.
But I pay any amount for an ease of mind when I'm travelling alone.
I got lost in the Dubai Mall.
I was only planning to spend about 2-3 hours there but it extended to 5 hours.
No, didn't get side tracked by the shops. I only bought one cap for my brother and 2 postcards actually.
It took so long because I was trying to find the correct exit to the train station.
It's that big.
In Dubai Mall, you'll find cuisine of any and every kind.
Barjeel (my accommodation) was located next to the Creek and so was surrounded by the working class people of Dubai (mostly, if not all, foreigners).
I didn't bug me at all, because I never wanted to see Dubai in all the disguised glamour.
But I had problems when it comes to looking for food.
Somehow, most of the cheaper eats near Creek were filled with men customers.
Although it was a safe city (even as my female cabbie admits), one must not tempt fate.
I was quite apprehensive about eating in a place where I was not comfortable in.
My first night, I had take-outs from the restaurant and ate within the security of my hotel room. Which was fine by me, because the heat was scorching.
However, my next few meals were all taken at proper restaurants, mainly in the malls.
Therefore, my comment on food in Dubai, would be inaccurate as they were very much 'commercialised'.
In the malls, food was good but the price tag was quite high. On average, I spend about AED40-50 for a single person meal. Since I couldn't finish a portion myself, I usually order a little more than one person's portion at lunch and take away the rest for my dinner. So, a small eater would cost about AED70/day.
Still an exorbitant price tag, if you ask me.
But I pay any amount for an ease of mind when I'm travelling alone.
Dubai's Dancing Water Fountain was one such attraction.
Burj Khalifah (paid entry), the tallest tower in the world.
Keep in mind you actually get to go to the very top of the building (unlike Shanghai's World Financial Centre). You do get to go up pretty high, but it's not the top.
When you're in Dubai, you'll realise Emirians love the best of everything, just to shove it in your face that theyare used to be a barren land.
I think they'll hold the record for most recorded buildings in onecountry city(!), if there is such a submission to Guinness Records.
I belong here.
When you're in Dubai, you'll realise Emirians love the best of everything, just to shove it in your face that they
- Tallest building (Burj Khalifah) - soon to be the second after Jeddah's new Kingdom Tower
- Most luxurious hotel (Burj Al-arab)
- Tallest hotel (JW Marriott)
- (Used to) Biggest aquarium (Dubai Mall Aquarium)
- Biggest man-made island (The Palm)
- Biggest mall (Dubai Mall)
- First underwater resort (The Hydropolis) - still in construction phase
I think they'll hold the record for most recorded buildings in one
I belong here.
This is a viewing deck at Burj Khalifah.
You would think it's windy. But no, still the same hot air permeating my nostrils.
Dubai's landscapes are pretty barren. There's a lot of brown (sand) and the building are spaced quite apart.
This is even more significant at the housing area. When my plane was landing over acres of housing areas, it pretty obvious that there was a big space between the neighbours.
I'm not sure if it's because there's so much land that they cannot be bothered to be 'frugal' with space or, only rich people buy homes.
Had a chat with a local and house prices here are crazy, despite the amount of land they have.
The rent they pay at the edge of the city in Dubai is equivalent to the price of one in Kuala Lumpur's (Malaysia) city central.
It'll be interesting to know the reason for this, though I didn't meet up with any realtors on my trip. So I can't enlighten you on that matter.
Start-ups in Dubai is also highly restricted.
I was told that even SME(s) must have an Emirian partnership/director to be registered in Dubai.
In Malaysia (correct me if I'm wrong), there is no need for a Bumiputra (aboriginals of Malaysia) directorship below a certain profit margin.
They very much prioritise the interest of their own people above all others.
Had a chat with a local and house prices here are crazy, despite the amount of land they have.
The rent they pay at the edge of the city in Dubai is equivalent to the price of one in Kuala Lumpur's (Malaysia) city central.
It'll be interesting to know the reason for this, though I didn't meet up with any realtors on my trip. So I can't enlighten you on that matter.
Start-ups in Dubai is also highly restricted.
I was told that even SME(s) must have an Emirian partnership/director to be registered in Dubai.
In Malaysia (correct me if I'm wrong), there is no need for a Bumiputra (aboriginals of Malaysia) directorship below a certain profit margin.
They very much prioritise the interest of their own people above all others.
They charge like mad for a super-imposed photo at Burj Khalifah.
Had someone take the photo for me and it still looked better.
This is a picture of the Burj during New Years Eve.
This is another reason for me to return to Dubai for this amazing fireworks display.
This is very much similar to the NYE fireworks in Taipei 101.
Seriously, some pyrotechnics are just way amazing.
This is very much similar to the NYE fireworks in Taipei 101.
Seriously, some pyrotechnics are just way amazing.
Dubai is filled with souks (markets).
Their gold and spice souk being their most famous.
The gold in Dubai is pretty monitored by the government.
At the gold souk, you see boards displaying the current market value of different karats of gold.
This is such a good move to promote smart consumerism. Think of it, at some point, the consumers themselves have to be smart about their buys. These display boards are just helping them to make a smart decision.
No oligopoly between sellers.
What a place to buy gold.
You'll also find 'unique' tastes in gold here.
Saw a vest made out of gold coins, sewn by gold threads.
I dare not enquire the price to satiate my curiosity for fear of looking like a fool.
You'll also find 'unique' tastes in gold here.
Saw a vest made out of gold coins, sewn by gold threads.
I dare not enquire the price to satiate my curiosity for fear of looking like a fool.
I know parents of a few of my Indian friends would just love to bargain for these.
Sadly, my mum doesn't cook Indian.
Neither am I heading home after Dubai.
One question I left unanswered was the rods poking out of the old buildings. Originally thought they were for ventilation, but the rods weren't hollow. I doubt it was needed for structure as well, as these buildings are 3 storey tall, tops.
Dubai's Underwater Zoo.
While I was there, they had this big croc. When I say big, I mean BIG.
Because there was an overhead landing on top of the croc's enclosure, I estimated that it was above 2 and 1/2 of my height vs. croc's length.
I would only be it's antipasto in an 8-course meal.
Fashionistas be counting how many croc-skin handbags can be made from it.
Suckers.
You would make one good dinner.
I took a short sea cruise to view Dubai from the sea.
You can basically purchase tickets for the cruise from any water taxi station/stand.
It's also air-conditioned. You can stand on the deck, but beware of salt-hair.
My frizzes tame in salt, so no qualms from me.
Since it was the last day, I boarded the plane with frizz-free fabulous locks.
It's also air-conditioned. You can stand on the deck, but beware of salt-hair.
My frizzes tame in salt, so no qualms from me.
Since it was the last day, I boarded the plane with frizz-free fabulous locks.
Burj Al-Arab.
I met a California-based architect working in Abu Dhabi during my tour of Burj Khalifah. He's currently on a project by Emaar (about the main & largest developer in Dubai, obviously owned by Emiratis).
He told me to look out for a 'cross' on Burj Al-Arab when I ride out to sea.
So it goes that there is a large cross symbol in the middle of the middle east.
Cheeky, cheeky.
The Atlantic Hotel.
I couldn't decide if the trip to Atlantis hotel was worth it. I mean, I basically roam the insides of Atlantis in 10 minutes because a large portion of it was dedicated to the Atlantic Hotel and non-guests are not allowed it.
Took me another 10 minutes to walk out of the hotel to take a picture of the front of the hotel.
20 minutes and that's a wrap.
And I had to take a taxi to Atlantis.
You could take the train but I was told it was impossible to get a taxi from the train station and I was on a tight schedule to head to the airport.
And I had to take a taxi to Atlantis.
You could take the train but I was told it was impossible to get a taxi from the train station and I was on a tight schedule to head to the airport.
There's a water theme park at the Atlantis but I didn't go because I didn't feel theme-parky. In my opinion, it is quite expensive, especially as they didn't have to pay royalty for branding.
It wasn't Disney, Universal or anything. Just, Atlantis waterpark.
It wasn't Disney, Universal or anything. Just, Atlantis waterpark.
There's also another Underwater Zoo at the Atlantis. But I've had my fair share of fishes swimming at the one in Dubai Mall and ironically, in the middle east (sand, drought and all).
I would have dined in Atlantis's Underwater Restaurant. But solo fine dining doesn't quite sit well, despite my eagerness to travel alone.
I couldn't see it from the docks but on my boat ride, I could see the hollow-in-the-middle concrete blocks that were the ground breaking discovery at point of Palm and Burj Al-Arab's construction phase.
They break the wave impact but I wanted a closer look at them.
On my way out of Dubai, I made a very big pre-departure mistake by forgetting to check the departure airports.
I arrive at Terminal 1 of Dubai Airport via Malaysia Airlines. This terminal is basically where you can find all airlines' arrivals. Emirates Air passengers have their own terminal, named (unsurprisingly) Emirates Terminal.
Outside of Terminal 1, you'll find an abundance of taxis all monitored and female passengers gets a pink Innova and a female driver. Get your address ready is you're not staying at some 5* hotel, because (like mine) they might need to call the accommodation to check the locations.
Terminal 1 (and Emirates Terminal) is pretty central to Dubai city centre. You'll get to most hotels within the AED50 budget (or less).
Anyway, my outgoing flight was at Al-Maktoom. Basically, an airport located AED140-worth-of-cab-fare away.
When I booked my cab to the airport, I told the cabbie I was heading to Terminal 1.
Double checking my itinerary, I found out that I had told him the wrong airport.
Count my lucky stars, because the cabbie agreed to drive me to the actual airport despite being his dinner time. He actually had to stop at a R&R for tea and biscuits for dinner.
An hour and 15 minutes later, I finally arrived and it was emptier than Subang Jaya Skypark Terminal (Malaysia) on a weekday midnight flight.
Because I was all out of AED, I ran inside to the exchange bureau to change my money and thankfully, the cabbie didn't ran away with my clothes and undergarment junk. I took my laptop and hand carry with all my valuables on the run to the bureau with me.
Thankfully, I had time to spare. I wanted to do some duty free shopping, so I planned my cabbie about 4 hours ahead.
Despite my careless mistake, I was still 1 hour 30 minutes early but Al-Maktoom had limited duty-free shopping. The only thing I bought there was a medium McDonalds Chicken Wrap set, I'm not even sure if it was duty-free. It costs just as expensive as what I would have in a proper restaurant.
Waited for my short flight to Abu Dhabi.
If you've never been to Abu Dhabi's airport, be prepared to be blown away. I have never seen an airport bigger, cleaner or more equipped than Abu Dhabi's.
It has everything.
The next time you're there, plan for a few hours within the airport itself. You'll be entertained.
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