There's a certain feeling that washes over us after arriving in Dubai. Not sure if it's a reaction to the thermometer as it slips past 40C, or the sparkling blue sky, or even the sparkling glass skyscrapers set against the desert sand. Not sure if it's the cleanliness and order compared with the vibrant and dazzling traditional souks. Maybe it is just the welcome airconditioning inside and out, when the air is searing.
Whatever it is, Dubai entices you to relax. Even walking 10kms around one of the world's largest shopping malls is strangely relaxing. Not just consumerism at its best (or worst), it's more interesting than most other shopping outings. One minute I was walking past a 2-storey high glass viewing panel of a 100-million litre aquarium, a little while later there, before me, was an olympic-sized ice skating rink. Luxury is on offer at every turn.... tea at Paris's Angelina? Laduree? Step into Temperley or Chloe and feel the gorgeous fabrics for spring/summer15.
For a relaxing afternoon, we travelled Dubai Creek on the local abra. Just a couple of dirhams per journey, the breeze is free, the view of old and new is priceless.
In the evening, relax in front of a display of dancing fountains that probably outshines any other display of dancing fountains. On another evening we strolled the downtown boulevards lit with millions of fairy lights, along the way there are thousands of restaurants to choose from. To travel further afield, the metro is simple, clean, cool. So are the taxis. Dubai is easy. It's relaxing.
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| Catching a 'warm' breeze on Dubai Creek. |
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| An abra is the best way to relax on Dubai Creek. |
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Today there was an army of daring window cleaners
suspended on the Burj Khalifa |
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| A little maintenance at the mall! |
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Souk al Bahar - an Arabasque shopping,
dining destination. Old and new. |
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This is our apartment tower in Emaar Blvd, this is
not our rental car :) |
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Millions of fairy lights decorate downtown.
We had dinner one night at Carluccios and watched
day turn to sparkling night. |
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| Dazzling illumination of Burj Khalifa |
Emirates service. Very nice.
2013 - City of Gold
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