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DUBAI DINNER CRUISE
 This
is a unique dinner cruise on
Dubai creek which combines the
best of sightseeing, fine
dining and live music
entertainment for an
unforgettable and magical
evening. The boat - The Al
Minsaf - encompasses the
ultimate state of the art
technology to ensure optimum
comfort. The restaurant deck
is 360 degrees of
anti-reflecting glass in a
controlled temperature, giving
you unobstructed views of the
scenery of Dubai Creek as you
have never experienced before.
Embark on a gastronomic
experience from a menu that
marries Eastern and Western
flavours, creatively and
delicately put together on
board by Al Minsaf's chef.
Boarding:
Bateaux Dubai is located on
the Bur Dubai side of the
Creek, adjacent to the British
Embassy. Reservations are
recommended for all cruises.
For prices, availability and
booking please call +971 (0)4
399 49 94
The Dubai Museum
 353-1862
8:30am-8:30pm Sat-Thurs. 3-9
Friday
Admission charged.
Bus 19
English and Arabic descriptions
on all displays.
Al-Fahidi Fort, built in 1800,
is home to the Dubai Museum, and
is thought to be Dubai's oldest
building. In the past the fort
was used to defend the town from
warlike neighboring tribes. The
walls of the fort are built from
coral and shell pieces from the
sea, and are cemented together
with lime. Wooden poles called
handel support the upper floor,
and the ceiling is made of palm
fronds, mud and plaster. Inside,
a large section is devoted to
musical instruments, with
displays of drums, flutes,
lyres, bagpipes made of goatskin
and other locally-made
instruments used in performances
on festive occasions. There is
also a re-creation of a typical
home and school of the 1950's.
Additionally, there is an
interactive display of the flora
and fauna of the UAE, and
findings from the archeological
sites (950-550 BC).
Grand Mosque:
 The Grand Mosque in Bur Dubai is
home to the city's tallest
minaret. It was built in the
1990s in the style of the Grand
Mosque, which dated from 1900
but was demolished to make way
for another mosque in 1960. The
new Grand Mosque's sand-colored
walls and wooden shutters blend
perfectly with the surrounding
old quarter of Bur Dubai.
Jumeira Mosque, is known for its
size and elaborate design. The
best time to see it is at night,
when it is spectacularly lit up.
The stunning Iranian Mosque has
incredibly detailed blue mosaic
work typical of Persian building
design. Non-Muslims are not
allowed to enter mosques in the
UAE. Next door, the Heritage and
Diving Villages have displays on
pearl diving and dhow building,
two of old Dubai's economic
mainstays. Another area
re-creates traditional Bedouin
and coastal village life,
complete with barasti (Persian
homes), a traditional
coffeehouse and a small souq
where you can buy freshly made
dosa (a flat, grilled bread). A
museum with items from nearby
archaeological sites is also
interesting.
Jumeira Archaeological
Site:
The largest and perhaps most
significant archaeological site
in the UAE, Jumeira dates to the
6th century AD. The settlement
is particularly interesting
because it straddles the
pre-Islamic and Islamic eras.
Today, surrounded by shopping
centers plying the goods of
modern-day Dubai's trade, this
settlement was once a caravan
station along a trade route
linking Iraq to northern Oman.
Excavations have unearthed a
series of stone walls that
surrounded a seven-shop souq and
a storage facility. Several
homes, what is believed to be a
governor's palace and a number
of other structures can be
viewed from behind a fence. If
someone is working, you may be
able to talk your way in.
Relics, including glazed
pottery, copper and iron items,
glassware, and coins from the
dig are on display at the museum
for the Heritage and Diving
Villages.
Jumeira Beach Park:
 Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00
p.m.
Thursdays and Public Holidays:
8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: Ladies
and Children only.
Located in Jumeirah, along the
sea shore bordering the Indian
Ocean. The park extends over a
total area of 13 hectares. The
park attracts all ages because
of its ideal location and
variety of recreational
activities, particularly during
the summer. There are special
areas designated for picnics,
and the beautiful surroundings
provide for relaxing and
enjoyable meals. The park also
has an Amphitheater which offers
dramatic and musical
entertainment. The Children's
Playground is ideal for children
of all ages. There are also
volleyball courts.
Dhow Ship Building Yard:
On Dubai Creek waterfront about
1km south of Al-Gharhoud Bridge
in the Jaddaf district, there's
a marina where huge dhows are
built in the traditional style.
This means that the planks are
curved and placed one on top of
the other, and then the frame is
fitted on the inside (in the
West, this is generally done the
other way around. They are built
by hand using basic tools and
resilient teak and shesham
woods, and are incredibly
sturdy. One concession to modern
shipbuilding is adding an engine
in addition to (or instead of)
traditional sails.
Hatta Rock Pools:
Hatta, an enclave of Dubai
nestled in the Hajar Mountains,
is a great weekend getaway. The
main attractions are its
relatively cool, dry climate,
the mountain scenery, and the
magnificent Hatta rock pools. It
is an amazing experience to swim
through the narrow rock
corridors of this miniature
canyon with its roaring
year-round waterfalls.
Dubai Zoo:
Summer: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Winter:10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: Closed.
 Located in Jumeirah opposite
Jumeirah beach, it is surrounded
by lush green trees and is the
greenest spot in the suburbs.
The entrance is from the
Jumeirah road. Ample car parking
is available both in the front
and rear side of the Zoo. It
covers a total area of 1.75
hectares providing spacious
habitats for its occupants.
Mammals: There are nearly 248
different mammals. Gorilla,
Foxes, Hyenas, Pumas, Lions,
Jaguars, Chimpanzees, Baboons,
Monkeys, Deer, Bears,
Porcupines, Giraffes and Sheep
are some of the mammals in the
Zoo. Birds: These feathered
friends range from tiny
budgerigars to tall ostriches,
golden eagles to parrots.
Reptiles: almost 403 reptilian
specimens are exhibited for the
visitors. Endangered Species:
the Zoo also protects and
conserves endangered animals
including Barbary-Sheep,
Waterbucks, Siberian and Bengal
Tigers, Arabian Wolves and
wildcats.
Creek Park:
Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays and Holidays:
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: Ladies and Children
only.
This modern and beautiful green
park is situated on the west
shore of Dubai's historical
focal point, Dubai Creek. This
park extends for 2.6 km between
Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud
bridges covering a total area of
96 hectares. A variety of
facilities for children and
adults are available. The
highlights are a complete golf
course and a children's games
area. The park also has 14
picnic areas and a large
amphitheater that can
accommodate 5000 people.
Safa Park:
Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays and Holidays:
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Tuesdays: Ladies and Children
only
On the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway
near the second interchange,
this park is one of the premier
recreational spots of Dubai.
Rectangular in shape and easily
accessible, this park covers a
total area of 64 hectares. The
park has an air-conditioned hall
containing electronic games.
There are restaurants and a
playground for children. The
park also has many other outdoor
sports activities such as
football, volleyball,
basketball, tennis and a modern
track for running or jogging.
Ladies and children can enjoy
privacy in a special garden
reserved for them. Children love
the maze and the games provided.
The 21 covered barbecue sites
and benches makes the setting
complete with fun, games and
food.
Al Mamzar Beach Park:
 Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00
p.m.
Thursdays and Holidays: 8:00
a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: Ladies and Children
only.
Situated on the north-west coast
of Dubai, to the north of Al
Hamriya port, the park extends
over an area of 99 hectares
making it one of the largest
parks in Dubai. The beach has
modern lifeguard stations,
changing rooms and beach
chalets. There are swimming
pools and a children's
playground. There are also
numerous picnic areas with
grills, chairs and umbrellas.
The large Amphitheater hosts
evening programs. An observation
tower offers a scenic view of
the whole park.
Shaikh Saeed Al-Maktoum
House:
On Al-Shindagha road in Bur
Dubai.
7:30am-9:30pm Sat-Thurs.
3-9:30pm Friday.
Admission charged.
This imposing building
distinguished by its
four-elegant wind-towers, stands
along the famous Creek of Bur
Dubai. It was built in 1896 and
was the residence of the
grandfather of the present
ruler. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum house is
built around a large courtyard
in the style of residences of
the olden days, in phases, over
a number of years. It is partly
single, and partly two-storied,
comprising a large number of
rooms, verandas and bathrooms,
divided into independent family
units.. The building is now
illuminated in the night with
floodlights, and stands as a
reminder of Dubai's rich
architectural heritage and
culture. The house has been
converted into a museum of
Historical Photographs and
documents of the Emirate of
Dubai.
Al Bastakia Area:
Bus 19
Al Bastakia Area in Bur Dubai
dates back to the early 1900s,
and occupies the eastern section
of the old town along the Creek,
extending in a southerly
direction. These houses were
once the homes of wealthy
Persian merchants. Most came
from te Bastak District in
southern Iran. The area has
always fascinated visitors to
Dubai and artists, who are
impressed by the elegant
wind-towers, gypsum decorations
and woodwork, and the lanes that
meander through the district.
The wind towers provided relief
from the desert sun and high
humidity.
Al Ahmadiya School:
Take the bus to the Public
Library and walk the short
distance to the museum.
Al Ahmadiya School was
established by the late Shaikh
Ahmed bin Dalmouk, for whom the
school was named, in 1912. It
was the earliest regular school
in the Emirate of Dubai where
instruction was given by some of
the leading teachers of the day,
and many distinguished scholars
and dignitaries received their
education. The school is located
in the center of the residential
Al Rass area of Deira, which was
a convenient location for the
children of the elite, and
traders, who resided there. The
school has been restored to its
original structure and has been
converted to a Museum of
Education. It opened on March 7,
2000.
Shopping:
 Souqs of Deira
Souqs, Arabic open-air markets,
have long been part of Dubai
society. They open for business
in the early morning and between
5 and 8pm. The Deira Covered
Souq offers textiles, spices,
kitchen wares, clothes and henna
(used by Arab women to mark the
hands and feet with painted
patterns). The Spice Souq, also
known as the Deira Old Souq
sells trinkets, clothing, rugs
and glassware. The overflowing
bags of seasonings are
concentrated at the eastern end,
closest to Dubai Creek.
Gold Souq, with its intricate wooden
lattice archway and windows
filled with glittering gold,
attracts buyers from throughout
the world. Any type of gold
jewelry, in any color can be
yours for a price.
The Perfume Souq, entices the shopper with
European designer fragrances and
strong, spicy Arabic scents. The
Electronics Souq sells
discounted electronic items. The
Dubai Souq, in Bur Dubai, has
been beautifully rebuilt to
appeal to tourists, but sells
mostly items appreciated by the
Indo-Pakistani expatriate
community.
The Shopping Malls In
Dubai
Bur Juman Centre
Close to the Trade Centre Road
and Bank Street.
Weekdays- 10 am - 10pm; Friday -
1pm to 10 pm
Three shopping levels of
boutiques and shops offering a
handsome choice of designer
products. Even better is the
elegant Food Court on the top
level, where you can rest your
tired feet after hours of
shopping. Go for the fast food
or an elaborate meal or if you'd
like to stop at coffee or an ice
cream cone, they are available
too.
Lamcy Plaza
Opposite American Hospital
Saturday to Wednesday- 10 am to
10 pm;
Thursday & Friday- 10 am to
10.30 pm;
Food Court and Food Hall open
until midnight.
Big stuffed birds move around to
amuse children. There is an
electronic clown who goes up and
down a pole and Spider man
climbing up a wall. Designer
clothes, women's wear, jewelry,
gifts, books, music, etc. The
Food Court on the ground level
serves delicacies from 17
countries around the world.
Movie theater also.
Wafi Shopping Mall
 Off Oud Metha Road, near Dubai
Electricity and Water Authority
building.
10 am to 10 pm
Also known as Wafi City,
Wafi in Arabic literally means
"to satisfy everything you
want." For a more upmarket
clientele, this extended mall
has a comprehensive range of
Europeans brand names at its
boutiques and shops. The immense
entertainment arcades keep
everyone enthralled.
 Al Ghurair Retail City
Location : Al Riqqa Street
10 am to midnight; Friday
mornings closed.
One of the oldest malls in
Dubai, this large complex has
been totally renovated and
revamped and renamed as the Al Ghurair Retail City,
also known as Al Ghurair
Centre. You will
find more than 100 upmarket
stores including supermarkets,
audio and video entertainment,
perfumes, electronics,
appliances, books, stationery,
clothing and luggage stores.
Fast Food outlets and ice cream
parlours are spread throughout
the mall. A multi-level car park
building is next to the Retail
City.
Deira City Centre:
 Opposite the Creek Golf and
Yacht Club on Beniyas Road.
Weekdays- 10 am to midnight;
Friday - 2 pm to midnight.
At the Deira City Centre, the
crowds are there every day of
the week. It's main attraction
is Carrefour (formerly
Continent), the mall's
hypermarket and IKEA, the
comprehensive furniture store.
At Carrefour, there is always a
sale.
The mall also houses leading
names in fashion. Spread over
two shopping floors, it offers
covered parking for 2,000 cars.
Cavernous anchor stores stock a
vast range of furniture,
furnishings, clothing,
cosmetics, perfumes and shoes. A
number of specialty stores deal
in DIY, mobile phones, watches,
sports gear and gifts. A vast
entertainment complex offers the
latest video games, mini golf,
and even a train ride.
 Hamarain Centre
bu Baker Al Siddique Road
Weekdays- 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 4.30 pm to 10 pm
Home to leading brand names in
fashion, perfumes, cosmetics,
jewellery, eye wear, sports goods
and casual wear, the mall has an
exclusive ambience. It also has
a food court that offers a wide
range of delectable Arabic,
Chinese, Indian, Lebanese and
Thai cuisine.
Al Mulla Plaza
Al Ghusais
Weekdays- 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 4.30 pm to 10 pm
At the Al Mulla Plaza, there's
always a fair that offers
clothes and other goodies at
amazing discounts. This is where
you are likely to discover those
interesting odds and ends that
you simply cannot find at malls
that offer only exclusive
leading brand names. At the Al
Mulla Plaza, you will also find
book shops that sell only Arabic
literature. A mall frequented by
the local crowd.
Al Bustan Centre
Location- Al Ghusais
Weekdays- 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 4.30 pm to 10 pm
A favorite among both locals and
foreigners, Al Bustan Centre
again has several boutiques and
shops that sell leading brands.
There is, however, one place at
the Al Bustan that is never
empty and where you'll probably
have to queue up. Fantasy
Kingdom pampers your child and
no parent would pass up an
opportunity to take their child
to this treat on a Friday
evening.
The Oasis Centre
Location- Sheikh Zayed Road
Weekdays- 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 2 pm to 10 pm
The Oasis Center on Sheikh Zayed
Road was launched in April 1999
with a built area of 320,000 sq
ft. The Centre is home for
popular outlets such as Baby
Shop, Home Center, Splash, Shoe
Mart, Lifestyle, MFI and a newly
opened 25,000 sq ft supermarket.
Shopping at the Oasis Center is
all about value for money with a
wide range of quality products
available at reasonable prices.
The Oasis Center also caters to
the need of The Mall has Fun
City; a family entertainment
center spread over 10,000 sq ft
that offers the latest rides and
games. There is a constant
effort to ensure that the mall
always maintains a very high
standard of cleanliness.
Lulu Hyper Market
Location- Al Ghusais
Weekdays- 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 2 pm to 10 pm
Opened in recent years, Arabic
word for pearl, Lulu has
become a big hit with shoppers.
Narish Khyma
Situated close to the Museum is
a typical Arab summer house,
with an interesting collection
of local boats. These include a
replica of the famous abra --
the ferry boats used for
transporting passengers across
Dubai's river creek.
Dubai Creek:
 Dubai's waterfront epitomizes
the city's personality. The best
way to see the trading port is
from the water. You can book a
cruise or hire an abra (small
boat) and ask the captain to
take you to Al-Maktoum bridge
and back. Also take time to walk
around the dhow wharf on the
Deira side of Dubai Creek, to
the west of the abra dock. Dhows
bound for ports from Kuwait to
Bombay dock there to unload .
Dubai Nightlife
Drinking a pint
of beer could land you in prison in some parts of the Middle East,
however, in Dubai, alcohol is tolerated, with non-Muslims allowed to
imbibe alcohol in the city's bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels.
Indeed, it is easy to forget all about the local attitudes to
alcohol when on a wild night out in a city whose nightlife is
increasingly nefarious. Although non-Muslims are the only people
officially allowed to drink, often you can find Dubai Arabs enjoying
a pint in one of the many bars.
There are no specific nightlife districts as many of the best bars
are in the big tourist hotels, which are situated throughout the
city. Many of these are open until 0100 or 0200. A cheaper and
livelier option is the independent bars that are dotted around town.
Happy hours are common, with Thursday and Saturday the biggest
nights for going out. Tuesdays and Sundays are often ‘Ladies Night’,
with female revellers receiving free drinks. A beer is generally in
the region of Dh15-20. The legal drinking age is 21. Licensing hours
vary greatly, as many of the hotel bars are allowed to open and
close whenever they want. Closing time is normally around 0100 or
0200.
The club scene is a curious one, with nightclubs often delineated
along ethnic and national lines. Increasingly, big name DJs are
being attracted to Dubai, as a Western-style clubbing scene starts
to develop. By law, clubs must close at 0300. Many clubs are over-25
only. Dress codes for bars are generally relaxed, although some bars
and all clubs insist on no jeans, trainers or sandals. A more mellow
night out can be had at one of Dubai’s coffee houses, where you can
smoke apple-flavoured tobacco from a shisha pipe.
The weekly listings magazine,
TimeOut, can be found in many
hotels, offering a full rundown of what is happening at night in
Dubai. Hotel concierges are also often able to provide guests with
the latest nightlife information.
Bars: One of the oldest ex-pat bars,
The Irish Village,
Aviation Club, off Al-Garhoud Road, is still going strong, with a
good range of beers and an outdoor seating area. It faces stiff
competition from more recent arrivals, such as Carter’s,
The
Pyramids, Wafi Centre, a stylish haunt of the 20- and 30-something
brigade. Monday night happy hour is something of a local
institution, with all cocktails priced at Dh10. Even more stylish is
the minimalist Ginseng, Wafi City, with its mood lighting,
Asian-themed décor and first-rate cocktails. The lowest common
denominator is catered for at Rock Bottom Café, Regent Place
Hotel, Bur Dubai, a rowdy drinking den with three pool tables, live
music and a dancefloor. A favourite of Dubai’s ‘beautiful people’ is
the swish Sho Cho, Dubai Marina Resort, Jumeirah Beach Road, a
bar-cum-restaurant with a real buzz, live DJs, great cocktails and
an outdoor jetty for special parties. A new oasis is BarZar
at the new Madinat Jumeirah with its good choice of wines and
slightly older clientele. The Fatafeet Café, Alseef Road, has
good views of Dubai Creek and is an atmospheric coffee house in
which to try a traditional shisha.
Casinos: Dubai adheres to the Muslim ban on gambling and
there are no casinos in Dubai.
Clubs: The most popular nightclub in Dubai, housed in the
most genuine London-style club venue, is Planetarium, Planet
Hollywood, Wafi City. Planetarium is the most likely place in town
to attract the big-name international DJs. Scream, Ramada
Hotel, Al-Mankhool Road, is a warehouse-type venue that blasts out
the latest techno to an appreciative crowd. PanchoVilla’s,
Astoria Hotel, Al-Nahda Street, has become a bit of an institution
on the Dubai club scene, with a mainstream choice of music, a
restaurant and frequent live bands. Oxygen, at the Al-Bustan
Hotel, and Tangerine at the Fairmont Dubai are classy club
oases for discerning punters. Trilogy at the new Madinat
Jumeirah is one of the hottest new venues, a massive space split
across three floors.
LiveMusic:PlanetHollywood, Wafi Pyramids, off Al-Qataiyat
Road, is a reliable option, with an eclectic selection of mediocre
to good bands and covers outfits. Bordertown, Al-Rolla Road,
is a Mexican theme bar that stages live bands most nights of the
week. The current en vogue music in Dubai is retro throwbacks to the
1970s and 1980s, with stars that are considered washed up in the
rest of the world (such as the Human League, Kajagoogoo and Kim
Wilde) regularly trooping into Dubai. The IrishVillage,
Aviation Club, off Al Garhoud Road, also hosts many live acts.
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