Bye Bye Dubai!

Yeahh, the journey has begun! We flew from Dusseldorf to Dubai and enjoyed our stop over for three days. What to say about Dubai, I’ve been here too short to really get to know Dubai. But I know some:

Here’s the thing: the Dutch built a country ON water, The Arabs built a city IN the desert and actually ON the water as well. For the last they hired Dutch companies. Hey, we did it before! Everybody probably knows that Dubai built islands in the shape of palmtrees and they are building islands which all combinded form the shape of the world. Further more the world largest building, Burj Khalifa, is located in Dubai. Look around and you will see one shiny and large building after another. Big and fancy cars are no exception, but seems to be a regulation. It is not easy to navigatie on foot from one interesting sight to another. Dubai is BIG, widespread so distances are long. Lots of traffic, and the bright side is that there are lot’s of cabs and the rides are pretty affordable.

If you ever go to Dubai, try to also see the traditional culture and lifestyle. Although these places seem to have become rare in downtown Dubai, you can still find old buildings and the traditional souks for example along Dubai Creek, a naturel inlet from the Gulf. I recommend exploring the creek and it’s banks by ’abra’ (water taxi). Near the mouth of the creek Shindagha, the original site from which Dubai grew, is located (it‘s originated in 1830). Sheikh Saeed’s house, the former home of the ruling Maktoum Family, is a place where you can see pictures of long lost Dubai times, the first Dubai stamps and coins ans pictures of the Maktoum Family. Bar Dubai souk and Deira souk are nice to stroll around and smell the spices and gaze at all the beautiful colored fabrics.

Right now the waiting on our flight to Tokyo has begun. Next update will be from Japan!