Dubai

THE CITY OF DUBAI

Dubai is a fast-growing tourist destination and is doing its utmost to belong to the world top in tourism within a few years. 15% of all building sites in the whole world are supposed to be in Dubai.

Skyscrapers in a super modern architectural style are springing up everywhere in Dubai. It is fascinating to see how tourism is becoming the biggest priority, probably as an alternative for the time when the oil wells will have run dry. Imagine something big, original and breathtaking… in Dubai they take it one step further!!

Dubai really is the city of superlatives, the city were the unthinkable is being made. In 1966 it was only a small fishermen’s village, a large sand plain and a settlement on the banks of a creek. Today it is one of the most modern “places to be and to be seen” in the Middle East.

Dubai’s tourist trump cards are: 365 days of sunshine, excursions and trips into the desert, golf, shopping, diving a bustling nightlife. Especially during the wintertime the temperature is a fine 23° C. During the summertime (Ma-y October) it can be very warm and humid in Dubai. In July and august temperatures can rise to 45°C.

THE PORT OF DUBAI

Port Rashid is the name of the port of Dubai. It dominates the shipping activities in the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Cruise Terminal was opened in 2001 and is the latest addition to the travel infrastructure of the UAE. The deep basin of the terminal gives cruise lines the option of bringing in larger ships. The extra depth also means that they can look at a destination other than Europe or the Mediterranean that is perfect year round

The Port has the largest shipping capacity with 103 berths, headed by Port Rashid which makes it the leading port of the Gulf region. This port is handling different types of containers and having presently operational equipped cranes for all types of containers. Also having spacious storing place for approx. 20,000 standard containers.

The new cruise terminal is located at Port Rashid, 15 minutes' drive from Dubai International Airport, the ship-shaped facility is situated on a 335-metre quay offering the capacity to berth two ships simultaneously - while the terminal itself is around 3,300 sq. metres in size and is fast becoming an attractive option for winter sun travellers.

TRANSPORT IN DUBAI

Dubai has a very large bus system run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The bus system has 193 routes on weekdays and transports over 30 million people weekly The Public Transport bus system is large and advanced. The bus system has long suffered from lack of capacity, but a purchase of over 1.500 new buses at the end of 2008 should have made it more operational.

Dubai also has an extensive taxi system, by far the most frequently used means of public transport within the Emirate. There are both government-operated and private cab companies. The Dubai Transport Corporation operates cream-coloured taxis. Some of the private cab companies are Cars Taxi, National Taxi, Cititaxi and Metro Taxi. The meter generally begins as Dhs. 5.00 and is generally charged by distance at 1.5 Dhs./km. There are approximately 7500 taxis located in the city.

Route Map of Dubai Metro. There is currently a .89 billion Dubai Metro project under construction for the emirate. The Metro system is expected to be partially operational by 2009 and fully operational by 2012.

Water Transport (Abra), Bur DubaiDubai is serviced by two large commercial ports, Port Rashid and Port Jebel Ali. Dubai Creek and Port Saeed are used by local traders in dhows. One of the more traditional methods of getting across Dubai Creek from Bur Dubai to Deira is through abras, small boats that ferry passengers across the Dubai Creek, between abra stations in Bastakiya and Bani Yas Road, for a nominal charge of 1 UAE-Dirhams.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN DUBAI

The most important tourist sites are in the city of Dubai itself and in the 15km further Jurneirah Beach. Especially the old city centre with the Bur Dubai and Deira districts are tourist favourites. Some highlights there are the Creek, the museums and the important mosques and gold and spice souks.

Bastakiya is the city district close to the Dubai Museum. In this area a lot of traditional houses can be found. They are equipped with a kind of wind mill that served as an air-conditioning device. The entire area is being modernised to step up its appeal. New restaurants, museums, art galleries and cultural centres are being built.

The Dubai Museum is an excellent start for discovering the city. The Al Fahidi Fort which houses the museum was build in 1799 to protect the city. Most of the items on display focus on the time before oil became the main source of wealth for Dubai, when the city was nothing more than a small fishermen’s harbour on the Creek.

The Grand Mosque was rebuild in 1990 following the original designs of the original mosque that was constructed around 1900 but demolished in 1970. The minaret is 70 m high. There are 9 majors’ domes and 45 smaller ones. The mosque is not open to non-Muslims, but during important tourist events guided tours are organised.

The Heritage and diving village was build near the mouth of the Creek. Pottery makers and weavers sell their products here. The intention of the village is to give visitors some insight into the history of Dubai.

The house of Sheik Saeed Al-Maktoup (a.k.a Museum of Historical Photos and Documents) was build close by the sea at the end of the 19th century with traditional materials such as coral stone, calcium and plaster. The Sheik wanted a view over the activities in the harbour. Today his house serves as the museum of old photographs, documents, coins and maps.

The Jumeira Mosque is the most famous of Dubai because of its size and beauty. It is a splendid example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque stands out because of its twin minarets and its beautiful dome. At night it is beautifully illuminated.