Exploring Dubai

We woke up feeling like we were ready for a day of exploring Dubai. We had arranged two tours for the day, the first being a tour around "old Dubai" city. As it turned out we were the only two on the tour so basically had our own driver...and more importantly our own "air-conditioned " car as the temperature was heading into the mid 40's!!

The tour is well worth doing, our first stop was the saltwater Dubai Creek.....in Australia we would refer to this as a river!! It cuts through the heart of Dubai, it winds its way from the Persian Gulf to a large bird sanctuary (Ras al Khor) on the desert edge of Dubai. It would have been nice to go to the sanctuary, but we only had two days....

Lesley at the Creek

The next stop was very interesting, we went to the Al Bastakiya Quarter, this is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai. It is full of traditional homes, courtyards, wind towers, and a labyrinth of narrow alleyways. It was very interesting to hear from out guide that Al Bastakiya dates back to the 1890s when it was settled by pearl and textile traders from the Bastak region of Iran. We did this part of the tour with the SMCCU (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding) who took us through the old village explaining all of the history, architecture, peoples that lived there etc.

Wandering through the laneways of Al Bastakiya

Buildings with "Air Conditioning" Towers.

Many of the old buildings have been converted to cafes, shops, art gallleries, and museums.

Beautiful Cafe setup in one of the old courtyards.

Art is everywhere.

Oh No!!! Lesley finds a Clothes Shop!!!

Perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of the tour was the visit to the old mosque (still in use) and a detailed beginners guide to the Islamic religion.....I would have to say that the majority of Westerners do not really understand Islam and have a completely wrong interpretation of what it is....this part of the tour was very worth while.

When visiting a Mosque there are some rules that have to be followed.

Inside the Mosque

At the end of the tour we all sat down for some light refreshments including Arabic Coffee and fresh dates..very tasty.

Refreshments are served!

Next, as the day got hotter and hotter, we headed off to the Al Fahaidi Fort and Museum. Outside was amazing but so very hot.....I found inside very interesting with lots of display and information on the old ways of life, how people made a living, boat building, the ways of the Bedoiun people........ and the thing that I enjoyed the most...air conditioned comfort!!

Al Fahaida Fort

Lastly, we made our way to the Spice and Gold Markets on the other side of the Creek. To get there we had to take on old-fashioned water taxi boat (dhow) called an Abra that criss-cross the water from Bur Dubai on the left bank to Deira on the right.

Lesley takes her seat on an Abra.

If Lesley thought she could bring these back into Australia she would have bought a suitcase full!!

The Gold Market, looks like heaps of Jewellry shops in one place.

So are morning tour was finished, a short journey back to the hotel, a short rest and then off on our second tour.......4 wheel driving and a banquet in the desert.

 

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