This last August mark my first year living in Dubai, what was a six month assignment is now a one year and still going adventure. I will tell you that time flies… and more when you are having fun, during this past 12 months been having the opportunity to go to different countries in the AMEA region (Asia, Middle East, Africa, Australia), met great people and experience closely their cultures, something that you don’t get to experience so intimate living in the USA or Mexico.
In November of this year the world will be looking to Qatar for the 2022 world cup, one of the biggest sporting events in planet earth. We expect more than 1 million people going to see matches there and many more just visiting Qatar as tourist. The UAE is also preparing for this event as both countries are very close just one our flight can take you from Dubai to Doha, so we expect to live the world cup like we were live in Qatar.
As part of the world cup Dubai will have official FIFA fan Zones, and also hundreds of flights will be available to go and see a match in Qatar to then come back a couple of hours after the match ends. This initiatives plus other private initiatives are to support the tourist infrastructure of Qatar and generate tourism spend in Dubai taking advantage of the millions of persons coming to the region. We are all in Dubai excited for the world cup, not only for the sporting part, but also for the additional events (Artistic, Open Air Watching Parties) that will happen in Dubai during this very intense 30 days.
Taking into consideration that many people will be first timers in Dubai and maybe with limited time between the games, I just want to share 10 things that you should put on the list to do while in Dubai. Dubai has many things to enjoy, so the idea is to share some information that will help you decide what to do. I will separate the list into 2 posts so I can describe a little bit more each activity, weather should be great in November to be outside and enjoy 100%.
1, Take the Metro and connect to many attractions and Shopping Malls
Dubai Metro is a very simple 2 lines system connecting many great places for dinning, shopping, or entertainment. The red line is currently the longest self driving metro line in the world. You can buy tickets at every stop in machines or in a booth where personnel can help you. Cost for a single trip in the silver cabin goes from $1.50 USD to $3.00 USD, also there is Gold cabin that cost 2X. Some of the key attractions connecting the metro are: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta Mall / Old Dubai has a stop / Museum of the Future / DXB Airport / Dubai Marina (connect to tram) / Expo 2020 (Site of Event).
The metro makes the city very mobile, you will need to use taxi or buses but the trains makes a great opportunity to see the city from an elevated track; if we have a clear day it makes for a great trip to explore the city. Metro runs from 6AM till 12/1AM depending the day so it is available many hours during the day, it can get packed during peak hours but you can always squeeze in.
2. Visit Jumeirah Mosque and learn a little bit of Islam
Close to La Mer Beach, you find Jumeirah Mosque a very beautiful place that open doors in 1979 and operates using the Open Doors, Open Mind program of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) promoting and sharing of Muslim culture and Islam to non Muslims with the idea of better understanding their beliefs. The activity is 90 minutes long, where they share a little bit of what is Islam and the core values where it stands, also they open a session for questions looking to share some wisdom with the participants. For me was a great learning experience, that makes me more sensible to their culture and beliefs. There are some requirements (Women wear scarf covering head, Men have long pants), but is open to anyone that want to have the experience
3. Go to JBR beach and enjoy a bath in the Persian Gulf
Dubai has many beaches along the coastline, one of them is know as JBR. This urban beach is filled with many restaurants and hotels is the perfect place to enjoy a full day of beach activities with good food and cold refreshments. You can come with your car and park in one of the underground parking or if you are staying in one of the many hotels of the area just walk and find your place on the beach. You could easily forget that you are in the desert, once you sit and enjoy the sun and the calm water in front of you. JBR for me is special since you can find activities for everyone: Rent Jet Ski and go along the Palm, Rent a boat and go out to sea and see the sunset, Go to one of the many beach clubs and enjoy the pool, Get some food and have a picnic on the beach.
4. Go to the desert and have dinner under the stars in front of a Bonfire
One activity that for me was exceptional last year and also was lots of fun was an outing to the Desert, it is one of this things that you can do with different budgets. There are desert trips that you go and do dune bashing, sand surfing, live shows, BBQ, the whole enchilada or you could do a more intimate gathering to have good food and enjoy the company of friends and family. Be there by Sunset is a must, also be comfortable with sand on your shoes but most important admire the sky and the stars that you will see. The farther from the city the better as you will have less light contamination.
5. Visit Old Dubai, explore the Gold and Spice Markets
Before all the big building and majestic developments Dubai was a merchant port that was supported by maritime industry, Old Dubai is a place you can’t miss if you come to Dubai, here you will find some interesting stores offering wacky gold, diamond stuff like women clothing or you could try and buy the biggest gold ring in the world. The market is not only good for sightseeing but also prices are good for gold since Dubai does not charge taxes on it. Beside the gold market you will also find the spice market where you can get your favorite spice or explore new ones. A trip to this part of the city will take you 2-3 hours, you can get by using the metro.
In my next post will finish the list of things to do in Dubai if you have a couple of days in the city, one thing is important Dubai will not fail. Thanks for reading the post, please share it and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, or Facebook look for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD. Until next time….
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