May 5 - Dubai Day Two

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When I ended yesterday I said we were going to the italian restaurant in our hotel.  It was unlike any italian place we’ve been.  There was pounding techno music playing and not a word of Italian spoken.  Fortunately the food was actually very good and had sort of an Italian or Mediterranean flair.  We decided it was a winner despite the music.

This morning after breakfast we went back to Dubai Mall to use the second day of our HO-HO tickets.  The driver from the hotel left us off on the other side of the Burj Khalifa and we got a little lost.  There’s a lake next to the building and the mall and at night there is a light and fountain show.  We have reservations for a restaurant next to it tomorrow night so hopefully we’ll get to see the show and perhaps get some photos worth sharing.

The lake next to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall

Burj Khalifa from the lake

To get to the bus stop we had to walk through the mall to the other side.  Believe me, it’s easy to get lost in a place with 12 million square feet.  Eventually we made it and took the bus down to Dubai Creek.  Our intention was to go to the gold and spice souks, but as we exited the bus they told us that the dhow cruise (included in our ticket) was about to leave.  We’ve never been on a dhow so why not?

We boarded right next to the dhows we saw yesterday being loaded with all sorts of stuff.  The commentary on our cruise told us these rickety, run-down vessels go to places like Iran, Yemen and Somalia with their various cargoes.   I love traveling but none of those are on my bucket list.  Seeing them from the water side and reasonably close convinced me that I wouldn’t set forth across Dubai Creek in one.

A lovely ship on her way to who knows where

Once again the contrast between old and new was stark.  On one side is an area built to look like buildings of old Dubai.  These have what is the earliest form of air-conditioning, a tower on the roof open on all four sides to catch any wind and allow it to funnel down to the building below.  We’ve seen the same kind of structures in Tuscany and the south of France  On the other side of the creek are towers of steel and glass.  Along the way we could see downtown new Dubai, but it’s very hazy so we got no good photos.  Crossing back and forth are little water taxis that carry about 20 people on benches.  These make a much faster way to get to the other side than contending with the bridges and tunnel one has to take in a vehicle.

Al was more interested in the yacht but you can get a glimpse of two of the towers for funneling air

One of the many water taxis

By the time we finished the cruise it was very hot and we decided to forego the souks.  I can only imagine the temperature in the narrow streets and alleyways.  There will be other souks to see in days to come. Tonight we’re eating in the Indian restaurant in our hotel.  It’s supposed to be the best one in the Middle East, the equivalent of three Michelin stars.  I have to say we’ve never  been fans of Indian food, probably because we don’t understand it or know how to eat the various dishes.  We had that problem several years ago when we were  in India.  However, we’re going to try again.  Maybe I’ll be smart enough this time to ask the server questions.

Tomorrow we have a car and driver/guide taking us to Sharjah, another of the emirates.  We’ll see some different sights since that emirate is the cultural center of the UAE.  Tomorrow is also the beginning of Ramadan.  I’m not sure how that will impact our visit.  I’ll report more later.