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Two weeks before I flew to Dubai, I SMSed a friend in Dubai: “Are women free to wear any kind of clothing as they want in Dubai?”
“Of course, it is more liberal than many European Countries.”
I knew the name Dubai only in recent years. I heard people talk about its wealth, artificiality, and the famous 7 star hotel. When Emirates started to fly Dubai-Copenhagen this year, I decided to make a stopover. The first thing I checked was the weather forecast. It would be around 30-32 degree at the end of October - dry and sunny! What to wear was the next important question. I thought there must be some specific dress codes followed by both men and women in a Muslim state, however, after I had received the answer from my friend I packed my normal summer clothes.
History of Dubai
The history of Dubai includes stories of rolling sand dunes lapping the foothills of the Eastern side of Mount Hajar. Dubai owes its present identity to the wise vision of the late Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Maktoum. Today Dubai is an economic powerhouse and truly a world class city but the history of Dubai points towards a completely different picture. It was just a decade or two that Dubai was inhabited by Bedouins and Nomads who traveled with their flocks and herds. As history shows, the settlements were mainly inhabited by communities of fishermen who lived along the coast of the Arabian Gulf and earned their living by fishing, pearling, and herding sheep &goats.
The importance of this small coastal settlement increased as it became a trading Port. Under the British Protectorate the volume of trade expanded and the merchant appeal of Dubai grew. Dubai now saw a major influx of foreigner to the area and by the year 1930 Persians, Indians, Baluchis, and communities of Bahrain all flocked to Dubai.
A major turning point occurred in 1971 when the British withdrew and Dubai joined Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Aiman, Umm Al Quwain, Fajairah which was later named the Federation of the United Emirates. Oil has already been discovered in the year 1966 and the successful shipment of Oil opened a new chapter for Dubai changing the entire infrastructure of the city. Detached from the history of Dubai, modern Dubai is now an economic hub.
The flight from Shanghai to Dubai is about 9 hours and Emirates flies twice daily from Shanghai to Dubai. There is a 4 hour time difference between Shanghai and Dubai.
Traditional Costume
At customs, I noticed that the male officials wore dishdash (or khandura), a white full length shirt dress, which is worn with a white or red checked headdress, known as a gutra. The female officials wore the black abaya - a long, loose black robe that covers their normal clothes - plus a headscarf called the sheyla. One can assume these must be the traditional costume. Later I was told that the locals continue to wear the traditional costume as a symbol of national pride and identity. However, the traditional dress does not apply to tourists or foreigners working in Dubai and you are free to wear anything you like.
I was driven to the hotel by a female taxi driver from Manila who been working and living in Dubai more than 4 years. “Dubai is fantastic!” She said. “Look outside the window, look at all those skyscrapers, all happened within no time.” I thought it was very much like Pudong in Shanghai. She continued, “I meet people from all over the world. There are jobs and we are happy.” Then, she started to introduce the skyscrapers to me on the both sides of the road. “Can you recognize something from Star Wars?” She laughed. Yes, I remembered many similar scenes from the movie when I saw the buildings. I asked her about the dress code in Dubai and she explained that she wore the same clothes as she did in Manila, but her uniform was pink and covered by a white headscarf. Just before reaching my hotel, she added, “I will go back to my home Manila one day. I do not know when, but for sure I will do. Dubai is just not my home.”
Dubai Sightseeing
Before the journey, I did research on “what to see” and “what to do” in Dubai. I decided to have 3 overnights and spend two and a half days to explore the city on my own which turned out to be a good plan.
On the first day, I walked around the hotel in Media City and visited the famous 7 star hotel Burj al-Arab Hotel in the evening. The next day I rode the Dubai metro to the old town, spent a couple of hours at Dubai Museum and took a water taxi on Dubai Creek to Gold Souk. On the way back to the hotel I stopped at BurjKhalifa station and walked around BurjKhalifa. And the end of the day I arrived at the Palm Island and watched the sunset on the peaceful terrace of Hotel Atlantis. On my last day I tried to discover the Mall of the Emirates. Time always flies when I am at the shopping mall. In the afternoon, I decided to walk to the beach but found it was too far of a walk and unfortunately did not have time to see it.
Personally, it is not always necessary to see every scenic spot on my travels. However, I have outlined below the most popular places of attraction in and around Dubai. Sightseeing in Dubai is not only a mode of passing time, but can offer varied excitement along with entertainment.
Al Boom Tourist Village: Located near the Creek Side Park, the village comprises a 2000 seated banquet hall, a restaurant, amusement park, a coffee shop, an ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats.
BurjNahar: BurjNahar is one of the three watch towers guarding the old city, decorated with beautiful gardens in Deira.
Dubai Creek: Crowded by vessels, the trading tradition of Dubai is clearly manifested within the creek. Both day and night tours are offered by the operators and water taxis can cross the creek.
Archaeological Site:The artistic remnants of 7th-15thcentury are found in the excavation sites of Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah
Dubai Museum: Al Fahidi fort built around 1799; this was regarded as a palace and a garrison, as well as a prison. It is an attractive building. It was renovated in 1970 as a museum. Scenes from the creek, Arab houses, and mosques are pictured in the galleries of the museum.
Jumeirah Mosque: Jumeirah Mosque is a fabulous example of modern Islamic architecture. The subtle lighting adds to its charm at night. It is the city's most beautiful and the largest mosque.
Bayt al Wakeel: The Bayt al Wakeel was built by the late Shaikh Rashid in 1934. It is Dubai's first office building.
Umm Al SheifMajlis: This is the summer resort of the former ruler of Dubai and is open to public. The majlis gardens reproduce the traditional fajal irrigation system.
BurjKhalifa: Until recently called Burj Dubai, at 828 metres and 160 floors this is the world's tallest structure, over 300m taller than the previous contender in Taipei. The observation deck at the 124th floor is the 2nd highest in the world after the Shanghai World Financial center.
The Dubai Fountain: At 270m (900ft) in length and sporting a jet that shoots water up to 150m (500 ft), the Dubai Fountain is indeed the world's largest dancing fountain and one with a very enticing display - a definite must see. The show starts every evening at the Burj Dubai Lake. Easy way to approach is via the Dubai Mall.
Burj al-Arab hotel: For a real glimpse into "how the other half lives", (self-proclaimed as the only 7 star hotel in the world), having afternoon tea or cocktails may be an interesting experience. Entry to the hotel requires a reservation which will be confirmed at the entry gate.
Dubai Marina: One of the newer and more popular areas of Modern Dubai, both with residents and tourists. It offers numerous features such as a phenomenal skyline, world class hotels, a fabulous beach, a mall, and 2 different walkways (The Walk and Marina Walk) with coffee shops, restaurants, and shops.
Palm Islands: The three largest artificial islands in the world are located just off the coast of Dubai; a major urban development to add a significant amount of upscale beachfront property to the area. Each of the islands is shaped like a palm leaf, with a trunk connected to the mainland, fronds extending from the trunk, and a crescent (a breakwater encircling the trunk and fronds). Of the three planned, the Palm Jumeirah, at 5km square and near Dubai Marina, is the only one open sporting marinas, luxury resorts and upscale shopping. It is connected to the mainland by a freeway bridge and a monorail.
I only saw the surface of Dubai during my 3 days’ stop over and feel it is full of many mysteries. It is a young, attractive and dynamic city offering numerous opportunities for people from all over the world. The people of Dubai, including even the women dressed in traditional black abay and the sheyla, are not backward or conservative. They are as open minded as the rest of the world can be, sharing responsibility of developing a liberal society. |
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