Dubai is a dream destination for many. It is a most wanted spot for many in the world tourism map. In the middle of desert and sea, one small piece of land trying to become the hub of world!!!
From the economical destination to spend time for holidays in short budget, Dubai is grown to a place for luxurious holidays as well. One will wonder the growth of Dubai from a sun and sand desert to a paradise in earth. Unlike many tourist destinations, Dubai asserted its importance in the world with a short history of 30 to 35 years. In area and population, it is smaller than many of the Districts in India. But, when you compare the growth potential and enthusiasm which is showing, it is improving faster than any single state in the entire world.
High Storey buildings, wide roads, Good hospitality, strict laws and Police which make one feel secure even in midnight or in the afternoon. Another fine point you can note here is, mixture of culture. Indians and Pakistanis, Srilankans and Philippines, Bangladeshis and Chinese, European and American, Arabic and African, Latin American and Asian, Iranian or Russian…..Here you can find people living together with peace.
New Airport, which is supposedly the best in the World, New Burg Dubai building, which is supposed to be the tallest in the world when it finishes, the New Metro line, which is suppose to complete in 3 years time and new and new man made islands in the sea, New property market, where Dubai now offers 99 years stay along with purchase of a property… I have to warn you, this review even may become outdated as the word goes.
CURRENCY
UAE Dirhams. 1 Dirhams (AED) = 12.50 IRS approximately. With $1, you can get AED3.5 TO 3.665 depending on the exchange.
LANGUAGE
Arabic is the local language, but English is the most commonly used. But you can find people who speak all languages. Guides who are fluent in 4 or 5 languages are also available to help you.
CLIMATE
November to April is the best season to visit Dubai. However, if you wish to have the heat of Dubai, you can visit in the summer months, May to October. Mercury may reach to 45 degrees in peak summer and it can touch 18 degrees in a cold Christmas eve.
DRESS CODE
UAE is an Arabic Islamic country and moderate dressing is advised. However, there is no restriction like Iran or Saudi Arabia. If somebody wonders a small Europe here, no need to worry.
VISA
Visa is required to enter into the country, except for citizens of 33 countries (Mainly US, Australia, UK and Western European countries). How to get a Visa? You can contact one of many tour operators in Dubai and they may arrange visa for you. Also you can get it through your friend of relative in UAE (If you have one). Various airlines, like Gulf Air also provide visa, conditionally. If you are booking a hotel through internet, you can send a request to the Hotel you wish to stay as well. The normal charge of Visa may be around AED150/- (About IRs 2, 000/-) However, depending on the urgency and the institution which provide the same, conditions and charges may vary. Except of Israel Nationals, visa is provided, unless there is a specific reason. Dubai Emigration also offers public visa issue, in particular seasons, like Shopping festival.
HOTELS
With the flow of arrivals of European Tourists, the hotel industry got a shot in the arm with a limited availability and high demands. However, the demand supply principle worked and as in the principle it cannot stand as it is for long. New and new outlets are coming up which is capable of accommodating the high demand.
There are many hotels, which you can select according to your budget.
Five Star Beach Hotels like Burj Al Arab (Some often say it got a 7* facilities), Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah 3 Hotels, One & Only Royal Mirage 3 Hotels all of top quality and medium quality hotels like Le Meridian Mina Seyahi, Le Royal Meridian, Oasis Beach Hotel, Sheraton Jumeirah, Hilton Jumeirah….. There are more Hotels in the Beach. Isn’t it wonderful to have a stay in your hotel room and can have a long view of the Arabian Sea in the night? There are various options which you can select from $10, 000/- to $250/- for a night, depending on the Hotel, the season and number of room nights.
There are many 5* City Hotels which can give you a five star facility for comparatively cheaper price. Al Maha Desert Resort, Bab Al Shams, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton and much more. The accommodation can cost from $1, 000/- to $150/- per night.
You can also have 2, 3 or a 4* hotel accommodation even lower rate, from $300/- to $75/-.
You can also stay in cheaper hotels in other emirates like Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and can enjoy Dubai.
If you have any friends of relatives staying in UAE, you can even skip the expenses and can stay with them and enjoy as many days as you want (Provided your friend is ready to accommodate you. Lol)
MAJOR DESTINATIONS
Dubai Museum (Heritage show)
Mina Bazar (Indian/Sindhi Bazar of Textiles, Jewellery and Electronics)
Abra (Sea Passage)
Gold Souk (Heaven for shoppers of gold, with quality)
Hatta Fort
Jumeirah Beach (You can also enjoy Wild Wadi, a famous water theme park.)
Global Village (Especially during Shopping Festival)
There are many. But I am only mentioning few.
If you wish, there are big shopping malls like Burjuman Centre, City Centre, Mall of Emirates, Al Ghurair City, Wafi Centre, Lulu Centre etc. and you can spend as much time as you want.
TOURS
There are various tours operated by various tour operators. You can have a simple search of Dubai Tours and will get all the details about the tours. The most common ones are as follows:
Dubai City Tour (Half day, with or with out lunch, will cover major attractions of Dubai in half day) it may cost from AED75/- to AED150/- depending of the operator. (Exchange rate to Rs it is 12.50, approx)
Desert Safari – This include a safari to the desert, an entry to a camp in the desert, there you will be supplied food, a belly dance, henna, dune bashing, and much more adventures). Cost varies from AED125/- TO AED300/- depending. A Camel Safari also can be part of this.
Dhow Dinner Cruises (A journey through sea and dinner about 4 hours or more, some times a sunset cruise, some times a night cruise. You can select what you want.) – It may cost around AED 150/- - AED300/-.
Sharjah Tour, Abu Dhabi Tour, East Coast Tour, A tour to Musandam, Skiing, Treasure Hunt, Helicopter tours, Ballooning, Bunky Jumping….. there are many in store.
EMPLOY IN DUBAI
You can also be part of this dreamland. If you wish to join the huge manpower pool over here, what you need is perfection in your career, confidence, outlook and some connections. Since the world is now reducing to a village, you can even reach here with the help of internet. But, remember, you must know a profession of importance and you should have experience in it. Language and confidence can improve your chances. A little bit of luck can add to the glory. Europeans to Indians, UAE is the feeder of many homes across the globe.
CONCLUSION
I tried to give a brief, taking an hour from my work here. There are more things which I left unsaid. If you wish to find it out, use your net to find out that. It is all there. You just search for it.
From Desert to Sea, From Sun Rise to Sun Set, By Air or By Road or By Sea…….
You can run a dream out of Dubai.
Dare to Dream….
You can reach this dream land!!!