Ah dubai...what can I say about this oasis in the desert!
the dsf was the added incentive during my last visit to dubai on my way back form hannover (post-cebit)...it was time to revisit the city for all the right reasons-to hug my family, eat falafel on satwa road, drive along the beach road in jumeira, feel the cool waters of the gulf and the sand on the beach running thru my toes and hope that the prophecy comes true one more time (that if u touch the sands of dubai u will visit it atleast one more time) ensuring my next visit to the city, take a walk on the promenade in deira, ride the dhows and give vent to my passion in the famous malls of city centre/ burjuman/ wafi/ jumeira centre/ the souk et al.
from the moment I landed until I reached my sisters house it was a surrealistic experience...gliding thru the expansive and plush new terminal at the airport, the escalators leading to the car park and the drive thru the all new motorway to jumeira...so much had changed in two years!
the landscape seemed familiar yet different...new bridges/ expanses of plush greens/ the cityscape with its new gleaming towers of the emirates towers and then some more.
this city has everything for everybody...from the city vistas to the desert safaris for the adventurous, golden beaches to the azure waters of the gulf for the funloving, lush parks and promenades for the ones with a slow-pace inclination, business galore for the economically inclined and last but not the least-aphrodisiacal and endless shopping for the likes of me!
u could end up buying something of everything under the sun...purse strings permitting (as it can get quite out of hand) and not to forget the foodcourts at the malls to relinquish yr thirst with that tall glass of iced tea and a bite of ever flavour under the sun at yr fingertips...
personally, I recommend those inclined towards high/smart fashion to visit the malls and grab yr desires for you may not get what u wanted if u return later (u may try to bargain at some stores) but the discounts at the dsf are pretty decent too...the hordes of people are an endless stream of humanity!
good time to visit dubai for the dsf is at the begining or the end of the festival...manageable crowds, inaugural delights, more variety.
but if I had to repeat my experience this year I would take some time and also visit the markets such as unth bazar for some exciting bargains...do the desert safari/wadi bashing...dine at the burj-al-arab...laze on the beach side and splurge on the shoes!
so if yr a compulsive shop-hatter with a decent to indecent budget with feet that do not tire and a companion who matches ditto, go for it...this year they have better incentives for the visitors to the dsf in terms of acquiring visas/good hotel deals and hope emirates goes the same way...BON VOYAGE!!!