Im hearing voices from the past in Dubai: his mother, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie are just three.
Stepping off the 777 in Dubai is a strange experinece for me. The last time I stood in an aeroplane doorway breathing that distinctive grilled Arabian Gulf air, the unmistakable smell of petroleum, cumin and something astringently chemical I will later recall is cockroach repellent, I was 18. My parents worked here. I came out on school holidays twice a year. It was not a happy time
SHOPPING
Shopping - Dubai Like Singapore, Dubai sells itself as a shopper's paradise. Minimal duty and total absence of VAT make for low prices even in some of the most lavish shopping complexes on earth. Prices reduce further in the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which is held for about four weeks from mid March.
Lamcy Plaza Al Karama in Bur Dubai (00 971 4 359999), is open seven days a week, 10am-11pm (10.30pm Thursday and Friday). It sells designer clothes, jewellery, music; and the food court serves dishes from 17 countries. Also features animated stuffed birds, an electronic clown and a spiderman.
Deira City Centre Open seven days a week, 10am-11pm (Friday 2pm- midnight). Shops include IKEA, Debenhams, Woolworths and Continent hypermarket. Stores spread over two floors offer everything from cosmetics to watches, and an entertainment centre with video games, mini-golf and a train ride.
Al Ghurair Centre Near Dubai Plaza hotel (00 971 4 232333), is open seven days a week, 10am-midnight (closed Friday morning). There are 250 shops, with Duba best textile shops on the first floor, plus electronics and luggage. It抯 the oldest major mall in the city, with a strange lack of gimmicks.
Wafi Shopping Centre Al Wasl Road, Creekside Park (00 971 4 324 4555), is open seven days a week, 10am-11pm, closed Friday morning. Named from the Arabic word meaning 憈o satisfy everything you want. Upmarket shops sell European designer wear. Hosts an enormous Christmas fair.
WHERE TO STAY
Sheraton Dubai Hotel and Towers Though possibly surpassed in luxury by its newer sister hotel in Deira, the rather cubic Sheraton Dubai scores with its plum Creekside location next to the yacht club, 800 yards or so from the souk area. It has 260 rooms, 48 tower rooms and 28 suites and a choice of restaurants.
Hyatt Regency On the Deira Corniche, with stunning views across the Arabian Gulf, especially from the revolving rooftop restaurant. It is close to Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Deira Centre.
Ritz Carlton Situated in the Jumeriah, Dubai's answer to Beverly Hills. Private Beach, 3 swimming pools. There is a French sea food restaurant plus a cigar bar. Some of the 138 rooms and suites include steam showers.
Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club Situated in Jumeirah, with Andalucian-style architecture, landscaped gardens, private beach, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and water sports facilities.
Jumeriah Beach Hotel all rooms at the Jumeriah Beach Hotel have sea views and some have private balconies. Also private beach, purpose built coral reef and mooring for up to 50 yachts.
Burj Al Arab (The Arabian Tower) |
