At some point in the not too distant future my ship may be putting into Dubai for upwards of two weeks. I had a look at the ‘Ask the guy in Dubai’ Thread but I still have a few questions.
Lets get the important one out of the way first. From the mentioned thread, I know the place isn’t dry (Alcohol wise) I was just wondering what the night life, drinking culture is over there? Having a pint or two frowned upon? Night clubs or just bars?
What is fun to do in a unique sort of way, its my first visit to that part of the world…
What is the shopping like? I suppose Mrs Knobbs will expect some sparkely on my return? Any items especially good value?
Are the locals friendly to charming British sailors? Everyone loves a Sailor, right?
Anything else you think I should know, please feel free to chip in
I was there in '91, and the one thing I remember was that every single person living in Dubai is required to drive a cab for at least 6 hours every day. There are approximately 37 cabs per visitor.
Based on fifty-six’s link, that number may be higher now
I don’t have any 1st hand experience but my mother went last year and was impressed. The display of wealth is supposed to be incredible from the largest thing down to the smallest.
I was last there 2 years back, but prior to that was in and out of the place pretty regularly on short business trips over a 4 year period.
Dry, certainly not. Plenty of bars. Lots of good bars in the hotels. I would get hold of a copy of TimeOut dubai and follow it arround. The only issues you may face is that public drunkeness can get you in a spot of bother. Several people I know have had some issues when leaving the bar in a truely inebriated state. One taxi driver thretened to call the cops, they gave him some more cash (yeah bit of a scam but what you gonna do?). One other was hauled off by the local constabulary and bailed the next day. He is not welcome back.
When we had some serious negotiations that would go late into the night we normally planned to finish up in the bar of the hotel we stayed at, which are also open to the public.
Clubs, only ones I went to were not the sort of place a fine upstanding sailor would be seen in, puritans that you are.
ski indoors
Dhow trips around the old port are apparently nice, although I geuss you are not keen on being on more boats (or tubs or ships or what ever they are called)
Lots of shops, not especially good value anymore. Apparently gold is still ok, personally I never found anything that knocked me over as oh wow what value.
Well I take that back, pine nuts. Could never get them in central asia, and they were cheep and easy to get in Dubai. Only really relevent if you are planning on cooking once back aboard your boat.
If you act like a charming British Boat person then there should be no issue. Nice bunch of people, respect them and treat the country in a repsectful fashion then all will be OK. Standard overseas operating practices.
There is a good Indian restaurant near the Cyclone night club which is near the American (or was it canadian) hospital.
Now these clubs, I need more info so as to avoid them… Yes avoid them :eek: . That and warn all my shipmates to stay well away. Far away…
Skiing indoor would be cool, but I’ve tried it outdoors and found it the most frustratingly terrible sport. In the word. Ever.
I’m glad its friendly, alough I may have to warn the boys about the whole don’t look drunk thing ( Taking note myself)
We’ve all been to enough countries that we are generally pleasent and friendly unless forced otherwise. Ive been looking on the tinterweb, this evening while on watch and the place looks bloody impressive!! Can’t wait!
Last time I was there bars were allowed in the better hotels only. Huge shopping malls. Nice gold souk. The airport is the crossroads of the world, you see airlines there you never heard of.
and the place looks bloody impressive!! Can’t wait!