Travelling Dubai But Confused

Moving to Dubai for work or travelling for leisure but many questions are circuling in your mind about country, culture and life. If you’ve ever wondered about any truth in the things you hear about Dubai, then read on.

You can never go outside because it’s too hot

It’s true that you mightn’t want to go outside much between June and September, when temperatures slide the wrong side of 40˚C and the humidity makes the air feel like hot soup, but it’s far from impossible, especially if you’re near a chilled swimming pool (yes, they are chilled in summer). However, the rest of the year is really pleasant, with daytime temperatures ranging between 20˚C and 38˚C, which makes for a fantastic outdoor life.This year the winter’s been particularly cold, with early-morning temperatures in urban Dubai of just nine degrees – some parts of the UAE have even had snow.

You can’t buy pork or alcohol

Pork and pork products are available in separate sections of certain Western supermarkets. Alcohol is widely available in five-star hotels, and can be bought in designated shops by non-Muslims holding a liquor license.

You have to be rich to live in Dubai

Dubai will be what you want it to be. Yes, you can spend AED 400,000 (£66,660) on drinks in designer bars; but you can also pay AED 20 (£3.30) for an unlimited thali in an authentic Indian restaurant. You can pay AED 400 (£66) an hour for a luxury water taxi or you can cross the Creek in an abra for AED 1 (16p).

Affordable Indian Thali

But one difference from the UK is that “elitist” sports such as horse-racing and polo are accessible to all. Can’t afford AED 550 (£92) a head for a four-course dinner at the horse races? Take a picnic to the free admission area. Likewise, polo doesn’t have to be watched from a champagne brunch: for AED 50 (£8.30) per car you can park at the edge of the field and bring your own feast.

There’s nothing to do in Dubai but shop or lie on the beach

I’m yet to meet an expat who spends that much time shopping in Dubai – let alone lying on the beach. As far as tourist activities go, there’s plenty to do here from dhow cruises and hot-air balloon rides to desert safaris and tours of the traditional Bastakiya area. You can tour the racing or polo club stables; you can go “camel-cuddling” or camp in the desert and learn to care for your own camel; you can go on a night safari at Dubai Mall aquarium; go sand-skiing in the desert; swim with horses in the sea; or barbecue your own lunch while floating around Dubai Creek on “doughnut”. Yes, really.

The UAE has no history

There’s evidence of settlement in the UAE going as far back as the Bronze Age. In Ras Al Khaimah, you can visit Shimal, an archaeological site that has remains dating back to 2,500BC. Abu Dhabi’s Sir Baniyas Island is home to a 7th century monastery and church said to be the oldest pre-Islamic Christian site in the UAE. Dubai itself has  four archaeological excavation sites, which date from the 7^th to 15^th centuries AD. The largest is in the residential district of Jumeirah, and can be visited with permission from Dubai Museum.

An Abu Dhabi Sheikh’s name can be seen from space True. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, had “HAMAD” dug out of the sand south west of Abu Dhabi.

There’s a CCTV camera on every street corner

Highly likely. There are 100,000 cameras watching you in Dubai. By law since the Hamas murder in 2010, they’re also in every hotel lobby, entrance, lift and corridor. Smile!

Dubai’s taxi drivers will return lost valuables

True. The Roads & Transport Authority tests them on this every so often. Drivers who don’t hand in deliberately planted valuables are sacked.

Palm Jumeirah can be seen from the Moon

I’m not sure about that, but it can be seen from the International Space Station. 

Muslim countries like the UAE are not friendly to women, they are not free to do what they like
Completely untrue. Women are free and modern, working in all sectors, driving and are not forced to wear (face veil) Niqab or Burqua.

You cannot practice your religion

There are dedicated centres to practice all major religions in the world. People from all religion live there (Dubai) in harmony.

They cut body parts and hang publicly on crime

Completely untrue. UAE repects human rights and has well established legal system and courts. Infact, UAE is one of the safest country in the world and Dubai has excellent nightlife.

Finally the most popular one, Dubai is a country 

No, Dubai is an emirate within the UAE (United Arab Emirates).The UAE is a federation of seven emirates (equivalent to principalities), each governed by a hereditary emir, with a single national president. The constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. The capital is Abu Dhabi, which is situated 149 km's away from Dubai.

Closing note: Dubai is one of the coolest places in the world to live. Believe it or Not...its your choice.

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