Palm Island and The Atlantis Hotel

It seems like most people from California can barely find Dubai on the map, but one thing everyone knows about Dubai is that there is an entirely man-made island in the shape of a palm tree. We had the chance to go and explore it today, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint the excited traveler. We drove along its trunk to the very tip of its crescent where the Atlantis hotel becons in tourists from around the world. With 1,529 rooms, a 1.5 million dollar glass center piece, a private beach, and a full water park, this hotel is one of the most outstanding in the world.

We got to see several of the rooms, including the royal suite, which was unreal. We also got to check out the largest shark in the Middle East (a whale shark) swimming about in the enormous aquarium there. However, by far, the biggest highlight of the day was our time at the Atlantis water park. It was such a fun day for the whole family. We rode the rapids, said hi t every lifeguard along the way, went through the riptides, road the inner-tube slides, and Taya and Mary even went on the giant "Leap of Faith" ride. The boys left saying that this was the best water park they have ever been to, which is definitely saying something!

Holy Macarol!!

So, everyone here says that you have to check out the Dubai Mall while you are staying in Dubai. It is certainly a site to behold with four stories, a full grocery store, an ice skating rink, and yes, even an unbelievable aquarium. Yesterday, we got the chance to check out this absolutely amazing aquarium. From the outside, you are awed by its enormous size extending up several floors with a star-gazers roof above. The tank actually holds 8,000,000 gallons of water....yes....that's 8 MILLION gallons of water. You can hardly believe your eyes as you stand next to this massive tank containing 13,000 different types of fish species.

The boys were already in awe, but for just about $5, you can walk through a tunnel within the center of the aquarium. As we began walking, the boys were darting about looking at all the different fish, when we happened upon Ahmed, who is one of the marine biologists helping the visitors. He walked the entirety of the tank telling us about each species, the individual fish and plant life, and so much more.

We found out that there are 36 full sized sand sharks swimming right above and beside us with their four rows of teeth! However, don't be scared, they are fed a steady diet of raw fish every day at 4pm. Also, you will see three enormous fish called groupers, which are the largest fish in the tank at nearly 8 feet long and over 800 pounds. In order to keep these massive fish alive, they must be fed over 30 pounds of tuna each day.

The whole experience was absolutely amazing! Dillon rushed from the tank so excited he could hardly contain his enthusiasm. It seems that a trip to the mall wasn't just a boring shopping day, but a lesson in marine life while standing within an indoor ocean!

Breakfast with the Thoroughbreds

We got the wonderful chance to go spend the morning at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. With yawns around, we headed out at 6:30 in the morning, in order to see the horses all outside getting exercised. It was such an unbelievable opportunity to see the horses being trained for polo as well as show competitions and jumping.

As we toured the grounds, we got a full tour of this exclusive club. With 336 horses, the club boasts of one of the world's most well-equipped clubs From a world-class track to three full-sized polo fields and newly refirbished air-conditioned stables, it was fun to get to be a part of this timeless tradition.

Although it was fun to get to hear about the game of polo and to see several private lessons going on, we mostly enjoyed getting to walk through the stables and feeding these amazing animals. Horses here are shipped from all over the world, including Argentina, Germany, Belgium, and the beautiful Andalusian Spanish horse. Justin and Dillon certainly got in to the morning's activities as they fed and pet several of these beautiful horses.

We finished the morning with a wonderful breakfast of pancakes for the boys and omelets for the adults, while overlooking the jumpin field. This is a unique experience that you certainly can't find in the states!

Ahead of the World Curve - Dubai's Economic Growth at a Glance

Allow me to take a bloggers prerogative and relate what I have found to be reasons for Dubai’s astounding economic growth, which were not apparent to this Midwestern boy prior to our Arab Emirate travel initiative.



Drive around the city and you see 26 – 30% of all the construction cranes in the world located here in a country slightly smaller than the state of Maine. They have more 5 star hotels inside of a city the size of San Diego than we have in all of California. Dubailand, which is the new amusement park coming to Dubai, will be 3 times the size of Disneyworld with 5 times the activities, attractions, and hotel properties. Dubai is the third largest re-export hub in the world after Hong Kong and Singapore.

~ Dubai’s wealth is derived from investment and strategic vision. Oil has been a form of venture capital but with comparatively little oil reserves it had to propel its economy in other ways.
~ A lineage of strategic thinkers kept Dubai ahead of the curve when it came to commerce. Beginning with the dredging of the Khor in the 40's to allow for shipping traffic. Dubai also established an economic free zone to allow foreign company investment without undue taxation, sanctions, and restrictions. Modern airports, desalination of water, a “build it and they will come” mindset, catering to the leisure traveler’s taste for luxury in goods, services, food, and entertainment.
~ The list goes on to include, unsurpassed personal safety and an ability to come into the country without waiting 3 to 6 months for a VISA.

All of the aforementioned would not drive this little kingdom though without the key reason for economic growth, the old real estate adage; location, location, location. As a US citizen with family heritage dating into the 1700’s I know the prevalent feeling in our country is we are the center of the earth economically, geographically,… However, little Dubai sits 3 to 5 hours of flying time from 3 BILLION people. How close is the US to that kind of economic prowess? Make no mistake Dubai has been hit every bit as hard in this tumultuous economy as the rest of the world. However, I believe that a truly centralized geographic location coupled with an insatiable “strategic” appetite for commerce will see Dubai through and lift it back up economically ahead of the world curve.

Truly an Arabian Safari

We weren't expecting the totally wonderful adventure that we had yesterday. We thought that we would just be heading to the desert, but didn't realize all of what was in store for us.

We first took a drive throught the heart of the Rub-Al-Khali Desert, or "Empty Quarter" in English. This is the world's largest sand desert and extends through the UAE, Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. We saw gazelles and antellopes, and also got to learn about the vegetation there, some of which is poisonous.

From there our 4x4 car turned into a dune-buggy and we road up and down the sand dunes like you wouldn't believe. Justin said that is was better than the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, and Taya was shocked that it was legal to do those kinds of moves in a car. We felt like we were about to tip over more than once as we slid down the steep edges of the dunes.

At sunset we were taken to a Arabic village where we were able to have a traditional meal, along with getting Henna tattoos and taking a famed camel ride.

We left that night feeling exhausted, but privileged to have experienced an entirely different culture, worlds away from the movies, video games, and shopping of our regular lives. What an unbelievable adventure to experience the desert of Dubai!

"Our Dubai Home" - Through a Child's Eyes

We've been here for almost a week, and already we feel like we have lived here for ages. So much has happened and we have seen so much. We know that people will be bringing their families when they come here, so we wanted to give a child's perspective of Dubai. Here is what Dillon has enjoyed thus far on our Dubai travels.

"We went to Wild Wadi, which is a super, ultra-cool water park. We went on an inner-tube ride and the water shot us up instead of down with giant jets. Next we went boogy boarding the water was going really fast backwards and you have to ride the water without being shot back into the rip tide, with a huge wave that crashes down on you. We also went in the wave pool it was so totally awesome! It had so many waves and the water was really warm.

Our Dubai home is the Jumeirah Living Hotel. We really like it here because we've met a ton of really nice people from all over the world, like Kenya, Indonesia, Australia, and the UK. We also have a really sweet view from the room here. We also get to go swimming each night on the roof looking down on Sheikh Zayad Road, the main street. We love play cards all the time when we are home and get to do homeschooling right here in our house."

These were just a few of the adventures that Dillon wanted to let everyone know about. We are all so excited to see what else this trip has in store for us!

Truly Unbelievable!

Yesterday we had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of taking a tour through the Burj Al Arab, the only 7 star hotel in the world. For those of you from the states, it is the large sailboat hotel, perched atop a man-made island off of Dubai's coastline.

It is something that you truly can't put into words. As you walk in the entry-way is like something out of a movie, only far more grandiose! Giant aquariums line the walls and as you go up the escalator, the view looking up simply takes your breath away. The dominant color in the Burj is gold, and by gold, I mean real gold. Gold plating or gold leaf lines the walls, the pillars, chandeliers, ground, and picture frames.

From the basement floors with a giant aquarium and private cigar lounge, to the sky-view lounge and ballroom on the 28th floor overlooking the Dubai coast, this hotel is beyond one's imagination. If you want to book a room here, prepare for their 7 star service. Each room has a private butler on-call 24 hours a day. All we could picture as we were there was the ultimate in destination weddings.

The Ultimate Shock Factor

We had the incredible opportunity to venture outside of Dubai into Abu Dhabi, the second largest of the seven united emirates. Abu Dhabi is currently ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE. Before you enter into the city of Abu Dhabi, you can see along the freeway the third largest mosque in the entire world. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is truly unbelievable, with gorgeous Arabian-style architecture and a large enough area to hold 46,000 worshippers at one time.

As you venture into the city of Abu Dhabi itself, along the coast there is the staggering landmark of the Emirates Palace Hotel. There aren't words to describe this unbelievable hotel which took 20,000 workers, three billion dollars, and three years to construct. This gorgeous hotel has been given the term "palace" because it resembles the real-life palaces of the royal families here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. No expense was spared in creating this landmark, from swarovski crystals in the door handles, to gold plating throughout. This hotel is truly unbelievable and a must see while staying in Dubai.

A Trip Through Time

As we begin our month here in Dubai, we are discovering more and more of the history and culture. Our tour guide, Muhhamed, is a wonderful wealth of knowledge and daily gives us a better understanding of this country. Today, we got the unbelievable chance to go to the Dubai museum. Set in a 150 year old fort, that was originally contructed to defend the city of Dubai, we got to take a trip through time in the interactive museum. We saw a lifesize fishing village, traditional bedouin jewelry and crafts, and a replica of the original homes that were here in Dubai.

From there we took a boat ride across Dubai creek to the trading hub of the city. Here, we wandered through the spice souk (market) and also the gold and jewelry market. It was so incredible to get a taste of the cutlure here. So often we think of Dubai as just high-rises an incredible building projects (which is true), but there is so much more to the culture here then meets the eye. We are so excited to see what else this wonderful city has in store for us, and how we can take what we have learned and help others come and enjoy this truly unique and incredible land.

We're Here!

We can't even believe it is real, but we are here in Dubai. It is such a surreal feeling to be half-way across the world and in one of the most beautiful and luxurious places in the world. We've just arrived, but already we have stories to tell and pictures to show. Here are our first few experiences.

We had heard that Emirates Air was amazing, but we didn't realize how outstanding it really was. From the wonderful service in LAX to the gates in Dubai, we were so impressed. In Business class you can fully recline and are given the full treatment from socks to a five-course meal. In Economy class, each person has their own TV complete with hundreds of video games and movies. We had an incredible flight and to put it in Dillon's words, "I loved it because I got to lay down as I at french toast and watched an awesome movie!" Now, does that sound like your normal flying experience?!

From the airport we headed to our hotel, the Jumeirah Living Residences. Our "residence" is simply unbelievable. With three bedrooms, two floors, a full kitchen, plasma screen TV, and a beautiful view of the city of Dubai, we are overwhelmed but so excited. We have settled in, bought our groceries, and are making it our home for the next month.

We would love to stay connected with you, so post a comment, send us an email, or read more about why we are here.

The Pinnacle of Air Travel

I have heard about the unbelievable convenience and comfort on Emirates air, but I had no idea to what lengths they have gone to make this a reality. Now that I'm on my way, I've taken the time to really check it out. It's unlike any commercial airline today. In first-class, you get your own private cabin, complete with a reading lamp, meal service, and the luxury of completely reclining. You might be saying, "I never travel first-class, so why do I care." Well, they've taken care of that too. even in Business or Economy Class, there is more space, the ability to recline, full meal service, individual plasma screens, and awesome service. Oh, also, did I mention that the lounges provided in the terminals are private and full service!

I'm leaving for Dubai on Friday afternoon, and I can't wait to see more of what they have. If you want to read more about this incredible airline, check it out here.

Wild Wadi

You are not going to believe this! Right in the very center of the luxury capital of the world, is "Wild Wadi," the premier water amusement park. They have some of the most amazing rides! From riptides and water surfing, to family rides and a lazy river, you won't find anything like this back home in the states. This is a great way to beat the heat and enjoy a day as a family away from the bustle of the city.

By the way, you might be wondering, what is a "wadi" anyway? According to Merriam Webster it is a "shallow and usually sharply defined depression caused by a stream or river." Basically it is the Arabic term for a valley. Also, wadi's often form an oasis, which seems appropriate considering it's located in Dubai.

A Cultural Experience - The Islamic "Call to Prayer"

If you have never been to an Islamic nation, one thing that will be a true cultural experiene, is the "Call to Prayer." At five times throughout the course of the day, this call rings forth from the minarets of every mosque in the nation. At those times, the muezzin, ( a man appointed to call to prayer) climbs the mineret of the mosque, and he calls in all directions, "Hasten to prayer." Many mosques no longer require the muezzin to climb the mineret. Instead, a loud speaker is used now and the person can say the adhan through a mic.
Here are the times for the call to prayer, which are a daily part of the life in Dubai.

Salat (Prayer)
Fajr (Dawn prayer) 5:16
Dhuhr (Mid-day prayer) 6:39
Asr (Afternoon prayer) 12:31
Maghrib (Sunset prayer) 16:00
Isha'a (Night prayer) 19:53

Wait, I thought it was Hot there?!

Even though Dubai is located in the middle of the desert, it now has its own snow skiing center. Located in the new Mall of the Emirates (MOE), on the Sheikh Zayed Road, it offers both skiing and snowboarding. The slope is quite large for an indoor area. All equipment is available for hire. Although it is -4°C inside, you don't need to bring a jacket because they supply pretty much everything except gloves and a hat (which you can buy right there). A 2 hour pass costs Dhs160 plus Dhs10 for key deposit. By the way, the currency in Dubai is Dirhams and the exchange rate with the U.S. is:
$1.00 = Dhs3.67

"When in Rome"... or.... Dubai

It is so important when you are vacationing in a different culture, to be as respectful as possible. This is especially true in Dubai, because the social mores are closely linked to religion. As we are preparing to leave, I did a little research and found the following list of items to be culturally acceptable. One main thing to remember is that it is HOT!! Dubai is on the edge of the Arabian desert, and the rays are scorching.

Packing, based on the research I have done:
Business suit(s)
Long pants & skirts
Shirts with conservative neckline
Pashmina
Scarf
Sweaters for evening and in-doors (AC is cranked up in the malls, etc…and the hot/cold differences can be a sure way to catch a cold)
One-piece swim suit with wrap/cover up
Shorts (ok for the beach and some casual activities – long shorts)
Comfortable walking shoes
Black dress shoes (closed toe)

Sunscreen!!
Sun glasses – for the boys too…good UV protective lenses
Digital Camera – good case to keep from getting sandy.
Moisturizer - It gets windy and is very dry.
Chapstick w/ UV protection
Extra prescriptions you may require
Journal
PASSPORT!

Why Dubai?

In two weeks our family, which includes my husband and I, our two boys Justin and Dillon (ages 8 and 9), and our friend Mary (age 23), will be headed off to Dubai. We will be leaving the normalcy of Orange County, California for the luxury capital of the world, and trading in our tanktops for scarves. We will be staying there for one month, as we tour the city and surrounding areas, and drink in the sights and sounds of a totally new culture.

As we embark on the trip, we wanted to set up some communication with others like us, who have always wanted to go to Dubai, but really don't know how to begin. As we stay in the amazing hotels, eat schwarmas off the street corner, and go skiing in a man-made slopes, we will be posting our pictures and our stories to fill you in.

Finally, we would love to hear from you. Leave us a comment, ask a question, or share your own travelling tips and experiences!