Dastaan E Dubai

 

 

       Dastaan   E   Dubai

This  was  one  place  which  was  last  on  our  list .We  likened  it  to  Mumbai , ‘  visit  any  time’  that  was ‘just there’. Then ,my  husband  described  it  as  another  country  which   acquired  its  independence  not  far  back , therefore was  another  modern  city  like  any  other  modern  city. So  much  like  USA ,its  buildings, roads ,restaurants, road  side  cafes, shops,  malls, So, Why  Dubai? .

But  our  son  and  daughter  in  law   wanted a  family holiday with  both  their  parents. Most important  the  key  factor  was  , a  foreign  holiday  is  any  way  a  foreign  holiday  and  we  cannot  be  behaving  like a  sheikh  who  travelled  out like  it  was  a  neighboring  city.

So  one  day  we flew  to  Dubai  with Neha’s parents , our  son  ,daughter  in  law, Neha, and my  little  Gubbu  , my  nearing  three  year  old  grandson.

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 It  was  a  lovely  family  holiday in  our  luxury  apartment  stay, a home away  from home ,with  all the  facilities  and more .The apartment  looked out  at  the sea/beach, night  you  could  see  the  lighted  boats, bright ,twinkling  cruises, the  high  rise  apartments,

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 Below the  busy ,clean ,wide  roads , with  its  traffic, greeted  us day  and  night  when  we  had  our  tea  or  ordered  meals in  the  drawing  room or balcony  or  the cooked meals (made in the kitchen) enjoying  the outside  sights.

 

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                         Mornings, sights of  swimmers  in  the  sea ,sun  lovers  sprawling  on  the  sands faces  hidden  behind  straw  hats  and  coolers ,people  dotting  the  swimming pool  who preferred  the placid  water  of  the  swimming  pool and  other  city  sights  greeted  us. Who  wanted  to  get  up  and  get  ready  for  the  day ? Not us. But  sightseeing  was  part  of  the  holiday  so  we very  unwillingly ,very  very  lazily pulled  ourselves  out of  our  comfortable  chairs  to  go  out.

                        Sonny had arranged the days   beautifully.

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If  mornings  were  to be  spent  in  the  rooms  evenings  were  busy with  outings. On  the  contrary  if  mornings  were  out  , evenings  you  languish  with  your  favorite  book, a cup  of  coffee/tea, the TV  or go down  to walk  the  streets ,look  at  other  holidayers, bargain  sales, or  walk  off  to  the  beach to  enjoy  the  night  sea. Anand, Sonny’s friend  is  family ,so  when  he  joined  in the evenings  it  would  be a  noisy  chatty  affair  like  in  Mumbai .Most  days  children had  late  nights  under Anand’s  guidance  while  we  stayed  back  to  enjoy  our grandsons  gimmicks .No  hurry ,  no  hustle- bustle ,just  allow  the  day  to  set  in  and  the  night to  creep  out  at  our  pace  and liking. The ‘Our pace’ absent otherwise in our daily chequered life. No  doubt end  of  a  holiday always  is  accompanied  by  a  sigh. Thanks to  the  children for  a  perfectly planned  and  executed  holiday. Seven  relaxed  days  of  ‘Must  see’ and ‘ Must  visits’ thrown  in. It made our holiday pleasurable but never hectic.

                         UAE comprises of seven states Dubai being one of them. While Fujeira, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Sharjah have their factories, real estate business, oil complexes, Dubai thrives mainly on tourism. 3800 sq km make  up  Dubai and  is  the  second  biggest  after  Abu Dhabi .Sheikh  Zahed Bin sultan Al  Nanina is  the father  and  founder  of  UAE .It  has  a  population  of  2.5 million ,where  80  percent  are  foreigners with  700,000  Indians  a  part of it .

                         We were in Oasis Beach tower hotel. Difficult  was  the  street  names, names  of buildings, roads, each  one  had  three  to  four  names  and  all  in  Urdu  like Sheikh  Zayed  road,Nakhlat  Jumeira, Al bashah  and  more. These were the easy and short ones. In  due  course of time ,if  you  happened  to  live  here  it  may be like  our  MG road  or  Tagore  street or teen  darwaza.

           

          

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                        The  Jumeira  area proudly  displayed the  houses  of  the  royal  family  and  palaces  of  the  Sheikhs. The  Medina Jumeira connects five Jumeira  properties , also  known  as  the  ‘art  centre’. Surrounded  by  desert ,but  no  dust ,all buildings , windows ,doors , glasses ,gleaming  in  front  of  you  and  clean  roads  below  your  feet. All  around  you  is  beauty  coupled  with  cleanliness ,a  rare  combination  you  cannot  forget .

                         We visited  this  emporium ,a visit  that  opened our eyes  to  Dubai’s  background, culture, heritage , through  its carpets, zardosi work ,embroidery , art and  artefacts, jewellery , gem stones …..but  all beyond  our  means. We  disappointed  the  shop  owner ,but  that  was  the  truth . The  gold  zardosi  work, they call it  the ‘ royal  work’ , may  be because  they  can  be  afforded  and  used  by  the  royals . The  gem stones  prescribe  ‘sunstone’ for  family  unity, the  Onyx  for heart  and eyesight,’tiger  eyes  for  peace  in  the  family  and so  on. Seeing  , feeling, wondering  at  its  beauty , exquisiteness  that  cannot  be  found  easily satisfied  that  wish  in  us. We  were the  people who admire, know  the  value  and  walk  on.

                        The  construction  of  the  Jumeira  mosque  began  in  1976 , entirely  constructed  of white  stone shows Egyptian  and Syrian influence . It  has  an  ‘open  door policy ‘  --it  is  open  to  non  muslims as well. It  can  hold  more  than  thousand  worshippers . It  has  a  large  central  dome  and  two  minarets . It  is  said  that  it  is  the  most  photographed  mosque  of  Dubai.

                        Dhow  cruise  is  a  ‘ must’ activity .A night  cruise  gives  you  the  opportunity  to  see  the  panoramic  sky line  of  Dubai Marina. Happy  faces,  ,children  playing, table  laden  with  food

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create  an ideal environment  for  a  lovely  evening .we  had  been  to  cruises  on  the Nile ,on  the  Rhine , in Budapest  and  some  more, but   cruises are  cruises ,they  successfully  set  the  mood for  a  great  holiday.

                     

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Dubai  is also  the  gold  land . There are numerous  ways  to  see  and  experience  Dubai  gold  souk. It  is  the  traditional   gold  market  of  Dubai located  in  Deira      with  nearly 400  gold retail  shops. 

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 We  were  three  ladies who  could’nt  be  an  exception  and  not buy  anything , something. The  shops  loaded  with  gold are  a sight  by  itself. Walking  through  the  covered  streets you  are  transported  to  ‘SWARNA PURI’ heard  of  in  our  mythological  stories . Gold  to  the  right  of  you, gold  to  the  left  of  you ,gold  behind  you  glimmered  and  twinkled (sorry  to  use  very  famous  English  lines like  this) Eyes  dazzled  and  glistened,  we were  back  with  sighs  of  pleasure. Wondered  what  King  Midas’ reaction  would  be. To  my  knowledge  nowhere  else in the  world  there are  streets  of  gold.

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 In one  shop a  huge  finger  ring , the  size  of  a car tire ,weighing  58 kgs.  was  displayed, which is  in  the Guinness  book. Every passer by stood  showing  surprise and admired the  creation . Once  in  a  life  time  sight not  to  be  missed  at  any  cost .

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                        One of the days it was the desert safari.

 We drove towards Sharjah. There  is  the  rubble  hill  the  result  of  construction  and  excavations  in  Dubai  city. A huge  confiscated  vehicle  yard, small villages, roadside  dhabas, utilities, car  repair  shops ,hair  dressers , grocery  shops were  no  different  from  our  country.

                         Shrubs   and trees constitute  40 percent  of  the  earth  cover  considering  it  is  a  desert  country. Kings, Sheikhs, parliamentarians contribute their money and might to plant trees for long stretches.

                             

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                         The organized motorcycle safari was enjoyed by the children. Neha  drove  up  and  down  the  sand  dunes  like  a  don . Argho  was  pillion and  protective  ,the  little  one sandwiched  between  the  parents enjoyed  the  comfy  but  tumultuous  ride .

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                        Next it was the car safari. Once again up and down the sand dunes. Good and bad. Good  because  it  was  something  first  of  a  kind  for us . Bad because your  stomach was  in  your mouth ,so  so  nauseating  my  little  one  who  could  then  speak  only few  words  then  kept  saying  ‘om…,om’ meaning  ‘home’. The whole place was dotted with bikes, cars and jeeps.

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           Evening  we  were  at  the  camp ,right  in  the  middle  of  desert land .Nearly  200  to 250  visitors .

The stage was at the centre with tables all around.

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There  was  a  waiter  at  every  table  to  serve  you unlimited food  and  drink. The hosts were polite and eager to oblige. Hindi being known to all conversing was easy. Food  was  platters  of  kebabs, fries  and  plates  of  biriyani  both  veg and  non  veg. to  be  relished  under  the  open  sky. Local  dancers  entertained  you, the  much talked  about  belly  dancers  performed  for  you . The mood automatically soars to give you that 100 % ‘holidaywala feeling’.

                        ‘tanna  Dance’ ----was  performed  by a  man , dressed  in  a colorful  skirt with  a  ‘Dafli’ to  keep beat.  He goes  round and  round, may  be  a  hundred  times ,all  the  time  juggling  with  the  dafli  which initially is  one ,in due  course  of  the dance the number  of  daflis  increases  to  six . The  skirt which  flares up  like  an  umbrella  is  lighted  by  small  bulbs .At  a point  of  time  the stage  lights are  switched  off   and  you  get  to  see  a  spectacular  scene  of  a  lighted  umbrella  going  round  and  round  (as  the  dancer  is then  invisible ).

               

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                        We saw belly dancing for the first time. Goes without saying we were floored. This sort of dance could be viewed   as item numbers in our movies. It  had  entertainment  value  with  a  touch of  vulgarity , the  lyrics  having double  meanings .whatever it  could  never  be  classed  as  a  form  of  art.

                        But  belly  dancing  among  sand  dunes gave  it  an  aura  of  aesthetic performance. It  was  beautiful, the  body  movements ,the  gyrations ,the  foot work , the torso movement was  all so fluid , you  watch  and  wonder  if  it  is  a  live  performance or is  it  a  programmed device. Dressing  is  minimal but  look  at  it  like  this ……only  then  can  you  see  the articulations  of  the  hips and  isolation  of  the  torso . look  at  it  like  a  beautiful  presentation  and  you  will  wonder at  the  flexibility and  the rhythmic  movement . It is a special sight anywhere. These  are  entirely  my  views-----to  each  his  own .

                         We  dedicated a day  to Abu Dhabi , which  was  just  a  140  kames away a drive  of  2  hours. The drive showed us sights of UAE on either side. Their efforts to make a sandy expanse green are applaudable. The  government ,the  sheikhs, the  ministeries  have  taken  huge  efforts  to  plant  trees  on  either  side  to  make  it  a  green  stretch.  

                        On  the  way  to  Abu  Dhabi  at Dubai park there is Bolly  wood  park, Legoland, Water  park, Mad  Max  where  vehicles  are  kept  as exhibits , it  is  called  as  ‘the  last  exit’ .

                     

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At  the  Ferrari  mall  there are  cars  unheard  of  and  unseen  by  people  like  us …it  is  what  you  call in  hindi  ‘nayan  sukh’.

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                        It is an ideal place for a coffee   break.

                       The  driver makes  it  a  point  to  tell  us that  the  color  of  the  road  changes  as  you  enter  Abu Dhabi .Roads  with  dividers, dividers  with  six lights and hundreds  of  trees to  make the  arid land  green .Houses are all  sand  colored   so  sand storms  cannot  turn  them  muddy. Maintenance is a must or else heavy fines are imposed after three warnings. Vehicles  too  face  heavy  penalty  for  wrong  parking or  breaking  any  traffic  rules. There is no escape from fines. 500 dirhams minimum, which is high by any standards.

                        On  the  way  to  Abu  Dhabi  a  halt  at the whole sale date  market is a must. The  numerous  varieties  of  dates  and  equally number  of  ways  they are  packed and presented is  a  sight by  itself .

                  

   

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 Artificial islands glide beach, Saadiyat island are all for visitors delight.

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The trade centre belongs to the Sheikh. Merina island gate is under construction. Full yatches can be rented to enjoy the sea.

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   We stop at the heritage  village created  to give  you  a  sight into Arabic life replete  with  houses  ,courtyard, boats ,well plus small rooms  showcasing  their  handicrafts.

                    

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                        Emirates palace is a seven star hotel.

                    

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 There are three towers meant for hotel, office and residence respectively. In  the  Majlis  building  the Sheikh  presides  to  hear  and  settle  complaints.

 

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 The  Grand  Mosque  is  a  Mosque  with  a  capital ‘G’in  all  its  aspect .It  is  the  seventh  largest  mosque.

          

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 Right from the prayer halls,

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 to the corridors,

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to the ablution halls,

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the  manicured  lawns  and  beautiful  gardens ,every thing is  exquisite  and  maintained  to  perfection.  It  is  open  to  all, no  restriction with  regard  to  religion, nationality ,male or  female. As  per  our  guide  the  prayer  hall  carpet  which  accommodates  5,00,000 devotees  during  the  month of Ramadan , weighs  32,000 kgs. and is a single piece.

 

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                        The  world’s  best  airport  is  being made which will  look  like  a  scorpion  from  air.

                       Very  crowded  but  you  also  have  a  fountain  show  if  you  are  interested  .

                        Thanks  to  my  children  who  gave  us  this  holiday  where  we  enjoyed  this  modern, beautiful  and  western  in  every  sense  city

                      Every  city  has a  tale  to  tell, scenes  to  show, places  to  boast  about, designs  to  display. So  don’t make  a  mistake, have  preconceived  ideas , go  ahead  and  welcome  each  opportunity  with  open arms  .     

 

                                     

 

 

                    

                    

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