The Dubai Blogs

Day 1

Souk Al Madinah - Dubai

Someone once said, that there 3 classes of flying- First class, Economy and lastly with kids. Our two and a half year old however managed very well on the 8 hour flight from Johannesburg to Dubai on Emirates. The Emirates in-flight entertainment kept her busy for most of the hours up in the air. I was particularly disappointed by the lack of perfection normally associated with Emirates. The fruit platters were disorganized and tasteless, the toddlers didn't receive a little goodie bag, and there were no toothbrushes or plane socks on board either.

Once you step of the plane at Dubai Terminal 3, you are slightly overwhelmed by the glitz of Dubai. Organized and professional, we were out of the airport and in our hotel in under 2 hours.



Dubai Metro



On route to the hotel, one is left in awe at the majestic buildings, each one towering higher over the next. One clear building over the Dubai skyline, is the elegant Burj Khalifa. We stayed at the Golden Sands 5,in Bur Dubai (review on hotel is available on this blog and tripadvisor). For under 300 AED a night per room, the Sands are a bargain in super expensive Dubai. 

Jumeirah Beach





After a much needed nap, and freshening up, we hit the streets, searching for the Khalid Ibn Al Waleed Metro station. Modern and efficient, this metro took us directly to the Mall of Emirates. We then grabbed a taxi to Jumeirah Beach to spend a relaxing afternoon in the soft sand and welcoming seas. The beach overlooks the splendid Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The Souk-al-Madinah is close by and worth a quick stroll. The quaint stalls remind you of Morocco but the prices are closer to Paris.

 

We enjoyed some Cold Stone Creamery Ice cream before calling it a night anticipating a visit to the Palms Jumeirah.

Cold Stone Creamery

... Me