We don’t travel extensively to the United Arab Emirates, as there is nothing here that we can’t see in Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, Dubai stands out. You can only find that in the Emirates. Another purpose takes us to the Emirates: we have bought four new tires, which have now been delivered and can be fitted.
Abu Dhabi
New tires
Shiraz Khan, a Pakistani, runs a Michelin tire warehouse in Abu Dhabi. In December, we were able to order four new tires from him, which have now arrived. On Sunday, we arrange to go to a Pakistani backyard workshop to have the tires fitted. Shiraz personally monitors whether everything is working properly. The Pakistanis do a good job. We are happy with it. Unfortunately, one of the tires falls off the rear carrier and damages our aluminium ladder. As it is still usable, we chalk it up to “it just happened”.
There is a car wash diagonally opposite and we take the opportunity to wash the MAN again and, in particular, to rinse off the salt.
Dalma Mall
We spend the night in the parking lot of the Dalma Mall again. Here we shop at “Carrefour” and visit the fine Indian restaurant “Indian Palace” again in the evening.
Gracious service with a friendly smile and excellent food – we enjoy it to the full. Shortly after sunset, the restaurant fills up with hungry locals, but it seems that as soon as their hunger is satisfied, they leave again.
Yes, and we still have Ramadan, the “month of fasting” in Islam. It’s just interesting that people tell us that they put on weight during the month of fasting. Fasting only takes place during the day and so you see many locals “tigering around” just before sunset until they are finally allowed to eat again.
As in the western world, religious holidays are also used here to do business. This is why shopping centers and large supermarkets in particular prepare themselves with countless “Ramadan promotions”. To emphasize this, of course, appropriate decorations and lighting are needed, the symbolism of which is beyond us.
Dubai
Sunrise Beach
The “sunrise beach” is a sandy island built up on the ground. Before it can be built on, the subsoil must be allowed to settle. That’s why this huge site in front of the magnificent Dubai skyline is currently free for local and foreign campers. We spend a few nights here and can admire the constantly changing light moods over the Dubai skyline.
During the day it is tranquil and quiet here, but at night we are repeatedly disturbed. As we are a little way from the site boundary, cars drive behind our vehicle in the evening and in the middle of the night to hide there and – no idea what they are doing in the car, as the windows are covered in dark foil….
Historic Dubai
Where Dubai is today, there was once an extensive mangrove swamp that dried up around 3,000 BC and therefore became habitable. It is believed that nomadic cattle herders were the first settlers to settle in the area.
By 2,500 BC, these settlers had established a thriving date palm plantation and successfully used the site for agriculture for the first time.
Dubai was first mentioned in 1095 in the “Book of Geography” by the Andalusian-Arab historian Abu Abdullah Al Bakri. Other documents that mention today’s emirate include the diary of the Venetian pearl merchant Gasparo Balbi, who visited the area in 1580 for the pearl trade.
At that time, the locals earned their daily bread mainly from fishing, pearl diving, boat building and providing accommodation and food for traveling merchants selling gold, spices and textiles. The next milestone in the emirate’s history was in 1793, when the Bani Yas tribe settled in Abu Dhabi and took over political leadership. Dubai thus became a colony.
Britain negotiated a truce with the local rulers in 1820, which led to the opening of the walls and thus also the trade routes, and trade flourished. This started a constant exchange with countries from all over the world and Dubai became an important trading center.
Under the leadership of Al Maktoum, Dubai began to flourish, and in 1894 trade in the region received an additional boost when new rules granted tax exemptions to foreigners and a large number of foreign workers flocked to the Emirates, mostly Indian and Pakistani traders eager to take advantage of the excellent business conditions.
Although this was a fairly successful period in Dubai’s history, the city continued to depend on fishing, trade and pearl diving. When artificial pearls were invented in Japan in the 1950s, the vulnerability of Dubai’s economy was exposed. The lull did not last long, however, because in 1966 everything changed at a stroke: oil was discovered.
As a result of the oil discovery, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum set the development of modern Dubai in motion. He united the scattered settlements on Dubai Creek into a modern port city and a modern commercial center. The major projects that were implemented at the time included Rashid Port and Jebel Ali Port, the Dubai Drydocks shipyards, the expansion of Dubai Creek and the construction of the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Thanks to the leadership and vision of the UAE’s rulers, ambitious construction and social projects could be pushed ahead quickly. In just 50 years, Dubai experienced explosive growth and modern architectural wonders such as the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa were built, which are now considered landmarks of the city.
We stroll through the newly designed so-called “old town”, which is, however, fully geared towards tourism. People keep trying to lure us into a store. But we don’t really have a need. We also have the impression that the “old town” is not really historical substance, but has been redesigned for the sake of tourists. We therefore limit our stay here and move on to Dubai Creek, a water arm.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a lively waterway in Dubai’s hinterland. Dubai lives here in a completely different way. The traditional “Abras”, the small passenger boats, take pedestrians across the water arm. We grab a bite to eat in a small restaurant right on the water. We are served by radiantly friendly Filipino women. Ours is called Grace and is a single mother of two children. The children are growing up at home with their parents. She no longer has a husband “I don’t need a husband any more, I have the children now,” she tells us.
Dhow harbor
The dhow harbor is not a tourist destination. Unfortunately, it is not in the best light at the moment. Here, goods of all kinds – such as washing machines – are loaded onto the old wooden ships, which are still in operation. It is possible that trade with Iran is conducted here, or perhaps “illegal” trade, who knows. In any case, the harbor is worth seeing and you should keep a low profile here and not stand out, as tourists are not welcome “guests”.
Dubai Mall
A huge shopping center where you can actually get lost. It is known for its exclusive stores and the huge aquarium, in which sharks swim. We find the guided tour groups amusing. The group leader in front with her flag raised high and the tour members behind her. Sorry, but you really can’t enjoy the mall and the atmosphere like that. And that’s our way of saying that we like the hustle and bustle and life in a shopping center from time to time.
Dubai Fountain
To be honest, we wouldn’t have come here just to see the Dubai Mall and the aquarium. The Dubai Fountain, the tallest skyscraper in the world and the nightly show are what drew us here. After a delicious dinner in the brasserie, we wait until the first show starts at 7:30 pm. First, lights appear on Khalifa Castle, then the giant fountain begins to dance. Interrupted by a break, the show runs three times each evening, each time with different music and different shapes and colors. We love the atmosphere here and watching all the people is exciting. The first thing I do is find a seat, which an Indian woman gives me. Next to me is a nanny with a lovely little boy in her arms. I make myself as thin as possible, but have a preferred spot to take photos and immerse myself fully in the show.
The show begins
Dubai Marina
Many beautiful skyscrapers are densely grouped around an artificial lake with a large marina. There is a walkway around the lake, which is lined with many restaurants. After I had my hair done again at “GQ Men’s Hair Lounge”, we used the day to have lunch in Dubai Marina. However, we are slowly heading out of the city again, as the restless nights at Sunrisebeach have left us feeling a little under the weather. In the afternoon, we drive back to our spot by the sea and prepare to set off for Saudi Arabia the next morning.
On the road to the south
On the way, a Steyer expedition vehicle from Germany overtakes us. They stop in a truck parking lot and we greet each other. Karin and Michael are traveling a little faster than us. We have a quick chat and then everyone goes their own way again.
At Al Ruwais, we drive to Al Dhannah Mall to do some more shopping. Afterwards, we treat ourselves to a coffee and something sweet in the “Brioche” restaurant with its tasteful decor and service from Nepal. We spend the night in the parking lot.
The next day, we drive the short distance to Al Silah, where we spend the night by the bay and round off our stay in the United Arab Emirates.
