After the Burj, we went to see the fountain show at the bottom floor of the mall. Paula thought she identified the accompanying music - Aaron Copeland?
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Dubai Mall Dancing Fountains
After the Burj, we went to see the fountain show at the bottom floor of the mall. Paula thought she identified the accompanying music - Aaron Copeland?
The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
After coffee on the balcony, Paula prepared a delicious breakfast of cucumbers with mandarins to add to the lebneh (similar to sour cream), pita and blueberry jam, and mustard seed cheese. Next, Paula cooked dinner - sautéed meat and eggplant - for us, so we have dinner if we return starving from our outings today.
Now we’re off to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. Once we arrived, we went right to the ticket kiosk for the Burj. There was a long line, and when we got to the ticket window, we discovered there were no more “cheaper” tickets to the 124th floor. So we bought tickets to the 148th floor which included tea/coffee/water and snacks. This ended up working out great because it was much less crowded and had an outside balcony which allowed for much better picture taking and also the temperature was cooler.
After we got tickets for 5:30 entrance, we went to get a snack in the Food Hall. It was a bit like US food halls but much glitzier with many more choices. Surprisingly, though, was the presence of Subway, KFC, Freddie’s Steakburgers - an Oklahoma staple along with many international choices. Paula had a Freddie’s with onion rings which didn’t taste all that much like an OK Freddie’s....
Next we went to a bookstore where I looked for an Emerati cookbook. I’ve had some delicious meals here that I’d love to recreate at home. I didn’t find any that were worth the weight of packing it in my suitcase.
Soon it was time to head to the line to go to the Burj. I’m not a huge shopper, but I did find the mall beautiful, sparkling and filled with surprises like the aquarium on a lower floor (we didn’t get there this trip) and spectacular art.
Finally, we were in the first elevator which stopped at the 124th floor. Our ears did pop slightly, but the trip was fast and smooth. We transferred to a smaller elevator to go to the 148th floor which opened into a spacious room where waiters served coffee, tea and water along with platters of three kinds of sweets - pistachio filled dates, small cookies and what tasted like baklava but wasn’t. There were couches/chairs all around the middle and also facing the magnificent view where we could sit and nibble. Fellow visitors were very hospitable and readily shared their positions in front of the windows.
It was just starting to get dark which gave us the opportunity to take in the view in daylight and in darkness.
Looking up toward the top of the Burj.
Out on the balcony.
Out on the balcony looking up.
Coming down from the floor 148th floor.
Peering out on the balcony.
Now we’re off to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. Once we arrived, we went right to the ticket kiosk for the Burj. There was a long line, and when we got to the ticket window, we discovered there were no more “cheaper” tickets to the 124th floor. So we bought tickets to the 148th floor which included tea/coffee/water and snacks. This ended up working out great because it was much less crowded and had an outside balcony which allowed for much better picture taking and also the temperature was cooler.
After we got tickets for 5:30 entrance, we went to get a snack in the Food Hall. It was a bit like US food halls but much glitzier with many more choices. Surprisingly, though, was the presence of Subway, KFC, Freddie’s Steakburgers - an Oklahoma staple along with many international choices. Paula had a Freddie’s with onion rings which didn’t taste all that much like an OK Freddie’s....
Next we went to a bookstore where I looked for an Emerati cookbook. I’ve had some delicious meals here that I’d love to recreate at home. I didn’t find any that were worth the weight of packing it in my suitcase.
Soon it was time to head to the line to go to the Burj. I’m not a huge shopper, but I did find the mall beautiful, sparkling and filled with surprises like the aquarium on a lower floor (we didn’t get there this trip) and spectacular art.
Finally, we were in the first elevator which stopped at the 124th floor. Our ears did pop slightly, but the trip was fast and smooth. We transferred to a smaller elevator to go to the 148th floor which opened into a spacious room where waiters served coffee, tea and water along with platters of three kinds of sweets - pistachio filled dates, small cookies and what tasted like baklava but wasn’t. There were couches/chairs all around the middle and also facing the magnificent view where we could sit and nibble. Fellow visitors were very hospitable and readily shared their positions in front of the windows.
It was just starting to get dark which gave us the opportunity to take in the view in daylight and in darkness.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Beach Day and... Camels!
I decided this would be a zero day since I felt like I’ve been zooming all over Dubai and Sharjah. I took care of laundry, grocery shopping and blogging this morning. Then after lunch, I headed for the beach. It’s an elevator ride down to the beach level and then a short walk across the promenade. I had been there the day after I arrived, but hadn’t been there since.
Thank goodness I took the time this afternoon. I really enjoyed relaxing, swimming, walking along the beach and looking for shells. There is a lot of coral here and also a variety of colorful small scallop shells.
I had a fun conversation with Julia, a guidance counselor visiting from London who was vacationing with her husband and two sons. We discussed education, society, the US political scene and motherhood. It was one of the highlights of the day.
The other highlight was when a woman in front of me pointed down the beach to her husband. I followed her direction and there, coming right toward me were two camels - a driver on one and a passenger on the other!
My feet in the Arabian Gulf .
The many shells/stones in the Arabian Gulf. Very little current here. Gentle lapping on the shore.
Very unusual to see skyscrapers so close to the beach.
The Dubai “Eye” is just across the water.
The Jumeriah Beach Residence Towers. My AirBnB is in Rimal Tower 4.
Behind me is a fancy water playground for the children. Everyone had on life vests. Further down the beach, there are wave runners, some sort of giant fountain that you can ski on, and other people were parasailing.
These lounges and umbrellas could be rented for the day, but there were also comfortable chairs all over the beach that were free to sit on.
Thank goodness I took the time this afternoon. I really enjoyed relaxing, swimming, walking along the beach and looking for shells. There is a lot of coral here and also a variety of colorful small scallop shells.
I had a fun conversation with Julia, a guidance counselor visiting from London who was vacationing with her husband and two sons. We discussed education, society, the US political scene and motherhood. It was one of the highlights of the day.
The other highlight was when a woman in front of me pointed down the beach to her husband. I followed her direction and there, coming right toward me were two camels - a driver on one and a passenger on the other!
Al Serkal Avenue Art Galleries
My last activity of the day was to explore Al Serkal Avenue. The guide at the Women's Museum said it was an area filled with art galleries. She was right.
But, it took a little doing to get there. I took two metros and got off at Noor Bank thinking I could walk there. When will I learn that distances are actually very far from what they appear to be on Google? Plus, the area was quite industrial with huge warehouses, perfect for art but not conducive to an afternoon stroll. Fortunately, cabs are always close by, and soon I was there.
The art was terrific and very unusual. Some of the galleries are located in New York and have a Dubai branch, reminding me of the intricate connections capable in the 21st century.
There were a number of cafes, and I stopped in one for a tomato, basil and cheese croissant. Just what I needed to recharge.
This collage is by Melis Buyruk. The guide told me the artist had been encouraged to try “filling the space” in her collage. It’s all done in white ceramic and consists of individual pieces organized within a frame. I was drawn to the pig...
This piece by Reza Derakshani appeared to be a lump of carpet plopped in a disorganized manner on the floor. It’s actually made of wood and meticulously executed.
This stall was part of a very large shop selling different kinds of crafts from jewelry to clothing. This spot sold handmade soap.
But, it took a little doing to get there. I took two metros and got off at Noor Bank thinking I could walk there. When will I learn that distances are actually very far from what they appear to be on Google? Plus, the area was quite industrial with huge warehouses, perfect for art but not conducive to an afternoon stroll. Fortunately, cabs are always close by, and soon I was there.
The art was terrific and very unusual. Some of the galleries are located in New York and have a Dubai branch, reminding me of the intricate connections capable in the 21st century.
There were a number of cafes, and I stopped in one for a tomato, basil and cheese croissant. Just what I needed to recharge.
This piece by Reza Derakshani appeared to be a lump of carpet plopped in a disorganized manner on the floor. It’s actually made of wood and meticulously executed.
Abra Across the Creek and Women’s Museum
I’d been wanting to travel across the Dubai Creek in an abra and visiting the Women’s Museum on the other side was a perfect opportunity.
There’s no set schedule. You simply go to the wharf, wait for one to dock, follow people down the gangway and board the boat. Seats are a large platform and are arranged around the middle.
Once the abra was full, off it went across the creek. It took about 10 minutes to cross and was so much fun to be out on the water. When I got off, I headed for Deira, a very large area with many souks. It was packed with tourists buying everything. I wondered why tourists would choose this area as the other side has souks which are much less crowded.
I had Google up on my phone, but I still had a very hard time finding the Women’s Museum. I traveled through numerous narrow alleyways chockfull of shops. Finally, I saw a sign with an arrow. The museum was founded by Professor Rafia Obaid Ghubash, an epidemiological psychiatrist who actually grew up on the shores of Deira. She wanted a house to honor the women of her culture. It is the only one of its kind in the Arab region.
Below is an exhibit of poetry. I thought the display was beautiful.
There’s no set schedule. You simply go to the wharf, wait for one to dock, follow people down the gangway and board the boat. Seats are a large platform and are arranged around the middle.
Once the abra was full, off it went across the creek. It took about 10 minutes to cross and was so much fun to be out on the water. When I got off, I headed for Deira, a very large area with many souks. It was packed with tourists buying everything. I wondered why tourists would choose this area as the other side has souks which are much less crowded.
I had Google up on my phone, but I still had a very hard time finding the Women’s Museum. I traveled through numerous narrow alleyways chockfull of shops. Finally, I saw a sign with an arrow. The museum was founded by Professor Rafia Obaid Ghubash, an epidemiological psychiatrist who actually grew up on the shores of Deira. She wanted a house to honor the women of her culture. It is the only one of its kind in the Arab region.
Below is an exhibit of poetry. I thought the display was beautiful.
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