UAE-luxury and simplicity of life!
Good day everyone! Passions subsided, which means you can write about the journey). When choosing a hotel, traveling on my own on excursions around the Emirates, I came across the fact that there is very little information. Rummaged the entire Internet! I hope my review will help, lovers like us, independent exploration of the country. The choice fell on the UAE by accident (although there are no accidents, who knows). We originally planned to go to Goa. But already when the hotel was chosen, on the same evening, the beloved tour operator announced the suspension of its work. The choice had to be made quickly. And since we dreamed and wanted to go to the UAE, we decided to go to Dubai. There were three of us - me, my son and his friend. Why to Dubai? I DID NOT want to go to 5 stars and wallow this time as a seal on the beach, we wanted to see the city, go to the capital of Abu Dhabi and of course there was a plan - what to visit and most importantly, to see the city and the country from the inside, and not from the window of the sightseeing bus.
So, during the evening, having called several travel agencies in the city, as a result, they turned to the checker. tour operator and very quickly chose a hotel. Preferences were (read the review about the hotel) will not be repeated. Hotel Holiday Inn Express Dubai Jumeirah 2 * Reviews about it were only good! And he left the most pleasant impressions with us. The documents were ready in two days, even the visa. Everything is operational. We were worried about UIA departure, I read a lot about the loss of luggage, about what they open, etc. And of course, we knew that they were not fed. And the fact that what is for sale . . is a separate issue. For example, a Lipton tea bag is 3 euros! There is no choice of food at all! If you are flying far with UIA, take food with you. Only water is free. With luggage, takeoff, landing everything is on top. True, most of the flight was spent in the turbulence zone, but it was not boring)). By the way UIA-flight time is 4 hours. Air Arabia. -5.5. Airport visa control, retinal scan, photo for memory)) I don’t know how, but this passed me, my guys didn’t.
Met, seated in the Cruiser) and after 10 minutes we were at the hotel. Arrived at night . . around 4 am. Settled in 5 minutes. The staff does not speak Slavic, but even clumsy English is understood. There were no problems. Morning of the next day. We slept through breakfast. In the following days, the curtains were left a little ajar, and this helped not to oversleep. The first day, we went to the beach, since there is a free shuttle, we just managed to take it at 11.30, at 15.30. take away. Drive 10 minutes. The beaches are now almost all closed, construction sites, reconstructions are everywhere, But there is where to lie down and swim if you are practically walruses too) the temperature is deg. 20. After walking along the beach, we decided to walk back to the hotel, on the way we went to McDonald's to eat. I must say right away that their prices are higher than ours, and the food there is tasteless. I must say right away that I don’t go to McDonald’s at home. Happens once a year. But there was nothing on the way. In general, as for me, the most expensive thing in Dubai is food! .
Certainly not for them. For us, in the price-quality ratio and in general the price)). We had a plan where, where, why and why to go or go. And we fully implemented it in 5 days. I'll tell you about the main. How to get there and how much it costs. We decided to drive up to the business center, 15 minutes from the hotel . . by bus, we went in . . we were going, and the payment turned out to be only by cards. Came out on the trail. stop, even after two . . It was a shame to ride with hares. Even though no one told us. You can't buy them from the driver. They are sold in the subway! And you still had to get to the subway. We went out, along the way asking passers-by where they sell cards, the answer is only in the subway. So, walking and reached the subway. Bought with a silver card. They have now risen in price by 5 dirhams. It is valid for 5 years! You can top up at any station. She can also pay in intercity buses, and in urban and metro. Conveniently. But it's not always profitable. For the transition between the branches removes 3 dirhams.
There are only two branches. And now the tram! Which walks in the fashionable area of Dubai Marina. And the tram is also without a driver)). But there was a curiosity with this card. We went to the Global Village in the evening. It's such an entertaining town. It is on the other side of the city from our hotel and a bit out of town, I would say. Entrance 15 dirhams. Basically a market. The pavilions are stylized as countries. And each sells goods of this country. Prices are sometimes higher than in the city and even more so than here). You can go. Representation. carousels, entertainment, performances by artists. colored singing fountain. And expensive food)) You can safely buy "street". Don't be afraid, don't get poisoned. We go back to the bus, we have the same cards! But it wasn't there! We go in, apply the cards, but we do not have enough money there! And what to do? There is no place to fill up. An Arab stands and sells these cards, throws a couple of dirhams on its full value, and even asks to give his own, although there is still money there!
In general, the deal is not profitable)) Having quickly calculated, we understand that buying three cards at the price he offers is practically the same as taking a taxi. And with comfort we go as a result by taxi. And here is not without curiosity. There are many taxi drivers, and we are alone, they quarreled over us. They transferred us to another car and we safely drove home.
In the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, tickets were still taken at home on an Internet. We chose the time, went to the official. site, paid by card, not currency. In hryvnia. Approximately $ 33 per person (at the exchange rate on the day of purchase) 130 dirhams. And if you buy tickets right there, then the cost is 400 dirhams per person. And then. it is not on the day of purchase to go up there. Good savings. Printed out. They came and gave. Everyone, we stand in line to the sky)). The Parus Hotel, also known as Burj El Arab, went on our own. By metro to Mool of the Emirates station. (red line) went out, walked for about 15 minutes and we were there. Now there are construction sites everywhere, the beach is closed.
And "Wild Wadi" water park - next to the sail - too. We walked to the medina, went there to buy souvenirs, took a taxi to the metro. Taxi prices have gone up. When I read it, the information was not fresh. Today the landing is 5 dirhams, before it was 3. The minimum wage is 12 dirhams, it used to be 10. From the medina to the metro, the minimum wage is 12 dirhams. BUT really go to 8). One more moment! We were ripped apart a little. In Dubai Mall (the world's largest shopping center) we decided to go home by taxi, because it was more profitable than the subway + all the same from the metro taxi to the house, so as not to walk. We left the supermarket in Dubai Mall, it is on the ground floor and there is a taxi . . pick-up. And nowhere is it written what and how. Well taxi and taxi itself. We sit down, and he has 12 dirhams on the counter right away! O-pa, we say to him what the hell, he let's wave his hands, yell. We say we want to go out . . not a fig, it does not release. and hasn't left yet! In general, they paid 12 and left. , went down the stairs, got into a taxi, landing 5)). so like this.
But there was no information anywhere!
We took only one jeep safari tour. I called Arabia Night by city number, the guy Vasily with excellent Russian told me everything. And voila, the driver drove in at lunchtime and we drove into the desert. They asked for an extreme driver. Our wish was granted. Unforgettable pleasure! Everything is set up, no rush, no delays. . we liked it! Dunes, sunset, dinner, dancing . . and even figured out three countries-Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus)). We traveled to Abu Dhabi. From Ibn Batuta station (red line) bus to Abu Dhabi cost 20 dirhams, paid by card. Everyone there paid only by card. 1 hour to the city in the city to the bus station for another 40 minutes and we are in the capital! At the bus station, if you are facing the entrance from the side of the suburban buses, the buses going through the Sheikh Zayed Mosque leave on the right. She was our first target.
Paths are also being laid there, flower beds are being laid out, the entrance had to be looked for. Then the most interesting began. Only guided tours are allowed! And we are so independent)) The police couldn't believe it and kept asking about what and how we got here. They didn't want to let us in! And by the way, the police are everywhere! In all the UAE)) Abayas do not give out shirts to women and men! I don’t know, something is not working for them issuance. And excursions come and they are given clothes right on the buses. I had to be nervous. It's good that I was in trousers and had a blouse with me. I had to fry). And my guys weren't allowed in, because one of them had breeches that didn't cover his knees. As a result, the police sent some peasant to us, he began to get men's shirts out of the bag)), then he looked and said that he would go. ) We pass on, the next braked and that's it. Stupor.
We say they let us in, we show who, and the one who let us through, how a gazelle maneuvers between people and the policeman either really did not see or pretended to. But I still managed to get him to see that peasant. ) But it had little effect on him. He mumbled something on the slave radio and we stood and waited. We even offered him to change, he gave us trousers, and we gave him breeches). As a result, having lowered our pants, we got into the territory. Of course the beauty is indescribable! Everything sparkles, shimmers, but at the same time everything is simple and luxurious. On the shelves inside the Koran and all. The greatness is amazing! White marble, flowers lined with colored marble, Swarovski chandeliers ....beauty! I advise everyone! We really wanted to get there in the morning, for which we left Dubai early. I read that excursions appear at one or two. But no! at 10 am it was already dark there! ! It's a good thing, the mosque is huge, but in order to take a picture you need to go out of your way. And yet people are everywhere!
Get there early! Or in the evening, but then the view and impression will be different, I think some fabulous! From there, our path lay in "Ferrari World". We got into a taxi near the mosque - landing in Abu Dhabi for 3 dirhams, cheaper than in Dubai, drove along interchanges and bridges)) and we are in the world of red cars! ) Entrance -250 dirhams. The Ross slide formula didn't work that day. I think it's worth going there only if it works. Although you need to pay for it separately. The only advantage for me is that you can be there until closing time. But all three of us decided that once is possible, but it is not worth the money. Approximately 70 dollars. from a person. You can ride the rides as many times as you want. Of all, several times we rode only on a hill! By the way, it is better to go there on Tuesday, there are few people, there are practically no queues for rides. There was a queue for karting, but you come up there, check in, they give you a ticket over time and you can safely go on having fun.
Ferrari park is connected to the mall. We ate in it. By the way, at the entrance to the park, they check bags, we feverishly ate our bananas and apples, but we didn’t eat everything, and the inspector didn’t take anything away so that we wouldn’t eat on the territory. And that's all) About the food, we ate at the "Texas" establishment, immediately go to the Mall, it's hard not to notice it. The prices are normal. The food is delicious. Steaks, salads (little like Caesar. There was no meat). There is also a nice bonus. This we found out later. For example, you order a steak, and it comes with a free salad, a side dish of your choice - whole baked potatoes, mashed potatoes or fries and salads of your choice and a drink of your choice. The end result is so much food! ))) There is a Russian-speaking waiter, a boy from Tajikistan. Very friendly and smiling, and most importantly fast efficient waiters. They have a lure . . they dance )) Do they have such breaks? Funny. delicious, good. We advise! There are also restaurants there. if you go further along the mall.
And after a night disco at 2 am arrived at the airport). The flight was delayed because when the plane was flying from Kyiv, it was snowing, and since the plane was the same, it flew to Dubai late, respectively, filed late and we arrived half an hour late. I liked how the captain of the ship said - in 15 minutes. planning to land! ))) And we landed from +25 to -6 and snow! )))
If you have any questions, I will help in any way I can. Shopping as such was not planned, a little gold was bought. It is profitable to buy gold and silver there, and I think it is profitable to buy cars)). Well, the rest is only during the big fairs. Everything has gone up in price in the UAE as they won the right to host the World Expo in 2020. Now they are raising prices to world prices).
For a long time I can write about this wonderful country, about its people, it's just another planet, where everyone can find a place under this bright Arabian sun!!
Oriental fairy tale, where you want to return!
