Emirates: 10 pluses of rest in Ramadan or "do not deny yourself anything, but do not forget
This summer, with its debilitating heat, when even a breath of wind does not break the heat, has put the last bullet in the question - is it too hot in the UAE in summer to go there ? ! After our 40-45° heat, it already seemed that nothing could be scary. Moreover, we understand that we are going to a highly developed country, where this issue is resolved rationally and optimally. Looking ahead, I will note that our hopes were fully justified, even bus stops are equipped with air conditioners.
The airport is huge, but the space is not as busy as it is during the season. As one of the local Arab residents said, this month there are 10 times less visitors than usual, that's the first plus.
We are going to Dubai at the end of August, at the end of the summer season. The city meets at night with 36-degree heat. It seems that you are in a sauna and you think - oh, what will happen during the day? ! I decide - "I will run from the hotel to the car. "
The Sheraton Hotel is located in the city center in one of the popular shopping areas on Mankhool Street, in the Bur Dubai area, 4 km from the international airport, in its business part, from where it is easy to get to malls and bazaars. The hotel is urban, the beach is 5 km away, but every day from 9.30 to 13.30 a bus went there. Due to Ramadan, it was half empty.
The sea is clean, the beaches are free - the second plus. There are few people and you can swim as much as you like in the purest water.
Our hotel room is large - 30 sqm, overlooking a busy street. The room contains all toiletries, bathrobe, slippers, individual air conditioning, hairdryer, safe. The room also has a kettle, tea / coffee, which I, as a tourist, cannot but rejoice. I love, you know, to sit, drink coffee in a "home" informal setting. The swimming pool is located on the roof of the building.
Since there are few visitors - the third plus, we and 5-6 other people have breakfast in the restaurant in the morning! Pastries, pancakes, jams, yoghurts, two types of sausages, rice, pita bread, potatoes, jackets, scrambled eggs with fillings, salads. They serve tea and coffee. The tea is packaged and the coffee is freshly brewed of excellent quality.
No wonder we read the reviews of tourists before the trip. We took advantage of the experience described in one of the reviews. We did not want to leave a deposit in dollars, which we had to return in dirhams when leaving the hotel. Since the flight is at 4 in the morning, dirhams in such an amount would obviously be of no use to us. Therefore, we asked to remove the contents of the mini-bar, explaining that we would not use it, and said that all payments at the hotel would be made in cash.
It was convenient for us, since we only had breakfast at the hotel, and then excursions and trips for the whole day.
Before the trip, we carefully read the rules of conduct in the Emirates. Not only is this a Muslim state and monitors the observance of moral principles, but also our trip falls on the very month of Ramadan and therefore there are an order of magnitude more restrictions. I quote: “The customs are especially strictly observed in the holy month of Ramadan. Do not do anything that might offend local traditions or religious beliefs. ” During the holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Therefore, guests of the country are not recommended (you need to understand that it is not allowed! ) to eat, drink, smoke and even chew gum in public places and on the street. I don’t mention “it is not recommended to photograph government buildings, military installations, mansions behind blank fences. It is not acceptable to photograph local Arab women. If you want to photograph local men, ask their permission first. ” After such parting words, I did not want to photograph either men or women, and moreover, I tried so that they would not accidentally get into the frame, and suddenly they would decide that I specially photographed them. And these are not horror stories.
During one of the excursions to the Dubai Mall, one of our tourists wanted to drink (which is quite natural for us in this heat and why not, we did not accept Islam! ), She stepped aside, looked around and, not noticing anyone, drank from bottles. She was patted on the shoulder from behind, and a policeman standing next to her held a card to her nose, on which it was clearly and clearly written (in English) that drinking was forbidden. Got off with a fright. They warn that there is video everywhere and not only in shopping centers, but also on the streets. Therefore, and for a number of reasons, crime is practically absent. Leave cars and doors open.
Guides explain that if you deliberately drink in front of a Muslim, it will result in arrest or a significant fine ($500). We went only with our arms and neck covered and, of course, not in short outfits. In such heat, when even a five-minute exit from the car is annoying, it is not very comfortable.
Now a little about the host - Desert adventures. When we were met at the airport and told that in 2 minutes our driver would come and take us to the hotel, we prepared to wait and were surprised that the driver was already standing next to us. Subsequently, the host company well organized our early departure (taking care of dry rations) and conducted excursions. For the first time, we encountered what was called the waiting range, for example, wait from 8.30 to 8.45. Clear, understandable and do not twitch 15-20 minutes of waiting. They came and picked up on time. We went on three excursions: to Abu Dhabi, to 6 Emirates and modern Dubai. In connection with Ramadan, there were few people, 5-10 people went. A significant plus (fourth! ), You can ask everything in detail and find out from the guide who is directly involved in you, of course, not an individual tour, but still more attention. The first tour was on a chic Toyota Venza, on the second we had 5 people on the bus. Of course, there were air conditioners everywhere, cool mineral water was distributed along the way.
The fifth plus is that excursions can be booked today for tomorrow, or rather, having arrived at 11 pm, in order not to lose the day of Tuesday, when a trip to Abu Dhabi is possible, we called our guide and already in the morning at 8.30 we went on an excursion to the capital of the country.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, the largest oil producer (Dubai 2nd place). This explains the active construction of skyscrapers, highways, developed tourism industry. We pass Jebel Ali, the world's largest port facility, but the Great Mosque, the third in the world in terms of the number of simultaneously praying believers (42 thousand people) after Mecca and Medina, was especially struck. You can take pictures of everything except the mausoleum, where the ashes of the sheikh and 4 muezzins are buried for days, without stopping, they read prayers. We enter the territory of the mosque and we are dressed in long black robes and the same scarves. Even bangs need to be removed. The men put on white clothes and, having taken off our shoes, we enter the mosque. A huge Persian carpet covers the floor and feet sink into its soft pile. The threads of the carpet can encircle the globe twice and tie a bow. It was brought by two planes and already fastened on the spot. Three magnificent Swarovski chandeliers. It is impossible to take your eyes off such beauty and grandeur. Marble floors, tiled doors, walls covered with molded flowers and patterns. Everything is admirable. The mosque has a collection of Qurans in different bindings. There are places and things to photograph. We visit the alley near Concorde Square and there are 7 symbols on it, personifying 7 emirates - a cannon, a watchtower, a cap for covering food, a dalla coffee pot, a vessel for rose water, a bowl for smoking incense.
We pass the renovated Embankment and find ourselves in the ethnographic Heritage Village, created by the order of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan in order to get acquainted with the ancient history of the country. It is to this sheikh that the country owes its prosperity, he is honored and loved. Rare in our time is such love for their rulers, but it is fully justified. Also now love and honor his son. 39 years ago, the sheikh gathered his fellow Arabs in the desert and said that he would build a paradise for them. When asked what they should do, the sheikh replied - sit and wait. And so we waited. The Arabs got everything at home, if there is no money, they are provided with the so-called people's house. That is, free houses and subsidies for the arrangement of an apartment are provided. We drove through the desert and saw these people's houses. Such a rather big villa with a large plot, often immersed in greenery. Every day, in any corner of the desert where there are people's houses, a car arrives and refills the water tank installed on the roof. In the UAE, education is free, both school and higher. Able children are given the opportunity to study at their choice in any prestigious university in the world. There, the state pays for an apartment (separate) and also gives $ 5.000 for living. Hospitals are free and a sick Arab is provided with a separate room. In case of a serious illness, the plane will deliver you to any clinic for treatment free of charge. When a child is born, the family receives from $50.000 to $200.000 and a villa. The apartment remains owned and can be rented out. Electricity for residents of the UAE is 70% cheaper than for foreigners, given the constant operation of air conditioners, this is significant. Widows, orphans, the elderly, the disabled receive benefits. The state supports entrepreneurship and foreign investment. But everyone who wants to organize their business in the UAE must enlist the support of a local resident who is its guarantor and owns 51% of the shares, regardless of whether he takes part in the business or not. That's why they buy expensive villas, luxury cars in car dealerships. That is, all Arabs are owners, many millionaires, rich and confident in today and tomorrow. Why should they not love their rulers!
Something I was distracted from excursions, so I will continue. A tour of the 6 Emirates is also not burdensome. The most interesting, in my opinion, is the Grand Canyon of the Hajjar Mountains, which, according to reviews, is not inferior to its American counterpart. Alas, I cannot judge. Depth from 80 to 150 meters. In the canyon itself, some 30 years ago, mountain tribes lived, who actually led a primitive way of life! The emirates are different from each other and of course the capital and Dubai are the richest emirates.
Sharjah is more modest, and Ajman, Umm Al Quwain are already quite modest. Although on the road we saw the development plan of the emirates - impressive. Given that the emirates are implementing the principle of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need”, this is believed. Fujairah is an agricultural emirate, all vegetables and fruits in the country are from there. We swam there in the Indian Ocean on the famous beaches, saw a crab running on the sand and enjoyed the amazing scenery.
On the way, we had a small accident, the car, turning, hit our bus on the side and scratched it a little, although it itself received more significant damage. We had the opportunity to observe the work of the local traffic police. After 10 minutes, a policeman arrived, drew up a report and then went and signed it at the station. It took 30 minutes for everything. I do not want to draw analogies and comment.
All tours start around 9 pm and end by 6 pm. This is with lunch at the restaurant. Excursion "6 Emirates" cost $100, Abu Dhabi $70, modern Dubai $110. On all excursions they made small discounts - $ 5-10. Small, but the sixth plus!
Metro is a separate story. It was launched on September 9.2009 at 0909 hours 09 seconds. The cars have differences - the first is golden, there is a car for women and children and a common one. There is a slight difference in price, a golden wagon is 8 dirhams, and a simple one is 6 dirhams (1 dollar - 0.36 dirhams). At the station, a very friendly cashier explained how to sit down, where to go. The peculiarity is that the amount from the ticket card is read at the end station of your trip and therefore, if you have not arrived, it is considered less, if you have moved, then you will not be released until you pay the difference. The guide with whom we went to Abu Dhabi told us that there were 6-7 police officers on each platform on the day of launch and if someone moved his station or did not reach the point paid earlier, a fine of 500 dirhams. We decided not to check for ourselves whether this was true (as it turned out later, we just had to pay extra if we drove more) and therefore we were nervous and worried - no matter how we pass the station). The spectacle of Dubai at night was magnificent. We drove towards the Dubai Mall in the "golden" carriage. A free car, comfortable blue seats, separate handrails for the disabled, a conductor in each car, a monitor with a running line. The stop station and the next announcer are constantly reported. The metro is monorail, we rode in the first car and looked from the potential driver's seat straight ahead at the rail along which the train is rushing. Indescribable impressions - like in science fiction books, you are looking ahead and the city with its skyscrapers, tracks, lights - rushes towards YOU!
Previously, showing modern Dubai, they showed the Burj Dubai as the tallest building in the world, but now the Sail is not so impressive, but the Burj Khalifa is a miracle day and night! The tallest skyscraper in the world is 828 meters. It began to be built in 2004, and before the opening on January 4.2010, no one really knew how many floors there would be. It turned out to be 160, more than 500.000 sq. m of space for offices and apartments, 28.000 glass panels. For a number of indicators, this giant building is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest residential building, the highest launch pad on the 124th floor, the longest elevator shaft, etc. We were going up the elevator at a speed of 10 meters per second! Movement is not felt, but the ears are a little stuffy. The view from the observation deck is amazing. You look like from the window of an airplane, you can’t compare the view from an 828-meter height with anything else! Skyscrapers, roads, a singing fountain - everything looks like a model from above. Monitors-binoculars are installed nearby, from which you can view the object at night and daytime, zoom in and enlarge it. Everywhere security, passes, tickets, everything is beautiful and pompous, with the consciousness of the greatness of this building. There is also the history of the creation of this project, an interactive map of the world and comparisons with other tall buildings in the world (for example, the tallest CN Tower building in Toronto was 553 m, and the Eiffel Tower is generally “crumb” - 324 m). We got on this tour in 30 minutes, although at normal times the queues are colossal - that's the seventh plus.
In the Dubai Marina area, we visited Madinat Souk, a great place to relax: a mini-Venice, dug canals, floating gondolas - romance. We saw the "eighth wonder of the world" - the artificial island of Palma, drove through a tunnel under the Persian Gulf, imagining how much water is pressing from above. We took photos in front of the world famous Atlantis Hotel.
Dubai Mall is a separate story. In addition to the fact that there are many boutiques, shops, cafes, restaurants, recreational facilities, it houses a stunning oceanarium and research center. Fish in huge numbers, sharks, rays swim around you, above you. One stingray reacted to the presence of a person and the movement of his hand through the glass. As if rubbed and basked under the stroking palm. Everyone froze, it was great! Beautiful cascades of water - the monument "Instant". Divers flying down before entering the water, really MIG!
Of course, it is strange to see closed cafes, restaurants, tightly covered with all showcases with food and drinks, only some of them sell takeaway hamburgers.
In the evening, dancing or singing fountains begin to work near the Dubai Mall. We devoted a whole evening and watched 4 times from different positions the dance of the fountains. It is something! Jets of water powerfully hit up to 150 meters! They scatter in cascades, make semicircles and again gather in ornate patterns. The author deliberately did not make the fountain colored in order to focus on the play and movement of water jets.
And this is accompanied by wonderful music, both national, and Indian, and European. The spectacle is beautiful from all angles, but most of all gather on the bridge, opposite Al Bahar Souk, although I liked the view in front of the entrance to the Mall more.
They left at 12 noon. We left the center and instantly a taxi drove up to us, now they are catching customers, although in a month everything will be the other way around. Here is the eighth plus - getting to anywhere in the city by taxi is not a problem.
Everyone is very helpful and polite, surround you with care, prompt, tell. A smiling girl in the subway explained for a long time how and where to go, the hotel was always attentive to all questions, the taxi driver, sellers, literally everyone was extremely attentive and helpful to us. On the way to the subway, we asked for directions several times and they answered us carefully, one Filipino guy escorted us to the Karama Bazaar itself when we were looking for the way.
Cleanliness is strictly monitored in the country; garbage thrown out of the car can be fined. In the city, in any case, its center, cleanliness and it never occurs to anyone to throw something on the sidewalk. Newcomers clean and tidy up: Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Filipinos, Egyptians. Although the population of the country is about 5 million, the indigenous population is no more than 11%. Getting citizenship is almost impossible. For a man, this is true, but for a woman, there is an opportunity to marry an Arab, live for 15 years, and then the Arab reports to special authorities what kind of wife she is, whether she converted to Islam, whether she wears a hijab, whether she is obedient, helpful, etc. And then, if you're really lucky. . .
Ramadan is a time of tangible discounts of 30.50 70%. This is a significant ninth plus. We drove from the hotel to Dubai Outlet Mall and were pleased with the many prices.
We saw with our own eyes a country in which communism was built. And it's great, at least someone is already good in this life. We are glad that we visited this amazing country at this particular time, because not everyone managed to get to know the Emirates in the holy month of Ramadan and this is the tenth plus.
And the leitmotif of the story - do not be afraid to go at any time, you can always see and discover the country from an unknown side, there would be a desire!
