Dubai ''City of Gold''. Review on Dubai

I had occasion of visiting Dubai recently; although I was frequent visitor to U.A.E.in 80s. It is shocking to see this city (they say city of gold) today; it is full of chaos; how I will let you know.

Formerly I used to go by ?Emirate?; which is local Airline. In 80s it was new Airline; so people used to get lot of facilities like easy booking; getting early boarding boss at home; good reception by crewmembers; free stay in Dubai if you are traveling further that also included ?free visa? of 7 days.

However, things have changed and now they have many customers; which they do not need now. So I preferred to go by ?Etihad?; which has only Rs.13, 000/ (including taxes) to & fro fare. Moreover, free bus service from Abu Dhabi to Dubai; which is only of 120 kms distance; and takes one hour. Bus service is so excellent that now everybody should consider this route to go to Dubai via Abu Dhabi. You can see Abu Dhabialso (which is capitol of U.A.E. and better city than Dubai). Usual fare from Bombay-Dubai exceeds Rs.18, 000/.

It is around 3 hours flight from Bombay to Abu Dhabi and time difference is 1-30 hours.

At air-port Arabi officers are very arrogant. Unlike americans; English people; they donot know how to smile.No manners. Every Indian is same to them. This is not a good sign for us.

First, I preferred to go to Dubai; Diera is name of place nearer to airport and it is main commercial city of U.A.E. Another main city of Dubai is ?Bur-Dubai? a few kms. away from heart of city.

This time main attraction was ''D.S.F.''(10 th Dubai Shopping Festival). It was a failure this time.Not many buyers as compared to previous years.

Fastest growing city:

It is so surprising to see the progress of the city happening so fast; wherefrom money is coming; because Dubai is not dependent on ?oil?. Within few months, we find biggest and most beautiful towers are erect with highest quality of workmanship by builders and architects?!! Who are they to finance?? There is big doubt; we smell Russian mafia ? I still doubt.

Shopping Malls:

There are very expensive and beautiful shopping malls (compatible to USA) mushrooming at every corner of city. Shopping is no more pleasure now in Dubai. They say ?duty-free?; but I never saw any electronic thing cheaper than India. Then why should I buy cameras; watches; computers; mobiles and other electronic items from Dubai; when my own country can give me at same or less price?

Dubai ka SONA:

Gold market;Souk; biggest in the world is worth seeing. Particularly Mina Bazaar; Pure Gold; when we go there we do not get parking place; because all the time car parking is full. Varieties of machine designed gold ornaments (mostly Italian made) seen here are unique; we do not see anywhere! Hand made gold ornaments are mostly from Rajasthan; Surat from India. Their making charges are much more than Italian made. However, people going from India prefer Italian design. There is one good thing about Dubai is they do not cut making charges when you want to exchange old one with new one. This custom of cheating is often there in our country! (Even if you decide about exchange there and there only in their shop: so ridiculous)

Driving and parking;

This is ?night-mare.? Any doubt; try yourself. In 80s I used to go at ease. Now forget it; lot of problems; more cars; more impatient people; and very few parking places. And slowly people of Dubai (both local Arabs and our people) lost driving sense; civic sense; and parking sense! So more chaos on road.

Flesh trade:

I was shocked to see this ?Islamic city? at night. At 1-00 am we went for driving around Sheikh Zaid Road ; I could not believe my eyes. Yes now it has become open market. The girls mostly from Phillipines;Bangla Desha and Nepal .

Illegal Jobs:

I think if you have good power or money, you can get away doing all this illegal work..

Mostly Keralites from our country are also responsible for un-ethical work; illegal migrations; and making city dirty.

Alcohol:

Who says you cannot drink in this city? Those are old stories. Now you can drink any brand at many places; like small restaurants; clubs, duty free areas of air-port.

Places to see:

1) Global Village;

It is difficult to reach there if you select Thursday or Friday (weekend of all middle-east countries).Nothing new if you have seen our villages properly. Old style of living without help of machines and today?s technology.

2) Desert Safari:

This is wonderful experience in driving on four wheels on and around desert hills. Many people get ?motion sickness?; they vomit because of they go after eating. One should be empty stomach.

3) Al-Ain Hot water Spring

Hot water coming from the rocks has medicinal value. Water is spread in such way that everybody can wash hands and feet in it. It is like a open park

Having tents with grilling facilities and self contained and very clean.

And many more sights to see but not worth if you have seen western world.

In short Dubai is not same as was there in 1980; but has become so much commercialized a visitor feels cheated when all his money is spent on useless shopping. D.S.F. has been failure; thanks to Bach Chan!