Overall

I love Dubai and have been there many many times now. Only a couple of things bother me.....the first is the amount of sunburned tourists from the UK walking around like bloated lobsters in sloppy casual gear (usually with their swimwear underneath). This is acceptable in a resort, but not in glam shopping malls such as Mall of the Emirates, Wafi or BurJuman. Quite funny when the Emirati people (and other Arabs) strive to look so stylish, well groomed and elegant!! After reading a lot of these Yahoo Travel reviews it seems that lying by hotel pools and guzzling alcohol have become national obsessions. Sad really, because there is so much to do and see in the UAE. My complaint number 2.....is relating to Russians. A few of my family members work in Dubai, I have made plenty of friends who work in Dubai - and yet NONE of them work with any Russians or have met any Russians in business dealings. So what are they all doing there? Very sleazy indeed. Anyway.....if you are a tourist who wants to be immersed in the fascinating culture of Arabia, it is still possible to do so. There is still plenty of the 'old Dubai' remaining to explore and there are also emerging Emirati Art, Fashion and Music scenes. Drive 20 minutes past the airport (away from the coast) and you start seeing camels in the hundreds....keep driving and the desert becomes mountains....keep driving and the mountains meet clear blue waters (with no tourists in sight!). I could go on and on :-) Yes, ok Dubai is becoming plastic and disney-like......but scratch the surface and it is more than just resorts/sun/booze.

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, History/Culture, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: May 2007

3 June 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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