Got to see more of the architecture and the famous landmarks.
Emirates Tower glistening during sunset.
The rear elevation of the National Bank of Dubai (the one with the huge convex glass facade).
Got to visit Burj al-Arab again. And the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai (left). 
The front facade of Burj al-Arab. It was a bit hazy. Temperatures had risen to 50 degrees celsius.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai. It looks like a crashing wave with one side convex and another concave.
We went crazy shopping in the world's largest shopping centre, the 'Mall of the Emirates' (above).
It is mind-blowingly huge! This is just the interior of the central atrium. But big doesn't mean lots of shopping space (i.e. a lot of wasted spaces). I bought two glass lamps (for my sister's new home). They are so cheap compared to those sold along the streets of Arab Street in Singapore. Like less than half the price of the lamps sold here.
The huge mega structure you see beside the mall is the famous Ski Dubai. It is the world's largest indoor ski and snow city. The slope itself is 400m in length (that's like a round around an olympic-sized track)!
The interior of the Ski Dubai seen from the Mall of the Emirates.
Not to be missed is the Islamic Art Centre. It showcases and sells Islamic arifacts and artworks (pottery, tapestry, paintings, marble works, clothes even) which can cost you a bomb (when I mean a bomb, I mean like a car or a house...). A small cushion cover costs US$300. A huge 2m high ornate vase costs a whopping $50,000.
Of course we didin't buy anything...
Now, to my most favourite part; the most 'must-see' and 'must-do' thing in Dubai is going on the desert safaris!
For $200 per person (or less), you can have the opportunity to see the Golden sand Dunes of Western Dubai in a four wheel drive. You will experience the thrill of a lifetime on the jeep as it travels like a roller coaster ride on the sand dunes. You will then stop on multiple high sand dunes to view the beautiful sunset and take some breathtaking photographs.
That's not all, we then continued our journey to the Bedouin Campsite in the heart of the desert, where henna design, local dresses to try on, soft drinks, water, tea or coffee are all free-of-charge. Camel rides and Hubbly Bubbly on different flavors (shisha) are also ours to try. Adding to the atmosphere of the night, an enchanting belly dancer showed us fascinating dances to the rhythms of Arabic music. While we relaxed and reclined in the tents with carpet and pillows a delicious BBQ Buffet Dinner was served under the starlit sky.
Before we went onto the sand dunes... We didn't think that it would be that bad... 
Hell yeah, it was soooooo crazy!!! I took a video of our experience in the jeep (I will show it once I know how YouTube works). We were all screaming like we were on a roller coaster ride lah. Insane!!!
Note: Its definitely not for the faint-hearted or those with neck or back problems!
At the first high sand dune we stopped. Our legs were like jelly!!! Haha!!!
My dad and what he thought of the drive (for your info, there are trained drivers, more like sadistic drivers, who take the jeep for a spin or two around the dunes).
It was simply breathtaking... The view just goes on and on forever...
Me running around the dunes... The sand was so fine and reddish.... 
My footprints. :)
We finally reached the Bedouin Camp (bedouins are desert people).
My parents and I seated on the comfortable cushions, with the low table and there's also the stage behind us (above).
Free camel rides!!! So fun! My first time on a camel! It was kinda scary when the camel was about to sit or stand up.
Buffet spread! So many varieties! Like really!!!! Plus all the BBQ stuff fresh from the grill!
I dunno what I took. I told the people serving I would have one of everything... lol...
We were entertained with a belly dancer. I couldn't get a closer picture cause I was busy doing this:
I was flipping high. Never in my life have I been that 'drunk' on shisha or anything for that matter.
The cresent moon and a star (try squinting your eyes). Looks like the symbol of Islam (is this natural occurance the inspiration for the symbol?).
It was one hell of a night (I was very very high... stoned even... lol).
The next day, we headed west to Abu Dhabi, the capitol of the UAE.
Like Dubai, it started off as a small port which later became an entirely metropolitan city it is today. Abu Dhabi is relatively older than Dubai (it was developed much earlier). So, it has a lot of skyscrapers (though not as nice as the ones in Dubai). And sadly for shoppers, it is definitely not a shoppers' paradise. There are only two malls in the entire city of Abu Dhabi (compared to Dubai's 40 over and counting) and this despite Abu Dhabi being larger in land area than Dubai.
But don't worry, there are numerous quaint markets selling things like carpets (above) at very reasonable prices. 
Fruits and vegetables market.
Some of the many buildings in Abu Dhabi.
While Dubai has its Burj Al-Arab, Abu Dhabi has the Emirates Palace Hotel. Its also a 7-stars hotel with huge domes and wide gardens and a long stretch of the beach at the rear...
We later went to the old palace which has since been unused for centuries.
Simply beautiful, no?
These two shoots above were taken from the museum beside the old palace.
This is a shot of the largest mosque to be built in the Emirates (above; they had wanted it to be the largest in the world but the Saudi Arabian officials were against it). But it has the world's largest carpeting though... Unfortunately, the Sultan who had wanted the mosque to be built in the first place, passed away without seeing the completed mosque.
One of the two malls in Abu Dhabi (above), the 'Abu Dhabi Mall' (creative name, no?).
The Marina Mall (above). Things there are expensive as hell. Its even cheaper in Dubai than here...
A view of the skyline of Abu Dhabi from the reclaimed part of the state. The water is amazingly blue!
We bided farewell to Abu Dhabi and headed back to Dubai. The last day was more or less a free day for us to go shopping on our own.
The last night before we flew off back to Singapore, we took a night river dhow cruise along the beautiful creek.
My parents taking a picture in front of the dhow.
A river dhow.
A river dhow with a sail.
Dinner on board the cruise was once again sumptuous. I had no idea what I was eating again (above). Greedy greedy me...
The Venice of the Emirates... Mosques and old markets... Beautiful. :)
Some of the beautiful shots taken along the river (like the National Bank of Dubai; it looks so different at night).
The breathtaking views of the modern city at night.
The final family shot before we went back to the airport and flew back home.
Till the next time!
More pictures can be found here.
2 comments:
Local people in Dubai seem to be extremely nice and friendly. And I really mean that! We were taken by their hospitality and authentic interest in our country, religion, customs, etc… Our hosts were also very keen on sharing the knowledge about their country with us. We were lucky to be invited to the desert picnic with locals. We eat lamb in the tent (using nothing but our hands) and had coffee and deserts under the night sky full of stars. And at that time i realized that tourist are coming to see not only breathtaking Dubai property constructions, but also to view this ocean of sand because a desert is a living, vital place.
It is like another world. It is so calm and peaceful. It was one of those moments that I’ll never forget.
Thank you!
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic like Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
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