DUBAI
Burj Khalifa: Simon Bierwald
Top of the World You can’ t really miss the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’ s tallest building. The views from the top are suitably incredible( atthetop. ae), although with tickets starting at US $ 35 the price of seeing it is appropriately steep! Alternatively, you could book a table a few floors below at At. mosphere( atmosphereburjkhalifa. com) and enjoy similar views with a meal or a cocktail. If you’ re here in the evening be sure to check out the dancing fountains which nestle beneath the tower. They do a choreographed display every half hour with the highest jet shooting 150m up into the air.
Up the Creek To get to the souk markets of Deira you can cross Dubai Creek on an abras( a wooden taxi boat) for just one dirham( about 30 US cents). These can also be hired privately for a tour that will give you an insight into traditional old Dubai, taking you past dhows packed to the gills with varied cargo, and the old fashioned wind towers that cooled down the city’ s buildings before aircon.
adrenalin affairs, whipping you up and down the steep dunes in 4WD vehicles.
Food from Around the World The restaurant scene in Dubai has exploded in recent years, and includes the entire range from internationally renowned chefs to Middle Eastern street food. Your hotel is a good place to start, and has several differing restaurants, but it is a good idea to venture further afield as well.
Pier 7( pier7. ae) is another good option if you can’ t decide what you fancy. It includes seven restaurants on different levels with excellent views down to the marina. Styles vary from local, through
Above left: the view of Dubai from Burj Khalifa.
Above right:
An abras making its way across
Dubai Creek.
Below: A typical desert safari.
Desert Sands It would be a shame to come to this part of the world and not see the desert. Whilst the dunes around the city are not the untouched sands of the Empty Quarter, they are still impressive. They are also easily accessible and the‘ desert safaris’ that can be booked tend to be high
45