The importance of this small coastal settlement increased with it becoming a trading Port.Under the British Protectorate the volume of trade expanded and the merchant appeal of Dubai grew.History of Dubai now saw a major influx of foreign population into the area and by the year 1930s Persians, Indians, Baluchis, communities of Bahrain all flocked into Dubai.
The Dubai cultureis a cosmopolitan one. With the influx of great number of foreign population which includes, Persians, Indians, Baluchis etc ,the culture in Dubai has become a global one. With Islam as its official religion , Culture in Dubai is essentially a Muslim one but the presence of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs etc cannot be ignored and their presence has left an undeniable mark on the Culture in Dubai.
Like religion, language Culture in Dubaiis also diverse and although Arabic is declared to be the official language of Dubai, other languages of the world co-exist with it. The schools are also not biased regarding language and many of them teach foreign languages to the children.
Area of Dubai Dubai has an area of about 3,885 sq km, making it the second largest emirate after Abu Dhabi. One of the most interesting geographical features of Dubai is the Dubai Creek, a natural inlet in Persian Gulf, dividing the city into two parts - the Deira to its north and Bur Dubai to its south.
The unique location and geography of Dubai allows it to connect to all neighboring Gulf States, as well as South Asia and East Africa by sea or land.
The UAE has 700 km long coastline of which 100 km are on the Gulf of Oman, which connects the country to the Arabian Sea. Dubai is also a major stopover for flights from Asia to Europe and vice versa.
Desert Landscape Dubai has a primarily desert landscape with extensive sand dunes, oases and wadis (dry river bed). There are also some spectacular offshore islands, coral reefs and sabhka, or salt marshes. That's not all about Dubai geography. Visitors will be surprised to see a range of mountains lying close to the Gulf of Oman.
An attractive way to view the Creek and the dhows is from an abra, one of the small water taxis which criss-cross the Creek from the souks of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side.
Boatmen will also take visitors on a fascinating hour-long trip from the abra embarkation points to the mouth of the Creek and inland to the Maktoum Bridge, passing on the way many of the city’s historic and modern landmarks.
Redevelopment work has transformed parts of the Creek’s banks. On the Deira side, a broad and well-lit, paved promenade extends from the Corniche, which faces on the Arabian Gulf, all the way to the attractive purpose-built dhow terminal constructed beside Maktoum Bridge
On the Bur Dubai side between Maktoum and Garhoud bridges, Creekside Park provides pleasant paved walks and extensive landscaped public gardens.
At the inland end of the Creek is a large, shallow lagoon, now a wildlife sanctuary which has become a haven for migrating shore birds. Some 27,000 birds have been counted here at one time during the autumn migration. The most spectacular are the many Greater Flamingos which have made the Creek their permanent home.
Archaeological Sites You can visit the excavation sites at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah where you will find arte facts from the seventh to 15th centuries.
Bastakiya The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with wind towers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of wind towers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before electricity.
Burj Nahar One of three watchtowers guarding the old city, the restored Burj Nahar in its picturesque gardens in Deira is popular with photographers
DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE The Dubai World Trade Center's office tower houses the regional headquarters of many of the world's largest corporations, the high rising building has 39 floors.
Alongside, a modern conference centre and seven exhibition halls host an active programme of international trade fairs that attract exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.
Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the tower's viewing deck. (Guided tours operate twice daily at 9.30am and 4.30pm, except on public holidays).
WONDER LAND The 18-hectare Wonder Land family fun park features a wide range of water attractions. Capable of accommodating up to 8,000 visitors at a time, Wonder Land’s water rides include speed slides, surf hills, twister, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It also has a water mist show and water cinema, with videos projected on a thin film of water, plus a full complement of on-land attractions.
SHINDAGHA At the mouth of the Creek, Shindagha is the original site from which Dubai grew. Sheikh Saeed's house, the former home the ruling Maktoum family, has been carefully restored here.
Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm, except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm
GOLF COURSES Dubai’s golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert. A nine-hole ‘country’ course is also available at the Hatta Fort Hotel where golfers have a unique fun experience of playing in craggy mountain scenery.
BAIT AL WAKEEL Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel was Dubai's first office building. At the edge of the Creek near the abra landing, the building has been completely restored and now houses a museum devoted to Dubai's fishing and maritime traditions.
BEDOUIN VILLAGE Bedouin village lies outside Dubai. This village provides an experience of the traditional desert way of life and may include camel-riding lessons. Those who want a desert safari experience with a difference may choose to stay at Al Maha, a unique luxury resort set in 3,300 acres of dunes off the highway between blankets, rugs, beads and a variety of other rural wares spread on the ground.
DUBAI MUSEUM The Dubai Museum, situated in the Al Fahidi Fort, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landlord approaches. Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison and prison. It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum; further restoration and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995.
Colorful and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday life in pre-oil days. Galleries rescenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life. One of the most spectacular exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, and is accompanied by sets of pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves. Also on display are artifacts such as fine copper, alabaster and pottery objects found in 3,000-4,000 year-old graves at Al Ghusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.
The Dubai Museum is open daily from 8.30am - 8.30pm, except Fridays: 3pm-8.30pm.
GRAND MOSQUE The Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 mt, the city's tallest minaret, the mosque is situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court. It has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones boasting stained glass panels, making it a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.
GOLD SOUK Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows. A visit to Dubai would be incomplete without seeing the gold souk - the biggest in the world with the lowest prices. The visitor is left spell bound by seeing all that glitters is gold here.
SPICE SOUK The narrow lanes of the spice souk are an exotic mix of spices with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit, incense, rose petals and traditional medicinal product. Imported from all over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks that surround the shop keepers. Smaller streets have stall on both sides displaying nargliehs or hookahs, and traditional coffee pots.
HATTA The ancient fortressed village of Hatta is at a distance of 120 km from Dubai City. This place is home of the Hatta Fort Hotel, Dubai’s only mountain resort complex. The drive through the majestic Hajjar mountains is as fascinating as the destination itself. Taking the visitor through burnished sand dunes and mountains of varied colour.
Even in summer the temperature here is a few degrees cooler than down on the coast, and a whole lot drier.
Wadi Helew, this fascinating destination is a must for all four wheel drive enthusiasts This beautiful Wadi nestles in the north of Hatta and getting there is like stepping back in time. Tours cover the recently - renovated old fort and a trip through Wadi Hatta with its lush greenery and variety of wildlife. The village, over 200 years old, and Juma Mosque which stands amidst palm groves, are other tourist attractions.
HERITAGE AND DIVING VILLAGE A traditional heritage village, located in the Shindagah area has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. The Diving village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.
Located near the mouth of the creek, this area is also popular in the evenings as a venue for its open-air cafeterias and live entertainment. Several shops also sell handicrafts.
options Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is the creator of Options and knows just how Indian food should be prepared. Options features many of the tried and true Indian cuisine items yet adds a little pizzazz to each one to draw diners in and keep them coming back for more. One can tell simply by looking at the crowds which flock into Options that it is a wise choice when craving Indian food in Dubai. details Location:- Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Tel:- +971 4 3293293 Zaika Zaika has many wonderful qualities such as welcoming staff, unique and pleasing interior and palate pleasing Indian cuisine. All of these items form a true dining adventure for those who dine at Zaika. There are many recommended items on the menu but one of the more highly recommended one is the dhania murgh with fresh naan, of course.
Details Location:- Al Murooj Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Tel:- 04 321 1111 - +971 4 3211111 Cuisine:- Indian Experiences:- Alcohol available, Business lunch, Formal dress code, Outdoor seating, Private dining area, Smoking permitted Times:- Open daily noon-3pm; 7pm-midnight Credit Cards Accepted:- Yes
Spice Lounge Contemporary design and tasty delicacies are what await you at Spice Lounge. This chic restaurant offers authentic Indian cuisine which is pure enjoyment from start to finish. Some of the menu items to try include the biryani and mutton rogan josh. Leave room for dessert as this too will tantalize one's taste buds.
Details Tel:- +971 4 3453365 Location:- Jumeirah, Dubai
Calicut Paragon Calicut Paragon is the perfect spot to dine at if you are searching for a delicious meal. This is the ideal spot for families who want to get together and enjoy each other's company while dining on tasty starters, entrees and desserts. From the fish curry to the biryani, you will not be disappointed at the Calicut Paragon.
Details Location:- Karama, Dubai Tel:- +971 4 3358700 / 04 335 8700 Cuisine:- Indian Times:- Open Sat-Thu noon-1.30am; Fri 1pm-1.30am Credit Cards Accepted: Yes Restaurants Awards [Highly Commended] Budget
Delhi Darbar Delhi Darbar is an Indian restaurant which makes our top 10 list not for elegant and exquisite décor, as the restaurant is very down to earth and inviting, but for the fantastic cuisine which is served within its four walls. At Delhi Darbar some of the best entrees to go with include the palak paneer and the chicken tikka masala. You are also sure to love the inexpensive prices which laden the encompassing menu.
Details Tel:- 04 235 6161 / +971 4 2733444 Cuisine:- Indian, Vegetarian Experiences:- Outdoor seating, Private dining area, Take away Times:- Open Sat-Thu 9am-2am; Fri 9am-11am, 1.30pm-2am Credit Cards Accepted:- Yes
Gazebo If you are in the Bur Dubai region of Dubai and craving some great Indian food, definitely make a stop at Gazebo. The curry dishes are fabulous and there are plenty of them to choose from. If you are looking for something a little bit different, achari gosht is also a popular menu item. The prices are extremely reasonable and the staff quite helpful. All in all, a sure hit for delicious Indian food.
Details Location:- Bur Dubai, Dubai Tel:- +971 4 35985554 / 04 359 8555 Cuisine:- Indian Experiences:- Family friendly, Take away Times:- Open daily noon-3.15pm, 7pm-11.45pm AAMCHI MUMBAI Aamchi Mumbai is well known Indian food hotel in Dubai. Hotel provides authentic Indian food like samosa, paneer papadi and gobi chapati.Aamchi Mumbai is located on Bank Street, you could say, an authentic north Indian restaurant. Meat has been banished from the menu. DETAILS Location:- Dhow Palace Hotel, Bur Dubai, Dubai Cuisine:- Indian Experiences:- Alcohol available, Business lunch, Live music, Private dining area Times:- Open Sat-Thu 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7pm-1am; Fri 7pm-1am Credit Cards Accepted:- Yes
Most of the local airlines have a contact phone number in the city as well as at the airport where the latest information about flight status is always available. The list of phone numbers is available in the travel services section of the website.
It is advisable to book your tickets well in advance, especially during the high peak tourist season of October to January when most flights run full. It is also essential to re-confirm your flight timings at least 24 hours before departure.
Most major international airlines usually have agreements with one or more of their domestic counterparts in India, so if you are arriving from abroad it is possible to book your onward domestic flight at the same time as you pay for your international ticket. BY RAIL The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvanthapuram. Goa is also linked to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune via Londa.
LOCAL TRANSPORT TAXIS For tourists, taxis serve as the main means of traveling between resorts. One will find them lined up outside most charter hotels, where a board invariably lists the destinations in and around the region. The fixed rate fares only apply to peak season and at other times one should be able to negotiate a hefty reduction from the demanded fare.
MOTORCYCLE TAXIS Goa's unique pillion-passenger motorcycle taxis known locally as "pilots" are ideal for nipping between beaches or into towns from the resorts. Bona fide operators ride black bikes with yellow mudguards and yellow number plates. Fares which should be settled in advance are almost half the auto-rickshaw rates.
RENTED MOTORCYCLES Renting motorcycles in Goa offer a lot of freedom to tourists. Officially one needs an international driver's licence to rent or ride anything more powerful than a 25 cc moped. Rates vary according to the season, the vehicle and how long one wants to rent it. Most owners also insist on a deposit and passport as security. The range is pretty standard and the reasonable choice is a 100cc motorbike. These are fine for buzzing to the beach and back, but to travel further the stalwart Enfield Bullet 350 cc is popular for its pose value and its British origins. The smaller Kinetic Honda 100cc which has automatic transmission is a good choice for the novice as well as the all-rounder.
FERRIES If autorickshaws are the quaint, essentially Indian mode of transport, flat-bottomed ferries are their Goan equivalent. Crammed with cars, buses, commuters and scooters, fisherwomen and clumps of bewildered tourists, these blue painted hulks provide an essential service, crossing the coastal backwaters where bridges have not been built. They are also incredibly reasonable and run from dawn till late in the evening