Abu Dhabi Before the Oil

Abu Dhabi in 1957, before oil was discovered.

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE MUBADALA WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP OR A SIGNED RACQUET

Are you on Facebook? Become a fan of Etihad Airways on Facebook and enter the contest to win a pair of tickets to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship or a racquet signed by David Ferrer.

Flights from Toronto to Dubai, UAE

Emirates Airbus A380

At the moment, the Emirates airline offers 3 direct flights a week from Toronto, Canada (YZZ) to Dubai (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Victoria's Secret Opens a New Store in the Mall of the Emirates

Victoria's Secret has recently opened a new store in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.

Celebrate Ski Dubai's 12 Days of Christmas

Dubai Ski in Mall of Emirates

Celebrate Ski Dubai's 12 Days of Christmas in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Also, meet and greet Santa in his Grotto.

Last Chance to Book Cheap KLM Tickets to the Middle East

Until tomorrow (11 December) you have a chance to book cheap tickets to 11 KLM destinations in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.

Depart from Amsterdam and travel in the period between 1 March and 15 June 2013.

Daily Flights from Dubai to Adelaide with Emirates

Emirates Advertising in Adelaide, South Australia

At the moment, the Emirates operates four flights a week from Dubai (DXB) to Adelaide (ADL), the capital city of South Australia. From 1 February 2013, the Emirates will fly daily to Adelaide Airport. Flights to Adelaide will be operated with Boeing 777-300ER in three class configuration - First (Private Suite), Business and Economy.

Alitalia Starts Direct Rome - Abu Dhabi Flights

Alitalia starts flying from Rome to Abu Dhabi

(UAE)

Alitalia (AZ), Italy’s flag carrier and Star Alliance member airline) has started direct flights from Rome to Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Dubai Christmas Festival

The doors of the Dubai Christmas Festival in the Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, are open!

Level Shoe District in Dubai

Level Shoe District in the Dubai Mall is the world's largest shoe store. The store spans across 96.000 square feet or almost 30.000 square meters.

Low Cost Flights to Dubai with Pegasus Airlines

  The Turkish low-cost airline Pegasus flies daily from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Dubai (DXB).

The Emirates Upgrades the Dubai - Glasgow Flights

 From 1 January 2013, the Emirates will upgrade its second daily flight from Dubai to Glasgow Airport in Scotland by introducing a 364 seat Boeing 777 aircraft on the route.

Zuma Restaurant Dubai: Sophisticated Japanese Cuisine with a Modern Twist

Zuma Japanese Restaurant in Dubai.

If you are a lover of Japanese food, you should definitely not miss Zuma. The Zuma Restaurant offers sophisticated Japanese cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Etihad Airways Receive Best Flight Attendant Uniforms Award

Etihad Airways has been recognized as having the Best Flight Attendant Uniforms by the readers of the Global Traveler magazine in the USA.

Etihad Airways Launches Wi-Fly Inflight Internet and Mobile Connectivity Service

Today Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways launches its new Wi-Fly inflight internet and mobile connectivity service. The new service is powered by Panasonic Avionics Global Communications Suite.

The Emirates Come Alive on National Day

The Emirates come alive on National Day. On Sunday and Monday, 2 and 3 December, the UAE will celebrate the 41 National Day with events ranging from fireworks to exhibitions and cultural parades.

Throughout the country, streets and buildings are virtually painted in red, black, white and green - the colors of the United Arab Emirates flag.


UAE comes alives on National Day | GulfNews.com

Images from National Day in the United Arab Emirates

Rain Hits Parts of the Emirates

Unbelievable but true! Rain hits parts of the United Arab Emirates. On Friday, moderate to heavy showers hit Dubai and Sharjah.

Rain hits parts of UAE including Dubai | GulfNews.com

Lifestyle: Obese Dubai Student Loses 30 kg in 6 Months

Lifestyle and Health: 'I was hypnotised into losing 30kg in six months'

The Etihad Towers on Your Iphone

The Etihad Towers on your iPhone

The Etihad Towers on your iPhone. These custom CaseMate cases are available for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4s.

Personalize your iPhone with an image of the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi! Order online

 

Customize Your iPhone with an Abu Dhabi Picture

iPhone case - Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

 Personalize your iPhone with an image of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The custom cases by CaseMate are available for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4s.

Win a Luxury Car from Dubai Duty Free

Win This Luxury Car

The Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Promotion is the longest running duty free promotion in the world.

Dubai Airport To Be Featured on National Geographic Channel

Dubai International Airport (DBX) will be featured on National Geographic Channel. The TV production company Arrow Media has commissioned a ten-part documentary series about the day-to-day working of Dubai International Airport.

Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM Unveil New Codeshare Partnership

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM have signed a new agreement to codeshare on flights across the airlines' networks. The new codeshare agreement is seen as the first step of a much wider strategic partnership which will commence on 28 October 2013.

Welcome to Abu Dhabi but Behave Yourself




Pamphlet with behavior guidelines for foreign tourists by the Abu Dhabi tourist police.

 

The emirate of Abu Dhabi welcomes foreign tourists with a set of behavior rules.

Abu Dhabi has come up with a booklet called Advice for Tourists which is available in twelve languages- Arabic, English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Hindi

Duibai Builds a Copy of the Taj Mahal

If you think that Dubai's skyline cannot get more extreme, you are wrong. Dubai will soon have a copy of India's most famous landmark - Taj Mahal. The building will be called Taj Arabia. It will be an exact replica of Taj Mahal but several times the size of the Indian original.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, dominates the Dubai skyline.

Burj Khalifa in Dubai - Tallest Building in the World

Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world (at the moment). The building is 828 meters high and has 162 floors.

View of the Burj Khalifa and the statue of a horse (picture taken with Sony Nex-7)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.

The entrance to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and view of the mosque's largest dome.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The mosque was built by the late president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Sheikh is buried on the grounds of the mosque.

The mosque is really huge. It can accommodate up to 40.000 people. The main hall has a capacity for 7.000 people. The mosque is open for muslims as well as non- muslim visitors.





The mosque from a distance, showing the many domes and minarets.

Inside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque In Abu Dhabi

Inside the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi - adhan (prayer clock). There are ten of these clocks in the building. They show the muslim prayer times.

The Emirates has the Largest Airbus A380 Fleet

Did you know that the Emirates is the airline with the largest number of Airbus A380 aircraft in the fleet?

At the moment, the Emirates has a total of 21 A380 aircraft. With an order for 90 Airbus A380's, the Emirates is the largest customer of Airbus.

Emirates A380 flights

Blue Souk in Sharjah

The Blue Souk (souk is the Arabic word for market) in the center of Sharjah has plenty of silver and gold shops. The interior of the Blue Souk is not so fancy as the glittery shopping malls in Dubai but prices are also much lower. For some reason, certain jewelry stores have been named after countries. I was surprised to find even a jewelry shop named after Bulgaria, the country where I was born. The shop is Indian owned though, I think.

Emirates Flights Dubai - Amsterdam with A380

The Emirates is upgrading the service to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Starting on 1 August 2012, the Emirates flights from Dubai to Amsterdam will be operated with an Airbus A380.

Etihad Airways Sales Jump

Etihad Airways

While most European and US airlines are struggling, Abu Dhabi- based Etihad Airways is doing pretty well. The airline saw sales jump by 28 precent to USD 989 million in the first three months of 2012. Reassured by the positive results, Etihad Airways goes ahead with the global expansion strategy.

Abu Dhabi Big Bus Tours

Abu Dhabi is not exactly built for walking. You can certainly walk in certain areas, like Corniche Road for example, but the distances are just too big for walking. To explore the city, you might need to take a taxi or rent a car. An alternative way to see the major places of interest in Abu Dhabi is to take a Big Bus tour.

See all of Abu Dhabi's landmarks

Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi

The Marina Mall and the Tower.

The Marina Mall is the biggest shopping mall in Abu Dhabi. It is also one the most visited places in the city.

Bus Trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Bus trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on RTA. Sorry about the dirty window!

During my stay in Dubai, I decided to make a bus trip to Abu Dhabi. The distance from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is about 160 km and a ride on the bus shouldn't take more than two hours.


There is a very good bus service available between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You can take either the Emirates Express or one of the buses operated by RTA (Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority). The buses depart every 30 minutes or sooner, if the bus gets filled with passengers.

Dubai Pictures - The Old Bastakiya District

Some more pictures from the old Bastakiya district in Dubai.


A local TV crew was shooting an item while I was strolling in Bastakiya. That's how I managed to take a picture of a guy pulling a traditional cart.

Dubai Creek

Highrise buildings on the Deira side of Dubai Creek.

Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek in Dubai. It divides the city into two main sections - Deira and Bur Dubai.


It was along the Dubai creek area where the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the early 19th century. This tribe established the Al Maktoum dynasty which rules Dubai to the present day.

The Dubai Skyline

The Dubai skyline, as seen from my hotel Rydges Plaza.

I think Dubai has one of the most impressive skylines in the world.

The Emirates Park Towers Hotel & Spa

The Emirates Park Towers are some of the newest skyscrapers in downtown Dubai. The towers were completed in January 2012.


Height: 376 m
Floors above the ground: 70

A Ride on the Monorail Train in the Palm, Dubai

Atlantis Aquaventure monorail train station next to the Atlantis shopping mall.

One of the best things to do in the Palm is to take the monorail train. 

The Palm Monorail train runs along the trunk of the palm between the Gateway and Atlantis Aquaventure stations. There are two more stations along the way. These have already been completed but are still closed.


The Palm Monorail train does not connect to the Dubai metro system. However, there are plans to connect it at the Dubai Internet City (TECOM) station in Sheikh Zayed Road. The Palm Monorail offers a great vintage point to see the Palm Jumeirah.

The Legend of Atlantis

The Atlantis Hotel, The Palm and the adjacent shopping mall are based on the legend of Atlantis.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

In a taxi. On my way to Palm Jumeirah, supposedly the biggest man-made island in the world.

Abra Tour in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

One of the things you can do in the Madinat Jumeirah Souk is to take an Abra tour. One of the traditional boats will take you along the meandering waterways of the mall.


The boats depart every 20 minutes until 11 pm. The price of an Abra tour is 50 dirhams per person or about EUR 10.

Mind Your Manners!

Mind your manners! Always make sure to dress sensibly and don't wear beach wear!

St. Patrick's Day in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Dubai has a large community of British and Irish expats.


Preparations for St. Patrick's day in Madinat Jumeirah.

Expensive Cars - Dubai, UAE

People in Dubai tend to have a preference for expensive cars.

Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW seem to be quite popular here.

Madinat Jumeirah Shopping Mall in Dubai, UAE

Some spectacular views from the Madinat Jumeirah shopping mall in Dubai.

Madinat Jumeirah Souk

The Madinat Jumeirah Souk (souk is the arab word for market) is a shopping mall, located on the beach next to the famous 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel.

A short video of a dhow (a traditional low Arab boat) in the artificial canals of Medinat Jumeirah. I took the video by chance. This is very touristy. If you prefer a more authentic experience, you should go for one of the many dhows crossing the Dubai Creek.

Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab hotel is one of the iconic buildings in Dubai. The hotel was designed by Tom Wright in the form of a dhow's sail. Dhow is a traditional Arabian boat. Burj Al Arab is situated on an artificial island off Jumeirah beach.


The 28-story hotel offers 7 star luxury. Each room features individual butler service and own dining facilities which guarantee 100% privacy.


The cheapest rooms are available from USD 600 per night. There are two penthouses which can be booked for USD 30.000 and 50.000 per night.

Jumeirah Park - Dubai, UAE

Jumeirah Park is one of the most popular parks in Dubai. The park is situated along the Jumeirah beach and there is direct access to the beach.

Dubai Ladies Club

The entrance of the Dubai Ladies Club in Jumeirah Road, Dubai.

Prayer Time in Dubai

The parking lot of a mosque in downtown Dubai filled with cars at noon. 12:25 is time for prayer known as Dhuhr - between the declining of the sun and Asr (when the shadow of something is twice its real length).

A Couple of Houses in Jumeirah Road, Dubai

Considering the size and the lavish decoration of some houses in Jumeirah Road, the people living here are definitely not among the poorest.

Bikers Cafe - Jumeirah Road, Dubai

Lunchtime in the Bikers Cafe - Jumeirah Road, Dubai.

Mercato Shopping Mall - Dubai, UAE

Dubai is definitely a shoppers paradise. The shopping malls are scattered throughout the city. As if the existing shopping malls are not enough, new malls are under construction all the time.

Dubai Bus Stops

Never used public transportation in Dubai but the city seems to have a very well developed public transportation system.

Bus stops in Dubai are very modern and all of them have air conditioning. So you don't have to bake in the sun while waiting for the next bus to arrive.

Jumeirah Beach - Dubai, UAE

Dubai has many beaches with all sorts of recreational facilities. Of all the beaches, Jumeirah beach seems to be the most popular one.


Jumeirah Beach is a long stretch of white sand along the blue waters of the Persian gulf. The beach is lined with restaurants, hotels and private clubs.


Some of the world's most expensive hotels are located near Jumeirah Beach - Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab, Rotana Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Dubai Hilton.

The Jumeirah Mosque - Dubai, UAE

The Jumeirah Mosque, located in Jumeirah Beach Road, is the only place of worship in Dubai that non-muslims are allowed to enter.

With it's huge central dome and tall minarets, the Jumeirah Grand Mosque is one of Dubai's major attractions.

Unfortunately, I was too late for the guided tour. Tours of the mosque are organized every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday by the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. The entrance fee is 10 dirhams or about two euros. Needless to say, men in short pants are not allowed and women are expected to cover their legs, arms and shoulders whilst inside the building.

Jumeirah Road in Dubai, UAE

D94, also known as Jumeirah Road, Jumeirah Beach Road or Al Sufouh Road, is one of the longest roads in downtown Dubai. The road runs parallel to Dubai's coast along the Persian Gulf.


Important landmarks along the Jumeirah Road are the Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, and Palm Jumeirah.

Satwa, Dubai (UAE)

The Rydges Plaza Hotel is located at a busy roundabout in the Satwa area in downtown Dubai. Traffic is extremely busy 24/7!

There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in the area. Jumeirah Road, Jumeirah Beach and the Jumeirah Mosque are within walking distance. By the way, the Rydges Plaza also provides a complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to Jumeirah Beach.

Rydges Plaza Hotel in Satwa, Dubai

I didn't stay at one of the glitzy, seven-star hotels in Dubai. With just three stars and room rates of less than 25 euros per night, the Rydges Plaza Hotel is supposed to be one of the budget hotels in Dubai. However, one gets definitely much more than one might expect from a simple, budget hotel. Not to mention the fact, you will not be able to book a hotel for 25 euros per night anywhere in Europe.

Immigration at Dubai International Airport, UAE

First things first... clearing UAE immigration at Dubai Airport.

On board of the KLM flight from Amsterdam to Dubai

Some pictures from the KLM flight KL0427 from Amsterdam Schiphol to Dubai Airport.

The KLM Flight from Amsterdam to Dubai

On board of flight KL0427 Amsterdam - Dubai. KLM uses Airbus A330-200 equipment on the route Amsterdam - Dubai.

The flight from Amsterdam to Dubai takes about six and a half hours. I spent some of the time taking pictures with my iPhone of the flight tracking system.