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.