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Dubai

March 2017
A 10-day adventure by Vander Wonders Read more
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  • TravelerDubai
    Day 6

    Old Dubai with Ron Pegna

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    I met up with Ronny Pegna (Ben Pegna's dad), he has been in Dubai since 1983 and pretty much saw this place transform from a modest Arabic town to a world class mega city.

    Obviously his favorite part of the city is to show visitors the old part which has a lot of the original character of Dubai, according to Ronny, Dubai is in danger of losing the historic heritage to the expense of modernization.

    We crossed the creek in an old-fashion wood boat and walked through a few souks (Arabic markets). On the way back he showed me where they used to live and basically where Ben grew up.

    It was amazing to catch up with Ronny and I am really grateful for his unique perspective on Dubai.

    When Ronny picked me up Luke (Ben's little brother) came along to just say hi. Luke also works in Dubai, the last time I saw him he was 15 years old and Ben and I took him to boarding school in the UK. It was great to see him, his turned into a solid young man from the teenager I remember.

    Both Ron and Luke reminds me so much of Ben and it just makes me miss my friend so much, can't wait to see him again soon.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    11
    Day 6

    Dubai mall

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Afternoon outing to the mall, its massive, almost too big to navigate, I prefer a smaller mall where you don't need a map to find your bearings.

    People in Dubai, specially the females portrays an image of style & being taken care of; much more than London even. It is clear that there is lots of wealth floating about. I can just sit and watch all the classy outfits. The mall has a huge variety of shops. I was ecstatic to find a french connection; one of my favorite shops. I am slowly transforming my wardrobe from the shorts and vests backpacker look to something a little bit more sophisticated. Roedolf was not impressed with the limited men fashion stores- he was on a jean hunt mission and unsuccessful. He reckons all jeans are made for gays, I think its a combination of he's built and the fact that he is not used to something fitting him properly he's jeans are super old and 4 sizes too big, but he loves it🙈. I enjoyed going with him but still prefer shopping on my own, I am not overly keen on feeling rushed or knowing someone is waiting outside the door bored out of their head!!

    {Issy}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 6

    Expat living

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We joined Pieter's work team on their regular Tuesday night volleyball league, it was fun and we won all three games. It's great to take part in all the expat activities Dubai offers.

    Barasti next door has ladies night with free flow prosecco till 11pm on Tuesday nights. We moved over there after the game for some shenanigans, we had a great night out dancing in our volleyball kit!

    {Issy}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 7

    RTA

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Surprisingly in a city where most things are so expensive its borderline extortion, the public transport is some of the cheapest we have experienced on our travels.

    The train system is excellent and very clean. Each train has a gold and a woman only cabin.

    This afternoon the train was so full I barely got in while Isabel walked into the woman only cart no problem. Ironically it was the same train cart with a line in the middle that men are not allowed over. The woman side was half empty while the other side looked like a can of sardines.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 7

    Souk soek soek soek

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Isabel was in haar element by die old Souk vandag. Ek verstaan hoekom hulle dit 'n "Souk" noem, want mens loop daar rond en soek vir goedjies om te koop.

    Ek het dit geniet om vir Isabel so gelukkig te sien. Ek gaan nie jok nie, ek verstaan glad nie hoe sy so gelukkig kan wees om rond te loop en eintlik vir niks spesiefiek te soek nie.

    Hierdie verkoopsmanne kort net n pinkie dan gryp hulle die hand, hulle probeer so hard om jou in hulle winkel te kry en dan is dit verby met jou. Hulle sal jou nie sommer laat uitloop sonder dat jy iets koop nie, en hulle werk vir elke verkoop. Mense kan baie by hulle leer, hulle ken hulle produkte baie goed. Die snaakste ding is hoe hulle met n sakrekenaar werk om jou te wys hoeveel die prys vir iets is. Hulle tip die "first price" op die sakrekenaar. Dan doen hulle die som om jou eerste afslag te gee wat wonderlik klink want dis 20% van die "first price" af, maar in werklikheid seker nog dubble wat jy eintlik moet betaal. Sekerlik val baie mense vir dit en hulle dink het lekker afslag gekry. Jou doel moet wees om by hulle "best and final price" uit te kom. Dis gewoonlik die "first price" gedeel deur 3 of 4, anders het jy te veel betaal.

    Die juweliers winkels is op n ander level as wat mens gewoond is, daar is selfs 'n ring wat om my middel sal pas. Dis die Guinness World Rekords se swaarste goue ring.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 7

    Souk outing

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Ons is vroeg aan die gang na heelparty freeflow prosecco. Ek en Roedolf ry saam Robyn werk toe, vanwaar ons die trein vang. My man is heel committed om vir my die Souks te wys nadat hy dit gister op 'n "man manier" besoek het. Hy hou sy beloftes mooi en drentel geduldig saam. Ek pas ringe aan en kwyl by die goue souk, ek stry die knape af, maar is steeds nie convince of dit 'n goeie prys vir 'n ring is nie. Roedolf het effens afgeskakel terwyl ek emerald ringe en dinge aanpas, duidelik nie hier vir "groot" aankope nie. Dis rerig lekker om die tyd te he om by die souks rond te snuffel. Ons het lekker gelag hoe die ouens vir jou in die straat se wat hulle als smous en jou dan in klein stegies inly, op met 'n random lift en siedaar 'n shop met alles en nog wat. 'n Heerlike reis deur "wheel en deal" Arabier styl, ek het vir ons huisie mooi handgemaakte kussingslope gekoop.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 8

    Desert safari

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The "real" experience.... well like many things the desert once again confirmed that you can't contest or control nature and ultimately thats the beauty of it. The 4x4 safari over the sanddunes was an epic experience, I loved the rollercoaster version of the desert and the places we stopped at was breathtaking. Pieter made some pre-mix which obviously made the sunset & dunes a world class experience The camel ride and boudin dinner was basically a sand fest due to the unexpected sandstorm, but truly an authentic experience. I got an Arabic tattoo and Roedolf loved the Sisha, we had a great sandy time with the De Vriese.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    1
    Day 8

    Sunset in the desert

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    This is the one place we have been in the last 6 months that surprised me. Its so beautiful which is totally unexpected.

    The desert sort of feel like a different planet, I now get why star wars movies always have some desert scenes.

    Just and awesome experience with the Nuwe Devriese!

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 8

    Camel ride

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The only thing romantic about a desert camel ride is the cool photos. Camels stink, their noisy and extremely uncomfortable to sit on.

    We definitely got the full experience with a good old sand storm rolling in as we arrived at the camp. The combination of wind and sand is less desirable. I recon we will still have sand in our ears a month from now.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • TravelerDubai
    Day 9

    Dubai run

    March 17, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    I headed out to the new Jumeirah Corniche considered number one of Dubais top running routes. This is the city’s latest leisurely beachfront track for running enthusiasts. I took a bus to the end, accidentally got of the wrong stop and then had to run an additional 3km over the creek. It actually starts at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and continues on to the Burj Al Arab Hotel. A fabulous point to point route for me today past Kite beach, the mosque all the way back to Marina Bay. I picked up my mileage a bit since Thailand so starting to reap the benefits.

    {Issy}    Read more

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