Dubai is a vibrant city located in the Middle East. Though Dubai is relatively a new tourist...
Featured Post
Dubai Blog @Dubai101.com.
Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit Dubai or any part of the Arab World.
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in Dubai and probably the world. With a height of 828m and 160 stories, Burj Khalifa is in Downtown Dubai. It was designed to be the centerpiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. Burj is in the main business district in in Dubai. Burj Khalifa has three separate outdoor observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors, from which you get a good view of Downtown Dubai. The observation decks are equipped with high-powered telescopes to get a good view of the city. Refreshments are served at the Sky Lounge on the 148th floor. Admission prices for At The Top will vary according to the time of the visit and the level of the observation decks.
At.Mosphere is a restaurant on the 122nd floor. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows that give you a unique view of Dubai.
The Development
This is a large-scale, mixed-use development. The design is derived from the Islamic architecture of the region, such as in the Great Mosque of Samarra. The construction of this building was based on the government’s decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition. There are 57 elevators and 8 escalators in the building. It contains 30,000 flats, nine hotels, 7.4 acres of parkland, at least 19 residential skyscrapers, the Dubai Mall, and the 30-acre artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. The malls, hotels and condominiums in Downtown Dubai surrounding Burj Khalifa have generated the most revenue from the project as a whole.
The Building
The shiny aluminum and stainless-steel cladding to reflect the sun, reducing the load on the air-conditioning system. Its special glass is reflective and stops the heat getting in. It takes 36 workers three to four months to clean the entire exterior. The unmanned cleaning system developed in Melbourne, Australia cleans the top 27 additional tiers and the glass spire.
The building is named in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. For the development of the Burj Khalifa project both Abu Dhabi and the UAE government lent money.
Outside the building, there is the Dubai Fountain which is a choreographed fountain system located on the 12 hectares of man made Burj Khalifa Lake, at the centre of the Downtown development in Dubai
Education
There are both public and private schools in Dubai. Private schools account for 90% of education. There are American, British, French or other curricula. French Baccalaureate is an example.
There are a number of government-owned schools in Dubai. The language of instruction in public schools is Arabic, while English is often taught as a second language.
There is a perception that international schools are better than public schools. The UAE government is working to reform the emirate’s public education system so that it will match the standards of private schools.
All students who are not of Arab origin must take Arabic language classes until grade 9, or up to age 13. There are options for national curriculum including Canada, the US, UK, Russia, Japan, Iran and more. the school week is from Sunday to Thursday.
Ex-pat children education
Until 2015, ex-pat children couldn’t attend public schools in the UAE. This accounts for a large number of private schools. Places for primary school students may be limited and the parents usually apply early to secure a spot at their preferred school.
Nurseries in Dubai.
There are a wide variety of nurseries in Dubai. If you plan to return home and resume your child’s education at some stage you should choose a nursery that offers your national curriculum. Also, look for a nursery that offers courses in the language of your choice. Many nurseries15 are affiliated with schools or school groups, so you may want to choose a nursery that offers your child priority for your preferred school.
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai.
Jumeirah Beach is a white sand beach that is located and named after the Jumeirah district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Jumeirah Beach Attractions
The beach features large hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping zones and housing developments. Also found in this location are the Burj Al Arab hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the old-style Madinat Jumeirah (a hotel and shopping complex) and the Jumeirah Beach Park. This park is a great tourist attraction where visitors relax, swim, or play sports like Volleyball etc.
In the beach you will find a number of exhibition halls and museums like Majlis Ghorfat Umm-Al Sheif, Etihad Museum, and Visitor center Jumeirah Archaeological Site where you can experience the old age charm as well as shop a wide range of trinkets, decorative items, furniture, tea sets, shishas and pashmina shawls.
Jumeirah is considered to be the party hub for Dubai. When the sun sets the beach transforms itself into a glittering world of pubs, clubs, and lively bars.
Activities at Jumeirah Beach
- Jet Skiing
Tour operators provide one hour of jet skiing guided by professional coaches. While skiing you will also see the iconic views of the Al Arab and other beautiful skyline landmarks.2.Parasailing and Boat Tour
The program is usually for 15 minutes. You will get aerial views of Dubai Marina and Palm Island. - Sun Lounge
If you want to relax on the beach, you arrive at the beach early in the morning because that is when the sun is at its best. - Food and beverage
When you walk along the beach you will come across some great cuisines from around the world. Usually the places are crowded. You can enjoy local delights along with many stalls dedicated to French and Chinese cuisines.
Several bars across the shore which enable bar hopping with night vibes and music.
Places to Eat at Jumeirah beach Dubai
- La Parrilla is an Argentinian restaurant which offers fiery meat and seafood items.
- At Latitude you can enjoy a live cooking station that offers platters of aromatic fresh fish, pasta dishes, and meats. On Tuesday Nights you get authentic Arabian food and on Saturday nights you get authentic American cuisine.
Shopping places near Jumeirah beach Dubai
- Mercato Shopping Mall has 130 retail outlets offering a wide range of products. You can also relish some classic pizzas at the eateries at the mall.
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a traditional market-style complex combining Arabian shopping stands, barrows and stalls with a blend of boutique brands, souvenir gift shops and luxury fashion and jewellery outlets.
- The Mall Jumeirah offers home items as well as fashion goods. Top brands at this place and grab a delectable meal at the food court. Here you will also be able to enjoy some beauty treatments at notable N-Bar or Zuri Beauty Lounge.
- Palm Strip Mall is a Californian inspired open air mall that is located opposite the Jumeirah Mosque. This is one of the busiest shopping places and home to Pro Art gallery, restaurants, and confectionery stores.
Masdar City
Masdar is a planned city project in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Literally it means ‘Source City’. Its core is being built by Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, a state-owned construction company, with the majority of seed capital provided by the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Masdar City is a hub for innovation, research and development, advancing real-world solutions in energy and water efficiency, mobility, and artificial intelligence. Its first tenant was the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which has been operating in the city since it moved into its campus in September 2010. Masdar City is a highly planned, specialised, research and technology-intensive municipality.
Cars are not allowed inside the city. You have to park the car in the car park provided. In the city you can take autonomous pods and self drive buses for movement within the city.
Masdar City is a living, working community where residents, academics and business professionals live, learn, work and play in an environment that pushes the boundaries of sustainable design, construction, and operation. The city contains one of the largest clusters of low-carbon buildings in the world.
Masdar City Free Zone is a powerful business enabler and incubator. More than 800 companies from six continents operate from Masdar City ranging from multinationals such as Siemens, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, to regional corporations, SMEs and startups.
Masdar Park features a children’s playground, music wall, and art installations themed on sustainability.
The companies in the city will concentrate on energy saving and energy substituting projects as well as reuse of water.
Due to the impact of the global financial crisis, the initial 1,000,000 square metres of buildings which was estimated for completion in 2015, was pushed back to between 2020 and 2025 and final completion was estimated to be 2030.
Qaryat Al Torath Heritage Village
Qaryat Al Torath Heritage Village is located in the Ain Al Fayda district of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. The Village features 32 market stalls offering a variety of traditional Emirati handicrafts and foods. You can watch Bedouin (nomadic Arab people) women making beautiful craft pieces.
The shops also sell traditional clothing, spices, perfumes, date palm products and accessories.
Dining options include authentic Emirati fare from several kitchens selling traditional tea, Arabic dishes and moreish sweets.
Al Mamzar Park
One of the most appreciated and popular beaches located in the north-east of Dubai. The beach was
inaugurated in 1994. It covers 106 hectares of land in five separate beaches.The Park is good for relaxing with friends or family. Visitors can bring their picnic and enjoy it on the grass or under the shade of trees. You can also enjoy barbecues at the designated barbecue areas with your gear for some charcoal grilling.
There are 28 areas furnished with BBQ sets, grills, umbrellas and seats, facing beach number 5. Leisure facilities include sledges, climbing, roller skating, football, basketball, cycling, and beach volleyball.
Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for women and children. Boys younger than 4 years old will be permitted.
There are 16 air conditioned chalets on beach number 4. Beach cabin service is also available. These can be rented from the park’s administration, near the main entrance.
Pets are not allowed at the park. Also, campfires and shisha are not permitted. As with other parks, alcohol and smoking are prohibited, and beachwear must be strictly adhered to only at the beach.
There are food kiosks throughout the beach park. There are many cafeterias and restaurants serving Mediterranean dishes in the park area. There is also a branch of the popular FiLLi Cafe,
Using your RTA Nol cards you can enter the park through smart gates, without having to wait in a queue at the entrance. The strange palm tree-like structures allow you to charge your phone and connect to WiFi. A similar function is also available at the ‘Smart Benches’, again without the use of any USB cables.
The park uses other technologies like paint that absorbs carbon dioxide and reduce the air pollution in the area. Smart Containers to move around the park to clear the litter. Drones analyse the health and growth of plants in the park. Drones can also spot drowning situations from above and alert a lifeguard.
Zabeel Park Dubai
Zabeel Park is an urban public park located in the Zabeel district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is situated between Al Karama and the Dubai World Trade Centre. It covers much of the Al Kifaf area. It is accessible from the Red Line of Dubai Metro via the nearby Al Jafiliya Station. It is maintained by the Public Parks and Horticulture Department of Dubai Municipality.
The park is divided into numerous sectors connected by pedestrian bridges, and there are multiple entrance gates. Zabeel Park also houses the Dubai Frame, an iconic landmark in Dubai where tourists can take in breathtaking views of old and new Dubai.
The park has an area of 47.5 ha (117.375 acres). The parking area can accommodate 2,300 vehicles. The entrance fee is AED 5 per person. The recreational facilities in the park include a 2.5 km jogging track on the park perimeter, pedestrian tracks, BMX track, skateboarding park, barbecue and picnic areas, a boating lake, lakeside restaurants, ice skating, a mini cricket pitch and golfing area, shaded seating and children’s play areas.
There is also an exhibition gallery, prayer rooms, a fitness centre, and various monuments.
Dubai Garden Glow is a world of imagination with a skillful blend of unique art and theme. Glow Park is lit by millions of energy saving led lights and yards of recycled luminous fabric.
Stargate at the southern end of Area A is dedicated to children. It offers an outer space-themed indoor educational and entertainment complex. Kids can easily spend several hours playing on the various attractions under its five domes that include hi-tech mazes, 3-D shows, a roller-coaster and a lunar-themed play area. Admission to Stargate is free, but there are charges for rides.
There are educational and interactive displays as well as a 3D cinema for edutainment activities. The park also has edutainment centres such as the Alternative Energy Zone, the Communication Zone, and the Techno Zone where children can learn about different innovative technologies.
The Dinosaur Park is another popular section of the Zabeel Park where massive life-like models of dinosaurs are on display. Children’s City offers obstacle courses, slides and much more.