Thu. & Fri. March 24 & 25, 2011 80 degrees 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
We will make “landfall” off Iran before joining the traffic schemes that will lead us through the Strait of Hormuz. The traffic systems are in place here to separate the vast amount of shipping heading to and from ports in the Persian Gulf. You will notice that most of this traffic consists of tankers trading with the oil rich states in this area as there are numerous oil fields in the area.
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| Sunrise in Dubai |
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| 2 Canadian Ambulance Service waiting on the dock to assist |
On approach to the Pilot station we pass the Palm Deira project on our portside and the “World” project on our starboard. You can see the massive dredging and sand “rainbowing” operation which creates these islands at sea. The port and surrounding area of Dubai is under constant development. Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is unusual in that its population is comprised mainly of expatriates mainly coming from south Asia and southeast Asia. The government does not allow any form of naturalization or permanent residence to expatriates; however, foreigners are permitted to purchase and own property without a local partner or sponsor.
Just more than 600 years after Christ lived in what is now Israel, Mohammed was born in Mecca, and Islam charged across the Arabian Peninsula. Assyrians, and powerful Persian empires dominated the Gulf for awhile, but by the 15th century, mini-empires had formed.
In less than a century, Dubai has been transformed from a backwater into a metropolis, the commercial hub of the region and an internationally renowned shoppers’ paradise. Gold provided the growth of Dubai Dubai
The first day in Dubai we went on an ‘Ensemble’ shore excursion “Emirati Cultural Experience”. This tour should further our understanding of the culture of the Arab World and Islam. Drove to the Bastakiya quarter of Dubai which is the old section. Visited the Sheikh Mohamed Center for Cultural Understanding. Went for a stroll around the neighbourhood to see old homes and building techniques. Visited the Bastakiya Mosque, then returned to the Cultural Center for Arabic coffee, dates and an Emirate lunch. We did not return to the ship on the bus but rather took a dhow across the canal to visit the gold and spice souq.
Day 2 we took a shore excursion “Panoramic Dubai”. We drove to the Jumeirah district and viewed the Palace, Mosque and the Burj Al Arab while at the Jumeirah beach. We went to the Dubai Mall and watched they skiing on the mall. We next visited the Al Bastakiya district, then through the Shendayah Tunnel to the Gold Souq on the opposite side of the canal.
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| Jumeriah Mosque |
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| Burj Al Arab |
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| Dubai Mall Skiing |
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| Old district of Al Bastakiya |
We took the shuttle bus to the Bur Juman Shopping Center. Beautiful center with beautiful clothes that are very expensive. Back to ship and went to the Kebab-ecue on the Lido Deck. Went to the port to use the internet.
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| How about wearing a fascinator |
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| or two |
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