ROB FRANKEL <rob_at_robfrankel.com> WROTE:
>I'm cross posting this question to a couple of lists,
>so please bear with me. This is sort of a broad
>question aimed more at our non-American -- or
>well-traveled -- friends:
<SNIP>
>Anyone have a source that can make sure I'm culturally
>prepared for this audience?
i say as i have benefitted from your wisdom for some
time now, it is only fair that i pass on a bit of mine
related to your upcoming visit to dubai.
i spent 7 years misbehaving in the gulf and dubai is
without a doubt the most relaxed city in the region.
as a visitor, you do not need to carry a license
around if you like a drink although residents who buy
the stuff regularly needed to so in the past. if you
smoke cigarrettes are very cheap so buy them at the
airport.
there is a reasonably good nightlife with plenty of
English style pubs and enough clubs to keep you happy.
just about everything you might want is available
however only an idiot would use illegal drugs in dubai
or, in my opinion, anywhere. the shopping is excellent,
especially for gold (20% of the world's gold passes
through dubai).
dubai is situated on the arabian gulf and has some
great watersports, diving is excellent, so is the
deep sea fishing. having personally spent many
exciting days and nights crossing deserts in a
landrover, i recommend you go 'wadi bashing' if you
have the time. ask locally for an explanation! a night
sleeping under the stars in the desert should be on
everyones must do list. golf courses are excellent.
bur dubai is the original town and you can wander
through the alleyways safely and give many of your
senses a new experience. stop by a coffee shop and
try the local coffee. there they call it coffee in
england we call it rocket fuel. drink it with a few
local dates.
crime is virtually non existent although taxi drivers
are the same there as anywhere else in the world!
by the way, the holy month of ramadhan is in
november so things will be a bit slower than normal
however shops stay open till 2am in many areas.
i don't travel much nowadays but if i need information
i use www.worldtravelguide.net
have a great trip
Marcus Osborne
- Managing Director - Tiger Publishing Sdn Bhd
mosborne_at_po.jaring.my
Tel: +6 03 7954 2076 - Fax: +6 03 7954 2077
Suite 208 - Block D - Phileo Damansara One -
Jalan Damansara
46350 Petaling Jaya - Malaysia
Received on Fri Aug 03 2001 - 16:43:33 CDT
