Old Dubai

On our day off this week we got a grand tour of the old section of Dubai...quaint, historic, picturesque, colorful...was a great day even in the heat!

We took the Metro down to "the Creek".  It is a beautiful old area of town with lots of things to explore.  

Interesting old towers...and great old wooden water taxis to take you across the creek to the spice and gold souqs.

Buying some frankincense and myrrh, cinnamon sticks and cloves from one of the many vendors.  Andy watched one merchant hustling business in five different languages.

This Gold Souq specialized in sets of jewelry for weddings...earrings, necklaces, and ring sets to be worn once at the wedding...then placed in a safe as a dowry for the wife.  My friend talked the guy into letting me try on this $16,000 necklace.  

We took another water taxi back across the creek and had lunch at Bayt Wakeel - a restaurant overlooking the water.  There was a "cool" breeze so it was nice to be able to sit outside.

  

We enjoyed sharing a refreshing fruit platter, bread and hummus, some appetizers, and Moroccan tea with baklava for dessert.

We made our way through some modern Souq areas as well as an Indian Hindu section to visit the incredible Dubai Museum at the Al Fahidi Fort built in 1787 ( the oldest existing building in Dubai) - a "must see" to learn more about the history of this area.

The aim of the museum is to present the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai.  Dioramas show life before the advent of oil. (Oil was discovered in 1969.)  It also includes local antiquities as well as artifacts from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai.

We could get up close and personal with the dioramas...

We spent quite a bit of time here learning about everyday life, schools, pearl diving, animals of the dessert, musical instruments, weapons, ships, pottery, jewelry...the list goes on and on.

A worthwhile visit!

Interesting to see the world globe from the Middle Eastern perspective...we are so used to the world being seen from the North and South American perspective.

Then we hiked over to our last adventure of the day...

A boat ride up and down the creek, from the floating bridge to the opening into the Persian Gulf!

We had the boat to ourselves with our quiet but attentive driver.  He works for a company called The Open Sea.

 

From modern buildings to a variety of mosques...

Here we are passing by the tall building with a whole side of made of mirrors!  See us there on the boat waving to you?

Ending with dinner at the Local House enjoying it's speciality,

Camel Burgers (and camel roast with rice) and camel milk shakes!  The meat was tender and nicely flavored...no unusual wild flavor to it.  Very nice!

We arrived home hot and sticky and a bit weary, but happy to have experienced so much of the history and culture of Dubai!