Espen's inspiring travel » Dubai

Sharjah to Kathmandu

espen — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:24:00 +0000

Two weeks in Syria was enough. Damascus and Aleppo is two fantastic old cities but a stomach infection and a hospitality that feels quite less welcoming than Iran I am delighted to get out of the middle east. Both mentioned cities have mostly typical middle eastern characteristics but also include old parts as well as christian/jewish suburbs with churches and indecently dressed girls with voluptuous bodies. But you could also find trendy streets with cool cafes and western looking people. But there as well as everywhere else you will find excessive use of hair gel among the guys. The attitude from these guys towards women was also something else I did not like about this country. While in Iran I could accompany one of the nice girls i met there, here in Syria me and the wonderful Lachlyn could hear Arabic remarks as walking past someone. And I bet it was a hundred times worse when she was walking alone.

Air Arabia makes it easy to move cheaply around in this region, and they even have a flight to Kathmandu! With a stopover in Sharjah, a UAE state, though. Spent one night in a youth hostel after a long search in a taxi for the hostel together with a Japanese guy with the great name Hiro. Also an English guy was staying at the hostel who lived four months in Norway, running a shop and living in Gronland (a suburb in Oslo). He left as he did not find the Norwegian drinking culture much cultivated and also he said it was hard to meet and get to know Norwegian people. He had to goto bars to meet people even though he despised alcohol and drunk people. Marijuana on the other hand..

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

espen — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:36:00 +0000

Value: 3/5
Room: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Location: 4/5
Visit website

Wanted a nice hotel on the beach after two months of hostels in Iran. Being a SPG-member I usually end up at a Starwood-property which is really a habit I must end. The good thing, bizarrely enough, was the price. It was very expensive but nevertheless it was a lot cheaper than the other beach side hotels on Jumeirah beach.

The hotel is quite old and it shows. Just looking from the outside you can tell as the hotel is about a third of the size of hotels nearby. I guess Starwood will make it up by opening the grand new Westin further down the beach.

The room was spacious enough but the bathroom needed some renovations.

Service was semi-professional but lacked enthusiasm and the welcome was far from as friendly as in a cheap hostel in Iran. Late checkout was very problematic. I asked late in the night and they told me no. Still they managed to call me up at 9am to tell me the exact same thing. Great way to wake up when hangover..

I am 99% sure I forgot my mobile phone charger in the room but when calling the next day housekeeping said they had not found it. I am very sceptical.

The beach was nice though and almost made it worth the stay.

Will not recommend this hotel and will not stay there on my next visit to Dubai.

Dinner and a show

espen — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:27:00 +0000

My friend Charlotte has become sick and busy studying so I am pretty much left to myself here in Dubai. Asked the concierge to recommend a good Indian restaurant nearby and he pointed in the direction of the Seashell hotel. Inside there were two other guests and seven waiters. I order a curry and out of the kitchen comes eight fantastic looking Asian girls in robes. I wondered whether to ask if their were on the menu as well but as the area around here has a lot of prostitutes the waiter would probably not get my joke and turn up with the girls instead. After being served the curry, without rice which I have to make a new order for, just as I chew the first bite the Asian girls walks outside of a room into what is now a stage on the other side of the room. An Indian guy with a microphone starts singing and the girls now dressed in very revealing tight dresses dances around on stage. After two months in Iran this is both heaven and torture at the same time. I was assigned a table in the back and later in the evening I see why. The other tables fill up with Indians throwing cards on the stage, not sure if it is business cards or some sort of tips to the girl. Also some local Arabian guys occupy two tables. They are obviously frequent visitors, flirting with the girls and being served a reserved bottle of vodka. After three beer it’s time to get out. This is too much for a guy who have only looked at girls in chador for two months.

The future by night

espen — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:38:00 +0000

I have seen the future. A taxi ride in Dubai by night. Development is above extensive and these Arabs are trying to run the world from this place. It might seem like a beach and shopping destination but this is becoming a hub for many important industries. Internet city, knowledge village, media city are all filled with big offices of international companies.

Arrived around seven pm after taking the slowest catamaran in the world from Bandar-e Abbas in Iran to the port in Dubai. Met a fascinating French guy named Pierre who is travelling and performing for children in schools in different countries. His show was about a young australian aboriginal who goes out to explore the world to learn about music. In each continent he discovers a new instrument. Pierre plays guitar and the children sings along and dances. The story teaches the kids about different cultures as well as taking care of the planet. I hope Pierre gets as far as Australia so he can do his performance in a school with aboriginal kids.

Being a five-star backpacker I am staying at the Sheraton on Jumeirah beach. Just for two nights before my friend Charlotte arrives. She goes to university here and I will stay with her. The beach is nice but I must say I disagree with the number of stars the hotel brag about. Will post a review later.

Relaxing at Jumeirah Beach Hotel in front of the Burj Al Arab.

What to do in Dubai? Beach and shopping off course. The morning was spent hangover on the beach. Four beers was more than enough to make my head spin after over two months in Iran. In the afternoon I went to the mall of the emirates which I think is the largest shopping center outside America. Going back later to buy a nice shirt from Zara so I can dress to impress tonight. They even have an indoor ski slope there and I will probably go snowboarding there.