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Old 03-13-2007, 04:20 PM   #1
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Default ONE DAY in Abu Dhabi

I have a one day stopover in May - does anyone have suggestions?
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Old 03-13-2007, 05:03 PM   #2
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I just read yesterday that Abu Dhabi was the richest city in the world.

Sorry that I can't contribute any first hand info, but they must have some nice attraction there. Anyone? Anyone?
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Old 03-13-2007, 05:05 PM   #3
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I would go to the Abu Dhabi Mall. Hundreds of stores, internet cafes, movie theater, whatever you want to relax and entertain yourself. They have watersports/diving at the big beach resorts. There's more to do in Dubai, if you feel like taking a taxi/bus that way.

I could spend hours just people-watching, the UAE is like the New York of the middle east!
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Old 03-13-2007, 05:16 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by travelpunk View Post
I just read yesterday that Abu Dhabi was the richest city in the world.
Haha, so you're saying I should panhandle??

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I would go to the Abu Dhabi Mall. Hundreds of stores, internet cafes, movie theater, whatever you want to relax and entertain yourself. They have watersports/diving at the big beach resorts. There's more to do in Dubai, if you feel like taking a taxi/bus that way.
I *definitely* need to shop while I'm there. Good tip! Any Arabian-chic looking photo opportunities? (Btw, when I told my dad that I had to get a new passport because of Israel stamps, his response was, "The UAE?! Isn't that a shopping mall??!" I guess to imply that they are not in the correct position to be passing serious political judgment.)

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I could spend hours just people-watching, the UAE is like the New York of the middle east!
Jon Stewart said just last night that it's "what happens if Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia have a baby."
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Old 03-13-2007, 07:40 PM   #5
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^ Yeah, when 80% of the population is made up of filthy rich Western expats, I guess that's bound to happen. If I had to venture a guess I'd say the shopping will be mostly catering to Western tastes, and if you're looking for anything indigenous you'll have to dig for it.
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Old 03-13-2007, 07:47 PM   #6
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Jon Stewart said just last night that it's "what happens if Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia have a baby."
That is hilarious, and absolutely right! Abu Dhabi is a little more conservative than Dubai because it has fewer expats and tourists than Dubai, but they are quickly adapting too.

As far as photo-ops go, keep in mind nearly everything you'll see is recently built and ultra-modern. They do have some beautiful, incredibly ornate mosques you might enjoy seeing. I've heard that photographing them is considered bad form, so be discreet if you do.

I don't think your Israel stamps would be a problem. I know it's a big problem in Syria and Lebanon especially, but I haven't heard of the UAE taking issue. Check with the embassy to be sure.
Good luck and have fun!
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Old 03-13-2007, 08:31 PM   #7
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I just came through dubai a couple of weeks ago, the place is amazing, great bar inside the Dubai Grand hotel, taking pictures of the mosques is a really bad thing there, I wouldnt let a local see you. If you go to the mall with the ski slope inside of it, you will see more tourist than anything and you better bring some big bucks, its pretty expensive. dubai is amazing, and you deff gotta hit the beach, you will see some amazing sights there for sure...
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Old 03-14-2007, 06:51 AM   #8
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They do have some beautiful, incredibly ornate mosques you might enjoy seeing. I've heard that photographing them is considered bad form, so be discreet if you do.
Yeah, I know mosques in the gulf are different than other Muslim countries, in that they completely restrict non-Muslims from visiting all mosques, so I'll watch my ass. I "pass" pretty well, so it will be easier for me to be discreet!

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I don't think your Israel stamps would be a problem. I know it's a big problem in Syria and Lebanon especially, but I haven't heard of the UAE taking issue. Check with the embassy to be sure.
Oh, man, I DID!! I called the consulate and said that "a friend" might be going to the UAE and had Israeli stamps in "their" passport - "is that going to be a problem?" Guy didn't even skip a beat and said, "yeah, you're going to have to get a new passport." I knew Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Algeria, I suspected Yemen and DEF Saudi, but never the UAE!! I made the consulate call *after* I found info online that said I was screwed, too, just to be absolutely certain. It's actually slightly better, because I know SE Asia restricts Israeli travel, so it's probably more prudent to have a fresh pass for the rest of my trip. But honestly, I got the Israeli stamp because I was making a modest political statement and would have saved the UAE for later if I had done my research.

Would you believe that I got my master's degree in Foreign Policy and the Middle East?? It's ok because this is my mom's new "taking me down a peg" story, and, well, it's an adventure. Sigh.
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Old 03-14-2007, 08:58 AM   #9
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"yeah, you're going to have to get a new passport."
Wow, that's surprising to me too. With all the international business that goes through Dubai, that's got to change sooner or later. I know Jordan and Egypt have decent relations with Israel, but they may be the only ones.

I'm sure you know all about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through your studies, but if you get to know people there you see it first hand. Even in Jordan, which has diplomatic relations with Israel, hatred for that country seems to be deeply ingrained in the culture and community. I have Palestinian friends there, and I understand their side of the of the story, but there's blame to be found on both sides. I think Jordan's King Abdullah is right-- it's the fundamental reason for conflict in the region, and peace is never going to be possible until both sides come back to the table. Still, Palestine has to compromise more. To me, it would be like indigenous Americans trying to reclaim the western US. It may have been rightfully their land, history is full of injustice, but they're not going to get it back now! We have to be realistic.

Sorry to get things off topic... once I start talking politics or foreign policy it's hard for me to shut up.
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Old 03-15-2007, 02:41 AM   #10
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I've got a 4 day stopover in Dubai on my way to Europe. Among other things I'll be checking out the 'Wild Wadi' waterpark. I've heard it's pretty sweet.

Everything is so big in Dubai you could easily spend a day just exploring half of one attraction.

What day are you there just out of curiosity?
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Old 03-15-2007, 05:15 AM   #11
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I'm sure you know all about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through your studies, but if you get to know people there you see it first hand. Even in Jordan, which has diplomatic relations with Israel, hatred for that country seems to be deeply ingrained in the culture and community.
And what's AWESOME (not like, gnarly, but rather ridiculous and crazy) is the intra-Arab struggles. Palestinians aren't huge fans of Jordanians. And Jordanians are like WTF when Palestinians claim to be from Jordan. And the non-Palestinian, non-Israeli Arabs who live in Israel get kicked out by their landlords to make way for Israeli settlers, Palestinians and politically pro-Palestinian Arabs get all incensed and yet refuse to take a prophylactic stance to either protect or support the totally disenfranchised Arabs. And then my Israeli friends (who are Sephardic and Iranian/Moroccan) freaked OUT when I told them I was dating an Arab. "How could you? What?! He PRAYS at your apartment - and you LET him!?" So it goes even beyond the dozen different types of Arab in the disputed region.

Obv I cannot shut up when it comes to this either. But this - - is how I feel about the subject. Especially when it affects my traveling. Hmm, maybe *this* is why the political thread forum is OFF T-Punk!

Raoulduke - I'm NOT going on a Friday <i>alhamdillullah</>. My one day there is a Thursday, and I'm flying out 2am Friday morning.
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Old 03-15-2007, 05:30 AM   #12
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Sorry, I meant what date.

I'm going in May too! 46 days to go, can't wait.
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Old 03-15-2007, 07:00 AM   #13
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Sorry, I meant what date.

I'm going in May too! 46 days to go, can't wait.
Haha, thought you were giving me a friendly "hope you're not trying to have fun on a Friday" warning!

I'll be there May 17th from 8am to 2am the 18th.
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Old 04-25-2007, 12:01 AM   #14
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Dubai is amazing! Lots and lots of malls! The mall of the Emirates is the best, took me ages to walk the whole thing. Taxis are really nice and not too expensive. Dont be frightened, you will get used to the driving! Its kinda like a little rollercoaster ride, very fun!
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Old 04-26-2007, 05:14 PM   #15
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See if you can line up one of those 4WD desert safaris. I took one on my last day in Dubai. It was fun. Either that, or read a guidebook on it and see if there's any sights you want to see. Put together a little "highlights of the city" tour for yourself...

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Old 12-01-2007, 04:47 PM   #16
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Post Middle East Conflict

What do you think of Obadiah Shoher's views on the Middle East conflict? One can argue, of course, that Shoher is ultra-right, but his followers are far from being a marginal group. Also, he rejects Jewish moralistic reasoning - that's alone is highly unusual for the Israeli right. And he is very influential here in Israel. So what do you think?
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Old 12-01-2007, 05:20 PM   #17
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Old 12-01-2007, 05:29 PM   #18
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Hey Alex, welcome. I think there's a hearty discussion on the subject here:

http://travelpunk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=15234&highlight=israel


And I'm assuming you're Israeli or living there? I'm sure the boards would appreciate some "on the ground" input.
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Old 12-01-2007, 05:44 PM   #19
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Now I want to go there after my Israel trip. The Middle East is interesting.
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Old 12-01-2007, 06:07 PM   #20
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I recommend it. Lots of cultural overload too. Plus, it gives you a perspective on a lot of different things that most people in our position can only speculate about.
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