Dubai
 

I have two days in Bubai? Any interesting things to do? Day and Nightlife??
Thanks

Cabs are cheap, go to the Gold Suk (they will negotiate), Mall of the Emirates (ski slope inside), go to the sister resort of the hotel we stay at for the beach. I went on a desert safari, arranged by the hotel and it was a good way to waste an evening. They pick you up at about 3pm and return you about 10pm (approx). I know the dinner buffet in the Hotel is very good, but you may need reservations unless you go very early or late. There is plenty of nightlife but I am not well schooled on this in DXB.

Hope this helps.

Ski Dubai. PM me for more gouge if you are interested.

There's tons of things to do in Dubai, but at this time of year, most of them will start in the late afternoon, because it's so damn hot there. Daytime temperatures should be in the 110 degree range, almost every day.

As 2CD mentioned, you should take a cab to the Gold Suk (which translates to gold market), which is about a $3 cab ride. Once there, you need to seek out a shop that's owned by an Australian guy. He caters to airline types as well as Navy guys, and you'll be able to recognize his shop by all the Navy caps hanging on hooks all around the outside window. He's a really good guy and will give you a very nice deal on gold jewelry. The thing that's so hard to understand is that they sell gold by the troy ounce. So, regardless of the intricate workmanship on the piece, it costs the same as any piece of gold of the same weight. Savings over there on gold is perhaps 40% better than you can do here in the States. He'll also offer you a cold drink that you'll need, because it's so hot outside. I think the Gold Suk opens around 4 or 5 PM.

Spice Island is the name of the big restaurant located in the hotel. Last time I was there it was about $35 for the full dinner, which includes drinks. Soda is extra, from what I remember. How strange. Anyway, they have almost any type of food your heart desires, from Arabian to Mexican to French, to, well, you name it, they have it. Even Pizza. All delicious. Make sure the whole crew goes along as it's one of those "once in a lifetime" meals. If the price is too high, there's always Harry's Cigar bar, located on the other side of the lobby, serving bar food, like hamburgers, steaks, pizza, and of course beer.

If you elect to go to the beach, at our sister hotel, I believe you can catch the hotel shuttle over there, but then either have to wait until late in the day for the return ride, or take a taxi.

You could, depending on availability (you'll have to call the hotel directly), make reservations at one of the many 5 star restaurants that's housed in the hotel Burj Al Arab, which is the only 7 star hotel in the world. You'll see it when you fly in from over the gulf. It'll be the one that's sitting out on it's own man-made island. Be forewarned however, this place is not cheap!

Night life, on the wild side, usually consisted of visits to the Cyclone. Again, bring your crew, but leave all your important documents in the hotel safe. It's a fun place, on many levels. Ask any taxi driver to take you there. Do however, bring $$.

If you elect to stay in the hotel during the day, I think that FedEx policy requires you to spend between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M. out by the pool. It's very peaceful, sometimes with good scenery, and the pool guys can order you lunch and beers, to be delivered to your cabana.

If you're lucky enough to get a room on the 6th floor, they serve breakfast and a small buffet (around 5 P.M.) Neither is free, but I believe you can use those facilities if you charge them to your room.

I've always enjoyed Dubai, and I know you will too.

I believe the entire country is dry between 3-5pm, somebody verify this for me though...

Go late. Also in the magazine in the room there is a page that tells the location of the "Crew Night" and "Ladies Night" locations. They change daily. Make sure the cab has a meter, do not get into one without or you will get screwed!

Isn't that why you are going to ladies night? :)

I'm not sure why SPice Island is once in a lifetime (been there and done that about 5-6 times now), but it is very good and very large selection of food from all over the world. They have a couple of prices depending on drinks.

Harry's also now has skanky chinese hookers! :eek:

Confirmed.

If all else fails, go to the Cyclone. Natasha is waiting for you.

Now we know who to avoid.

After all.....loose lips, sink...oh whatever that saying is, I just know I don't want to be anywhere the suupafly has been(they don't call him "Stretch" for nothing);)

Cyclone has been closed for quite some time now. It got too high profile in the international press. Dubai is image conscious and it was just too much for them.

A short listing of ladies night's

Boudoir at Dubai Marine Beach - Tue
Carter's in the Wafi Pyramid - Sun & Tue
Jimmy Dix in the Movenpick - Sun, Tue, and Wed
Long's Bar in Tower's Rotana - Tue and Wed
Scarlett's in Emirates Tower Hotel - Tue
Waxy O'Conner's in Ascot Hotel Bur Dubai - Tue and Thur
Zinc Nightclub in the Crowne Plaze - Fri

Other good hangouts are Barasti Bar at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi - bit far for you guys, but nice outside atmosphere in the winter months. Aussie Legends in Rydges Hotel Satwa can be good. Carter's, Long's, and Scarlett's have good food. The best Chinese restaurants in Dubai are within walking distance of Jimmy Dix, Lan Kwei Fang and Spring Bamboo. Waxy's does a big Friday brunch deal.

Aircrew Magazine has a listing of deals and discounts in Dubai for people with a valid aircrew ID. Also mentions when ladies nights are.

Thumbs up for Ski Dubai as well. I go in the summer months to get my "outdoor" exercise in. Bring your own hat and gloves or your have to buy some. Everything else is provided in the deal. The two hour session is a perfect duration. You could easily make a day out of a visit to the Mall of the Emirates. Good restaurants and a movie theatre are there as well. I'd hold off on the desert tour until late October or even into early November when it is comfortable outside.

Ramadan starts approximately September 13th and will ast until around October 11th. Dates are movable based on the moon siting committee ( hey, I'm not making this stuff up it's just the way it is ). During Ramadan there is no music at any clubs. Food and beverage not allowed to be consumed in public from sun-up to sunrise. Bars open after 7:00pm. The sunset dinner buffets are quite good during this time.

Also worth checking out is the Souk Madinat Jumeirah in the Mina A Salam, right next to Jumierah Beach Hotel. You could make a night out of a visit there as well. Numerous good restaurants including Zheng He ( Chinese ), The Meat Co. ( Steak ), and a Trader Vics. Lots of Bars in there, Bar Zar being decent. And a nightclub, Trilogy.



Typhoonpilot

What were you saying about loose lips?

Sometimes...that's a good thing.

Hmm, were you that SIBA FO that did the walk of shame after the lights came up - out of Harry's, across the lobby, up the elevator and on to the same floor with that skanky chinese ho - while 3 MD-11 bubbas were also heading back to their rooms? :eek: She had a black eye!:eek:

Yall ever wonder who get these girls?
 

Or where they come from?

Umm..Russian Mafia...I'd be careful and stay clear.....;)

I can agree that the Cyclone Club is the best place there.
Go late and it gets a lot cheaper....

Anybody know a place in Dubai to get some good pork BBQ? Or maybe a pulled pork sandwich?

Thanx for the info Typhoonpilot. Good stuff...

Not much in the way of BBQ joints in Dubai, especially considering the pork angle to it.

You could try Billy Blues in the Rydges Hotel Satwa though. Might have better luck with some Schweinhaxe in a German restaurant. If there isn't anything on the menu you like there is a Mexican restaurant on the same floor that has decent food.


Typhoonpilot

Nope
 

Must have been Jolly!:rolleyes:

-About this time last year, I was an International wide-body Captain for Kalitta Air, and I was sitting in the Metropolitan Palace hotel Dubai for four days at a time. This hotel is in Deira- not a bad place, but not the best either. Their is a "compound" that the Brits that basically run Emirates airlines have set up that includes several British pubs that are easily worth the $3 cab ride to from this place. Guiness on tap, and not expensive either. I was a 747 Captain back then-

That was last year. This year I am a 727 second officer. They usually don't even hand me the approach plate when they get done with the briefing. I get talked down to by janitors, and have grease stains all over the back of my shirt. When I jumpseat, they look at me funny "I don't know you..." and the FFDO Captains do snide things like leave their weapons on the console without explanation. I guess that is to "console" me or something? Whatever floats you boat buddy! I probably have more flight time than he does anyway, oh well.

Dubai has a great mall, the hotel will tell you how to get there via cab. The cabs are cheap and easily available, so I suggest you take one.

Last year in Dubai, I think it was in July: I decided to walk the 1.0 mile from the Metropolitan Plaza in Deira to the Deira mall, which is a very typical mall and even includes a French Carrefour "supercenter", a la Wal Mart. When I got there I was pretty sweaty- I didn't understand why, but later, when I walked the same mile back to the hotel...I learned from the television in my room that it was 114 degrees outside! Funny, this desert dry heat didn't feel at all different from Fort Lauderdale on a 90 degree day.

Be carefull where you walk down there. And drink lots of fluids!

My experiences exactly. I went from Gemini MD11 left seat to the jug of shame.

My favorite was the f/o's who ran their seats all the way back while waxing eloquent about the free waffles in the La Quinta in El Paso or wherever. I'd be in the back, thinking about the breakfast bar at the Hilton Corniche in Abu Dhabi.....

I miss the Shawarmas.

Fellas,
Thanks for the replys. Update on Dubai. The Cyclone club is shut down. Not sure why, but when I asked got some weird looks. One guy said because it is being remodeled.

Harry's now has a doorman. I asked why he was there, and he said to keep the Hookers out. Said to many guest were complaining about them begging you to buy them drinks. I think they are just tying to keep them out of the place. The door man said they are cutting back on individual woman showing up.

Thanks for the updates

[QUOTE=Normy!;221653]-
That was last year. This year I am a 727 second officer. They usually don't even hand me the approach plate when they get done with the briefing. I get talked down to by janitors, and have grease stains all over the back of my shirt. When I jumpseat, they look at me funny "I don't know you..." and the FFDO Captains do snide things like leave their weapons on the console without explanation. I guess that is to "console" me or something? Whatever floats you boat buddy! I probably have more flight time than he does anyway, oh well.[QUOTE]

um, yep. we've all been there. Now when you get to that left seat again you'll remember how not to act to your new hire crewmembers! ;)

Brit Pubs in Dubai
 

Normy,

Does this Brit compound/pub area have a name? I'm in Dubai and would like to give it a try. Thx.

Newsflash,

Harry's doesn't serve booze till 6pm now...changed last week.