Exploring Dubai, the city of "Guinness Book of World Record " titles.

 

After the rapid( RT-PCR) test on my way to enter the airport "Terminal 2".

Travelled on a International flight with " Covid 19" protocol for the first time since the complete closedown of air travel in 2020

On Emirates flight "EK-505" to Dubai

.Decided to visit Dubai by " Emirates Airlines" to attend Expo 2020 and also indulge in extreme sports for  which Dubai has a few " Guinness world Record" indulgences. The " Covid 19" tests protocol for entry into Dubai is akin to passing a elimination round of the  " Guinness World Record"contest  itself, ,costly and time consuming. 

Plush "Bahar 6" swimming pool.

First booked my return air tickets "Mumbai-Dubai-Mumbai"on "Emirates airlines" through "www.makemytrip.com" costing Rs 27,445 only. Next was booking hotel/hostel accommodation and as usual booked at one of the modestly priced hostel's  "Bombay Backpackers DXB" through "www.booking.com".

Departure Mumbai to Dubai  was scheduled on Thursday(28/10/2021) and return from Dubai to Mumbai on Sunday(7/11/2021)

Bird's eye view of "AIN DUBAI" situated on Bluewaters Island , the "Hilton Jumeirah Swimming Pool" situated opposite our building  ,  "JBR WALK"tourist road below the building  and the  Persian Gulf at night. This unbelievable sight is  from "Bombay Backpackers DBX"  situated on the  18th floor of "Bahar 5" on Jumeirah Beach Residences  locality of Dubai.The most modern and plushest  Apartment building i have lived  in during my travel's across the Globe.

Many a professional tour operator could get a complex at my handling of ticketing/booking and tour planning ,a hobby that keeps me sane, relevant  as well as a philanthropy to other fellow adventurer's and tourists. 

"Breakfast View" from "Bombay Backpackers" gallery

Later was the task of getting my visa and since  my usual travel agent "Farshak Travels" of Prabhadevi had closed shop, one of the numerous tourism victims of pandemic "Covid 19"had to visit "Akbartravelsonline .com" situated on Janjikar street near Crawford market. Mr Rehan. Ansari of "Akbartravelsonline.com" handled my visa issue which cost a total of Rs 7,200 only .Waiting for departure day  "www.makemytrip.com" informed me of a cancellation of my departure plane from Dubai by "Emirates airlines"  and hence it was hectic messaging that finally solved the problem and  was booked on the next scheduled flight on the same day. Worst was getting the "RT-PCR Covid 19" test done 48 hrs  before departure and for this simple test had to visit "NM Medical" at Marine Lines  twice, once to get the test done and the next day to collect the report.

View from plane landing in Dubai

                                   Thursday(28/10/2021) Departure to Dubai from Mumbai :- Finally on Thursday morning left my house at  unearthly  0300 hrs and luckily got a taxi  near my residence at Old Prabhadevi. On reaching Chattrapati Shivaji airport " Terminal 2" alighted at gate  entrance N0 6 where a clinic was set for conduction of "Covid 19" tests. After paying a princely amount of Rs 4500 got my test done and i personally feel "Pound for pound" ,this was the costliest medical test i had done in recent years. Money for nothing !?  After collecting my 6 hrs rapid test "Covid 19" report entered the main departure terminal and collected my boarding pass. Was amazed at the lack of passengers at " Security check"," Immigration" and later in a absolutely empty "Duty Free Shopping" arcade." Covid 19" had  taken its toll on the travel industry including increasing the cost of travel for flight passengers like yours truly, the miserly budget explorer. Next was the long wait at the departure terminal gate  to board the flight to Dubai and  the travel journey itself was  akin to a extreme adventure sport. Plane was less than half full with passengers and can practically feel the monetary losses caused to the airlines industry due to " Covid 19" pandemic travel restrictions.Normally any " DUBAI AIRLINES FLIGHT" from India is always full and this was a rare experience of air travel during the time of  "Covid 19" pandemic control and cure.

"BAHAR 5"my residence in Dubai.

A excellent flight with " Chicken curry  / Heineken beer" for lunch while watching the inflight  Oscar award winning movie " Nomadland". Could relate with a few of the actor's in this film  although not American and having never travelled on road within U.S.A but having  definitely backpacked entire India through various modes of transport. Ahoy! On arrival in Dubai at 1140 hrs  had to again do the " RT-PCR" test at the airport which thankfully was instantaneous with the result being e-mailed to my address. In 1980's/90's when i had visited Dubai by ship  it was the era of "Snail Mail" and not "E-Mail" with Port Rashid,  Bur Dubai and Deira being the focal centre's of the city. Change is Permanent. Finally with great relief after passing through Dubai immigration collected my luggage and headed to "Terminal 3 Metro Station .Currency .exchange rate was 1 AED = Indian Rs 20.5 and 1 U.S $ = Indian Rs 75.  The distance from "Terminal 3" to "Bombay Backpackers DBX"  at  JBR( Jumeirah Beach Residency)  was a unbelievable 40 Km by road and the Metro rail was the cheapest and fastest mode of transport.  The Negress  lady ticket issuer was very helpful and after issuing me a "Silver Nol" card gave me direction's regarding my destination "Jumeirah Beach  Residency 1".Always be cautious of mischief makers who get thrills out of misguiding tourists  and have encountered numerous such people of different nationalities during my solo travels across the Globe and home country India. .Always crosscheck a direction or location with more that 2 people to be sure you are heading in the right direction.

"Bombay Backpackers DBX" in "Bahar 5"

Finally boarded the "Red Line"  metro train from "Terminal 3" heading towards "Expo 2020 Dubai" which reminded me of being in a local Mumbai train. Was crowded with sub- continent Asian's (Indian's,Pakistani's,Bangladeshi's,Sri Lankan's) who on appearances  are indistinguishable regarding nationalities along with a few  Negroes and Oriental's but not a single Emirati citizen wearing a Kandura or Abaya. Spoke to a few Indian as well as Pakistan commuter's on the train  regarding directions to my local destination "JBR" road. During the metro train ride got a beautiful view of the towering skyscraper architecture of Dubai and having visited Hong Kong was not surprised by the towering edifice's but amazed at some of the unique external designs of a few of these towering skyscraper's.

View from the swimming pool.

Have visited  U.A.E  thrice by ship during employment on ship's in the 1980's and 1990's and since then Dubai has evolved by light years as a World class city of money power and man made architectural as well as landscaping  wonder of the World.Alighted the train at "Sobha Realty( Dubai Marina) Metro Station"  and from there it was a long internal walk to the "Jumeirah Tram Metro Station" bringing back memories of the European Metro station's during my travels across Europe . Boarded the tram and alighted at the first stop "Jumeirah Beach Residency-1" and on alighting out of the tram station  was lost in a maze of plush towering skyscraper buildings. Hong Kong was a distant memory in "JBR-1"  locality and on inquiry was told that there were a total of 6 different  "Bahar" building's of which mine was "Bahar-5".Walking through the endless  basement parking finally  reached the entrance glass door of "Bahar-5" which had a coded security number for entry permit. Thanks to a Filipino lady who was entering the building with a young child that i got entry and it was she who directed me to the 18th floor of "Bombay Backpackers DXB". This 41 storey building had 3 lifts of  mammoth size and a palatial lobby. After checking into " BOMBAY BACKPACKERS DBX" hostel which I traced with great difficulty,travel experience  and a little bit of luck was amazed to find myself living on the 18th floor of a 41 storey skyscraper consisting of a group of 6 buildings known as " Bahar", a gated community building . " Bombay Backpackers DBX" is owned by  young Indian entrepreneur  Mr Jasmeet Singh with housekeeping managed by Ms Maria.Kahunde, a Negress from Uganda.

JBR Dubai Marina view from Bahar-6 Pool

The hostel had a cosmopolitan mix crowd of male and female guests   comprising of foreigners from different Country's with  Indian's forming  the maximum hostel guests.One of the guests was a young pilot from Peru Mr Joseph . All 6 of these group of  "Bahar" series building's have swimming pools and after March 2020 had my first swim in a pool in "Bahar 6" building  and that too in distant Dubai.There was no T.V set in the hostel which had pantry cooking facilities for the guests.A typical palatial plush apartment costing a few million AED  converted to a Backpacker's hostel.Thanks to living in hostel's across the Globe that I have got to experience a variety of living lifestyles and cultures.At home in Mumbai i lead a isolated life in a plush locality along with my cat and house-keeper.Hostel's beside's being cheaper than the average hotel helps me mingle with different nationalities,sex's  and age group's, something unthinkable in a isolated hotel room.Beside's, it's no fun or makes no sense for a solitary bachelor to be cocooned in a tiny hotel room and i am no Howard Hughes . Travel educates.Akin to a billionaire did I fly all the way to Dubai just because the swimming pool's in Mumbai were closed for the general public ? Life and living is bizarre and unexplainable at times.

5 Star style "Bahar-6 " 30 m pool with life guard Michael.

Felt I was swimming in my own private pool with the only other person being lifeguard Michael. Now only hope to reduce some flab during this travel tour and later daily swimming in Mumbai once the pool's open for the common public in India..Had a few laps of the 30 meters pool which has a great view of the Dubai Marina on one side and the "Beach" of the Persian Gulf along JBR on the other side of the building.Sraight out of a movie set locale.Later in the evening visited "Freshmart Supermarket", a small grocery store near the "JBR-1" tram station  and purchased some cheese, bread and butter hoping to go on a forced diet which i normally do on all solo tours.Dinner was roll bread cheese and a chocolate..The cruise ship  " Carnival Splendour" was docked in Dubai and the view of the  "Ain Dubai",the tallest ferris wheel on earth  situated on Bluewaters artificial island  and the "Walk"  at night from the 18th floor of " Bombay Backpackers DXB " was  a pleasure to the eyes and mind.We were a total of 12 guests in a large room with excellent cool air-conditioning and as usual got my 3-4 hrs sleep.    

With a " Shahin Falcon" at the Dubai Desert Safari in Al Faqa.

 

Venue of Night entertainment at Desert Safari

Friday(29/10/2021) Desert Safari :- Dubai has pleasant cool weather and not hot desert heat during the start of the winter season. Exploration of Dubai began  from today. Later in the morning decided to visit "Dubai Expo 2020" but to my dismay on reaching  "JBR-1" tram station found it closed as on Friday's , a public holiday,the tram stations open late at 1000 hrs.Walked back to "Bahar 5"  and the security guard gave me useful information regarding the nearby tourist sites and hence  abandoned my plan to visit "Dubai World Expo 2020" and  walked across to plush Jumeirah  beach side. A beautiful beach on the Persian Gulf  meant for public use and well maintained with plush shopping arcades and eateries.

Quad Buggy rides in Desert Safari.

The "Roxy"  theatre is situated in this vicinity in close proximity to the landmark "Hilton Jumeirah Hotel" whose swimming pool can be seen from our hostel balcony. Entered the plush hotel which was packed to capacity and the pool that looked  tiny from our 18th floor  hostel residence  is excellent and large. Cost of stay for a single night was only 2400

"Sand Dune" Bashing in Desert Safari. 

AED( Rs 50,000 approx  ) and "Bahar 5" is just a hop, step and a jump away from one of the expensive hotels in Dubai. Ahoy ! Later returned to the hostel and striking a casual conversation with co guest Mr Sarang.Umalkar  from Mumbai booked a "Desert Safari" on his phone as i didn't have a local sim card. Tourists and travellers please carry a local sim card phone  in Dubai if on a long stay as every business transaction is digital or through a phone booking and  is also cheaper than personally visiting a tour company or the locale itself for booking.

The taxi driver informed by phone to arrive next to the "Hilton Hotel" on the "Walk" and  co-guest  Mr Gagandeep( Frankie).Singh  helped  me find my way out of the exit maze of "Bahar 5" building car park garages  onto the "Walk".

Arabian Nights "Hookah"

Boarded the vehicle and enroute the Pakistani car driver  collected a few Caucasian tourists at a hotel  and finally a group of 4 young Indian students from "BITS Pilani" institute who were  on a conference in Dubai. It was a long 60 Kms ride from Dubai city to  the " Desert Safari" venue situated  in the Sand dunes of Al Faqa near the Dubai/Abu Dhabi border. On the way we passed across the landmark "Al Marmoom" camel racetrack finally reaching our destination. As the crowd gradually arrived in their respective vehicles  strolled across the desert sand in the vicinity which had a plethora of activities for tourists. Our very first extreme adventure was a car ride by a Pakistani driver  on a  Suv  car on the sand dunes known as " Sand Dune  Bashing".Four of us tourists were driven by our driver along the edges and crests of sand dunes which was  awesome akin to a mix of the " Goal of death" seen  in a circus motorcycle act and sitting on a extreme  roller coaster ride. Do experience "Motorcar Sand Dune  Bashing" in the desert at least once in your lifetime. Later photographed myself with a " Shahin falcon".

Entertainment Venue at Desert Safari.Entertainment began after sunset.

"Belly Dance" in progress at "Desert Safari" entertainment Venue.

End of "Desert Safari Night Entertainment".

Finally  after Sunset there was a entertainment of local Arabic music,Sufi dance,belly dance and fire dance which was definitely something different.Alcoholic liquor was also available at the bar but very exorbitantly priced even in comparison to the costly hotels of my home city of Mumbai.This was followed by a dinner and the show  was houseful mostly with Asian tourists( India/ Pakistan/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka) beside's Friday is  a public holiday.This is one of the most popular tourist itineraries in Dubai and worth the 100 AED  ticket price. .After the show our return journey was with a different car based in the locality we lived and  after a long night drive approaching  landmark "Hilton Jumeirah" came across  a heavy traffic jam on  "JBR Walk"  as it was a Friday night of partying.  Finally with great difficulty at a snail's pace  reached landmark "Hilton Jumeirah Hotel" and  traced my way back through the garage maze into "Bahar 5" and to the 18th floor of "Bombay Backpackers DXB".

Inside the "U.K.Pavilion" at "EXPO  2020 DUBAI" whose theme was highlighting  artificial intelligence and the space sector. Inspired by a project from late scientist Stephen Hawking. The U.K pavilion in the "Opportunity District" has been designed by ES DEvlin Studio  and is considered one of the best 3 pavilions among the grand total of 192 country's participating in "World Expo 2020 Dubai".

"Expo 2020 Dubai".Charity.

Saturday(30/10/2021) First visit to "Expo 2020 Dubai " :-  Thanks to  co-guest Mr Gagandeep.Singh   got to know of the free bus services to "Dubai Expo 2020". Boarded the 191 N0 bus  just  outside the Hilton hotel parking lot exit on the main road. Excellent airconditioned double decker bus .

This was my  first  visit to a "World Expo Event"  and finally arrived at the entrance gates of " DUBAI EXPO 2020" whose theme was " Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".The first World Expo called the "Great Exhibition" took place in London in 1851.The World Expo 2020 Dubai" was the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.As i was early at 1000 hrs in time for the opening there was a sparse crowd. As a senior citizen (60 +) age group  got a free entry into the exhibition having downloaded my entry passes back home in Mumbai. Entry checking was akin to a airport check  with screening of personal contents through a X-ray machine. Most importantly was showing a certificate of the "RT-PCR" Covid negative test or the same would be done at another gate.

India Pavilion at "Expo 2020 Dubai".India’s massive 4-floor pavilion has a brilliant mix of Ayurveda, Yoga, Space programme, and its fast-growing US$ 2.5 trillion economy.

"Expo 2020  Dubai " is hosted from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Originally it was scheduled from  20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic Despite being postponed, organizers kept the name Expo 2020 for Marketing  and Branding  purposes. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly in Paris  named Dubai as the host on 27 November 2013.

Inside "Expo 2020 Dubai".

To actually see each and every Country's pavilion could take a week of daily visits to the exhibition or even a month. Visited a few Country's which included, India, United Kingdom ,Ethiopia, and Monaco. At the U.K panel which exhibits the past, present and future sent a message to space with the word" Eternity". The U.K pavilion was designed as a homage to Stephen Hawkins. Got a response ?Yes !

Sightseeing "Expo 2020 Dubai".

In poetry format. India's pavilion showcased the arts and culture as well as technological innovations of the country. At a Emirates pavilion got to see 3 dimensional cooking and made a video of the same. As a daily fish marketing non-tourist in Mumbai visited the desert fish aquaculture pavilion and was amazed at methods of Piscean aquaculture and method of  growing plants from highly  saline water.

Saudi Arabia Pavilion .Unique designs of pavilions of different country's  at "Expo 2020 Dubai".

Monaco Pavilion  at "Expo 2020 Dubai " and a exhibit of  Voxan Electric motorcycle.

A few of the numerous eatery van's and stall's in "Expo 2020 Dubai".

At the Monaco pavilion got to see a prototype of a electric motorcycle. On solo travel tours i am   normally on a diet and " Turkey sandwiches" at the " Cafe de Paris" at Monaco pavilion was my only lunch for the entire day as Monaco is definitely on my travel list .

Inside "MARINA MALL"

Every Country pavilion has a eatery cafeteria offering it's traditional cuisine at the exit of it's pavilion. Was at the right place at the right time and henceforth the organization and showcasing of a "World Expo" event was no mystery to me."World Expo's" are one of the oldest and largest International events on Planet earth and is held every 5 years lasting 6 months as is the "Expo 2020 Dubai". Travel Educates. Would later  visit the " Dubai Expo 2020" again after a few days . After my lunch  walked out of the "Dubai Expo 2020" and boarded the 191N0 bus back to "Jumeirah Beach Residency-1". Alighted the bus near Dubai Marina and did some " 5 Star Hotel" sightseeing as usual entering " Intercontinental Dubai Marina" hotel which had a price tag of 1650 AED for the cheapest room. It was a long walk towards "Marina Mall"  admiring the beautiful bay as i crossed over the bridge towards "Marina Mall". If you have seen one mall then all the mall's seem similar except the differences in design and size of the mall. Marina Mall is large with 4 different  level sections and  the normal escalators. Inquired about binoculars and the same was not available .On the top most floor was the 6 screen  "Reel Cinemas" screening movies  with  minimum ticket price being 48 AED.

Halloween Decor in "RIXOS"

The "X Line Dubai Marina"  zipline which is 1 Km in length and  considered the longest urban zipline was closed and this news was a downer for me as i intended doing this zipline as a second choice if i couldn't make the long trip to the "Jebel Al Jais" zipline in distant Ras Al Khaimah province of U.A.E.

Tourism is Dubai.

After strolling across the large mall walked the long distance back towards Jumeirah Beach Residences(JBR). As usual the narrow  "JBR Walk"  was crowded with tourists and vehicles. Two  parked Lamborghini car's attracted my attention and although a hard core biker posed alongside a Lamborghini as it is not everyday one gets to view such car's. Entered "Roxis"hotel which had a huge Pumpkin on its entrance foyer ahead  of the Halloween celebrations on Sunday(31/10/20021).Inquired the room rentals which was upwards of 2000 AED/Night . In 2021 Dubai is definitely one of the World's costliest city's. Made my way back to home away from home "Bombay Backpackers DBX"  and called it a day of hectic sightseeing. Overheard a young  new arrival  guest discussing his tandem sky-diving experience in Dubai and hence got acquainted with Mr Subodh.Khandelwal from Kota in  Rajasthan .He was a "Software Engineer" by profession   having arrived from Egypt after solo  touring that country .

Lamborghini and the tourist !

Immediately asked him if he was interested in the "Jebel Jais Zipline" in Ras Al Khaimah, the World's longest zipline. He immediately agreed and so we two joined together and he did the booking through his local sim card  phone .Having a local phone in Dubai is mandatory as all communications and tourist bookings are done online and through phone's. He showed me the video of his "Tandem skydiving " done today  which was awesome  and cost only  2,199 AED .In Dubai "Tandem Skydiving" could be the costliest in the World  as the location is awesome with the "Palm Jumeirah" seen from the parachute while landing on Earth.

A lavish  dinner party at "Bombay Backpackers DXB" hosted by departing guest Ms Zara.Identifying a few in this photo.
Mr Jasmeet.Singh proprietor of "Bombaybackpackers DXB" standing  facing camera with host Ms Zara looking at him.Ms Maria.Kahunde, manager/caretaker from Uganda is seated next to Ms Zara.Mr Jagandeep.Singh is seated next to Ms Maria.Kahunde.Standing behing me is Mr Joseph from Peru, a airlines pilot.I presume the other two Caucausian guests, one sitting opposite me holding the glass  and the other seated next to Ms Zara  are Russians. "Bombay Backpackers DBX" was akin to a large multicultural and multinational  family living together .

Later in the night there was a unexpected dinner party for all the hostel guests as one of the long-time guest's Zara, a Russian by birth was leaving for Serbia.Excellent Arab style cuisine although very much in excess and hence a lot of food wasted."Bombay Backpackers DXB" has a  homely atmosphere akin to residing in a large bungalow flat as it was a apartment and excellently maintained.

Chic "Bombay Backpackers DBX"

Although our common bunk bed room was house-full with 12 guests the same was comfortable with centralized A/C maintained at a constant temperature of 22-23*C. The 41 storey  building had 3 large capacity elevators and the entire building centrally airconditioned with high state of the art electronic security.To open the main entrance glass door on the ground floor a person had to press the buttons of the flat number onto a phone keyboard which alerted the flat owner with a ring. The flat owner would then acknowledge by pressing the "Door Open" button" on the phone. "Bombay Backpackers DXB"  flat  N0 1802 was on the 18th floor and hence 1802 was the entrance code word . Toilet's were excellent with large bath  tub's and perennial flow of water, both hot and cold. Unbelievable to have  unlimited quantity of water in a region that almost lacks natural water supply which speaks volumes of the technology and money spent on de-salination plants in U.A.E. Travel educates.                                         

Extreme Sports Adventurer's Mr Subodh.Khadelwal and self at "Jais Adventure Center" , the reporting point for "Jebel Jais Zipline"the  World's longest zipline at the highest peak in the Hajar Mountain range bordering U.A.E and Oman.The barren mountains devoid of any vegetation can be seen in the background. We had  driven 188 Kms from our residence in  JBR to this place by Pakistan driver Mr Tariq.Mahmood.Awesome absolutely barren dry natural mountain range.

                                                                     .

The 2020 model taxi to Jebel Jais.

Sunday(31/10/2021)Jebel Jais Zipline , the longest zipline in the World :- A chance meeting with Co-guest  young  Mr Subodh.Khandelwal helped me accomplish my last extreme adventure sport for which I specially decided to visit Dubai. Mr Subodh.Khandelwal did the logistics and hired a taxi from Dubai with Pakistani taxi driver Mr Tariq.Mahmood driving us all the way 188 kms  from Jumeirah beach residency to the Hajar mountain range situated in eastern part of Ras Al Khaimah province of U.A.E.

Averaging 120 to 140 kms/hr on 6-8  lane highway 's akin to MotoGP racetrack roads  managed to cover this distance in 2 hrs .

View from"1484 by Puro"restaurant.

Jebel Al Jais is the highest mountain  peak in the Hajar mountain range that border's Oman and  U.A.E having a altitude of 1934 Meters( 6,345 ft) .Reaching our destination by chauffeured taxi  cost us as much as the ziplining cost  itself. The final journey up  the  winding road towards the mountain peak Jebel Jais   was through excellent tarmac road and on the way passed by "Bear Grylls Explorers Camp" a franchisee of  World renowned  British television adventurist Bear Grylls whose  team of highly skilled professionals conduct different types of  "Survival Courses" in the Hajar mountain range of  Ras Al Khaimah .

Dressing Room  room for "Jebel Jais zipline flight"

Finally  at approximately 1430 hrs reached our destination "Jais Adventure Center", the reporting venue for the zipline .

Finally at the young age of 61 all set to do my last "Adventure Extreme Sport"."Better Late than Too Late " has been my mantra in life and lifestyle. In fact i visited Dubai just to do this  one particular  extreme sport. You are as young or as old as you think you are and the English Rock Group "The Rolling Stones" are living proof as also a inspiration that life and living doesn't come to a standstill.

Extreme adventure tourist's walking towards the main launch point of "Jebel Jais Zipline Flight".

"LAUNCH SITE" of "JEBEL JAIS ZIPLINE FLIGHT" .Should say unless a "Adrenaline Junkie" its real scary and a nightmare looking deep into the valley and far away into the next  Hajar  mountain at a lower altitude where the zipline ride terminates.

The "JEBEL JAIS ZIPLINE FLIGHT" is done in pairs with two participants  attatched to two different harnesses running parallel to each other. Mr Subodh Khandelwal , a avid motorcyclist cruiser back home in India  had a Go Pro Camera fitted to his helmet for photography and the same is  available on hire at the Center . This was definitely no  motorcycle ride at 120 Km/Hr and i am sure other hard core  biker's who have done this zipflight would agree.Here is the last photo before we two were finally hooked onto our respective flight path wire chain.
Below is a video of the debriefing given to us before undergoing the "Jebel Jais Zipline Flight".

The entire zipline flight  which is 2,832 meters(2.8 Km !) in length  is akin to a free fall  and lasted slightly above 2 minutes before coming to a stop at this  mid-air suspended "Platform".Once on reaching this  platform the straight harness was removed and i was transferred onto a normal sitting posture "Strait jacket" to complete the short second leg ziplining  back to the lower level mountain platform.Notice the mountaineous highway road below the zipline platform.

Subodh after end of Jebel Jais flight.

As we were early had to while away our time at the breath taking  "1484 by Puro" open air restaurant facing the Jebel Jais peak and  Hajar valley below, the highest restaurant in U.A.E. "1484" meters is the height of this restaurant above sea level and hence the name "1484 by Puro". We admired the view from the restaurant as well as the exorbitant menu price list  and again Dubai surprised me by the sheer expanse and depth of  its tourism success.

 Van's for returning to "Jais Adventure Center"

This natural arid Hajar mountain range devoid of any green vegetation as seen on normal mountain ranges had a portion of its peak  and mountain transformed by human moneypower and engineering ingenuity into  the World's longest natural zipline extreme adventure sport.

Completion & back to "Jais Adventure  Center"

I get my "ADRENALIN JUNKIE" kicks from sports and  extreme dangerous sports .Hence  would advise the youth as well as young in mind who are addicted to mind altering intoxicants to changeover to extreme adventure sports for a natural adrenaline high rather than a artificial adrenaline high.Celibrity adventurist Bear Grylls would be in the affirmative .

Outside "Jais Adventure Center" and ""1484 by Puro" the highest restaurant in U.A.E. At last  had completed my series of extreme adventure sports that beside's costing a fortune required a little bit of luck and the courage to undergo the same.After completion of "Jebel Jais Zipline Flight" got to understand how "SUPERMAN" feels while flying through the air.

   Ahoy ! Finally at 1545 hrs we were called at the reception centre and had to sign a bond as is the case in all extreme adventure sports. Anything could go wrong and the management would not be responsible in case of a accident that was not due to a technical error of the zipline machinery

Unbelievable sight of a Pair of goat's on the barren  mountain.

.After signing the bond we boarded a van which transported us further up the Hajar  mountain range  to the launch site of the "Jebel Jais Zipline".Couldn't spot a Sub-Continent zipliner( India, Pakistan,Bangladesh) but otherwise the entire ziplining slots was housefull with tourists of various nationalities mostly Caucasian's which included men and women.Uncle Rudolph was definitely the oldest zipliner on this time schedule slot and  should have dyed my beard  to avoid speculation about my numerical age ,fitness and temperament .

For some age is just a numerical number and Late Hindi film  actor Dev Anand would be in the affirmative. Ahoy ! Had to step on to the weighing scale as weight is of paramount importance in ziplining across such a long wire-rope as the wind play's a important role in a safe journey to the other end of the mountain.Above the maximum permissible weight limit means disqualification from undergoing this ultra extreme ziplining sport irrespective of age.

View of the Hajar Mountain range.

  After putting on our harness and protective helmet we were given a debriefing by the head instructor of the "Jebel Jais" zipline.The "Jebel Jais Zipline" has two parallel wire ropes and hence ziplining is   conducted in pair's and Subodh and myself were harnessed onto two different parallel ziplines at the same starting take-off point akin to race horses in a starting box.The view from the launch point hanging in the "Belly Down" posture  was scary and definitely not for the faint hearted and hence a bond indemnity against any hidden sicknesse's that could erupt during the ziplining. Simple Vertigo psychosis could be disastrous.

Excellent highway road for maximum speed.

Finally at approximately 1630 hrs both of us, young man  Mr Subodh and young at heart  Uncle Rudolph  were released from the hook  at a height of  1680 meters

.Initially ziplined between 120-150 Km/hr  and to me a confirmed "Adrenalin Junkie" it was sheer joy seeing the mountain's and valley below breezing past me akin to "Superman" flying  in the air.

Dubai's accumulation of Guinness World Records

The entire zipline flight  which is 2,832 meters(2.8 Km !) in length  is akin to a free fall Derby race with a identical timing  and lasted slightly above 2 minutes before coming to a stop at a mid-air suspended "Platform".

Once on reaching the platform the straight harness was removed and i was transferred onto a normal sitting posture "Strait jacket" to complete the short second leg ziplining  back to the lower level mountain platform

Falcon at "Bahar 5".Lucky Mascot !

.Mr Subodh.Khandelwal came in second after me although we both were released from the "Starting Block" at the same time. Weight makes a difference and as i was heavier was quicker on the zipline . I cannot describe the thrill in word's  as  the World's longest zipline is a experience to be practically accomplished and mandatory on any hard-core extreme adventurer's bucket list.

From Hajar Mountain range back  to Concrete Jungle Dubai

Very expensive as is everything in Dubai but this is above average in cost, costing each of us US $ 205 only which included chauffeured taxi fare.In fact the taxi fare was more than the cost of the  "Jebel Jais Zipline"! This " Jebel Jais Flight Zipline" is definitely the best natural wonder of Dubai with  excellent  human engineering innovation while the rest of Dubai's "Guinness World of Record" wonder's  are totally  artificial   

One of the many  entrances to "Bahar 5" gated building community. 

human engineered  wonders of the 21st century. .If having the money and most importantly the courage and physical fitness for extreme sports than this is a experience of a life time and a showcase of U.A.E's natural geographical beauty .Finally it was time to drive back 188 Kms  to Dubai.Enroute after crossing the mountain range we stopped at " Food Park Restaurant " at Umm Al- Quwain for a lunch cum dinner.The cheapest Restaurant I had visited in Dubai .Finally reached " Bahar 5" at 1830 hrs and relaxed in the home away from home "Bombay Backpackers DXB". As usual there was alway's a constant change of guests with new arrivals and departures akin to a normal hotel..                                                                                     

AL FAHIDI FORT now DUBAI MUSEUM  :- Originally built in 1799 this Fort  situated on Al Fahidi street in the Bur Dubai locality  is the oldest existing building in Dubai  whose walls were made of coral and shell rubble from the sea and same cemented with lime.Al Fahidi Fort is featured on the 100 AED  monetary note and in 1971 the Dubai Municipality renovated the fort and converted it into the present Dubai  museum.The museum was closed due to "Covid 19" pandemic.

Al Musallah Street in Bur Dubai. A Mini India/Pakistan/Bangladesh

Monday(1/11/2021)Bur Dubai and Deira:- Boarded the tram at "JBR " tram station and alighted at "DMCC" metro station.Changed over to the main "Red Line" tram and it was a long train ride to "Burjuman Metro station".

Bastakia Enclave in Bur Dubai:-"Sheikh Mohammed centre for cultural understanding " Building.

At "Burjuman Metro" changed over to the "Green Line" metro and alighted at the next stop "Sharaff DD Metro(Al Fahidi)".In Dubai "Metro Stations" name change occurs frequently and hence confusing to tourists

"Abra " boats at Bur Dubai Pier.

.From the metro station as i walked along Al Musallah street in Bur Dubai  felt i had landed on a street in Mumbai  as the topographical change between  JBR and Bur Dubai was akin to day and night. No wonder majority of common working class Indian's in Dubai refer to Dubai as their second home with Hindi being the main link language.

Hindu Temple in Bur Dubai Souk

A almost total Sub-Continent enclave with a mix of Indians, Pakistani's and Bangladeshi's.Had my first cup of Indian tea since leaving Mumbai  at a Malabari(Kerala) restaurant named "Libra" costing only 1 AED in comparison to the average cost of 15-20 AED in  plush tourist locality of JBR, my residence in Dubai.

Bur Dubai Souk

Hindi and Malayalam was the spoken language in this tiny hotel and Al Musallah street in Bur Dubai  was the face of the two Dubai's in existence. One is  the elite wealthy new modern Dubai of the 21st Century where i was a backpacker guest  and the other being  Bur Dubai(Old Dubai) where i presume the common working class migrants lived.It is from Bur Dubai that  the present International city of Dubai expanded and developed into a 21st century wonder of human engineering,tourism  and as  a Capitalist financial centre.

Bur Dubai "Abra Boat station".

Walked along Al Musallah street and  entered AL Bastakia Quarter also known as Al-Fahidi historical neighbourhood which is the ancestral home of the ruling family of Dubai now converted and preserved as a historical museum showpiece of  Dubai.

The "CREEK" that seperates Bur Dubai and Deira  is crossed by the "Abra" boats  at a cost of only 1 AED. Don't leave Dubai without  a visit to Bur Dubi and crossing the "CREEK" by a Abra boat onto Deira with is famous Gold Souk ,perfume and electronics shops.

"DEIRA GOLD SOUK" :- "Goldfinger's" dream come true.Even if not a hoarder of gold and gold ornaments a visit to this souk is mandatory.Notice the tourists and locals wearing face masks for prevention of "Covid -19".

"Deira Souk Street" lined with various shop's and totally different in architecture and shop's in comparison to modern 21st century Dubai.This was the Dubai i had visited during my shipping voyages in the 1980's/90's , a shopper's paradise .

Akin to one of my extreme survival  adventure hero's Bear .Grylls who has a unbelievable diet for "Survival " expeditions  i love tasting various exotic Non-Vegetarian dishes of various country's during  solo exploration tours.Had never ever tasted camel meat and Dubai was the place to taste the same .Lunch was " Camel Biryani" at landmark "Local House restaurant" situated on the main road entrance of Bastakia Enclave .

Bastakia derives its name from the South Iran town of Bastak and consists of restored mud and stone houses , squares and narrow alley's as it existed in the 1890's when Dubai was a tiny pearl diving centre of World trade.

Boarding the Metro train at Sharaff(Al Fahidi)

The "Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum centre for cultural understanding " which was the former ancestral home of the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai is now a rebuilt conserved  museum that opened in 1998 and conducts local guided walking tours in Bastakia quarter educating tourists on the culture and customs of the U.A.E.

Strolled along the narrow alleyway's entering a traditionally restored  and historically preserved Emirati house.Visited the coin and philately museum and also sat in a traditional Emirati tent.

A Stroll inside "OPPORTUNITY  PAVILION OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI" in the evening.The main site of Expo 2020 Dubai is a 438-hectare area (1083 acres) located between the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, near  Dubai's southern border with Abu Dhabi..The master plan was designed by the American firm HOK  and is organized around a central plaza called Al Wasi enclosed by three large thermatic districts.Each one is dedicated to one of the sub themes of EXPO 2020 - 1) Opportunity 2) Mobility and 3)Sustainibility.

Indonesian Music display at "Indonesia Pavilion".

Finally bid adieu to my "Bastakia(Al Fahihdi)" historical tour and walked further down the road on Al Fahidi street towards Dubai Museum(Al Fahidi Fort)". Al Fahidi street in Dubai is famous for its electronic shops and instead of a electronic shop stepped into a dry-fruits shop and purchased  "Badam's" as my nutrient diet.

A train ride inside "Expo 2020 Dubai" grounds

Inquired about  purchasing a cheap wrist watch and the owner introduced me to his relative's  watch shop situated next door, all Malayali businessmen.Purchased a cheap daily wear "Fitron " brand wrist watch costing 60 AED  from "Dream Walk General Trading LLC" , a long name for a tiny watch/electronics  shop.

Visit "Expo 2020 Dubai" at night for a different experience.

The owner told me to beware of the fake premier  brand name watches sold by roadside taut's in Deira vicinity. As my dad had  a fascination for watch's have  inherited  and maintained a vintage  pendulum wall clock ,a  "Wherle Alarm clock" and  also two  "Omega Wrist watches" whose maintenance cost me a fortune back home in Mumbai.

Luxembourg Pavilion display

Understood the difference between "Fake Time" and "Real Time". Ahoy !   The "Dubai Museum" located inside the "Al Fahidi Fort"  and situated on the road  opposite this watch shop was closed due to "Covid -19" pandemic precautions. Passed  alongside the "Al Fahidi Fort(Dubai Museum)  which is the oldest building in Dubai having been built in 1787.

Slide instead of stairs in Luxembourg Pavilion.

From the street across Dubai Museum entered  Bur Dubai Souk and passed alongside the Mosque and Hindu temple. It was a narrow lane past the temple that had  devotee's offering alms at the temple to finally enter the large main Bur Dubai souk having a variety of items on sale.Walking inside the Bur Dubai souk finally reached the Abra dock  pier  to finally board the Abra  to travel across the narrow  Dubai creek  to  Deira situated on the opposite side of Bur Dubai.

Iraqi Musician singing outside "Iraq Pavilion"

Every visitor to Dubai should make it mandatory to take a ride on the Abra and get a feel of Old Dubai .On landing at Deira Old Souk Abra station asked for directions to the "Gold Souk" and it was a long walk across the main Deira Souk road which had a string of  various small shops mostly dominated by perfume products.

Es Devlin designed "U.K Pavilion", scenic sight at night.. .

Finally entered the main "Gold Souk" that would make "Goldfinger" blush with embarrassment. Strolled across the length of the Gold souk with gold shop's on either side of the narrow  lane. In Deira was amazed seeing the perfume and gold souks,a unbelievable sight .In Deira and Bur Dubai got the feeling of  being in a locality in my home city of Mumbai and there is a day and night difference between my residence in " Bahar 5" of plush  JBR and Burr Dubai as also  Deira.The lowest paid   construction worker responsible for building modern Dubai as well as the builder's of Dubai's architectural marvels live in the same city . Dubai has a place and a role for every individual from different economic and social strata of society.  Ahoy ! Have visited Old Dubai twice during my shipping employment and had purchased my first stereo system in 1984 during a port visit to  Dubai .

A view of "  Garden in the sky "at night. 'Garden in the Sky', an observation tower and 'flying park',55 meters above the ground offering 360* view of the 4.38 Sq Km " Expo Dubai 2020" site.  "Expo 2020 Dubai " is like a miniature globe with 192 participating  country's and  each pavilion representing a country.Purchase the  Dubai  Expo 2020 passport  at any store across the "Expo 2020 site" costing 20 AED  and get stamped for every nation and pavilion you visit. This, of course, is optional but  fun and something you can take back home. As for me its 81 country's that i have set foot on planet Earth and at age 61 hopefully  still counting having stepped ashore in U.A.E thrice before. Hence , as a member of "Bragger's Rights Club"  found the "Dubai Expo 2020" passport a child's  hobby or for  less travelled adult's .It's akin to owning a Lambhorghini, a Rolls Royce , Harley Davidson Cosmic starship or a "Royal Enfield Bullet"  in comparison to conveyor belt manufactured car's and motorcycles Ahoy !

Old Dubai has been preserved as a historical and cultural edifice and has not succumbed to the absolute modernization of 21st century Dubai.Do not leave Dubai without visiting the souks of Bur Dubai and Deira.Lunch was " Camel Biryani" at landmark "Local House restaurant" situated on the main road entrance of Bastakia Enclave  .As the Biryani was too large a lunch for my appetite packaged half of the biryani and after a sumptuous lunch made my long way back home to " Bombay Backpackers DXB".

"Dubai Marina" seen in all its splendour and beauty at night.I clicked this postcard photo from the "JBR-1" entrance side to this 8 Km long Marina track loop around the artificial canal.

My "Jebel Jais Zipline" partner Mr Subodh.Khandelwal would be leaving for India today and the hostel as usual was  brimming with arrival and departure of backpacker tourist's. Later in the evening boarded the 191N0 bus and headed to "Expo 2020 Dubai". Travelling like a local in Dubai .After year's  sat on the front seat of a Double Decker bus on my way to " Expo 2020 Dubai" venue.Absolutely plush A/C bus's  and empty.Better than travelling by taxi.Due to high density of vehicles, traffic congestion at peak hours is common but gets cleared quickly.Public transport in Dubai is convenient and excellent.Free bus services have been provided from different locales of Dubai to the Expo 2020 venue.At night the "Expo 2020 Dubai" had a different look  and visited the "Al Wasi Dome", the largest 360* projection surface in the World.The name "Al Wasi" means projection in Arabic and hence designed to work as the central core of the entire "Expo 2020 Dubai" site connecting with all the pavilions and providing visitors with a central focal point .Visited the pavilions of Indonesia,Luxembourg ,Pakistan,Iraq and  Lebanon. Later in the evening on my return from "Expo 2020 Dubai" on alighting at JBR bus stop walked the short distance to Marina Bay and all my day's travel fatigue  disappeared admiring the beauty of the Bay and yachts in the decorative lights of the night.     

How does it feel to have a shark swimming above you in a underwater tunnel aquarium ? The Sand Tiger shark whom i nicknamed "JAWS" because its ferocious protruding teeth was a sight to behold in the "DUBAI AQUARIUM AND UNDERWATER ZOO" situated inside "Dubai Mall".

                     

"DUBAI MALL":-One of the World's largest.

Tuesday(2/11/2021) A View from the "BURJ KHALIFA" and exploring "Dubai Mall", one of the World's largest malls:- Boarded the now familiar  tram and reached the metro station.At the Metro topped up my " Silver NOL " card with 10 AED and boarded the metro train to Bhurj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Station.

An aptitude for  fashion and Sports in Dubai Mall !

On alighting at Bhurj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station it was one of my longest walks through the walkway  from the  station to Dubai Mall ,almost  a kilometer. Entered the " Fashion Section" of one of the World's largest malls and as I was early at 0945 hrs felt like one of the employees of the mall reporting for duty. Aimlessly strolled around the almost empty mall and sighted "Tri Vision Opticals"  sunglass shop that was open for business.Purchased a " RayBans" sunglass costing 490 AED , a replacement for the classic aviator sunglasses i lost in Bhuj  during my 2000 Km + solo motorcycle ride from Mumbai to the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and back to Mumbai.That's another extreme solo  adventure for motorcycle cruising freaks and check the link :- https://touringlittlerannofkutch.blogspot.com/2021/01/solo-motorcycling-to-great-rann-of.html . 

Later inquired directions to the "  Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo".

"SKATING RINK" in Dubai Mall.

It could take a person a few days to explore entire " Dubai Mall" and hence unless window shopping a person should head towards the right shop or could literally lose your way amidst the maze of different shops.Finally reached the aquarium which is visible to the shopper's of the mall from the outside.

Maintenance of Aquarium in Dubai Mall.

Diver's were cleaning the aquarium  and was lucky to be at the right place at the right time. It's a free show for shopper's of a part of the aquarium  from one side for the common mall.

Glimpse of a section of  "DUBAI MALL"

Spent at least two hours observing the Sand tiger sharks,with their ugly protruding teeth , the giant Grouper's and the Sting Ray's as also a lot of other fish species.

Security check entrance to lift of "BURJ KHALIFA

Nicknamed  the Sand Tiger Shark swimming at leisure along with the large Sting Ray "JAWS" as they look feroscious with their ugly protruding teeth but are harmless to human's unless aggravated.Spotted a large Saw fish whose Saw was slightly larger than my museum collection back home in Mumbai. Ahoy !

How does it feel to be on the 124th  floor of the tallest building on Planet Earth in 2021 ? Experience of a lifetime travelling by lift to the 124 th floor of Burj Khalifa.

A view from 124th floor of Burj Khalifa.

View of the "BURJ KHALIFA LAKE" from 124th floor of Burj Khalifa. The  Choreographed "Dubai Fountain" show  is displyed on this artificial lake .

A view from the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa. All these buildings are towering skyscrapers in their own rights yet look insignificant and tiny when seen from tht Burj Khalifa viewing terrace,

A Americano coffee at the " Cafe 124" Burj Khalifa on the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa , the highest restaurant in the World.

Macaw Parrots in lively chatter.

Can spend the entire day just watching the exotic variety of fish as also the 3 diver's cleaning the artificial rocks inside the tank.. Noticed the fish crowding round the diver as he cleaned their artificial house.After watching the fish shopped for some candy snacks.

Imagine a Australian Saltwater crocodile ?

Embarrassed to admit that i am crazy about chocolates and sweets  at my young age.Watched two employees of "Candylicious Shop" facing the aquarium manufacture  candy lollipops.Was just mesmerized by the aquarium and finally at 1215 hrs decided to have lunch which was at "AlTazaj Fakieh Bar", one of the numerous food shops in one of the food sections of indescribable  " Dubai Mall".

"Dubai Aquarium" :- Over 400 Sharks and Rays live in this  10 million litre tank, including Sand Tiger Sharks, Giant Groupers, and a host of other marine species.Diver's do regular maintenance of this tank.

A walk through the "Underwater "Aquarium" is amazing as the fish swim above you.

Celibrity resident "KING CROC", a  Australian saltwater crocodile at the "Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo".I first thought he was a dummy as he seemed lifeless.In 1986 at 2.4 meters in length this crocodile moved into a man made lake in the heart of a Botanical garden in Cairns in Australia.As a safety risk he was captured and relocated to "Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo" .He is approximately 35-40 years in age and 5 meters in length.He weighs 750 Kgs and is fed eveyday at 1600 hrs.

Rare Albino Soft Shell turtle.

Lunch was " Kebab rice/Pepsi " costing 23 AED.Watched young kids skating on the large Skate rink situated two floors below this  food mall.After lunch inquired the way to the entrance to "Burj Khalifa" ticket counter.

Giant Nutria water rat

Was initially disappointed to find tickets sold out for the day but was luckily offered a single combo "Burj Khalifa/Aquarium underwater zoo" ticket for 245 AED akin to a extra ticket for a film show. Grabbed the opportunity with both hands and headed towards the long queue to visit the 124th  Floor of the World's tallest building.

Alligator Gar , a rare species.

There was strict security check and finally entered the lift that took us to the 124 floor. It's not everyday that a Human gets to visit  "At The Top"  124th  floor of a man made wonder of the World.

Key  to one of the World's biggest mall's.

Today afternoon with the help of the elevator and a steep entrance fee managed to realize one of my life's ambitions of looking down at Planet Earth from the highest man made structure which is the " At The Top (BURJ KHALIFA)" outdoor observation deck.It was a amazing view and unbelievable to see surrounding skyscrapers seem tiny from the 124th floor situated at a height of 1,483 feet( 452 meters) on  Burj Khalifa.

A Model of Burj Khalifa.

The extreme top of the Burj Khalifa is the 163rd floor that is closed to the common tourist public.After viewing the city from all 360*angles had a Americano coffee at the " Cafe 124" Burj Khalifa, the highest restaurant in the World.All good things have to come to a end and finally it was landing back on  Planet " Dubai Mall" with memories of a lifetime.

"Candylicious " candy shop in Dubai Mall.

Made my way to the " Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo" which also had a long queue.Now i was inspecting the aquarium from the inside as a "Paid ticket tourist" and not from the outide for free as i had done in the morning along with other mall visitors.If on a tight backpacker's travel budget and unable to afford entrance ticket  to the aquarium do not be disappointed as the "Free View" from the common mall lobby is as good as the paid entrance view beside's not being able to enter the "Underwater Zoo". A single ticket to the aquarium/Underwater zoo costs 199 AED, real expensive as is entire Dubai ,one of the World's costliest city's in 2021.

Burj Khalifa seen from street level

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From the aquarium floor level it was a walk two floors above following the footprints of aquatic creatures.Was transferred into a artificial World of rainforest and aquatic species.For the first time in my life saw some rare fish species like the Gar alligator fish which i first saw on "Animal Planet" as a fan of Jeremy Wade's "River Monster's".Saw a giant Australian salt water crocodile which had its own interesting history in reaching "Dubai Mall Aquarium zoo".

Later in the evening watched the "Fountain Show" and boarded the metro back to JBR and "Bahar 5". From a tourist i was now travelling like  a local on common public transport something i rarely do in my own home city of Mumbai. Change is Permanent.Travel educates.

At the main entrance to "BURJ ARAB" , the World's self proclaimed only  "7- Star Hotel" that hold's numerous "Guinness Book of World Records".Burj Al Arab  stands at 321m  is 14m taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 60m shorter than the Empire State building. Located 280m off the shores of Dubai, Burj Al Arab was built on a man-made island and took 5 years for completion . Guests access it via a bridge road from this entrance gate and the final bridge to the hotel  is 340m .The hotel's helipad seen in this photo has been a platform for numerous celibrity stunts.As a publicity stunt prior to the start of the Dubai Duty-Free Open in 2005, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi were invited to play a friendly match on the world’s highest rooftop court,the "Burj Al Arab" helipad .

Mascot  at entrance of "Wild Wadi" waterpark

Wednesday(3/11/2021) A Glimpse of "Burj AL Arab", a swim at the "JBR BEACH" and a view from "DUBAI FRAME" :- Boarded the 8 No Bus at JBR just next to the tram station  and had a long ride to the " Burj Arab " hotel .Located 280m off the shores of Dubai, Burj Al Arab was built on a man-made island and guests access it via a bridge road that is 340m long.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Took a photograph from the exterior of the main entrance gate where tourists are allowed to get themselves photographed. The "Wild Wadi" water park is situated next to the main  entrance of "Burj Al Arab" and had a  humorous model of  camel impersonating a lifeguard at the entrance of the waterpark  which must have panicked on seeing me  that it's " Model" job was history.

A view of  " BEACH "facing  Jumeirah Beach Residences(JBR) .Opening hours for booking of Sun Bed's is 0800 hrs to Sunset.Minimum price for a Sunbed is 110 AED .The "Ain Dubai " installed on "Bluewaters Island" is seen opposite the beach.

Glimpse of the crowded "BEACH " situated walking distance from my hostel residence "Bahar 5" on JBR. A certain section of this beach is free for swimming and definitely the best beach in Dubai.

Vintage scrap Harley Davidson attraction at cafe

Entrance ticket prices  to "Wild Wadi" is based on the height of a person  with 1.1 meters being the benchmark,Below and above 1.1 meter height ticket's were the two different priced tickets.

"JBR" seen from Bluewaters Island.

Built in 1998 this was the first large waterpark in Dubai with no competitor's until the "Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark" opened in 2008 on the iconic Palm Island Jumeirah . 

Sea swim on the "BEACH".

Later while returning entered the  public " Bus Stop" and was surprised to find it airconditioned,akin to being in a enclosed cabin having a glass window to view the incoming bus's.Dubai rocks in every aspect of making the city better for residents and tourists .Boarded the 8 N0 bus and returned back to " Bahar 5"  deciding  to walk to the " Ain Dubai" which deceptively  seemed a short walkable distance from our apartment gallery.It was a long tiresome walk in the desert Sun  from "Bahar 5" to "Bluewaters Island" off the coast of JBR beach  on  which "Ain Dubai" is installed. On reaching  "Ain Dubai" site was disappointed to know that booking's for " Ain Dubai" start at 1330 hrs and hence walked back all the way to my home away from home "Bombay Backpackers DBX" and later had a swim at the" BEACH" which was packed with tourists. Residents of the " Bahar" group of  6 buildings are spoilt for choice with each building  having a private building swimming pool as well as free  access to one of Dubai's classic artificial  beach's. Absolutely clean beach and warm as well as deep  with no rock or stones on the sands. Ideal for a dip or long swim.

A walk to Bluewaters Island

Lunch was ordering a beef curry/ rice meal through the hostel phone from " Helal Al Barsha" , a  Kerala Muslim restaurant. Thanks to the information  from new arrival guest from India Mr Aarth.Patel who had formerly lived for almost 2 months at " Bombay Backpackers D BX" due to the " Covid 19" air travel restrictions.

A long walk to "Dubai Frame"

At 6'5" in height Mr Arth.Patel really stood out in any crowd although not a basketball player and much taller than my favourite N.B.A basketball star Stephen Curry.  During my Global Nomadic  travel's  have come across a few cases of guest's literally living for months in hostels .Most solitary  citizen's from "First World Country's " find living in hostel's cheaper and convenient than in their own permanent homes in country of origin which has a higher cost of living index.

At Entrance to " DUBAI FRAME"

Travel educates.See the movie "NOMADLAND", although it concerns only American life and caravan car  nomadic living. After the first curry lunch since arrival in Dubai decided to visit " Dubai Frame". Boarded the metro train at " Sobha Realty(DMCC)" and alighted at " Max Station". In Dubai the names of " Metro Stations" change frequently confusing tourists accustomed to guide maps.

The Dubai Frame a  landmark near the Star Gate of  Zabeel Park  and stands at 150.24 m (493 ft) tall and 95.53 m wide. Holds the record for the largest frame in the world.
 The Dubai Frame is created out of glass, steel, aluminum, and reinforced concrete with designs of the logo of " Expo 2020 Dubai" embedded on the outer facade. It is positioned in such a way that  landmarks of modern Dubai can be seen on one side, while from the other side, visitors can also view older parts of the city.An observation deck spans the top of the frame, with glass-bottomed floors looking down almost 150 meters onto the building's lower span.

Once exiting the lift at the top visitors walk the length of the Dubai frame base built  from transparent glass.Here i have got myself photographed inside the Dubai Frame for memories of the visit.

From " Max Station" it was a 20 minutes walk to " Dubai Frame" situated inside Zabeel park , another of the city's Guinness Book Of World Records wonder of human creativity.

Tourists inside the "Dubai Frame".

The "Dubai Frame" inaugurated on Monday 1 January 2018 holds the record for the largest picture frame building in the World. Entrance fee was 52.5 AED and before entering the elevator we were led into a hall depicting the past history of U.A.E.

A Stray "Arabian Mau" cat.

There was a long queue for entering the elevator to reach the top of " Dubai Frame".How would you feel walking on transparent glass flooring observing the World below you ? What if the glass gives way ? This  is the amazing walk along the length of the " Dubai Frame" which is designed in a manner where the observer can see "Modern Dubai(21st century Dubai)" from one side while "Old Dubai" can be observed from another side .

Later on returning down to Earth we passed through a hall depicting the future of U.A.E 50 years from 2021 which seemed like science fiction to me but in Dubai anything is possible with a little Fullus(Money in Arabic)..On my walk back to the Metro Station came across a few stray " Arabian Mau" cats that were friendly although feral. Observed a few apartments of a skyscraper decked with Diwali decorations.

A few Building decorations for Diwali.

The Dubai Metro trains are always crowded akin to Mumbai  with almost the all  commuters being of  Indian/ Pakistani/Bangladeshi  origin with a few Orientals and Negroes .Although I rarely travel by public transport in Mumbai always  using my cycle or motorcycle for commuting and hence  it was a real change as well as a saviour on my monetary expence's  travelling on the public commuting system of Dubai which is World class..You can't travel anywhere in Dubai without a vehicle as distances are wide between localities and hence the excellent public travel system is a boon to non vehicle owner's and budget tourists.                                                                                                       

"FALCON HERITAGE AND SPORTS CENTER" located at Muscat Street in close proximity to Meyden racecourse.This palatial edifice  has a veterinary facility and a souq where individuals can purchase falcon's as well as the most recent frill for the falcon pet.

Norway Ship Pavilion at "Expo 2020 Dubai

Thursday(4/11/2021) Discovering the "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center"  and "Meydan Racecourse".:- Today was my third visit to " EXPO 2020 DUBAI" as it was convenient travelling on the free "N0 191" bus  from JBR. As a ex-seafarer.visited the " Norway Pavilion" with the topic being ' Sustaining the Ocean".A film show on prevention of sea pollution was the main theme ..

Inside Colombia Pavilion at "Expo 2020 Dubai"

Entrance to the Colombian pavilion had a large Bronz".e  nude woman's sculture titled "Reclining Woman(2007)" by Colombian artist Fernando.Botero, one of the World's most recognized living artists. Entered  the Colombian Pavilion and  posed with a "Tour De France" race  cycle as beside's soccer and unforgettable eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita of my generation it's Cycling that is one of Colombia's sporting identity.Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal, winner of the 2019 Tour de France and the 2021 Giro d’Italia had  visited the Colombia pavilion . I was now suffering from "Expo 2020 Dubai" fatigue having visited the Expo thrice since my arrival in Dubai besides  having personally  visited 81 country's the showcasing of most country's at this "Expo 2020 Dubi"  was no mystery to me at my young age .

"Reclining Woman" by Fernando.Botero

Hence it was a quick departure to the exit and the now familiar "Expo Public Bus Station". The "191" bus had a breakdown at the bus depot  and hence boarded the bus to "Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall "  bus station.It was a long drive to "Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall " bus stop and on arrival at the bus terminus inquired about the bus heading towards Meydan racecourse.

Switzerland Pavilion at "Expo 2020 Dubai"

Was told to board bus N0 13  but later the bus ticket official adviced me to hire a taxi as it would be more convenient to reach my destination "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center" situated near the Meyden racecourse in Nad Al Sheba -1.There was a small queue to hire a taxi and to my disgust realized that in Dubai taxi's were hired through a "Taxi phone application"  and luckily after a long wait did manage to board a taxi which had arrived with a passenger. Boarded the  taxi and asked the Pakistani driver the average cost of the journey to which he replied that taxi's in Dubai run strictly by meter with the minimum meter starting price being 5 AED.

Entrance to SOUK of Falcon's, Falcon Veterinary dispensaries and Falcon by-proucts akin to a normal pet store.Entire plush building is centrally Airconditioned.

Inside the grand hall of the "Falcon Souk".It is circular in design with all the shop's built onto the periphery of this main central hall.

View of one of the many "Falcon Shop's" in this souk in "Falcon Heritage and Sports Centre".

The ultimate status symbol in Dubai is owning a falcon.Falcon's with their hood's( Al Burqa) on their heads tethered to their resting posts in a shop .

It's not everyday that a person get's to see or visit a Falcon pet shop.A once in a lifetime experience and only possible in Dubai.While travelling on a plane with their billionaire  owners  falcons are tethered to individual seats akin to a seated human passenger.This is allowed only in "Business" and "First Class" travel on planes. Such is the respect and care given to this national bird of U.A.E

A buyer inspecting  and weighing a Shaheen Falcon before purchasing it.Minimum price begins from 5000 AED  with no upper limits akin to prized race horses.It's no mere co-incidence that the Falcon Heritage and Sports Centre" is situated in close proximity to the World famous "Meyden Racecourse".

Yes! Falcon's also have "PASSPORTS".

On the way passed  the " Deep Dive" centre which has the deepest swimming pool in the World and at approximately 1430 hrs  finally reached the main gate of "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center" with the taxi bill amounting to  23AED .

A main hall leading to the "FALCON MUSEUM"  situated inside the "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center" building complex.

A glimpse of the history of the sport of "FALCONRY" in the U.A.E.

Importance of the eye and eyesight explained in the anatomical section of the "Falcon Museum".

5 -Star style Veterinary dispensary and chemist shop for falcons  inside the "Falcon Heritage and Sports Ceter"

"Falcon Heritage & Sports Centre"

It was a magnificient building resembling a small fortress from the exterior.The Falcon is the national symbol of the Emirates and falconry a part of Emirates culture and history that helped the Bedouin survive and hunt in the harsh desert .In the  present era the falcon is used as a sport in "Falcon Races" and "Falcon Hunting".

Meydan Racecourse entrance .

Entrance is free and on entering the building was immediately in the midst of a large plush circular air-conditioned hall with numerous shops on the periphery.I was the only lone foregner tourist in this 5-star style Falcon bird setting and was akin to entering a small plush mall in Dubai.The " Falcon Heritage and Sports Center" was definitely not on the popular tourist itinerary of Dubai, a totally niche hobby of the wealthy.Unbelievable plush shops dealing in trading of falcons and falcon accessories.As i was the lone tourist  it was a advantage and could personally visit shop's and speak to the owners/handler's of the falcon bird's.There were also plush  veterinarian clinics to treat the bird's.Visited  one of the shops "Aljera Falcons Trading"  managed by a young Pakistani and was amazed at seeing over ten  Falcon's tied to a handle post with their hood's  covering their face.

Meydan Racecourse Parking.Unbelievable sight.

The young  Pakistani owner Mr Mohammed.Zaman  explained me the breeding and maintenance of Falcons with their price ranging from a minimum of 5000 AED to a endless upper limit depending on the buyer, akin to bidding for  a prized race horse at a auction . Next entered "Wrsan Hunting, Tools and Trading"  shop owned by Pakistani Mr Azhar. and  his shop had approximately  15 falcon's, most of them of the "Shaheen" breed.He also explained me the falcon  Industry of Dubai  and during my visit a local Emirati customer  entered the shop and untied the leg of  one of the falcon's from its perch stand.The Falcon was weighed on a weighing scale and sprayed with some liquid and then transported in his private car.Was not surprised to know that every Falcon bird had a special "Falcon Passport" and read the poster regarding rules and regulations for applying for a "Falcon Passport".

Spectators in queue to enter racecourse.

Next had a late  hamburger lunch  in one of the two   snack shop's  inside the palatial "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center".Window shopped the other stores including the "Falcon Veterinary clinic's" and at the other food stall tasted local milk-less tea along with a egg/cheese pancake.

Common Public entrance "GATE B" at the Meydan racecourse.Entrance was free.As usual a proof of the "RT-PCR" covid test had to be shown at the entry gate.Each spectator was given a free "Race Programme" pamphlet, a free "Dubai Race Club" cap and a anti-covid 19 "Face mask".

View of a part of the "Meydan Grandstand".This grandstand is over a mile in length, and can accommodate over 60,000 spectators.Meydan opened on 27 March 2010,replacing Nad Al Sheba racecourse which formerly occupied the same site. It includes a horse  racing museum, gallery , five-star hotel and nine-hole golf  course. When not in use for racing it serves as a  business and conference centre.Also been used as a film shooting location site.

View of the Grandstand  T.V Screen

Last of all visited the palatial falcon museum which  was a natural history museum devoted to  the Falcon bird and the   history of traditional Emirati hunting with the falcon bird.In another gallery were photograph's of Emirati Ruler's photographed during hunting expeditions with falcon's. One prominent photo was of late Pakistan President General Zia.Ul.Haq  with U.A.E Royalty. Pakistan  was and is  one of the favourite hunting grounds of Falconry for  Arab Royalty with the endangered Houbara Bustard bird being  the prized prey.Hence all shop's in the "Falcon Heritage and Sports Center" are owned or managed by Pakistani Emirati residents.After spending hours at the Falcon Museum finally made my way out of the palatial edifice and after asking directions  walked the  long distance to G8 entrance gate of the Meydan racecourse which was totally deserted of people making me wonder if i had read the race program wrong .Was it actually the inaugural night of horse racing  at the landmark  "Meydan Racecourse" of Dubai ?

"Parade Ring and Paddock". Here the horses are being paraded before the start of the first race of the "2021-2022 Meydan Racecourse" racing season,the  "Arabian Adventures" race .This race was won by the favourite horse N01)Atlantic Sky. No bookies or Tote on the racecourse  as gambling is banned in U.A.E  although bet's accepted all across the Globe where betting is legalized.
NOTE:- A tourist or non Emirati will not be able to distinguish the wealthy Emirati horse owner's ,official's,steward's in the paddock or gallery  unlike other non-Arab country's as the normal attire of both the wealthy and commoner Emirati is the same. It's difficult for a Non-Emirati to judge the status of a Emirati citizen just by looks.Men wear the Kandura with sandals and women the Abaya.

Public restaurant in Meydan Grandstand

Finally reached my destination and had to take a lift from the racecourse parking lot onto the main entrance level. Today was akin to doing a marathon in discovering Dubai with  my  last travel stop of the day being  the Meydan Racecourse to attend  the first race of the start of the 2021-22 horse racing season at this World class racecourse.

"Longines Time" of  winner of 2nd race in 2000m

Entrance to the racecourse was free and every entrant was given a " Dubai Race club " cap and a " Face mask".This was the first spectator sport I was attending in a stadium after the 2020 Indian Derby at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai.

Glimpse of the officials.

The Grandstand of the Meydan racecourse is akin to a 5- Star Hotel or luxury cruise liner deck.The first race started at 1900 hrs with  the last race being  at 2200 hrs .Excellent Grandstand screen similar  to the Sha Tin racecourse of Hong Kong but for once not a "Guinness Book of World Records" holder for longest racecourse telivision screen which still belongs to Sha Tin racecourse.No bookies or tote in the racecourse  as gambling is banned in U.A.E  but bets accepted in other Country's akin to "CRICKET" betting being banned in India but legal in other country's.England is the hotspot for legal betting of races at the "Meydan Racecourse".

The "Meydan Racecourse" is  a 2,400 m left-handed turf race track  and a left-handed 8.75-furlong (1,750 m) dirt  course. It operates from November through March and features the Winter Racing Challenge, Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai Worl Cup Night. The Dubai World Cup is the world's richest race day with over US$26.25 million in prize money.Today all the races were run on "Dirt Track" and here is the start of the 2nd race of the night, the "Emirates Holidays" race run over 2000 meters.

"Been There, Seen that, Done That" for "Bragger's Rights Club"  at the Meydan Grandstand in Dubai.First entered the classic Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai as a 19 year old teenager in 1980 and since then thank's to horse racing have become a Investment/speculator which neither my qualified profession as a "Marine Engineer"  nor any  business school could teach me. Click the link :- https://wwwmahalaxmiracecourseindianderby.blogspot.com/2010/02/mahalaxmi-race-course-and-indian-derby.html

Glimpse of Meydan Grandstand public lobby decor.

The first race of the day at Meydan racing( 2021-2022)was the  "Arabian Adventures (1400 Meters  or 7 Furlongs)" race  run at 1900 hrs  and  won by the favourite "Atlantic Sky BG".After watching the first 3 races made my way back to the exit/entrance  passing through  the 5-star style common racecourse restaurant and  imagined this place during the running of the "Dubai World Cup" in the month of March.The minimum taxi fare in Dubai is 5 AED but getting a taxi is difficult unless booked by a phone App.Dubai is 100% digital in every aspect of daily life and living .Thankfully at the racecourse entrance /Exit there is  a continuous arrival and departure of  punter's and tourist's  in taxi's .Managed to board a taxi and headed to "Business Bay" Metro station with the taxi fare amounting to 24 AED . After the metro train journey to  "Sobha Realty" it was a walk across  to the tram station to board the tram to  "JBR-1" tram station.                                                   

A unbelievable 5.5 Km ride on the "PALM MONORAIL" with stop's at Al Itihad Park, Nakheel Mall Station and finally Atlantis Aquaventure Station which  is  the last stop.Here i am on the "Palm Monorail" approaching the last stop "Atlantis Aquaventure Station" with the majestic sight of the "Atlantis the Palm" hotel .Palm Jumeirah artificial island's, the largest in the World was built entirely from sand and rocks (no concrete or steel was used to build the island). This was done in accordance with the order of the Ruler of  Dubai Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum who came up with the idea for the Palm Islands, as well as their design.There are three islands in total that make up Palm Islands Dubai including Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. "Palm Jumeirah" is the only island open to visitors.

Inside  the "PALM MONORAIL"

Friday(5/11/2021) Monorail ride on  Palm Jumeirah  Island and a ride on "Ain Dubai" :- In the morning boarded the N0 8 bus with the intention of alighting at "Palm Gateway Station" .On alighting at "Palm Jumeirah"  bus stop it was a long lonely walk along the car park of "Palm Gateway" Tram station to finally reach the actual "Monorail Tram Station".The "Palm Monorail" full day pass costs 35 AED and allows endless travel between four stations 1) The Palm Gateway Station 2) Al Ittihad Park Station 3) Nakheel Mall Station and 4) Atlantis Aquaventure Station a total distance of  5.5 Kms   upto 2200 hrs.The Palm Jumeirah reclamation of sea land has added 78 Km to Dubai's coastline and a iconic symbol of Dubai.This is the first Monorail in the Middle East  opened on April 30 2009 and is the only mode of public transport on Palm Jumeirah island. Boarded the  Palm monorail at "Palm Gateway Station"  along with some tourists on a package tour with their guide. It was a unbelievable 5.5 Km ride with stop's at Al Itihad Park, Nakheel Mall Station and finally Atlantis Aquaventure Station which  was the last stop.

A View of "Atlantis the Palm" the 5 -star resort situated on the crescent of Dubai's Palm Island.It is a 1,548 room ocean resort.This was the first hotel to open up on Dubai's  and the World's largest artificial island, "THE PALM".

A glimpse of a part of  the "Aquaventure Waterpark" as seen from the "Monorail" train

Inside "Atlantis , the Palm Resort " lobby and way to the " Lost Chambers Aquarium " and also one of the  largest waterpark's  in the World, "Aquaventure Waterpark"..

"Atlantis ,the Palm Resort"

Thank's to the package tour guide got to understand the importance of various scenic locations. The elevated view from the Monorail was excellent and definitely worth the exorbitant ticket price .On reaching Atlantis Aquaventure Station got a bird's eye view of the " Aquaventure water park', the largest Waterpark in the World.

Luxury Villa's and Beach cottages on Palm Jumeirah Island.Hindi Film actor and one of the wealthiest actor's in the World Mr Shah Rukh Khan has a bungalow on Palm Jumeirah named "Jannat" rhyming with his palatial landmark bungalow in Mumbai named "Mannat". Someone said, "The ultra wealthy are a different species of the human race".

"Walker's and Jogger's" track outside Ittihad Park Station on Palm Jumeirah island.

View of classic beach bar "February 30" on "Palm West Beach" that offered sea-facing beach wicker lounges at a minimum of 100 AED. Notice the beautiful view of the Dubai skyline with landmark Ain Dubai , a class apart.

On the topmost floor of "NAKHEEL MALL" on Palm Jumeirah Island.The Mall opened on Thursday 28 November 2019 has 5 floors and its own monorail station "Nakheel Mall".Nakheel Mall is also the access point for The View at The Palm, a public observatory perched on the top of the neighbouring Palm Tower, 230 metres above the island.

Palm Monorail Station

Entrance to "Ain Dubai" Ticketing.

Alighted the Monorail station and entered the iconic "Atlantis Palm" resort , the first resort to be built on the Palm Island which  is thymed on the myth of Atlantis.

Passenger's loaded/Offloaded on Ain Dubai

There is a large chair of Atlantis at the entrance foyer to the resort mall where tourists take photograph's which included your's truly.It is one of the few hotel's in the World having underwater suites.There was a long queue for entry into "Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark" costing 315 AED.After a brief walk in the vicinity returned back to the "Atlantis Aquaventure station " and   sightseeing on the Palm Jumeirah was by  Monorail only with the  next stop being  " Nakheel Mall".In Dubai every mall seems to outdo the other and Nakheel Mall opened in 2019  was big and extensive. From Nakheel Mall the next stop was Al Itihaad Station  which has a excellent walker's/Jogger's road outside the Monorail station. 

Admiring the 360* views from the glass walls of the "Ain Dubai" as it rotates at a snail's pace.

View of the other cabin while revolving at a snail's pace.There are a total of 48 cabin's and each cabin able to hold 40 rider's.Due to "Covid-19" pandemic restrictions the passengers/cabin was less than the normal 40.The actual total capacity in normal times is 1750 passenger's.

View of Sea Traffic from "Ain Dubai"

Walked  towards the Palm West beach which is about 10 minutes walk from the station.A excellent promenade  that stretches 1.6 Kms and lined with 5 star hotels and a common beach.

 250 M.Top point of "Ain Dubai" during its revolution.

Approached classic beach bar "February 30" that offered sea-facing beach wicker lounges at a minimum of 100 AED.

View of the "BEACH" and JBR(Jumeirah  Beach Residency" from "Ain Dubai " cabin.My residence "Bombay Backpackers DBX" on the 18th floor of 41 storey  "Bahar 5" can be seen among this cluster of towering skyscraper's.Amazing variety of 'WATER SPORT" on the Persian Gulf of the "BEACH".

Yes i did a revolution on "Ain Dubai" within a month  of its inauguration on Thursday 21 October 2021."Bragger's Rights Club" member's would be in awe . Co-incidentally have also taken a ride on the World's oldest Ferris wheel "Wienar Riesenrad" originally built in 1897 and  situated in  Prater Park of Vienna.

A blurred view of "Palm Jumeirah Island" as seen from "Ain Dubai"with a partial view of the Palm formation that normally can only be seen from air by helicopter ,sky-diving  or a tall building..On a clear day "Atlantis , the Palm" is clearly visible although i got to see a blurred view due to the mist.Could  distinctly see the "Burj Arab" hotel in the distance.

A excellent artificial beach as are almost all the small beautiful beach's in Dubai with oil and waste pollution non-existant.Dubai has a very busy harbour with International shipping traffic yet i could not spot a drop of oil anywhere in the Persian Gulf most notably our locality of the "JBR BEACH" which is very close to Port Rashid .Palm Jumeirah island is dotted with palm tree's , a artificial 21st century wonder of the World.

Cute "Toy Bus" on Blueswaters Island.

Noted Hindi film actor as also one of the World's wealthiest actor's  Mr Shah Rukh Khan has a palatial cottage on Jumeirah Palm Island which he has named "Jannat" rhyming with his iconic sea facing bungalow in home city Mumbai called "Mannat".

"Ain Dubai" on Bluewaters Island

The ultra wealthy are a different species of the human race. Ahoy ! From "Palm West Beach" walked back to "Al Itihad Station" and boarded the monorail back to "Atlantis Aquaventure" for another aerial tour of the indescribable "Jumeirah Palm Island".This was one of my best and shortest  train travel  among the numerous and various different trains i have travelled across India and the Globe.

Bird's Eye View of "Palm Jumeirah"

Try to get a front window seat on the Monorail train to get a "Bird's Eye View" of the west part of  "Palm Jumeirah Island" during its 5.5 km run between "Palm Gateway Station" and "Atlantis Aquaventure" station.   Returned back to " Bahar 5" after  a long tram ride .Lunch was a delivery Mutton curry/Nan " Malabari  style at the hostel from the now familiar " Helal Al Barsha" restaurant.".

Emirati Mr Yusuf with his pet at the "JBR Beach"

The " Ain Dubai" is the first sight that greets us guests everytime we look out of our gallery in "Bombay Backpackers DBX".How could I depart from Dubai without a ride on the World's highest observation tower which is 250 meters at its peakrevolution  height ? Finally visited  my last Guinness Book Of World Records locales  by experiencing Dubai's man created marvel ,the " AIN DUBAI" Ferris wheel, the highest observation tower in the World.

Palm Tree's beautifying Palm Island.

Friday is a public holiday in Dubai and standing in a long queue was lucky to get the 130 AED cheapest ticket.It goes totally housefull as the " Ain Dubai" is not even a month old since it's inauguration at 1400 hrs  on Thursday 21 October 2021 with the iconic photo/video of  Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum seated at a height  atop a capsule of the Ferris wheel  sipping beverage from a mug  in his hand circulting across the global media.

View of the "BEACH" and "JBR" from "Ain Dubai"

The "Ain Dubai" having the largest LED screen in the World has 48 capsules that can accomodate 1750 visitors  and each ride lasts approximately 38 minutes making it the latest addition as  "GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER "  to Dubai's collection of "Guinness World Records" .

"Folding Bicycle" at Nakheel Mall on Palm Island

I can't describe the feeling but please if you have the money then specially fly to Dubai to just sit in a cabin of the " Ain Dubai" and marvel at the  human wonder of a city called Dubai.On my walk back to " Bahar 5" came across a local Emerati Mr Yusuf at the beach with his pet Macaw bringing back memories of my own " Mittoo" .Was absolutely tired from the long walks and relaxed at the hostel.A big hurdle was getting the " RT-PCR" test done and thanks to consultations and efforts of co- guests that we managed to get a home delivery test done which at 150 AED was cheaper than in Mumbai.                                                                     

With a giant  cat  Topiary  in "Miracle Garden" whom i nicknamed "KING KONG".The Dubai Miracle Garden generally operates from October to April every year. It is closed from May to September due to high temperatures averaging of 40 °C (104 °F), which is not conducive for flower viewing.This year it opened on 1 November and hence was at the "Right Place at the Right Time" to view this unbelievable natural flowering garden in the midst of a concrete jungle desert vegetation.

Walkway in"Miracle Garden"

Saturday(6/11/2021) A visit to "Miracle Garden" and a swim on JBR beach:- Travelling around Dubai like a local boarded the "JBR" tram to "DMCC" metro station and from there alighted the metro train at "Mall of the Emirates" station. After a long walk from the Metro station to the main road boarded the N0105 bus to "Miracle Garden".

The Dubai Miracle Garden is located in Al Barsha South district of Dubailand and  was launched on Valentine's Day in 2013.It occupies over 72,000 square metres (780,000 sq ft), making it the world's largest natural flower garden, featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants.

"FAIRY TALE LAND"Children's Theme Topiary: constructed out of natural growing flowers and shrubs planted onto designed templates. Every year the setting and model's on display are changed .Hence a tourist visiting "Miracle Garden" in 2022 will see totally different display's barring a few.

Children's theme in "Miracle Garden"

 Teddy Bear full of flowers is a huge attraction of the Dubai Miracle Garden . Among other floral themes at the Dubai Miracle Garden; this theme of the Teddy Bear is one of the most iconic theme . The Teddy Bear is holding a heart which specifically reveals that it is spreading the message of love and harmony. Don’t forget that Dubai Miracle Garden was launched on Valentine’s Day and themes of hearts are very common within the garden. Therefore; this introduction of the Teddy Bear with a Heart is another heartiest creativity by the authorities of the Miracle Garden. This beautiful floral theme of Teddy Bear is the only theme of its kind in the world. There is no other example of floral version of Teddy Bear anywhere else in the world.

It was a longdrive  and finally arrived at the entrance gate of  " MIRACLE GARDEN" in Dubai.Entrance fee was 55 AED and it was a unbelievable sight seeing genuine flowering plants and shrubs growing in the midst of the arid desert climatic conditions..

Giant cat topiary   & "Fairyland".

Excellent for kids and as for adults its a puzzle and mystery as to how could a green flowering garden be created in a arid desert Geographical region. This is the only garden of its type in the World and open only during the winter months of Dubai beginning from November. Something to be seen to be believed and should be a mandatory tour for any newcomer visiting Dubai.

Emirates A380 Model :- A life-size Emirates A380 decked with more than 500,000 fresh flowers is one of the highlights of the "Miracle garden". It has also won the Guinness World Record of the largest floral installation in the world.

"STALLIONS" as a topiary art at the "Miracle Garden". Horses and stallions have a huge history within Arabic culture and their presence at the Dubai Miracle Garden simply revives that culture in one of the most innovative ways.

"ELEPHANT POND" in Miracle Garden.Elephant Fountains are basically the magnificently built elephant sculptures with their trunks acting like  water jets of the fountains. Elephants always enjoy their time in water and the Dubai Miracle Garden has magnificently captured that behavior of the elephants by depicting it in the form of the Elephant Fountains.

Cycling inside "Miracle Garden" ? As a passionate hobby cyclist could not resist the urge to get a photo clicked on a cycle exhibit.

The Guinness World Records has recognized the Dubai Miracle Garden's records for the 3 records i.e., largest floral installation (2017), tallest topiary (2018) art & largest topiary art (2019).

What is the secret of my strength and stamina during exhausting solo travels at my young age  ? Banana's akin to tennis player's seen munching the same during game breaks.Relishing a 2 AED banana at "Miracle Garden" Fitness tips for the "Budget Adventurer" which they don't teach in any survival course.

Amazing flower designs in "Miracle Garden"

There was a  Topiary of a gigantic cat whom i nicknamed "King Kong"  and a Teddy bear holding a heart . Both made out of shrubs planted onto the skeletal frame of the models.The prime attraction was a authentic "Emirates Plane" model whose exterior had flowers and green shrubs growing from its frame.

"MAGIC LEVITATION OF THE AERIAL FLOATING LADY" display in Miracle Garden.Considered one of the best exhibits.A Wonderland for the young and old. Unbelievable design's and theme's decorated in natural flowers and shrubs

Heart Passage in "Miracle Garden":- This is one of the most popular attractions at the Miracle Garden. The Heart Passage is a walking passage with dozens of heart-shaped structures filled with thousands of flowers. This is a favorite background for photographs, especially for couples and the lone "Solo Explorer Traveller".

Exiting  "MIRACLE GARDEN"  came across this concrete jungle sight that has transformed Dubai from a Desert to a city of towering skyscraper's.How do these minimum wage worker's mostly from the Sub- Continent survive in one of the World's most expensive city's beside's sending saving's back home ? Answer is simple ! Live according to your means and earning's and there is place for every economic strata of the working class to survive and even thrive in Dubai.

Glimpse of part of "Mall of Emirates"

Similarly in the children's section there were fairy tale settings from Walt Disney theme's decorated with live flowers and shrubs.A banana fruit cost me 2 AED and as a prolific banana consumer in my home city realized the value of the cheap  common banana which i took for granted  in my home city of Mumbai.

 A view of Ski Dubai, located in Mall of the Emirates that offers a variety of activities and gives you a chance to ski, snowboard, toboggan, zip line, take a chairlift ride and enjoy the views or just take part in a friendly snowball fight with friends and family in the  Snow Park .You can even  experience a penguin encounter all under one roof.  

Familiarity breeds contempt ? Returning back by N0 105  bus  entered "Mall of the Emirates" to have a look at "SKI DUBAI" the U.A.E's first indoor ski and snow resort.

At "Ski Dubai" in "Mall of Emirates"

After asking directions inside the mall managed to locate this human created artificial Ice World in the midst of a desert,to be seen to be believed. Dubai Rock's !Viewers could get a look into "Ski Dubai" through a airtight glass partition akin to common non ticket paying visitor's viewing the aquarium fish in Dubai Mall.Young kid's as well as adults were busy with snow games and even skiing ! Miniature binocular's was on my shopping list and inquiring within the vast mall was directed to "Grand Stores" where i purchased a " Nikon Sportstar binocular" costing 332 AED.Excellent for concerts, outdoors and wildlife spotting not to mention my annual pilgrimage's to the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai for the "Indian Derby".

L-R :- Self(Narrator)Mr Rudolph.Furtado,Mr Jagandeep.Singh and  Mr Iftiqar.Iqbal at the " "BEACH" on JBR at twilight. The Majestic "AIN DUBAI" can be seen in the background on Bluewaters Island. A "Ripley's Believe it or Not" for the simple fact that as pool's in my home city of Mumbai  were closed due to "Covid-19 " pandemic had not swum for the entire year of 2021 until i visited Dubai.Here in Dubai i was spoilt for choice to choose between a "SWIMMING POOL" and the "DEEP BLUE SEA" at the "BEACH".Swam in both although i preferred this sea swim as the length of the pool was the normal 30 Meters that most luxury club's and private Apartment's possess. Mr Jagandeep and myself swam about a total of a Kilometer and this was one of the best sea swim's of my life. Spotted a young man indulging in the sport of "FLYBOARDING", akin to flying over water. A watersport  i had seen only on T.V  before this sea swim  in Dubai.In Mumbai  used to daily swim 2 Kms at the "M.G.M.O" pool until pandemic "Covid-19" put a end to all forms of social gathering's and sports since March 2020.

Returned back to " Bahar 5" by the now familiar route also purchasing my morning breakfast grocery from " Freshmart Supermarket " situated next to " JRB-1" tram station.Lunch was " Beef chilly fry/ Rice" from the home delivery restaurant.

Dinner at Al Barsha locality in Dubai

Later checked my mail and was happy to see the " RT-PCR" report and the next hurdle was uploading it to the " Air Suvidha" site. Last day in Dubai and after 2 long years had the longest sea swim in recent years.In hostel Backpacker's accommodation across the Globe at times total strangers become acquaintances and I have made numerous acquaintance's  during my travels,  sharing travel information as well as learning each other's culture.

Afgani/Pakistani recipe Dinner

Thanks to computer whiz Mr Jagandeep.Singh managed to upload the complicated " Air Suvidha Self Declaration passenger form" and my sympathy to the less literate travellers .A very complicated form not to mention the money and precious travel time spent on filling this recent "Covid 19" traveller's form.  Hope travel normalcy returns at the earliest. Having visited 81 Country's to date for the first time felt like a illiterate novice while  filling the form with " RT-PCR" report, etc.As a blogger and surfer on the Internet i ignored various applications on android phone's barring the basics and hence illiterate in some  common applications .Thanks to "SUVIDHA" which was a wake up call and with my philosophy of  "Better late than too late"  would henceforth become "Android Literate". Later joined Mr Jangandeep.Singh and other co-guest Mr Iftiqar.Iqbal a British citizen of Pakistan origin for a sea swim. A swim to remember as it was a deep sea swim between Jagandeep and me while Iqbal stayed in safe waters,"Beach" is popular for water sports and a young adrenaline junkie was "Flyboarding"  ahead of us near the buoy, amazing to see him literally fly above the water, a very expensive extreme water sport costing 375 AED for just a half hour ride.

Plush "Public Transport" in Dubai

If you have ton's of uncountable  money and a "ADRENALINE JUNKIE" aptitude then head to Dubai for the thrills of your life on land as well as water. The " JBR BEACH" in Dubai is one of the best locales for safe sea swimming and crowded with mostly Caucasian tourists. We must have swam a total of a Kilometer finally  coming out of the sea at twilight. Later dinner was at " Hamdulla Al Afgani restaurant" situated at Barsha Street next to " Mall of the Emirates". Afghani dinner at a street side open air restaurant was something different from the normal .After dinner Jagandeep guided us to the " Barsha" department store where I purchased some dates and dry fruits. Travel educates. While returning back we entered " Mall of the Emirates" and in the consumer section inquired for camel milk chocolates. The price of 30ADR/chocolate was a knockout blow  and also realized that in the crowd I had lost track of Jagandeep and Ifteqar. After searching in the vicinity for a while made my way back to " Bahar 5" all alone. A local in Dubai.Nomadic traveller's are excellent at adapting to geographical circumstances and situations even if lost in a crowd in a new city. 

In the morning at the "MARINA WALK"  on the JBR side of the 8Km long walkway.Many people wonder what they’re supposed to do when they finally reach the world famous Dubai Marina Walk. There is plenty to do in the surrounding areas of the marina, including the Marina Walk, along this  beachfront paved walkway on which i am standing. There are numerous  restaurants to keep you entertained and active, as walking the whole area featuring eight  km of pedestrian walkway will take you a full day!

Part of the  Dubai Marina with its yacht's.

Sunday(7/11/2021) Departure Dubai :- All good or bad things have to come to a end and one of my most memorable extreme adventure and sightseeing solo travel of Dubai was ending today.It was a priviledge living in one of the plushest building's in one of the prime localities of Dubai for eleven day's. Breakfast was my normal "Salami bread" while browsing the internet on the gallery with a classic view of  the Persian Gulf  and "Ain Dubai", the 21st century marvel of human engineering as also  the "Hilton Swimming pool" on ground level .Playground of the Ultra wealthy  ,famous or ordinary but definitely  Ultra wealthy ! Yes, Money can buy you happiness. Ahoy !Apologize to  "Bragger's Rights Club" but a miniscule percentage of the human population must have lived in as varied homestay's, hotel's , hostels, resorts  and ship's cabin's as yours truly, the " International Nomad ". Ahoy ! After breakfast  decided to explore the neighbouring "Marina Bay"  locality  and after a short walk to the now familiar haunt of  "Freshmart Supermarket" walked down the steps next to the main road and was transported onto a different view of a Dubai that never ceases to amaze. Ahoy !

A glimpse of a miniscule section of the plush "DUBAI MARINA".In order to create the man-made marina, the developers brought the waters of the Persian Gulf into the site of Dubai marina, creating a new waterfront. There is a large central waterway, excavated from the desert and running the length of this 3 km site.More than 12% of the total land area on the site has been given over to this central public space.Although much of this area is occupied by the marina water surface, it also includes almost 8 km of landscaped public walkways like the one on which i am standing..

Located on the Eastern side of Dubai harbour the artificial sheltered bay is a parking lot for  various types of yacht's ranging from 12 meters to 120 meters in length.This artificial canal built along a 3 Km stretch of land has plush buildings dotting its periphery and almost 8Kms of the Marina waterway  boundary has been developed into  a paved landscaped walkway .

Dubai Marina :-"Playboy's and Playgirl's" Paradise

I was at one end of this 8 Km walkway on the Jumeirah Beach side residences and the view was awesome although barring a few physical fitness cycling enthusiasts the entire narrow paved pathway was deserted at 1100 hrs in the morning.

Landscape Garden on Marina Walk

Sat down in a shaded part of the walkway garden and observed the yachts and tourist boats entering and exiting  Dubai Marina  Bay  as my memory bank flooded with shipping voyages of another era of my professional life  during employment in the "Mercantile Merchant Navy" from 1983-2006 having stepped ashore in the U.A.E thrice on employed ship's.

"Pacific Shopping Centre" on the Walk in JBR

The afternoon sun  heat was intense and later made my way onto the " JBR WALK" a 1.7 Km strip of road running parallel to the "Bahar" group of buildings . This entire narrow  1.7 Km strip of road facing the "Beach"  on the Persian Gulf side is dotted with plush eateries, 5-star hotel's and shopping malls beside's the "Roxy Theatre".

Assorted Dates on display.

Entered "Pacific Shopping Centre" and purchased some dry fruits which is reasonably priced according to our  Indian cost of living .Spotted a Lamborghini and a Ferrari parked next to this shopping centre and on inquiry was casually  told that both car's were on hire to anybody including your's truly . The hire rates  was a price tag of 5000 AED/24 hrs for the Lamborghini and 5500 AED for the Ferrari as it was the latest 2021 model.

Plush "Indian Palace Hotel" on the Walk in JBR

The power of "FULLUS(Money in Arabic)" and this  happens only in Dubai ! Travel educates.I was now feeling the strain of 10 day's of endless walking, public transport travelling and lack of sleep.How could the plushest locality in Dubai not have a few Indian themed hotel's and window shopped  the  "India Palace" hotel situated next to "Bahar 5" on the " JBR Walk".

Lamborghini hire.5000 AED/24 hrs

Prices were astronomical for  some of the same Indian  food on my daily meal plate in Mumbai  as is everything in the plush tourist localities of Dubai .Came across another eatery named "Bombay Bungalow" and sure that it's clientele would include Bollywood and page 3 celebrities' from India. Dubai is a favourite playground of India's ultra wealthy,both famous and infamous and the tragic drowning in 2018 of   healthy active Bollywood actress Sridevi in the bathtub of the "Jumeirah Emirates Tower hotel" raised speculation of murder in the Indian media .

Final travel "Covid - 19 RT-PCR" test report departure Dubai.Spent a total of Rs 5100 for doing the "Covid-19 RT-PCR" tests in Mumbai for travel to Dubai.Also on departure Dubai had to do a "RT-PCR" test costing 150 AD .Hence a total of Rs 8250 of my total travel budget was spent on "Covid-19 RT-PCR" tests. Caused me sleepless nights as the tests were at odd hours. One of the reason's this "Covid-19 DUBAI SOLO TRAVEL" will be a benchmark in my long list of travel's is for the simple reason it was undertaken at a time of World wide travel restrictions with the pandemic still devastating country's across the Globe.

Drowning in the sea or swimming pool is believable and not abnormal  but drowning in a tiny bathtub is definitely  a source for human gossip and murder speculations , especially if the victim happens to be one of India's film icon's.

Dubai Tram:-Comfortable  travel at 3AED Fare

Finally after just window gazing the plushest of plush hotel's and eateries on the "WALK"  walked my way into "Bahar 5" and onto "Flat 1802" of "Bombay Backpackers DXB"  situated on the 18th floor of this towering 41 storey building.Did my final packing and thanking Hostel caretaker Ms Maria.Kahunde bid "Bombay Backpackers DXB" adieu and headed towards "Jumeirah Residence 1" tram station.It was again a 40 Km road drive from JBR to Terminal 2 airport. On entering the tram station the local Ticket inspector gave me a suggestion of boarding the 8 or 55 N0 bus  and hence told me to alight the tram at the last stop of  "Al Sufouh" and later  catch the 55 N0 bus .Heeding his advice made the long tram ride to last stop "Al Sufouh" where to my dismay on inquiry with the local ticket inspector was told that bus's were a inconvenient mode of transport during peak hours traffic jam's akin to Mumbai. Hence was advised to catch the return tram and alight at usual stop "Sobha Reality(Dubai Marina Metro Station)" and board the metro train to "Union Station". Hence on a wild goose tram ride boarded the return tram and alighted at familiar "Sobha Reality" tram station. From the tram station it was a long walk with luggage to "Sobha Realty" metro station and onto a packed metro train. fate and destiny can be bizarre and in Mumbai i rarely use public transport while here in distant Dubai it seemed i was a resident of the city in this train packed with mostly Asian and a few Oriental's and Negro's. Blindfolded and if put on this metro i would presume it  to be on a Delhi Metro in India. Ahoy ! Finally reached "Union Station" where i alighted and crossed over to the "Green Line" metro train service. Boarded the train heading towards Etisalat and alighted at "Al Qiyadah" station only to be told by the local ticket issuer that i would have to travel back one stop to "Abu Hail" station and catch the  bus to "Airport Terminal 2".I was now nervous as on two occasions i had headed in the wrong direction  but as they say experience triumph's over adversity.

"Terminal 2" Departure Lounge. 

With great fatigue and dismay boarded the reverse train and alighted at "Abu Hail" metro station. From the metro station exit it was a short walk to the bus stop where to my relief  saw a Caucausian man with a suitcase waiting for a bus proving i was on the right track. Inquired with the Russian employee of a tourist agency and he told me that N0 43 bus would take us to the airport which was a great relief to my wild goose tram-train chase towards "Terminal -2". In Dubai it is Hindi that is the link language as both Pakistani's and Indian's speak Hindi as also form the majority of the working class population of Dubai. Cross checked my destination with a young group of Hindi speaking youth waiting for the bus and finally after a long wait boarded "N0 43" bus and was dropped at the "Departure Terminal 2" .Walked into the airport which had a long queue due to the "Covid 19 RT-PCR' checklist and thankfully all my documents were in order and after being issued my boarding pass headed towards security and finally immigration to enter the "Duty Free" zone of "Dubai Terminal 2" airport. Purchased the prized "Bateel Dates" and "Camel Milk chocolates" that made a big hole in my pocket, extremely expensive in comparison to normal dates or chocolates. Ahoy ! Dubai "Terminal 2" airport Duty free section  is tiny and after my purchase walked the short distance to  "Gate F 10" to board the Emirates plane.Boarded flight "FZ-445"  at 2240 hrs which was packed to capacity and was akin to travelling in a second grade bus in India.The flight finally took off at 2330 hrs and there was no inflight entertainment  akin to travelling "Cattle Class" to borrow a phrase from Indian Politician Mr Shashi.Tharoor.Wonder who filled the "RT-PCR Suvidha Forms" for most of these passenger's ? Probably their employer's agent . Dinner was  a cheap routine chicken/rice /bread along with tea/coffee.

Back home in Mumbai a view of my "DUBAI SHOPPING" ."Bateel Dates", Camel Milk Chocolates", 2 Jack Daniels Whisky bottles and Dry Fruits."GOLDFINGER" was unhappy as there was no gold purchases from the World's Global Gold City !

Landed at Mumbai "Terminal 2" at 0415 hrs and after the normal "RT-PCR" documents checklist headed past immigration and after collecting my luggage boarded a taxi who tried to fleece me quoting Rs 1000 + , a unheard amount in Mumbai.Realizing i was a local he reduced the fare to a exorbitant Rs 750 with the excuse being it was a air conditioned car.Travel educates.Was finally home .Completion of a marathon Dubai solo travel in the time of a "Covid Pandemic" hysteria and casualties across India and the Globe.

NOTE :- All opinions expressed are my own thoughts while the research for accomplishing this travelogue is the "INTERNET" .