Dubai Tourism - Camel Racing

Although Dubai has become a modern tourist state it's culture and heritage of being a desert kingdom make camel racing one of the favorite sports in the region. A few years ago Dubai got a lot of flack from the international community over its use of child camel jockeys for their races, that practice has now been forbidden and you can enjoy a nice race on your next trip to Dubai.

This traditional sport has been renewed with much enthusiasm in recent years. Informal desert tracks, and now quite a few official ones have been assigned for this purpose - a large ten kilometer track on the Al Ain road, about forty-five kilometers from Abu Dhabi city; at Al Ain itself, at Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.

Certain slender, finely formed breeds such as the white or golden 'Anafi' and the brown or black 'Boushari' are more suitable for racing. Camel training commences at about six months and entrance for official races beginning at about three years.

Camel races are usually held every Thursday, Friday, Sunday and occasionally on Monday mornings, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe local Emiratis in harmony with their surroundings. Camel racing season begins in October until April.

Camel Racing is a truly fantastic local sport and a must see whilst in Dubai.

You will be amazed at how fast camels can run.

Lonely planet Dubai Tourist Guide

Lonely Planet Dubai One of the better guides available for tourists visiting Dubai is the Published by the famous city guide company Lonely Planet this book is authored by Carter, Terry and is available in Paperback from any book shops or you can purchase it online at bigger books by visiting the following link for a remarkably low price of $14.51 which is a saving of $4.48 over the list Price Find great tips and savings in the guide to make you trip to Dubai a memorable one.Lonely Planet Dubai

Dubai's amazing Nightlife & Clubs

The nightlife in Dubai is active, growing and noisy. Get up late so you can enjoy all the night fun this city has to offer.

First, be aware that while the climate here is hot, many clubs don’t allow flip flops or baseball caps and the like. Although flip flops are allowed in beach bars, such as Barasti. Like clubs in just about any major city, the bouncer will decide who gets in and they often do stop people at the door in “inappropriate” attire, even if it seemed appropriate outside in the 100-degree weather.

Once you do venture out to take in the club scene, here are some things to note.

Stay away from the clubs on Mondays. Most of them are not active and some closed altogether. Best nights in Dubai are Thursdays and Fridays.

Clubs in Dubai close at 3 a.m. and you must be 21 to get into one, and 21 to drink in Dubai. All clubs serve alcohol, unless it is their holy season, Ramadan (varies from month to month each year.)

You should be able to get into just about any club, even members-only clubs. They aren’t allowed to refuse admittance to anyone, but they will charge an entrance fee and it can be hefty which might deter you from trying to get in. Anything in Dubai is subject to a 10% tax, which goes to the Dubai Government, not the waiters, so extra tipping is usually advised.

Dubai a Golfer's Paradise

Dubai is becoming the one of the world’s PREMIER GOLF DESTINATIONS with excellent weather condition and Top Class facilities . In the place where it hardly rains the golf courses are welcome splash of color in the desert. There are quite a few international standard golf courses around the city:

Dubai Creek Golf Club

Located in Deira has at least 9 (PAR) course with floodlight. There is also the original Dubai Golf Academy with PGA qualified Instructors. The Club House is a shape of pillowing sails .

Dubai Country Club

Dubai Country Club was the first 9 holes course opened 1971 in Dubai . It is a sand course so there is rather “Browns instead of Greens.” Later, they opened a new 18 holes sand course in Al Awir .

The players are carrying the artificial turf with them and use it to play off when on fairways.

Jumeirah Golf Estate

The Jumeriah Golf Estate is scheduled to open in 2007 - 4 18-hole Championship Golf Courses will be built around a gated residential community, designed around elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Greg Norman has designed the Fire and Earth courses and Vijay Sing will design the Water course.

Emirates Golf Club

It has two courses: The Majlis and The Wadi (The Wadi is under re-construction at the moment). It has a club house shaped as Bedouin Tents.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

On this golf course 9 first holes are surrounded by exotic trees and players are companied by peacocks and large number of other birds. From 18 holes 5 are surrounded by salt water lakes.

Al Badia Golf Resort

The center piece of Dubai Festival City. Designed around 11 lakes and was open just recently.Limited public play.

Montgomery’s Course

Located in the Emirate Hills Residential Estate. Designed by Colin Montgomery and Donald Murhead. It has the world’s largest green area which is in shape of UAE.
As important as the shape of the green or clubhouse is also the modern technology in this sport…

Desert Course

In Arabian Ranches is the newest course and was designed by Jack Nicklaus . The Club employs the Golf Plus System that uses GPS technology to inform the player extract distance from the cart to the green .

Dubai Golf City

The world’s largest single based Golf Estate development. 5 World Class-themed signature Golf Courses will be opening 2009 in Dubai Land.

The Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is one of the most impressive malls in the world. It is not complete, but they have done a very good job of opening a good number of stores throughout, making it an amazing shopping destination. You can easily do a broad variety of shopping from food and groceries to clothes and accessories. There is a good selection of restaurants there too, including Ruby Tuesdays. The indoor ice arena is open and worth visiting, even if you just want to stop and watch the people skating on your way round.

The indoor aquarium which is part of the Dubai Mall has a viewing tunnel through the middle, a large fish tank measuring about 45 metres and home to some 33000 species. You cannot help but feel concerned that there are far too many sharks and fish in such a small area. If you just want to see the aquarium you pay 25aed per adult or 50aed if you want to visit the Discovery Centre upstairs as well. However, though first impressions of the Discovery Centre are pretty good, some nice fish in relatively large aquariums with good educational guides, further round you come to extremely small enclosures housing otters, penguins and seals.

The enclosures for the otters and seals could not be more than 12ft by 10ft housing more than 3 animals in each, which seems far too small. The mall is impressive enough without the animals, so perhaps concentrate your efforts on the other sites, shops, and attractions the mall has to offer.

Dubai Dolphinarium for Tourists

Dubai Dolphinarium is the first fully air conditioned indoor (temp 21-25c) Dolphinarium in the Middle East. It has 3 dolphins performing the show. The cost for the Dolphin & Seal show is Dhs 120/- for an adult (VIP seat) & Dhs 80/- for a child (VIP seat) and Dhs 100/- for an adult (Regular seat) & Dhs 50/- for a child (Regular seat). They also have special rates on every Friday & Monday for the 11 am show only. the price is Dhs 50/- for an adult & Dhs 30/- for a child. this is a 45 minutes show....worth watching. It's a closed auditorium (with air conditioning) and can accommodate 1,250 seats.

You can also swim with 4 dolphins. there are two types of sessions: mixed and private. In a private session you can have all the time for yourself with the dolphins. It will cost you Dhs 1,600/- for 3 people. Every extra person will be charged at Dhs 400/- only, up to 6 people. Mixed sessions take a maximum of 6 people to swim with 4 dolphins . You will be charged Dhs 400/- per person for a mixed session, which lasts for 40 minutes (10 minutes training session, 10 minutes to change and the other 20 minutes with the dolphins).

Dubai Government Departments

Here is a list of the government departments contact numbers for your reference.

Department	Tel
Civil Aviation Department	2066333
Courts Department	3347777
Department Of Economic Development	2229922
Department of Naturalization & Residency	3139999
Development Board	2288866
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority	2995555
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority	3244444
Dubai Government Workshop	3342999
Dubai Internet City	3998888
Dubai Muncipality	2215555
Dubai Police	2292222
Dubai Ports Authority	3451545
Dubai Ship Docking Yard	3341217
Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing	2230000
Endowments & Islamic Affairs Dept	2663535
Finance Department	3531076
Federal National Council	2824531
General Information Authority	2821565
General Postal Authority	3371500
General Secretariat of UAE Muncipalities	2237785
Health & Medical Services	3370031
Heritage & History Committee	2227498
HH The Ruler's Affairs & Petroleum Affairs	3531060
Institute Of Administration	2821575
Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority	8815000
Jebel Ali Free Zone Administration	8813000
Lands Department	2222253
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries	2958161
Ministry of Communications	2953330
Ministry of Defence	3532330
Ministry of Economy & Commerce	2954000
Ministry of Education	2994100
Ministry of Electricity & Water	2626262
Ministry of Finance & Industry	3532323
Ministry of Foreign Affairs	2221144
Ministry of Health	3348000
Ministry of Information & Culture	2615500
Ministry of Islamic Affairs & Endowments	2691220
Ministry of Justice	2825999
Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs	2691666
Ministry of Public Works & Housing	2693900
Ministry of Youth & Sports	2691680
Ports & Customs Dept	3459575
Prime Minister's Office	3451900
Protocol Dept	3531086
Public Prosecutor	3346666
Real Estate Dept	3461444
State Audit Institution	2286000
UAE Radio & Television Dubai	3369999

Important Telephone Numbers

As a tourist in Dubai, you might face some difficulties so I have compiled a list of important numbers that you might need in Dubai. In case of emergency you can contact the following numbers, hope the list is useful.

Emergency Services
Police	999
Fire Department	997
Ambulance	999
Electricity	991
Water	991

Hospital Emergency Numbers
Al Maktoum Hospital	228-4584
Al Wasl Hospital	324-1111
American Hospital	309-6645
Dubai Hospital	271-4444
Kuwait Hospital	707-8206
Rashid Hospital	337-1323
Welcare Hospital	282-9900

Lost Credit Cards
Citibank	800-4000
Commercial Bank of Dubai	800-4474
Emirates Bank International	800-4080
National Bank of Dubai	800-4767 / 223-3166
American Express	336-5000
Diner's Club	349-8200
Mastercard International	332-2956
Visa	223-6888

Airports/Flight Enquiry
Dubai International Airport	224-5555
Flight Enquiry	04-2166666

Radio Taxi
Cars Taxi	800-4825
Dubai Taxi	208-0808
Golden taxi	336-5444
Gulf Radio Taxi	223-6666
Internite Taxi	272-8299
National Taxi	336-6611
Metre Rate Day Rate: Dhs 3 plus Dhs 1.17 per km Night Rate: Dhs 3.50 plus Dhs 1.70 per km Airport Rate: Dhs 16 plus .50 fils per 500 metres

Operator Services
Directory Enquiry	181
Telephone Assistance	100
Mobile Tel. Enquiries	101
Call Booking & Enquiry	151
Fault Reporting	171

Great Savings in Dubai-The Entertainer Voucher Books

For Great Savings whether you are visiting Dubai or are a resident there, you must look into the greatly sought after voucher books by the Entertainer, These books are very popular with visitors and residents because they provide 2 for 1 vouchers, (sometimes more than 1 voucher per book for certain things) for restaurants, cafes, attractions and activities in Dubai. It also contains other offers like a free desert with a main course etc.

There are 4 books

The main Entertainer book

This is of use to holidaymakers who intend to visit a few attractions and eat meals out, especially if you have children. You will find vouchers for ice cream parlours, coffee shops, bistros in the malls etc

The Fine Dining entertainer book

This book is good for holidaymakers who want to sample some of Dubai's excellent restaurants and will usually be a 2 for 1 voucher and/or a free bottle of wine with your meal

The Kids Entertainer book

In my opinion this book is of most use for families who live in Dubai as many of the vouchers are for things like karate lessons or regular kids things, where you would only get the full benefit if you live there BUT depending on what you and your kids want to do in Dubai it may pay to buy the book.

The Body Entertainer book

Again perhaps of more use to the resident spa junkie or for you if you intend to spend a lot of time in spas on your holiday

They have a web site, see this link

theentertainerme.com/TheBooks/…TEDubai.html

You can buy the book in any bookstore and in many supermarkets OR you can go on line before you go to Dubai, order the book on line and have it delivered to your hotel for collection when you arrive.

The price of each book is clearly stated on the web site.

You can also sign up on the web site for monthly offers and just check in to see what's available to print off for free from the website just before you go.

Please be advised that whilst we recommend the book we are not connected to it commercially. This information is put here to help you plan and also to help you to save money on your visit to Dubai.

Dubai During Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th and the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and observers of Ramadan fast from sunrise to sunset during this time.It takes place at a different time each year.No one can be specific about exactly when it will start because it depends when the moon sighting committee spot the first phase of the new moon.They announce the start of Ramadan from sunrise the following day, public announcements are made in all media and by the Imam from the Mosques.

It is a very special time in Dubai and people should respect the local customs during this time. They should also enjoy one of the fabulous Iftar (breaking of the fast) buffets that are held in the early evening.

During this time Eating, drinking and smoking are strictly forbidden in public places from sunrise to sunset except for designated areas - designated areas will include inside your hotel, around the pool and at the private beaches

Nowhere is permitted to serve alcoholic beverages during day light hours. However, they will be available at all normal hotel bars after sunset.

There will be no live music or entertainment during the Ramadan period. Bars will be open as above but there will be no live music.

Shopping hours may differ as many stores change their opening hours - often staying open later in the evening - during Ramadan. When visiting any shopping malls or other tourist attractions, please ensure that you respect the local culture. It is against the law to eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in all public places during daylight hours and appropriate clothing must be worn.

Appropriate clothing means no shoulders, cleavage, middles, and thighs on show when outside the hotels.

The day Ramadan finishes is celebrated as Eid-ul-Fitr day.