Dubai, the False Paradise on Earth through the Captain's viewpoint

Dubai is the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates and one of the most important centers of the world civil aviation sector. Due to its geographical location and the facilities of the airline companies available here, it is a transfer center that can provide transportation to many parts of the world, including Australia. Due to the capacity and geographical advantage of Istanbul Airport, which has been built in our country in recent years, it is a very remarkable development that this feature is coming to our country from Dubai. 

A large number of flights from our country to Dubai are carried out by our airline companies on a regular basis every day. In addition to touristic purposes, many passengers coming here for business purposes use these flights. Since Dubai is also a busy business center, passenger traffic is extremely high. 

Dubai International is located in a very large and expansive area and the terminals are connected to each other and to other facilities by rail system. Therefore, if you are arriving here with an airline other than Emirates, you can reach the passport and customs control area in about 20 minutes by using the rail system with the help of the directional signs and personnel after exiting from the bellows. After passport control, each person who enters is given a phone card for 2 GB internet usage free of charge. Free internet is available in almost all hotels and indoor areas. The same opportunity is also available in metro transportation. 

Since the air temperature is quite high in summer and winter, it is extremely difficult to walk outside especially in summer. The sandstorms that occur from time to time are another reason to prevent this. But despite the high temperatures, the humidity is extremely low. Air conditioning is always available in all indoor areas and you will witness that people usually spend their lives indoors. 

While you are here, I would not recommend you to return without a sand safari. In the relevant section of almost every hotel, there are staff who provide information and procedures on this subject. You can also do the necessary research and investigations on the internet. You can plan your plan as an activity that lasts about 6 hours for a fee of about 50 dollars per person.

Although it is stated as 6 hours, you will need to deduct 1 hour each for the outbound and return journey. Then the car that takes you there will stop in the area where there are 2-3 shops and spend about 30 minutes here for shopping. Although there is not much to buy, after the time spent here, they will take you to another park area and offer you a sand safari with motorcycles. Even if you do not prefer this activity for which an extra fee is requested, after waiting for about 30-45 minutes, you will be given a break for photo shoots close to sunset after a safari of about 20 minutes on the sand dunes with four-wheel drive jeep type vehicles. Following the completion of the photo shoots, this time there will be a waiting period of about 30 minutes for the air to be pumped into the tires of the vehicle, which were lowered before the safari, and in the meantime, shopping from the cafe here will be recommended. 

Then another 30-45 minute journey will start towards the entertainment center specified before the tour. When you enter the area at sunset time, you will be greeted by 2 camels and the relevant staff. One of the camels is highly decorated and will be offered to you for a 200 m diameter walk for an additional fee outside the tour. The other camel is quite modest and will be offered to you free of charge for a 50 m tour. After the camel tour, you will be invited to the open area for food and entertainment. When you enter here, you will be asked to make a choice by showing chairs and tables on the right side, while on the left side there are sofas spread on the floor. It will be stated that the right side is VIP and will be available for an additional fee outside the tour and your choice will be expected.

Following the completion of your seat selection, the free beverage service will start as self-service at the time deemed appropriate by the staff (although it is stated as 19:00 in the tour information), this time for the open buffet meal, VIP guests will be expected to take it first and then you will be served. By open buffet, you can imagine half a skewer of grilled Adana kebab, 2 pieces of chicken and hummus.

Meanwhile, an acrobat performing with rings in his hand will perform for around 15 minutes. Then 2 belly dancers will perform a dance show, one for VIPs and the other for normal guests, and finally a man with a fiery show will make a 10-minute presentation. After the completion of these, the return journey will start with the vehicles and the activity that starts at 15:30 in the afternoon will end at your hotel around 22:00 in the evening. I have specifically written the details of the sand safari so that you can adjust your expectations of what it really involves. But I would like to emphasize that when participating in this activity, you should definitely bring an accessory that will protect your mouth from the sand. Otherwise, you will be exposed to all the fine sand you will see in the shower in the evening as long as you stay outside.

Another place to visit in Dubai is the tallest building in the world called Burj Khalifa. It is next to the world's largest shopping mall called Dubai Mall and both can be visited together. Because of the water and light shows every 30 minutes after 18:00, you can easily find the location of the Burj Khalifa thanks to the crowds going here. You can find everything you are looking for in this really big shopping center. Due to the recent increase in currency prices, the already expensive Dubai is now waiting for you with slightly less accessible prices. It is one of the places to visit with its aquarium and other facilities. There are plenty of restaurants for all cuisines of the world both here and in many parts of Dubai.

The area called Old Dubai accepts visitors with authentic features on the coast / canal coast. However, especially during the summer season, the few people you will see outside here will definitely be tourists like us. You can choose from products such as carpets, souvenirs, etc. in shops like the Grand Bazaar shopkeepers. I think a 3-4 day period will be enough to visit this city.

I wish you a pleasant trip.