Facebook Poll: We Want Dubai

In our recent Facebook Poll, we asked women if they could go any place in the world, domestic or internationally, where would they go? Surprisingly, 25% of women said, “Dubai.” Hmmm, we thought but it sparked our interest in doing some research of our own about this mysterious yet beautiful city.

Like any foreign country, it’s recommended that you do a little research about the culture, weather, best time to travel, water and laws. Doing so will prevent you from having a trip for hell.

Here’s what we found out:
Local Facts & Figures
Dubai, is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the South West corner of the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai has a total area of approximately 2,428 sq miles. The seven independent emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. They came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year 1971. While Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE, Dubai is unquestionably the commercial, leisure, shopping and sporting capital of the Gulf.

The Ruling Families
The ruler and president of the UAE is His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the eldest son of the hugely popular Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who died in 2004.

The ruler of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed is also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Language
Arabic is the national language of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, but English is often used in business. Hindi, Urdu and Farsi are also widely spoken. Dubai now has a population made up of more than 70 nationalities.

Economy
The UAE is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, with a GDP of US $54 billion (2000), and has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world. While oil and gas production form its foundation, Dubai is increasingly broadening its economic activity to include: real estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing.

Customs
Visitors of Dubai and United Arab Emirates may import 2,000 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2 kgs of tobacco and 150g of perfume. Only Non-Muslims can import 2 litres of spirits or 2 bottles of wine.

Currency
The currency is the Emirati Dirham which is linked to the US Dollar. The Dirham is commonly referred to as either AED or DHS when shown in written forms as on price tags or menus.

There are 100 fils to one Dirham and coins issued are 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils and one dirham. Notes are issued in denominations of Dhs 5, Dhs 10, Dhs 20, Dhs 50, Dhs 100, Dhs 200, Dhs 500 and Dhs 1,000.

Always try to have a selection of smaller notes available for cheaper items as it’s not always easy trying to get change for a 500 or 1,000 dirham note.

Banking and Money Exchange
Exchanging cash or travellers cheques is relatively easy in Dubai; however individual banks operate during different hours. The main banks opening hours are either 8am to 1pm or as in the case of HSBC, 8am to 3pm, Saturday to Thursday; all banks are closed on Friday.

Personal cheques are not widely used in the UAE so please don’t expect retail outlets to accept a cheque even when presented with a personal cheque guarantee card.

Clothing
It is usual to wear a suit and tie when conducting business in Dubai. Otherwise dress is generally informal, although ladies should avoid wearing low-cut dresses or shorts in public places out of respect for local religion and customs. Regular swimwear is acceptable around hotel pools and on beaches.

Shopping and Business Hours
Shopping and business hours have tended to vary considerably in Dubai , however this changed with effect from 1 st September 2006 when the whole of the government sector, including schools, changed their weekend from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday. The major supermarkets such as Spinneys, Choithrams, Safestway, and the Union Co-Op open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

If you are staying in self catering accommodation you cannot fail to be impressed with the range of goods and produce on offer at very reasonable prices in local supermarkets. There are counters especially reserved for pork products and it is fair to say that there is not much in the way of produce that cannot be obtained in Dubai .

The butchers and fishmongers within the main supermarkets are always extremely helpful and will prepare your meat to your liking and gut and fillet fish as per your request.

Public and government sector working days are from 7:30am to 3pm. Privatised companies tend to work from 9am to 5pm. All the major shopping malls are open from 10am until 10pm. Most shops operating outside the main shopping malls are open from 9am until 1pm and from 4pm until 9pm.

Money exchanges are prevalent in Dubai and they will often give a similar, if not better, exchange rate than banks. Money exchanges are open from 10am until 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and 5pm until 10pm on Friday; some money exchanges close between 1pm and 4:30pm.

There are numerous Automatic Teller Machines which are linked to all European countries and cash may be withdrawn as normal via Link or credit cards.

Tipping
With regard to tipping, generally most restaurants seem to include a 15% service charge. However if this is not the case, normally 10% is about the correct amount, but is not obligatory.

Taxi drivers usually expect a tip and for an average trip it would be expected to round the tip up to the nearest 5 or 10 dirham note, again tipping is not obligatory. Please make sure that you have some smaller notes in your possession for taxi fares.

Electricity
Electricity services in Dubai are excellent and power cuts in the electrical supply are rare. Normal three-pin 13 amp British-style plugs are used operating on 220/240 volts. If you need to purchase an adaptor, all supermarkets and most hotels will sell these and other useful items.

Water
Water is processed through huge desalination plants and is perfectly safe to drink. Having said that it doesn’t taste particularly pleasant and most residents tend to drink either bottled water or have a water cooling machine installed. If you are on a self-catering holiday there is absolutely no problem in using tap water for cooking purposes.

Chilled bottled water is sold at supermarkets, shops and petrol stations and is very cheap at about Dhs 1 for a litre bottle and is to be recommended if you are unsure of whether or not to drink directly from the tap. Beware of hotel prices for bottled water, especially when the bottle is suddenly put on the table during lunch or dinner- the price may be heavily marked up.

Alcohol
Alcohol is widely available at many bars, restaurants, hotels, sports and leisure clubs normally where the licence is held by a hotel. Alternatively, there are also many restaurants which are not licensed, so if you are out of your hotel, and in doubt, it may be wise to check with the waiter before ordering your meal.
You cannot purchase alcohol from any supermarket or off-licence unless you have an alcohol licence. This facility is strictly regulated and is open to non-muslim residents only who have been issued with a alcohol licence by the police department. It is against the law to walk in the street drinking alcohol or to be drunk in a public place.

Drinking and driving is also against the law, which literally means that you are not allowed to drive with any quantity of alcohol in your system. If you are caught drinking and driving you could face a prison sentence. Always bear in mind if you have been drinking the night before and intend driving early the next day. If you are in any doubt take a taxi.

Drugs
Dubai has a very strict policy of zero drugs tolerance. By European standards, penalties and sentences are extremely harsh for possession of the slightest amount of an illegal substance and the death penalty, although rarely imposed, is still available to the courts in cases of importation of any form of illegal drug into the country.

Emergency Services
Police: 999
Fire: 997
Ambulance: 998

Local time
The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT during winter months and 3 hours ahead during daylight saving in the summer months.

For flights and more information, use www.farecompare.com.

Special Thanks for our friends at www.vacationindubai.com