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Dubai Travel Photos: futuristic space alien city! Famous skyscrapers, skyline, Arabian spice souk.

Dubai sign, bridge, uae travel

Decisions, decisions. Shall I head towards Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Don’t worry: my travel filmmakers and I went to both Middle Eastern cities, and will be sharing the footage with you soon.

I’ve been fascinated by Dubai for a long time. The Arabian emirate (one of the seven making up the UAE) is like a Jetsons space-age city rising out of the desert. The city is oil-rich, and invests in ritzy building projects to keep tourism and finances flowing.

Dubai tall buildings, skyscrapers

What’s emerged from the sand? A city of the future, with skyscrapers straight out of a science fiction novel. Everywhere we went, we saw more mega-towers under construction.

Dubai metro, subway station, alien city

The Dubai Metro stations resemble gold alien pods, and the subway stops have names like “Internet City” and “Business Bay.”

architecture Dubai, hotels

There’s a feeling of possibility in Dubai; the sense that anything you imagine — a peninsula shaped like a map of the world, a mall that resembles an Egyptian pyramid — can be brought to life. I can’t thank Fairmont The Palm Jumeirah hotel enough for hosting us here.

Cat tshirt and leopard print skirt: Banana Fish, from Closet Child Tokyo
White rabbit clock bag: Amavel, from Shinjuku Lumine

arabian sand, beaches, sunset

Not all of Dubai is high-tech and touristy. You can relax on the beach, or drive about an hour out to experience the sand dunes. (Think Lawrence of Arabia.) Some tourists try “dune bashing,” or speeding up and down the mounds in a thrilling car ride.

arab market, souk, travel tv filming

My crew wanted to capture Dubai’s traditional side, so we rode the green metro line to Al Ras station, and walked a few blocks to the spice and gold souk (market).

Above: Japanese kawaii is everywhere! While we were filming, the store owner came out and demanded five dirhams (about $1.50) for the privilege.

united arab emirates, gold souk, marketplace

Travel filmmakers Eric Bergemann and Melissa Rundle were enthralled by the marketplace lights and action. When I saw the shop sign for “Nirmals,” I couldn’t help but think of Garfield sending Nermal to Abu Dhabi. (Apparently, there are lots of stray cats in the United Arab Emirates…)

arabian jewelry, gold necklaces

Shop windows glittered with gold jewelry. At every step, local vendors called out to us: “Sir, would you like to buy a gold watch?”

middle eastern spices, spice market dubai

The spice souk is one of the least touristy parts of the city. In other areas, such as Dubai Marina, you feel like you’re in Times Square.

middle east eyeliner, kohl liner

One of the vendors spoke to me in excellent Japanese! I was intrigued by the black kohl eyeliner, herbal teas, and bizarre remedies for sale (like a yellow rub for eczema).

exotic spice market, souk spices sale

The spelling may be off, but the spice selection is spot on. On the shelves, you can see shisha (or hookah): a traditional waterpipe for smoking flavored tobacco.

arab checkered headscarf, keffiyeh, arabian men scarf

What’s the dress code for Dubai? The city’s cosmopolitan, and there’s no need to wear a headscarf. However, it’s a good idea to dress on the conservative side (cover your arms and legs), especially in traditional neighborhoods.

This mannequin is wrapped in a keffiyeh, or headscarf worn by Arab men. The colors and meanings vary; you can read more about male headscarves in this Wiki article.

herb market, spices market

I wish our photos could convey the scents and energy of the Arabian market!

Coming up next: we dive into the modern side of Dubai, with photos inside our Fairmont hotel (located on Palm Island), the Burj Al Arab, and one of the world’s largest malls.

Dubai marina, boat cruise ride, boat show

Doesn’t Dubai remind you of an alien city? Do you have questions about traveling here? Leave me a comment, and I’ll try to help you out.

SHARE & COMMENT

37 Comments

  1. MelissaR
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 4:43 am | Permalink

    Great article once again! And I love the Garfield Abu Dhabi song! ;)

  2. Tom
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 7:53 am | Permalink

    Love the buildings!

  3. SS Gold
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 7:54 am | Permalink

    OMG SQUEEEE! I so MUST visit!

  4. Lemonade
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 7:54 am | Permalink

    yum & fun

  5. Rasha
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 11:46 am | Permalink

    There’s a certain type of Kohl that cleanses the eyes– it removes the yellowness from the scelera. : ^ ; It’s amazing.

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:18 am | Permalink

      that’s amazing! have you tried it, does it work? never heard of.

  6. allie
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 3:06 pm | Permalink

    <3

  7. nells
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 3:11 pm | Permalink

    so cool

  8. Pippa
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 3:11 pm | Permalink

    ohmygod crazy stuff!

  9. brenda bear
    Posted June 4, 2013 at 3:39 pm | Permalink

    Cute outfit! Love, Brenda

  10. Anna
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 1:43 am | Permalink

    awesome city, especially at night
    nicetrip

  11. Nicoletta Jada
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 2:50 am | Permalink

    I loved your article! Makes me want to go to Dubai even more than I already did! Thank you!

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:19 am | Permalink

      aww I’m so glad to hear! it’s an eye-opening place, I hope you will visit.

  12. Avery
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:14 am | Permalink

    Careful. Cover up.

  13. Savanna
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:14 am | Permalink

    Be careful of the virus out there!

    • Rashed
      Posted October 26, 2013 at 3:39 am | Permalink

      What virus

  14. Miryam
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:15 am | Permalink

    Awesome

  15. Didymus
    Posted June 5, 2013 at 9:15 am | Permalink

    Love the photos and it looks like a really amazing place!

  16. natalie
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 2:00 am | Permalink

    Beautiful photography.

  17. Christel
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    What a great blog on your visit to Dubai! I always thought that someday I’d like to go there, and your peek into the city only reaffirms that. Plus, gorgeous photos! Can’t wait for more on your trip.

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 10, 2013 at 9:48 pm | Permalink

      Yes you must visit, I would go back in a heartbeat!! More pics very soon.

  18. Erica
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    Gorgeous photos! I wanna go there so badly!

  19. Eric F
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    I totally LOVE your hair gurl!

  20. Nel
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    Go to dubai….thats a great city<3 ^^

  21. Deidra
    Posted June 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    Must be nice to be you

  22. Minecraft Games
    Posted June 15, 2013 at 4:02 am | Permalink

    wow wow, very nice. Thank your photos, I think I will come dubai once

  23. Rodori
    Posted September 15, 2013 at 10:00 am | Permalink

    If you say that you should cover your arms and legs in Dubai, why are you wearing a t-shirt and a short skirt?

    • lacarmina
      Posted September 16, 2013 at 2:03 am | Permalink

      Hi! I mean that when you visit certain traditional areas and mosques, you should cover up. However, at hotels , tourist attractions and malls like these places I am visiting in this post, there is no need to cover up. Later I’ll do a post about a mosque in Abu Dhabi, where I wear a traditional black robe :)

  24. Sh.Akeem
    Posted February 28, 2022 at 9:34 am | Permalink

    This is such an amazing article I really appreciate your great efforts. I would like to share an amazing platform or an agency where everyone can buy packages for Dubai Tourism that are pocket friendly.

  25. Aneena
    Posted October 6, 2023 at 1:38 pm | Permalink

    Wow! I really liked you article and after seeing these images I feel like visiting Dubai. Hope I can visit Dubai someday.

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