Passport to Dubai

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of travelling to Dubai for business and it was lovely getting lost (literally) in this new culture!  I braved the intense temperatures at the end of May to discover this new city.

My first stop was a tour of the Jumeirah Mosque.  It was an opportunity to learn about daily prayer rituals and look inside the unique building.

 Unlike other religious houses, mosques do not depict any animals or people in their decoration.  This intricately decorated building featured beautiful pastel pink and blue designs and an imposing chandelier. 

Next I headed over to the Al Fahidi historical area to see the architecture and board a traditional Abra water taxi to the Spice and Gold Souks.  It was a beautiful way to see Old Dubai before stopping for a light lunch.  

Between meetings, I managed to see the Palm Jumeirah, have some lovely meals and, of course, my trip to Dubai would not be complete without a visit to the two famous shopping malls: The Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall.

The Mall of the Emirates had sun-filled open spaces and an indoor ski slope for those looking to escape the heat.

 

Not to be outdone, the Dubai Mall was so large, it was hard not to get lost!  From the unique stores and beautiful aquarium to the stunning sculptures and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, it was a truly unique place to experience.

Although it was a short trip, I managed to squeeze in the highlights of this quickly growing city.  Given the amount of construction, there is sure to be plenty more to see on the next visit!