Day 3, December 25: Christmas Day Touring Dubai

This is the morning of Christmas Day! Neither of us slept well last night. I felt as though I had not slept at all. Between adjusting to time zone changes and taking a nap yesterday, we were not particularly sleepy when we went to bed last night. At any rate, we began the "official" group tour today. After breakfast, we met our Dubai guide, Marshall, and the other travelers whom we were joining.

Patrise trying on an outfit at the end of our morning shopping in the souq districts.

Beginning the day with basic lessons in Emirati culture from our guide, Marshall.

The summary of this day would be a morning tour to "new Dubai", a midmorning and afternoon tour to "old Dubai", the Al Shindighwa District, visits to the spice souq and gold souq, then returning to the hotel for lunch. After a 5-hour rest, we would resume touring by doing a night cruise and dinner on Dubai Creek. That is the essence of the whole day, but let me share some pictures and some anecdotes about the day.

We went to the Palm Jumeirah Island, as a representation of the "new Dubai". This island was literally constructed of sand reclaimed from the ocean and it is built in the shape of a palm tree with its many fronds. The pictures below are (1) an aerial view of it as it was being constructed and (2) a map showing where it is relative to mainland Dubai, along with another development, the Palm Deira.

Needless to say, this are the most expensive real estate in Dubai, making one of the most expensive real estate developments in the world.

The Palm Jumeirah or Jebel Ali, the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world, a branch of the Louve Museum, the tallest indoor ski slope: all of these and several other aspects of Dubai point to one central thesis. The central principle of Dubai is to exist as a superlative statement of human existence. The tallest buildings, the most artistic structures, the most expensive real estate, the toniest shopping districts, the almost zero crime, the cleanliness of the public spaces: it is all about being the best and most desirable place on earth. Or at least that is the intent. Not everyone would agree that biggest, most expensive, or most chic would make for a great place to live. Nevertheless, it is without a doubt, one of the most iconic, most distinctive places on earth to visit. That's our take, on this place, and we're sticking to it.

So enough said. Here are many pictures from today's tour of new and old Dubai.

Top Row: Hotel in the shape of a sail, a hotel in the shape of a cruise ship, a picture of the two.

Center Row: Portions of the Dubai skyline left and center, a second Atlantis hotel on the right.

Bottom Row: The Atlantis hotel, left and center, standing in front of the great sea wall which holds the island together.

Here are some pictures from our afternoon trip to the Al Shindaga District in Dubai's center. Followed by pictures of the spice and gold souqs -- lots of merchants hawking their wares and pressing you to purchase their various goods. They are very proactive and assertive. We bought a lot of items as souvenirs, which I will not disclose in order to maintain some surprises for folks back at home. However, here are photos of the rest of the day's visits and shopping.

Enough for now. It is after 12am and I need to get to bed for tomorrow's tours to the Sharjah, where we will visit the Miracle Garden, the Butterfly Garden, and more. I will have to complete the December 25 entry tomorrow as well, because there is much to show about the dinner cruise up and down Dubai Creek.