miss b loves........ Dubai, old and new

The contrast between old and new Dubai is something which has always fascinated and attracted me to this unique city. The traditional souks with their inexpensive wares and the extravagant malls selling high-end luxury branded goods..... the  windtowers and the futuristic skyscrapers.....the Creek and Dubai Marina ...the old wooden abras and the millionaires' yachts......the courtyard cafés and the stylish restaurants in the most beautiful hotels.

So.... let's start with the old.....

Dubai's souks are definitely worth a visit to experience the bustling atmosphere and the traditional way of doing business. The spice souk has a unique aroma with every kind of spice...there's frankinsense and myrhh.......

The souks are on both sides of the Creek and you can cross in less than ten minutes in one of the wooden abras for a ridiculously cheap 50 fils (about ten pence!)

Traditionally, dhows from the Far East,India and Ceylon(now Sri Lanka)and East Africa would have their cargo unloaded at the creek and the goods would be haggled over in the souks next to the dock. Dubai's pearling industry which used to be the main sector of the city's economy was based on expeditions in the creek before the invention of artificial pearls in 1926. 

One of my favourite places in Dubai is the Bastakia Quarter, a picturesque heritage site built by Persian merchants in the late 19th century. Many of the restored buildings have windtowers, an early but efficient form of air conditioning.

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It's such a calm and peaceful area with art galleries and traditional cafés......Local House, XVA and the serene Basta Art Café for a refreshing mint lemonade..........

Basta Art Café

and now to new Dubai and our first stop is Dubai Marina...............

I continue to be amazed by the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world....just breathtaking!

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Views from the observation deck.........

The iconic Burj al Arab Hotel designed to mimic the billowing  sail of a boat remains for me the symbol of Dubai and I can never resist taking yet another photo of this beautiful structure by day.......

and by night when it changes colour from green to blue to yellow.....red to purple........

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel has been built in the shape of a breaking wave............... 

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Madinat Jumeirah Resort is a recreation of Old Arabia with meandering waterways, two grand boutique hotels, courtyard summer houses, a souk and numerous shops, restaurants and bars.

Dubai Metro

One of the latest futuristic buildings I spotted during my last visit, in April, was Infinity Tower with its twisted shape giving the upper floors amazing sea views. When completed, it will be the world's tallest high rise tower with a twist of 90°.

Of course no trip to Dubai would be complete without shopping both old style .......for traditional arabic lamps.........

to new ultra-modern shopping malls with every conceivable international shop.......from high street favourites Zara, M&S, Sephora.... to all the designer brands Armani, Chanel, Mulberry........and department stores including Harvey Nichols, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdales (complete with a Magnolia Bakery!)

Chocolate shops with the most
amazing displays

So many cafés but I just have to mention a couple of favourites.....Fauchon 

....Armani Caffè....

...Ladurée, of course.......

and I mustn't forget to mention  my favourite local café which deserved its own post here - Chocolat Chic!


The restaurants are so varied with every type of cuisine from the legendary Ravi's

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to famous London eateries including The Ivy......

The The Jetty Lounge at the The One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel  is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail on the beach in very chic surroundings ..... 

From the jetty, a boat takes diners to the 101 Restaurant and Bar at the sister hotel on The Palm - a very romantic night out and definitely one of my favourites!

Giant lanterns at the
 One and Only Hotel,
The Palm 

Watch the Dubai Tourism 2012 video if you would like to see more........

miss b's reviews of more Dubai restaurants, cafés and bars......

The Ivy

Alfie's

Voda Bar

Chocolat Chic
Shakespeare and Co
Hey Sugar (formerly Sugar Daddy's)