Where are the jingle bells?
Number of posts in a row: 3
Number of posts total: 3
Second full day today in Dubai and we are off to the biggest waterpark in Dubai. Today, is the 25th December and if you have been under a rock your whole life, you might not know the significance of today. In the Christian world, today is Christmas Day. So, Merry Christmas to you all back in the UK and worldwide, hope you’re all having a great day. In Dubai, Sunday is a working day and today is no different. The UAE is a Islamic country therefore only some offices were closed in the financial districts, localstold us.
Feeling a bit worse for wear after the night before, we set out on what seemed like a mission to get to the waterpark- The Atlantis Aquaventure Park. We are staying at City Centre Deira which seemed like a million miles away from Atlantis. The Atlantis Hotel and Aquapark is located on the Palm, which is made of reclaimed land, the result of Dutch engineering.
Unlike yesterday where we took the hop-off hop-on bus, today we decided to take the metro, why not? It was very clean and sterile much like the most of Dubai actually. There was an amazing feature on the metro, an ingenious design. There is a carriage on the metro which segregates women and children only. The metro clearly states that if a man is found in that section he will be fined 100 AED (£22 approx). Quite oustanding. Even more so because for about three stops, I was sitting it that secluded section. Women in Dubai are almost worshipped, they drive taxis here, they have their own carriage. Unlike much of the Middle East, women are paving a way to fruitful success, which is very refreshing to see and experience.
On the way to the Palm we continued and we changed metro at the 36th stop to catch the tram. Very modern and clean once again, slightly unnerving it must be said. Then we caught a taxi from the tram station to Atlantis. During the taxi ride, the northern Pakistani-originated taxi driver informed us that the city is run on fines for crimes. This drummed up a thought.
Dubai is a money-orientated phenomenon, so instead of prosecutions through jail time, mild crimes are punishable by extreme fines. Essentially, everyone keeps their order. Due to this, there really is no culture. No spit on the floor, no chewing gum wedged between the seats on public transport. Nothing. There must be a sense of fear of breaking the law instilled within the people here. Which is good of course. But it does feel more like a dictatorship than a free state.
Finally, we arrived at the waterpark. It was amazing. Probably about 11 rides that we went on in a 5 hour stretch (with repeats). I had a sumptuous strawberry milkshake which I can still taste now. All was perfect for a Christmas Day that normally back in the UK is boring and menial (we don’t celebrate Christmas).
On the way to back to the hotel, we stopped at the Burj Khalifa again, this time during the night. Spectacular I tell you. The Dubai Fountain had an exhilarating 4-minute water show which brought all of Dubai to its feet.
I couldn’t wait to see my bed when we eventually got back but what a day! The best Christmas day for a long time! Tomorrow is our last day in Dubai. Hoping to play golf at the local Creek Club and then catching a flight from Dubai International Airport to Karachi just after 6pm local time.
Till then
I’m out
DN