Here we are, I've landed in Dubai and enjoyed my first day :) Arrived around 8am local time after a good flight. Virgin do treat you well although dinner and then breakfast 3 hours later isn't something I've done before! Got the metro to my flat which was really simple and easy. The trains and terminals are so clean!
When I arrived at the flat, I had a bit of time to look around the local streets and get a feel for the place. Carrying a huge rucksack meant I got some looks off the locals! Stuck out really bad haha! The are I am staying isn't the glitzy, glamorous Dubai but more working class and rustic. Weather was as expected really, nice and warm but not boiling :)
The first things I noticed are that men love to spit here. I have no idea why but nearly every man I saw this morning decided to gob on the floor.. Interesting.. Also, KFC's clearly aren't the same. They were advertising chicken in a bun with mash potato and gravy.. Again, interesting! The streets near my flat are lined with shop upon shop of knock off technology shops... Most having fake apple/htc logo's. Definitely not legit!
Got into accommodation which is basic but all that is needed, and then slept for a few hours (got none on the plane). Then thought I would venture into the Dubai city centre I came for. I stopped at the impressive world trade centre and the financial district which had some extremely huge buildings..I then walked quite a way to the Burj tower as I could see it (impossible not to!) All these places were completely different to where I was staying. This was the wealthy part of Dubai.
When I got to the front of the Burj I was seriously confused to where all the tourists were! After trying to get round the other side of it and being blocked off because it was for hotel guests only, I finally found a route round the corner and bam! It was packed.. The mini water fountain at the front drifts into an infinity lake which then forms a huge lake at the back of the Burj surrounded by shops, restaurants and a lot of people taking pictures! I did my fair share and then popped into the Dubai Mall next door. OH MY GOD! Every shop in the world must be in this place! Even Hamley's! It is enormous, I got lost several times! Went to the top floor and had a TGI fridays (45 minute waiting time for outside table, but not when it's just the one person eating haa! Also, just £10 for a starter, main meal and a drink!!). The view was stunning. The picture below doesn't even do it justice.. Whilst I was eating, they did the warm up to the fire and water show they perform every night. Then at 8pm they did the real thing which was incredible!
