We were to meet friends at the beach near Burj Al Arab on Saturday morning. We reached the beach at 7:30 am. But coming from inside an airconditioned car, it already felt hot outside, a confirmation that summer is here to start.

The stretch of the beach was a bit clear with less beach goers although with occasional bus loads of tourists dropping by to take photos of the iconic seven star hotel, Burj Al Arab.

We did not have plans of letting Riane swim apart from expecting her to walk along the beach side to collect sea shells, hence she came in a dress.



But as they went nearer the beach, it was low tide and there was a long stretch of shallow water. She started wading in. Kalel, meanwhile was too eager and swam towards the farthest side he was allowed to go.

Along Hatta - Oman road in between the Dubai borders. The gravel plain, and the carpet and clay figurine shops. (Photo taken with the phone camera)

It was a family date on Valentine's Day -- on a usual activity of desert camping, dune driving with friends, then another short road trip.

Temperature indicated 14 deg Celsius past 11pm on Thursday night as we drove into the camp site, so we decided to sleep in the car than putting up the tent. (Usually, the mercury drops further at around 3am.) My Gremlins were already asleep before we even reached camp so their Gremlin Dad and I had our time sitting and sharing stories instead of chasing them.

Hatta is a popular destination among UAE residents who crave for the sight of mountains and natural water pools. The community, along with the dam is located in Dubai's territory, however the pools are found within Oman.

At the height of summer, it's a welcome sight to see water flowing through. Also, it was not humid (even when Dubai was) making it fine exploring the place further. Its the rock formations that were most amazing and one can just imagine it would have taken millions of years before it evolved to what it is now.

It was a hazy morning when we reached there and photos are not as good as when having blue skies.

For our Dubai- Hatta-Ash Shuwayhah itinerary,  please do check here.

The most prominent pools nearest to the falaj

Big boulders

Interesting irregular rock crevices with water flowing at its base.

Another interesting long rock formation

You know you went to the right place (Hatta Pools) if you park your car along the falaj (water management system)

It's a long gravel road drive to reach Hatta Pools after the tarmac.

An abandoned huge house in Dubai Hatta before the border.

The UAE-Oman border demarcation fence heading to Hatta Pools

Along the road to Ray after Wadi Khamis

It was almost 5pm when we reached Hatta last weekend. We left Deira mid afternoon for fear of driving under the scorching midday sun. But by 5pm I declined to drive further, the thought of leaving the mountains under the moon light scared me. The sky was hazy and that would obscure the bright night light, I thought).

The most over-used structure of Dubai in my Gremlin's sketches, youtube and maps.google.com browsing is the Atlantis hotel. Then he asks, 'why is there a hole in the middle'? Imagine his excitement when he actually roamed around inside, slowing down only after  getting tired from swimming. 

At day, Atlantis at The Palm

Atlantis is at the heart of The Palm Jumeirah which counts itself as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. 
Its website lists 12 things to do in Atlantis, of which we only covered 3 (Aquaventure, beaches and pools, and Lost Chambers) items in 1.5 days, but we still left happy and tired. The other 9 mostly requires additional time and pay, so we pretty much need to save for them yet :)

At sundown taken from the beach, Atlantis at The Palm

We cap our weekend breaks at AED 300 (subjective, ye?), and to spend (promotional rate of) AED 1200 for one night room stay, this was how we made the most of it:

1) Guests get complementary access to Aquaventure. Undiscounted non-staying guests pay AED 200 for adults and AED 165 for kids. (We still have our 2011 Entertainer buy-one-get-one-free vouchers, let me know if you need them). First afternoon up to sunset was spent there. And the second afternoon to sunset as well -- before we checked out the next morning, we went to Aquaventure guests counter and had our wrists strapped,allowing us entry to Aquaventure and the pools even after check out.

2) On the two nights after sunset, we lounged at the Royal Pool. During this time (Ramadan), pool has extended until 12 midnight. We were among the last guests to leave on the first night.  And on a gremly note,  this is the first time the Gremlin swam (jumps to the water and swims 4-5 meters) without floating support (btw, he used to be scared of swimming knowing the high depths).

3) We only have buffet breakfast for two as complementary and we chose to have it at the Kaleidoscope. The Gremlin at five years old should be paying half but we asked if he can be complementary as well, which the staff generously allowed us to. 

4) We revisited The Lost Chambers after breakfast. I am happy with my new photo set while the Husband shows the Gremlin around.

5) For dinner on our first night, we drove to nearly The Walk at JBR for a KFC take-out. The next day's lunch was spent home after the checkout. Since it's Ramadan anyway, eating out is not allowed. By 4pm, entry straps on our wrists, we were back at Aquaventure until sunset and continued at the Royal Pool for the night.

Taken from the Royal Pool - Atlantis The Palm, Dubai at Night

The dome. This was a replacement, the first one went into flames some days  before the  resorts maiden opening

The Royal Pool

The lobby

Do click each of the links below for more photos:

1) Atlantis, the hotel
2) Aquaventure
3) Lost Chambers

Dubai boasts the Dubai Mall Aquarium as one of the world's largest/ best aquariums. It houses 33,000 living animals. Yet, there's also Lost Chambers in Atlantis at The Palm that's home to 65,000 marine animals. Lost Chambers ranks 58th in Lonely Planet's 468 list  of things to do in Dubai. 

A cylindrical fish tank welcomes visitors at the entrance of Lost Chambers

What adds making this place interesting is the backdrop itself, set in the 'mysterious ruins of Atlantis, lost for thousands of years deep beneath the sea'. The dimly lighted alleys and halls and their spooky props sometimes attract attention more than the fishes until one comes near the glass panels.

The sun shines 365 days a year here in the sandpit, and heats the outdoors to more than 40 deg Celsius half of that time.

At this time, the waterparks are the most welcoming. Of all of UAE's waterparks we've visited, we prefer Wild Wadi the best. (Followed by Aquaventure at Atlantis, Dreamland, and last would be Iceland)

We had twice visited Wild Wadi and here are some photos from our first visit. That was when the Burj Surj and Tantrum Ali was still under construction.

We like Wild Wadi because the compact area has many rides ranging from relaxing to daring. I like most the Master Blasters because I need only to cue once and just lazily cling to the rubber ring for a roller coaster ride managed by the water jets.

Burj Al Arab: Peeping through symmetrically. I love this pix!

The Dubai Creek that divides the the city's Deira and Bur Dubai areas has a long stretch that tells much of the Emirate's beginnings. There's history and culture to see from the oldest building that is the Al Fahidi Fort which houses the Dubai Museum, to the Heritage Village and the Bastakiya. All these are found on the Bur Dubai side.

Deira Twin Towers across the Creek

Situated near Dubai Museum in an inconspicuous alley is a Shiva temple. It wasnt easy to find it, it just happened that the Indian woman was graceful to show us through.

This unassuming path leads to the Shiva temple by the creek in Bur Dubai

We found our way through further narrow alleys until we reached the a three level house, where we had to leave our shoes and walk up the stairs barefeet. On the second level we found mostly men with headscarves squatted on the floor with their food. We continued to the stairs on the left and up to the main worship temple. Everyone's head, children exempted, needs to be covered before entering. But since we didnt have anything to cover ours , we had to use the common/ shared scarves available before the door. 

By the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek lies lines of inexpensive places to visit. From the abra station, the Heritage Village, the Bastakiya, even the Hindu temples, and add to it the Dubai Museum. 

Al Fahidi Fort houses Dubai's main museum. It's the oldest building still existing in Dubai

Beyond Dubai's posh city image is a long list of places and activities available for the savings conscious. Below is my own list along with some approximate fees:

It's another lazy weekend at home for us since the air outside offers free sauna at uncomfy 42 deg Celsius. So here I am with my 5th post for the month -- photos!

Early morning drizzle at Clock Tower, Deira Dubai in January. I am wishing it rains if that would give us respite from the scorching summer heat in the desert now.

More than anything, the thought of these blue skies relaxed me. It meant, cooler weather  is around the corner =)


Dubai's beaches are well regulated. Police cars/ beach patrols are always visible. Rules abound - no cameras, no alcohol, no animals, no "horniness" (have you came across the jailed Brit couple for allegedly doing s_x on the beach?). Look for the full list on the boards in case you need a guide which to avoid =)

By open beaches, it simply meant for me no green landscapes, no entrance fees, no barbeque/ grilling.

Beach parks (Jumeirah and Al Mamzar) meanwhile charge some AED 5 per person on entrance fees. And that's for access to among others -- kids playground; picnic areas, barbeque sites, volleyball or even basketball courts.

Dubai's weather at this time makes the best for beaches since it's not too hot to burn the skin, nor cold to make one sick =)

I wonder how is the beach season on other places now?

Do check here some of the photos I took tonight.



Kalel's Lola Mommy seems to wonder why the dhow cruise boats are just docked on the other side.



I always recall Michael Palin's Dubai stop in his Around the World in 80 days whenever I see these cargo boats.

These carry everything from juices to cars finding their way out of the gulf

I wonder how I can withstand sailing in these for weeks

These crew signaled me to capture a photo of them

This li'l guy knows Atlantis so well he said: "I dont want to ride the car to Atlantis, can we ride the boat to go there?"

We'll be riding the water taxi and abra (small passenger boat) in the weekend, do come back for the creekside daytime photos =)

Jumeirah open beach, 6pm, 30-Apr-10

• Fee is AED100/ adult and AED75/ child above three years for advance bookings.
• Otherwise, fee is AED400 for immediate admission
• Tickets are sold at the lower ground level of Dubai Mall
• Check their website http://www.atthetop.ae/ for other details
• People and bags are scanned at the entrance (just like at airports).
• They take your picture at the entrance to sell to you later. (I forgot, sort of AED60-100) in your exit
• Food is not allowed inside
• Bring chewing gum during the elevator ride
• There is no maximum time to stay at the top
• We were there for a good two hours
• No food is sold up there so be sure not to get hungry in the next two hours which could force you to leave earlier
• Photographers are available for somewhat AED 150/ two photos (I cant exactly remember, but that expensive so dont forget your camera.)