Learn About Parks and Museums in Dubai

Safa Park consisting of 64 acres lies south of the Jumeirah Beach Park. 10 million dirhams have been spent on its development since 1975. Lakes and waterfalls can be found in the park and there’s a ferris wheel in its small theme park as well as a rollercoaster. Arabs like children and are happy to please them, for example by building them theme parks, souk parks, playgrounds and entertainment facilities. If you take your kids to Dubai, don’t miss the children’s down on the Creek Side Park and wonderland, the largest water park of the world. It’s widely known that dhow is the name of the characteristic Arabian vessels with triangular sails. The world abra is less known, the name for water taxis in the Persian Gulf. These take us across the Cor Dubai for one dirham. Since the small diesel boats are usually overcrowded, we can rent one for a higher price, either to get across or for sightseeing. The larger sized boats used for longer trips are call baglas or --. Fishing boats are called bagaras while the ones made of palm leaves are called --. Boat trips to watch the sunset are also offered by travel agencies and can be combined with a romantic dinner on the boat. The tastes of the Arab cuisine and the lights of the city reflecting on the water will surely provide a lasting experience. The most popular food of the Arab world is kebab, also well known in the west. Falafel is different because the meat is replaced with small balls made of chickpeas. If the chance presents itself, taste the dish called fal, made of beans flavored with garlic and lemon. Couscous is also eaten in Dubai but it’s not so widespread here as in Morocco or Tunisia. Islamic people naturally don’t eat pork but instead either chicken, beef or lamb roasts on the spit. Numerous lamb preparation methods are known. They eat fresh salads and flat unleavened bread with the meats. It’s recommended for tourists to eat fresh fruits instead of the extremely sweet desserts. Dubai is a real world city today making it hard to believe that it was a fishing village not long ago. In the Dubai Museum, we can view the city before the finding of oil. The Al Fahidi Fortress built in 1799 is one of the oldest buildings in the city. This was the palace of the ruler surrounded by strong walls and the barracks of the garrison defending the city where the ruler has also been placed. The building also represents life here since 1971. We can come to know the insides of old houses, mosques, schools, workshops and bazaars, the work of pearl divers, the tricks of treating camels and the irrigation of oases. You can see old objects, furniture, instruments, weapons, boats and several thousand year old tomb findings. Naturally, there are also other museums in the city. Those attracted to the prehistoric world should see the Al Qasas excavation area 13 km from Dubai. While those interested in ethnography must visit the heritage village. Stone houses in the mountain and desert regions and Bedouin tents have been set up here just as the old wind towered buildings of Dubai. We can glance into the workshops of craftsmen and the objects made here can be bought at the local bazaar. A photo exhibition in Zayed Al Maktoum Sheikh’s 30 room house built in 1896 reminds us of the city some centuries ago. Its window overlooks the 45 small and 9 large domes of the great mosque and the 70 meter high minaret.