Short stop in Dubai on our way to Bangkok for a few days
Mar 10th, 2014, 09:26 AM
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Short stop in Dubai on our way to Bangkok for a few days
Last Fall I read a notice that said that Emirates Airways was adding several new cities to it’s American service, among them Boston. I registered on their site to begin receiving emails from them… Around Christmas one of these emails contained the announcement that Boston to Dubai and beyond service would commence on March 10, 2014. As Karen and I have long wanted to visit Dubai, probably as a stopover on our way to India or Thailand, I checked out prices being offered. They were offering an introductory offer of $891. (all in) to Dubai, and just a couple hundred more to continue on to Thailand. We talked about it that night over dinner and decided to book a 10 day trip commencing on March 11. We would enjoy 5 nights in Dubai and 5 nights in Bangkok.
Hotels are very expensive in Dubai. I of course began with a Marriott search of availability. They have several hotels as well as serviced apartments in Dubai. The Dubai Marriott Al Jaddaf caught my eye as it was slated to open in January. I booked 5 nights for 100,000 points (50,000 less than the other Marriotts). Now I just had to keep my fingers crossed that it would open on time---it did about 2 weeks late.
Bangkok was a cinch as we would return to the Anantara Riverside as we often do---already we have 9 nights scheduled there for October. We have planned a very simple stay for Bangkok—lots of pool time.
The Trip Advisor reviews have all been favorable on the Al Jaddaf thus far, so I am pleased with that. We will be anxious to see the progress at the Anantara on it’s new sister hotel and mini mall replacing the former underground garage and mall out front. Last fall it was a dirt lot that they had begun to dig in.
We have booked a 2 day hop-on, hop-off bus tour for Dubai for about $70 each. We plan to see the highlights that way and then return to specific places we may want to see more closely, like the spice and gold souks and probably the Dubai malls, one with it’s indoor snow ski trail.
I remembered also that our driver, Anoop, from our first India trip, now lives in Dubai, so I have contacted him and we have scheduled to spend Saturday together. He also insists on picking us up at the airport when we arrive, which is very nice. It will be fun to experience Dubai from the eyes of an ex-pat from another country.
Our flight on the 11th is at 2315 and we arrive in Dubai at 1930 on the 12th. We will leave my car at the Boston airport in the Thrifty lot while we are gone as this is such a short trip. The planes they use are Boeing 777 (Bos to D), the same one as is now being searched for in the Bay of Thailand. Just like the 747, it has 4 rows of two seats at the rear and we will be seated there with a big gap between the window seat and the window. The flight to Dubai is 12 hrs and 15 min and next Monday’s flight to Bangkok is another 5 hours and 50 min.
Updates will probably be made when we return as I am not taking my computer this time, although I may
Hotels are very expensive in Dubai. I of course began with a Marriott search of availability. They have several hotels as well as serviced apartments in Dubai. The Dubai Marriott Al Jaddaf caught my eye as it was slated to open in January. I booked 5 nights for 100,000 points (50,000 less than the other Marriotts). Now I just had to keep my fingers crossed that it would open on time---it did about 2 weeks late.
Bangkok was a cinch as we would return to the Anantara Riverside as we often do---already we have 9 nights scheduled there for October. We have planned a very simple stay for Bangkok—lots of pool time.
The Trip Advisor reviews have all been favorable on the Al Jaddaf thus far, so I am pleased with that. We will be anxious to see the progress at the Anantara on it’s new sister hotel and mini mall replacing the former underground garage and mall out front. Last fall it was a dirt lot that they had begun to dig in.
We have booked a 2 day hop-on, hop-off bus tour for Dubai for about $70 each. We plan to see the highlights that way and then return to specific places we may want to see more closely, like the spice and gold souks and probably the Dubai malls, one with it’s indoor snow ski trail.
I remembered also that our driver, Anoop, from our first India trip, now lives in Dubai, so I have contacted him and we have scheduled to spend Saturday together. He also insists on picking us up at the airport when we arrive, which is very nice. It will be fun to experience Dubai from the eyes of an ex-pat from another country.
Our flight on the 11th is at 2315 and we arrive in Dubai at 1930 on the 12th. We will leave my car at the Boston airport in the Thrifty lot while we are gone as this is such a short trip. The planes they use are Boeing 777 (Bos to D), the same one as is now being searched for in the Bay of Thailand. Just like the 747, it has 4 rows of two seats at the rear and we will be seated there with a big gap between the window seat and the window. The flight to Dubai is 12 hrs and 15 min and next Monday’s flight to Bangkok is another 5 hours and 50 min.
Updates will probably be made when we return as I am not taking my computer this time, although I may
Mar 10th, 2014, 02:38 PM
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Warm greetings rhkkmk (Bob) and congratulations on forthcoming journey to Dubai and beloved Bangkok. (Came across this opening post of yours during brief research for my next Dubai business trip in ~ six weeks.)
Concerning Dubai, my profile page review of Emirates Towers only hints at the joy and efficiency experienced during that particular business trip. Enjoy.
Concerning Bangkok, one of your occasional dining favourites, the Four Seasons, was as fine as ever for lodging and meetings not too many weeks back. You should be in for another fine BKK time.
Savour your last-minute planning. As always, should you ever desire lodging, dining (and even aviation) recommendations for our fine home of Singapore, honoured to assist. Best morning wishes to you and all from 'on the road' in Hong Kong,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Concerning Dubai, my profile page review of Emirates Towers only hints at the joy and efficiency experienced during that particular business trip. Enjoy.
Concerning Bangkok, one of your occasional dining favourites, the Four Seasons, was as fine as ever for lodging and meetings not too many weeks back. You should be in for another fine BKK time.
Savour your last-minute planning. As always, should you ever desire lodging, dining (and even aviation) recommendations for our fine home of Singapore, honoured to assist. Best morning wishes to you and all from 'on the road' in Hong Kong,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Mar 10th, 2014, 11:49 PM
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hey bob,
just a heads up on the Marriott Al Jaddaf - while its new and offers great service and prices, it has virtually nothing around it. not many cabbies still know of it so just be wary of your transportation to the hotel at all times.
do try and do the desert safari / dhow cruise / heritage village and the souqs.
since you have time, a visit to the grand mosque in abu dhabi would be worth the drive. a private taxi with driver to and return would cost you roughly 500 - 600 AED.
have a great holiday.
just a heads up on the Marriott Al Jaddaf - while its new and offers great service and prices, it has virtually nothing around it. not many cabbies still know of it so just be wary of your transportation to the hotel at all times.
do try and do the desert safari / dhow cruise / heritage village and the souqs.
since you have time, a visit to the grand mosque in abu dhabi would be worth the drive. a private taxi with driver to and return would cost you roughly 500 - 600 AED.
have a great holiday.
Mar 12th, 2014, 10:41 AM
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We arrived right on time to 88 F at 7:30 PM.
Yes the hotel is still isolated so I expect we will have some transportation issue... Our former Delhi driver, Anoop, now lives here and will be driving us some.
The hotel is very serviceable... Our room on the 5th floor is nice with a good distant city view. We have club privileges.
Yes the hotel is still isolated so I expect we will have some transportation issue... Our former Delhi driver, Anoop, now lives here and will be driving us some.
The hotel is very serviceable... Our room on the 5th floor is nice with a good distant city view. We have club privileges.
Mar 13th, 2014, 09:16 AM
#6
Bob, don't miss the Al Fahidi Historical district ( formerly called Bastakiya) ..it has old wind tower buildings, narrow lanes and a real flavor of how Dubai once was. It now houses art galleries and chic cafés ( CVA cafe is lovely ...try the mint lemonade) and is a very interesting place..they have a cultural centre that is open to tourists and talks are given about Emirati culture and practices . The Sikka Art fair takes place in this neighborhood...16 th to 25 th march...a great time to visit.
