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| comment | | "parent_author":"",<br>"parent_permlink":"uae",<br>"author":"brownietravels",<br>"permlink":"retro-united-arab-emirates",<br>"title":"Retro: United Arab Emirates",<br>"body":"This was our first trip in the UAE and one we're unlikely to forget. Of all the places in the middle east,<br> this one seemed like the safest for the time being and sort of the easiest to get to as well. And non-stop flights always help,<br> especially when you have some Emirates Airlines credit luckily lying around from a previously canceled trip for south-central Asia.\n\nThe route there from the west coast of the US is quite interesting.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZdjE6f17DrdmTDPP4M3rHGPqNkb5HTmn7TGGCzQaPtkg\/image.png)\n\nBut the Dubai airport. is. baller.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmQA8JAHHtUtGY8pywA2Hr2u9zndXMwtkNgMMHLoZzw75V\/image.png)\n\nI'm pretty sure I saw people selling gold by the ounce and block there. Rich af. But the first thing that was great before I caught a cab to my hotel in the city was the ATMs. They are not friendly with American cards. I can't wait until more stores start accepting Bitcoin and other crypto so we don't have to keep using this broken and painful global banking system. \"Cash is king,<br> except you have to exchange it,<br> carry it and hope it doesn't deflate\".. but I digress.\n\nIt happened to be the anniversary of the country,<br> or some kind of national holiday there. So many murals and signs and art creations with their leaders all over the city.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmfDLqybg6MeLZmRBt1Ddr9htjrpLrf5kWW2wxjkYSrLwK\/image.png)\n\nWalking around the \"old\" part of town was nice.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmRtssxuYRfqZ9ByGC1mfyjBR3RkZNP8qctdwHKFAATxdt\/image.png)\n\nMuseum there was legit too,<br> although hard to enjoy with the 100 Chinese tourists vying with everyone else for resources (such as space to move around). But I didn't really have time to schedule around such things. I got there pretty early even and had to wait for them to open to get in. Stopped by a grocery store to pick up some local snacks,<br> lots of products from Oman. I heard it's also a nice country to visit and very close to UAE.\n\nStreet signs were in Arabic which was refreshing. You can see the Burj floating around in the background.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmchFyy5VVeDX8xwf7pdqQWPJJYYrgyEToG3EaZupwPr1M\/image.png)\n\nWandering around town gives you views into every day life in Dubai. For example,<br> we can see what the ground is made of there at this construction site.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmU5hCZ5ChQAweCbRnhHa9WPSFvd1KpSZdt69vxZgmKgw1\/image.png)\n\nBut there are also beaches on the Gulf.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmbz52RV1TKixpAfm6tFCWAaEeoaqs8xXBRVWJF4V21Wab\/image.png)\n\nAnd garden\/art like things.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaPZa9ffqCrpBCykqL6vRK9Mh5dmhDM6vta226S9qEHkv\/image.png)\n\nOf course architecture there was top notch (you ain't seen nothing yet).\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdfKRaKyEqaURpmHsaPN1mHrCjANmqn6WEG8zy3jLHnCP\/image.png)\n\nWendy's localization!\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaPFhuNwWEApbp3B5s1NMGCnoHskjRF6Z655dLeaA9dJK\/image.png)\n\nNo better silver lining for jet lag than waking up in time to see sunrise.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaqCA7mGUETMYHpJwHonWZMuqgRqVb6d661ZJbSCweyZf\/image.png)\n\nStreet corner by the pier. Took quite a few winding walks through these streets.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmRGPqdE7mmUSuaM2MRYXQ6JoCpVfJRXE38bGLz7QtWChP\/image.png)\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmeoqmi4AbCrzhUFRHhWmbMyLf8VZWhbGsRU5DcAA2Z65U\/image.png)\n\nMore national holiday murals.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZ2teB2dzLubWGTQ9cATijBip7416sZb1GSaFxw3DJqsN\/image.png)\n\nUh oh,<br> time for lunch. What's for lunch,<br> you ask?\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmWAdaspmmneFn3RCNa2UUqb1JPC2vZHBYQAgNXAcLGgYj\/image.png)\n\nOne house camel burger,<br> please.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNbUxzGd8NXFr4XgEwdRS9EFXxLh7Qu6sESvNJCKy7Pov\/image.png)\n\nCombine that with some Turkish coffee. Both were quite tasty,<br> the camel being cooked well yet tender.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVU8oWJh2tsdzZCL5wbiUE9Rykm2SwPu9gEyAMt8pPAPE\/image.png)\n\nGolden buildings are a thing here.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUhg55oPJs2YRSb7PT7tQ6bbfbtaCEr5VQFUrFGs9PiY7\/image.png)\n\nThe next day or so,<br> we went to the Dubai Mall,<br> which is the largest mall in the world. But before you go inside,<br> there are some rules...\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZHEXvdCk9uDchABjbGYCSzchGbvLFhbLY32H7yfmvZ9o\/image.png)\n\nHad our pick of various fast food places in the food court.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVqF8CfG79ivUvVPZauv2KyafWdGd3cpAsLKnmCeduMnp\/image.png)\n\nCan't really give you a good picture of just how big it was,<br> but believe me,<br> it was huge. From some \"entrances\" you'd walk 15-20 minutes and use moving sidewalks to make your way to the front.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmWRFYPW9QnoaaxrkAbwNwYcK9erv2wHXohQqxPADZUgt6\/image.png)\n\nIt was a maze trying to get it from the outside if you were just walking. Definitely not \"walk to the mall\" friendly,<br> cabs are king.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdCvmiQk3fR2pAunNe9iMwWXThXTChRnScnn1ekGhNexK\/image.png)\n\nAnd then there was the Burj Khalifa. Tallest building in the world and possibly the coolest looking one as well. Like a rocket.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmabgxmPMUxSuaopvhTek4bQQUY8TE5LT5jkbbukk8vi7C\/image.png)\n\nAlright,<br> we'll come back to Dubai,<br> but we took a couple day trip to Abu Dhabi. One day in the city,<br> not a lot to see. But the other day and night in the desert,<br> which was probably the highlight of the trip.\n\nDUNE BUGGYS!\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZfnXNDLg79FT1NMuwhDmHQN7ji6kR7pzwgaKkn1JVmz6\/image.png)\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYTsivMAi7D6hxSjjCmguStLfZhWJXnfpfmsymrAn7PSs\/image.png)\n\nAnd that was just on the ATV thrill ride spectrum. Then,<br> we got in an SUV (equipped with roll bars) and journed over to a camel farm in the middle of the desert.\n\nDUNE BASHING!\n\nAnd drank some fresh camel milk. Salty. Warm. No thanks to that second cup offer.\n\nBread was good though.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdcW7MLx1MgKuFfWbHKrHLbCGRSLzz1N4jvLGnUFbhKAd\/image.png)\n\nCamels were super fun.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmQxNGb8TJ5np74YmfRybb4LpMwZ3eHXySxWC2m3sv2xn4\/image.png)\n\nSun's going down at the desert retreat,<br> let's go have dinner and enjoy the song and dance.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNPUzHA5LNMRx2HFSn4f5r66nPcX7fUhvY4NZ24bjBteJ\/image.png)\n\nAnd again,<br> sleep and wake up early for that unbeatable desert sunrise. Hazy and dew on the sandy ground. Lovely.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYtzV69VpHZ4PSmQZCfUmZTbrcZZvS5xRT7c4mFHH7cKP\/image.png)\n\nA lot of sand in the desert. A lot. Mostly sand.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUyJCicAGD4aBDEA2PP3zycCZv2EPqDWay6aY8WcBWExW\/image.png)\n\nTime to leave the desert and return back to civilization. Highly recommend the desert safari and retreat though,<br> worth every penny.\n\nNo visit to Abu Dhabi is complete without spending some time at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my life. Jaw dropping in the sunshine.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmSGM9VTsSLBBQdkhLBwT8uTTyiVFfdVSB5b37jdowRYYC\/image.png)\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmXDEG3pnvmNA2JgQdgr18mBENMJZSdNpg4nxAdwSFZUbq\/image.png)\n\nThe photos of the inside do not even do it justice.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVyUfgJeD92m7jysnFpVR9swN2uvUHT3fUNR654ECFGh9\/image.png)\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmeZZMqXrJVbYM5k7uwZfVYTCaDHAXHPsBhf5CbMoPSUrq\/image.png)\n\nAnd a walk around at night was quite fun.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUtLkWWzTtQ3aondZ2rEVQN2x9QFDsHt8g4C6Br6BvRYQ\/image.png)\n\nLasers flying out of buildings.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmcfajFwzVsvoF3JspJhqfEiqvsQaiRRtdNoP4HjHAJ5cZ\/image.png)\n\nAnd one more stop before we take the cab ride (~1hr,<br> ~$100 negotiable one-way I think) back to Dubai.\n\nWorld's fastest roller coaster. It was legit.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYkm8SssmvQ86YdDVW1uuUPhEPgLJZLfYRMVk4sZVM6eZ\/image.png)\n\nOk,<br> now let's go to the top of the Burj. Surreal.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNiB2a7RGi7TfS4VKgi5245Sus3JPdTHyMWdyaC2uDdWg\/image.png)\n\nSuch a connected city.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmT7tddfeFBPrHy988fmZFb6WiFVoJLNGotmKL1eDxafrq\/image.png)\n\nLooking down made you feel that high. 160 stories.\n\n![ (https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmPKsyumBiEPXJEpa45WWhEHZEztVvpjqQ3e7jZ7PxXMZi\/image.png)\n\nAnd that's going to do it for the UAE. Incredible place to visit,<br> so much to see and do and learn.",<br>"json_metadata":" \"tags\":[\"uae\",<br>\"dubai\",<br>\"abudhabi\",<br>\"desert\",<br>\"mideast\" ,<br>\"image\":[\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZdjE6f17DrdmTDPP4M3rHGPqNkb5HTmn7TGGCzQaPtkg\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmQA8JAHHtUtGY8pywA2Hr2u9zndXMwtkNgMMHLoZzw75V\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmfDLqybg6MeLZmRBt1Ddr9htjrpLrf5kWW2wxjkYSrLwK\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmRtssxuYRfqZ9ByGC1mfyjBR3RkZNP8qctdwHKFAATxdt\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmchFyy5VVeDX8xwf7pdqQWPJJYYrgyEToG3EaZupwPr1M\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmU5hCZ5ChQAweCbRnhHa9WPSFvd1KpSZdt69vxZgmKgw1\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmbz52RV1TKixpAfm6tFCWAaEeoaqs8xXBRVWJF4V21Wab\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaPZa9ffqCrpBCykqL6vRK9Mh5dmhDM6vta226S9qEHkv\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdfKRaKyEqaURpmHsaPN1mHrCjANmqn6WEG8zy3jLHnCP\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaPFhuNwWEApbp3B5s1NMGCnoHskjRF6Z655dLeaA9dJK\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmaqCA7mGUETMYHpJwHonWZMuqgRqVb6d661ZJbSCweyZf\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmRGPqdE7mmUSuaM2MRYXQ6JoCpVfJRXE38bGLz7QtWChP\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmeoqmi4AbCrzhUFRHhWmbMyLf8VZWhbGsRU5DcAA2Z65U\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZ2teB2dzLubWGTQ9cATijBip7416sZb1GSaFxw3DJqsN\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmWAdaspmmneFn3RCNa2UUqb1JPC2vZHBYQAgNXAcLGgYj\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNbUxzGd8NXFr4XgEwdRS9EFXxLh7Qu6sESvNJCKy7Pov\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVU8oWJh2tsdzZCL5wbiUE9Rykm2SwPu9gEyAMt8pPAPE\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUhg55oPJs2YRSb7PT7tQ6bbfbtaCEr5VQFUrFGs9PiY7\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZHEXvdCk9uDchABjbGYCSzchGbvLFhbLY32H7yfmvZ9o\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVqF8CfG79ivUvVPZauv2KyafWdGd3cpAsLKnmCeduMnp\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmWRFYPW9QnoaaxrkAbwNwYcK9erv2wHXohQqxPADZUgt6\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdCvmiQk3fR2pAunNe9iMwWXThXTChRnScnn1ekGhNexK\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmabgxmPMUxSuaopvhTek4bQQUY8TE5LT5jkbbukk8vi7C\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmZfnXNDLg79FT1NMuwhDmHQN7ji6kR7pzwgaKkn1JVmz6\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYTsivMAi7D6hxSjjCmguStLfZhWJXnfpfmsymrAn7PSs\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmdcW7MLx1MgKuFfWbHKrHLbCGRSLzz1N4jvLGnUFbhKAd\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmQxNGb8TJ5np74YmfRybb4LpMwZ3eHXySxWC2m3sv2xn4\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNPUzHA5LNMRx2HFSn4f5r66nPcX7fUhvY4NZ24bjBteJ\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYtzV69VpHZ4PSmQZCfUmZTbrcZZvS5xRT7c4mFHH7cKP\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUyJCicAGD4aBDEA2PP3zycCZv2EPqDWay6aY8WcBWExW\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmSGM9VTsSLBBQdkhLBwT8uTTyiVFfdVSB5b37jdowRYYC\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmXDEG3pnvmNA2JgQdgr18mBENMJZSdNpg4nxAdwSFZUbq\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmVyUfgJeD92m7jysnFpVR9swN2uvUHT3fUNR654ECFGh9\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmeZZMqXrJVbYM5k7uwZfVYTCaDHAXHPsBhf5CbMoPSUrq\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmUtLkWWzTtQ3aondZ2rEVQN2x9QFDsHt8g4C6Br6BvRYQ\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmcfajFwzVsvoF3JspJhqfEiqvsQaiRRtdNoP4HjHAJ5cZ\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmYkm8SssmvQ86YdDVW1uuUPhEPgLJZLfYRMVk4sZVM6eZ\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNiB2a7RGi7TfS4VKgi5245Sus3JPdTHyMWdyaC2uDdWg\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmT7tddfeFBPrHy988fmZFb6WiFVoJLNGotmKL1eDxafrq\/image.png\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmPKsyumBiEPXJEpa45WWhEHZEztVvpjqQ3e7jZ7PxXMZi\/image.png\" ,<br>\"app\":\"steemit\/0.1\",<br>\"format\":\"markdown\" " |
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