Yesterday we were up early ready to go on our tour of Dubai and visit the gold and spice souks.We headed off and the temperature on our bus was 37 degrees at 8.30 in the morning.
To give you an idea of what the temperature was like ,when we returned to our hotel at 2 .30 the temperature was 47 degrees at the pool on the roof top of our hotel.
We headed to the Dubai Museum,which is comparatively new,and we were given 30 minutes to check it out.
One has to remember that Dubai ,as it is today is comparatively new so historical aspects are only just beginning to unfold.
Some of the people on the trip were finding the heat challenging.The heat is dry and Bernie and I found in manageable,ensuring we drank copious amounts of water.
Some people became stressed and remained in air conditioned establishments.
We have to keep in mind that this is the desert,Dubai sits in the desert.You look out of your window in the hotel to see skyscrapers sitting in the sand literally!
You can barely see them also due to the pollution but the locals will tell you that it is due to their comprehensive watering program.
They are cultivating parks and greenery around the city to beautify the environment.Every plant has a comprehensive system for watering attached to it.
All the rubbish bins have flowers painted on them .
Petrol here costs approximately 46 cents per litre and they complain about that as it is cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
We leave the Museum and head to the older part of town.We take an Abra boat across the Deira River to the Gold and Spice Souks
These are both a hive of activity,we try camel milk chocolate at the spice souk but I have no intention of bargaining for saffron or any other spice on offer.The cost is equivocal and the issues with immigration can be left alone .
The aromas are wonderful and they have Frankinsence and Mir burning all the time.
We head to the gold souk,by this stage several people are feeling quite stressed,it is very hot and there are NO TOILETS.Well to be totally immersed in gold is quite overpowering and in a word quite sickening.We find a seat and people watch .By this stage several people had had enough and were looking to return to their hotels.
We were driven back to ours but it took absolutely ages due to the incredible traffic jams.
The pool was great and we spent the afternoon there before heading back to our room to pack .
We had dinner at the pool bar and headed for bed as we had a 5 o'clock start in the morning.
Today is the start of Ramadan and this is very significant in a Muslim Country.
Ramadan a month where the faithful fast between dawn and dusk,it is also a time for reflection,spiritual renewal and peace.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,it is considered the holiest month.
Ramadan requires every mentally and physically fit Muslim,who is past the age of puberty,to fast from dawn till dusk during the month.Children,the elderly,the sick,the insane,travellers and pregnant or nursing mothers are exempt from fasting but they are required to feed at least one poor person a day during Ramadan to compensate for the fasts they have missed out on.
The word "Ramadan" is derived from the Arabic Word "Ramdaa" which means intense scorching heat and dryness.It is said that Ramadan burns away sins.
Non Muslims are informed that the following guidelines apply.
Greet Muslims with Ramadan Murbarak or Ramadan Kareem.
Do not eat or drink in public before sunset.This includes consuming anything in a car or taxi,including chewing gum.zit is a serious offence for which you can be fined.
Refrain from wearing revealing clothes throughout Ramadan.
Do not smoke in public.
Do not pressure a Muslim into ending his/ her fast.
Do not indulge in public display of affection.
Do not raise the volume on your stereo or TV during prayer times.
Do not swear in public.
This information was stated in today's Gulf News.
Food outlets and restaurants do not open until late and at our hotel food and beverages including water was not going to be served at the pool bar for the whole of the Ramadan period.
I am currently sitting on the plane completing this entry,being interrupted by spasmodic bursts of turbulence.
We arrive in Sydney at 5.00 in the morning and we head for Canberra at 7.30 am.