Every time I grab a new magazine, I skim through all the pages first then go back to seemingly interesting articles to read them in full. I apply the same principle whenever I board the “Big Bus Tour” in a new city that I visit – it’s really one of the most convenient ways to have a quick glimpse of the entire city in just a matter of 8 to 12 hours.
Since I am very new to Dubai and haven’t seen much yet after 6 weeks, I decided to get on to the tour one Saturday morning to finally see the major highlights that this grand city can offer.
Starting it off in the Dubai Mall station...
Side comment - Great to see some retail shops from the US present here which aren't in Asia - Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue! I wonder if they also have Neiman Marcus and Macy's here! Hahaha!
Cruising Dubai Mall...
Cruising Dubai Mall with Burj Khalifa as the background...
Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world (for now)... 
Rotana Hotel - one of the most regal here...
On the road...
Jumeirah Emirates Towers - one of the most iconic structures in the metropolis... Tower 1 is composed of corporate offices while Tower 2 is a hotel (or have I interchanged it?)...
A certain building near Emirates Towers with a pretty interesting advert...
Etisalat (telco network company) building...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Wafi: the Egyptian-inspired entertainment venue...
Bus shelter outside Creek Park
Creek side - the home of old Dubai....
Historically, it's where trade happens, now it's the venue for Arabian Dhow River Cruise...
Feels like Manila Bay 
Interesting to see how the "old" and the "new" can simply be divided by a body of water...
Interesting to see how the "old" and the "new" can simply be divided by a body of water...
Seeing more of "old" stuff...
Dubai Museum: Perfect place to have a snapshot of how everything led to "now"... Funny thing though, there's not much to see inside - it only took me 15 minutes to finish everything!
As they have started with fishing and pearl diving, these boats were considered part of the essentials!
This version is used to transport "people"...
This is interesting - "outdoor sleeping" during summer! 
Water supply in the desert...
The usual canon across all "history" museums...
Story-telling using wax models...
Spices...
Replica of a boat from the 1900s...
Replica of a boat from the 1900s...
And of course the museum ends with the retail shop... (what's new?)...
View from the other side...
So aside from the creek, there's also this wall that defines the "old" Dubai...
Old mosque...
Another heritage landmark on this side of town...
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's house, now a tourist landmark known as Heritage Village and Diving Village...
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's house, now a tourist landmark known as Heritage Village and Diving Village...
Yes, they still exist!
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's house, now a tourist landmark known as Heritage Village and Diving Village...
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's house, now a tourist landmark known as Heritage Village and Diving Village...
Yup, it's all about boats! One resto in the village using this to create that creek side ambience...
The "humble" entrance to the world famous Gold Souk...
But then when you enter, it's just so difficult for the shops to be humble in the display of merchandise...
Ginto kung ginto!
Gold! Gold! Enough said!
Gold! Gold! Enough said!
Gold! Gold! Enough said!
Some random scene while walking back to the bus...
At first, it was interesting to listen to the narration, but halfway through, it was already quite irritating as the stories are repeated over and over again!
Pinoy resto somewhere in Satwa... Will perhaps give it a try some time
Another "boat"... This time in front of the patio where UAE's flag is erected...
And this is the flag that I was talking about... Every color means something, but I totally forgot already!
On to Jumeirah Road... First highlight, the Jumeirah Mosque...
Got a li'l senti upon seeing this... Reminds me of Glorietta-1997!
The Italian-inspired Mercato Mall...
First beach to see in Dubai. Looks quite ok, but not really impressive - I've seen tons that are better.
The funny thing was that this was only how far my camera could reach... since it's prohibited to take photos on the beach itself... what's up with that?!
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Wild Wadi - one of the new water adventures in the city...
View of Burj Al Arab...
Madinat Jumeirah... again!
This time, off to the new Dubai - The Palm up to Atlantis... On the way there, saw this pristine view which I totally appreciated!
The strip of shoreline apartments. Really stunning! Should live here next year!
The Atlantis!
The grand and iconic gate...
Indoor aquarium... Didn't check it out, but I'm pretty sure it's the same indoor aquarium just like those in other parts of the world...
Water theme park of some sort... Swim with dolphins and the usual stuff...
Some unique ceiling design...
And this is the view in front of the hotel...
That concludes the almost 8-hour "Dubai Magazine" skimming... Now that I know the nice spots, I will go back to them, spend more time to get to know them ever more, this time in full!
Posted by lifedefiningpicks 
