Dubai Old Town
Friends chatting in Old Dubai
Exploring Old Dubai
Old Dubai Guest House
Our first impressions of Dubai were somewhat lukewarm but things are changing as we are back for a second visit. As expected we just had to dig a bit deeper. First of all, we used the excellent metro system and headed for the older part of Dubai where our accommodation, Ahmedia Heritage Guest House, was located.
Di has done a marvelous job in finding this gem. It is an old heritage home converted to a guest house and it oozes charm and character.
Ahmedia Heritage Guest House in Old Dubai
A quick turnaround after check-in and we were on our feet for a few hours exploring the Gold Souk, Fish Market, and the Women's Museum. Around 7 pm we were starving and settled on a Somalian restaurant near our guest house. They didn’t have a menu but our server pulled a guy out from the kitchen who knew a bit of English.
The choice was fish, beef, or chicken. A leap of faith and we ordered the beef and fish. It quickly dawned on us that we were the center of attention. A couple of guys asked where we were from and a few words and smiles were exchanged.
The patrons were all Somalian men and the discussions and talk over dinner was lively and engaging. The food was excellent and set us back under $20.00 including a tip. A great dining experience for sure.
Dinner at a Somalian restaurant in Old Dubai
Blogging From My iPhone
For the techies out there I should mention that today's post is done from my iPhone. We have left our laptop at Andrew's while we visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi for four days.
The RAW files from my Fujifilm X-T1 have been processed in-camera and converted to JPEGs which then are transferred via wifi to my iPhone for further editing. This is a workflow I can perform while traveling light.
Dubai Fish Market
As a child growing near the North Sea in small-town Lemvig, Denmark, I never paid much attention to the fish market. As an adult, I wish I could go back there and take in the atmosphere. Listen and observe as trade happens right before your eyes.
Dubai Fish Market
Yesterday as we entered the biggest and most vibrant fish market I have ever seen these thoughts came to mind. For a short stint, Di and I worked in a fish factory in 1987 and as we got closer to the market we were met by a familiar smell. Back home they used to say it was the smell of money.
Baniyas Road Docks
You enter a different world as you walk along Baniyas Road in Dubai. My great grandfather owned several schooners in the early nineteen hundreds and I often wondered what they were shipping and what the scene would look like back then. Baniyas Road in Dubai may be a bit of a hint.
My great grandfather’s schooner, Matilde, docked in the harbour of Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
The vessels here look as if they have weathered many storms on the Arabian Gulf. The docks were lined with electronics, air conditioners, and washing machines bound for Iran. We spoke with several guys who worked hard stocking the boats. They were all friendly to share information with the limited English they had to offer.
The freight is loaded onto the boats on the docks of the Baniyas Road docks in Old Dubai
Travel Photography From Old Dubai
5050 Travelog Destinations
All Travel Destinations
Europe
Southeast Asia
Middle East
Canada and USA
New Zealand
The photos in this article are made using a Fujifilm X-T1. Lenses: XF 14mm f/2.8 R - XF 23mm f/1.4 R - XF 35mm f/2 R WR - XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done with Lightroom and I have made use of Fujifilm’s film simulations in some of the photos.
