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[raniroo]

I have been offered a job in Dubai and am leaving Oz shores next week. I am planning on doing some trips around the peninsula.

Of course, I have checked out Intrepid/Imaginative Traveller/Geckos etc, but wondering if there are any other companies out there that offer similar trips to those mentioned.

I am looking forward to exploring the region. Any tips and advice would be great.

Cheers

R

[wakingdream]

Congratulations on the new job!! Must be a very exciting prospect!!

I don't have any advice to offer but hope you have a really great time

[azizam]

I have been offered a job in Dubai and am leaving Oz shores next week. I am planning on doing some trips around the peninsula.

Of course, I have checked out Intrepid/Imaginative Traveller/Geckos etc, but wondering if there are any other companies out there that offer similar trips to those mentioned.

I am looking forward to exploring the region. Any tips and advice would be great.

Cheers

R

I have just come back from Dubai, one of many trips there, fortuntly for me my B/F has family there. There are so many sights for you to see. A definate must is Wildwadi, best waterpark I've ever been. also the Carrefour shopping centre for those lttle indulgences, a trip to the emirates towers is a must and a lil slurp of shisha by the creek ata little cafe called fatafeets.

Enjoy!

[peacefrog]

I have been offered a job in Dubai and am leaving Oz shores next week. I am planning on doing some trips around the peninsula.

Of course, I have checked out Intrepid/Imaginative Traveller/Geckos etc, but wondering if there are any other companies out there that offer similar trips to those mentioned.

I am looking forward to exploring the region. Any tips and advice would be great.

Cheers

R

Hey Raniroo,

Any updates on that subject?

[nomadic]

I assume you are already well settled in Dubai....I would recommend a trip to Abu Dhabi, despite what my blog says....in fact I feel as if I owe it to the place to encourage visitors!

[peacefrog]

I assume you are already well settled in Dubai....I would recommend a trip to Abu Dhabi, despite what my blog says....in fact I feel as if I owe it to the place to encourage visitors!

Not yet actually

And I am trying to convince myself that there are things I will like in the UAE

Will definitely go to Abu Dhabi, but I'd like to know how accessible are countries like Oman and Yemen

[introducinlyric]

I have been offered a job in Dubai and am leaving Oz shores next week. I am planning on doing some trips around the peninsula.

Of course, I have checked out Intrepid/Imaginative Traveller/Geckos etc, but wondering if there are any other companies out there that offer similar trips to those mentioned.

I am looking forward to exploring the region. Any tips and advice would be great.

Cheers

R

Congratulations raniroo! a new job and a chance to travel - best of both worlds really
let us know how it goes

[nomadic]

I know not of Oman, but a good friend of mine spent several years living in Yemen learning arabic, so could ask him. I think whether you will enjoy UAE will depend on your own life experiences. I spent a lot of time in South Asia, so there are two things which don't sit very well with me about Gulf countries - 1) the lack of feeling any depth of culture or vibrancy and 2) the reliance (and often poor treatment) of workers from the Asian sub continent. Both things may not bother you at all, who knows. If you like bland ex-pat lifestyle and shopping you are in for a treat. Whether you are male or female, single, married, with kids, etc will also make a difference. As an example - personally (as a female) I find travelling in Arab countries a pleasure since I have had kids - it has bought me a lot of respect and allowed me to interact more freely with people. Let me know if you want me to explore the Yemen question for you.

[raniroo]

Thanks everybody for your tips. I am now settled in Dubai (and had a change of job already, which is for the best). As for the tour companies that offer trips....there aren't any that are budget consious, everything is private.

Dubai is very much an expat haven and sometimes I feel it lacks any culture or tradition and can be a little boring, there is only so many times you can do a Friday brunch (which is a very popular thing to do)

However, I have recently spent a wonderful 3 days in Muscat, Oman. Check out my blog for details. My hotel was nice and they recommended a great tour company call Alwan Tours. Talal, the owner, offered a dolphin tour and a day out in the 4WD to the Wadi's, at very competitive prices.

The peninsula is quite expensive and I think it comes from a number of things. Of course, oil and money that comes with that. Alot of locals travel around the peninsula. Another is the tourism structure is not there like other continents. A lengthy discussion with Talal in Muscat, informed me that as the tourism industry grows in Oman the competition will begin and hopefully bring the prices down. At the moment, the big hotesl and few tour operators have the monopoly.

I have decided to do Yemen, Jordan and Syria with Imaginative Traveller as they offer the most comprehensive tours at a good price (and the dates that I want to travel). I believe there is a lot of potential for the peninsula for the budget conscience traveller.

[starlagurl]

Good to hear you're settled in your new digs! I have heard about this expat culture in Dubai and I wonder a lot about it. What's it like? Is it all just bland and chain-stores everywhere? I'm trying to picture it...

[introducinlyric]

Checked out your blog and great to hear your settled in and by reading your travel blog u seem to be really enjoying it. was interesting reading about ramadan and how u experienced it.

[raniroo]

Well my "new life in Dubai" came close to being the end of my time in Dubai.. On the 10 April I was in a serious car accident, sustaining neck and spinal injuries. I spent 5 days in a government hospital, where my treatment was very average for lack of words....6 weeks I still have my neck brace on (hopefully coming off today!!!)...and still trying to really settle in properly. In this time I have bought a car (which I can't drive yet)...moved apartments...and settling into the new job I started just before my accident. Trying to deal with all the red tape that goes with accidents, loans and landlords has left me hitting my head against a brick wall...and that is not easy in a neck brace!. However, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.....and it comes by the way of a cold beer at the end of the day!

[starlagurl]

Good to hear your neckbrace is coming off! I hope you aren't in any pain anymore. *hug*

[nomadic]

Well my "new life in Dubai" came close to being the end of my time in Dubai.. On the 10 April I was in a serious car accident, sustaining neck and spinal injuries. I spent 5 days in a government hospital, where my treatment was very average for lack of words....6 weeks I still have my neck brace on (hopefully coming off today!!!)...and still trying to really settle in properly. In this time I have bought a car (which I can't drive yet)...moved apartments...and settling into the new job I started just before my accident. Trying to deal with all the red tape that goes with accidents, loans and landlords has left me hitting my head against a brick wall...and that is not easy in a neck brace!. However, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.....and it comes by the way of a cold beer at the end of the day!

Wow. That sounds like one hell of an experience....I hope you recover well.

[inasia2008]

Oh my! Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, poor you, I hope things work out for you soon! Best of luck!

[raniroo]

Thanks for the well wishes. I am slowly getting back on my feet. The brace came off the other day (thankfully as it is way to hot to wear it!), and although neck muscles are weak, I am moving around much better. Started driving again which is great and a little more mobile.

Starting to organise to get out and about in the Emirates and will post more stories in the relevant areas.

Cheers

[starlagurl]

Hurray. Are there exercises you have to do for a weak neck like that?

[raniroo]

Not allowed to do any exercises at all until my neck visit to the doctors next week...I never thought I would say this...but I miss exercise, in any shape or form!)

[starlagurl]

Wow... good luck and get better soon!

[starlagurl]

Who are you talking to, sconchee?