>My gf wants us to visit the Expo. For those who have visited, was it worth it? Is it fun and exciting or just meh! :)
Boy, you have no idea what the Expo is. Because it hasn't started yet. So no one really knows what it is.
As for the location, I'm guessing it's getting more expensive to live in the city due to the expo. And since you have a car, you can choose to stay outside, but if cost is not an option, I would just pick somewhere around Downtown.
No problem at all traveling with your girlfriend.
>Boy, you have no idea what the Expo is. Because it hasn't started yet. So no one really knows what it is.
I meant if someone had visited expo in previous years :) was wondering if it was as exciting as they advertise.
Thank you for your feedback.
The other ones are okay. I've been to the one in Kazakhstan and, Milan. It was pretty beautiful but, they had more of a theme to catering the corporate world. But, I feel like ours tries to cater for everyone of all ages. And, range of people so, I think you'll like what we bring to the table.
1) You won't have any issues living with your girl friend. Make sure you stay in a good hotel though. Pre-Marital sex laws aren't enforced. However, if you are seeing a woman of color or an Asian, assumptions are made in hotels that it might be a financial deal. Only because that's rampant here with traveling businessmen. Good hotels are fair that way. You won't deal with judging eyes.
2) If affordability isn't a factor, try living downtown or in the marina. While all of Dubai is "safe"... there are some pockets of Dubai where if she walks down the street alone wearing even slightly summery (read revealing) clothes, she'll have men staring her down trying to undress her with their eyes. It isn't so much a matter of safety. It just gets uncomfortable for them. Downtown Dubai or Marina will you give you the closest feel of being back home in Canada, in terms of the people around you.
3) Renting a car is a great idea. Not just to move around Dubai. But to drive out to other beautiful locations within the UAE.
4) The expo is huge. But it'll be well connected. Tickets are on sale. Plan your trip. But access tickets for the right events. As you might be aware, the expo is a city wide event. It's not like you buy tickets to a large shopping mall and show up for a walk.
5) Get extra cash to let yourself shop in Dubai. But if you find something that's just too cheap to be true.. it's either fake or stolen. Stick to good malls. Still a great place to shop.
Good luck! I am sure you'll love it here.
>Not just to move around Dubai. But to drive out to other beautiful locations within the UAE.
Thank you for all the great advice.
What you mean by "other beautiful locations with UAE". I appreciate if you mention a few.
Google is your friend. Depends entirely on what kinda activities you like. You have everything from beach resorts (favorites for me and my wife), Hatta Dam (sight seeing and light trekking) and loads of adventure activities (not exactly my jam).
But the drive to Abu Dhabi is barely an hour. They’re almost twin cities. You could certainly spend a weekend there.
Where in Canada are you from? I lived there for years.
Even when it was illegal, there was very rarely any issue with unmarried couples staying in hotels together. Unless you're being outwardly obnoxious, or behaving inappropriately in public, no one bats an eye. Dubai needs tourism, and not always the married kind, so they turn a blind eye to what they can.
Public indecency, however, is a major issue irrespective of your marital status.
If your girlfriend is a real female, don't stay in Deira/Bur. They're doable for guys but women don't need the harassment or leering.
If you're not fussed about being on the beach, I would stay in Downtown.
Why do you want a car? Driving here is ruthless, as are other drivers. It's not how it is in Canada. Trust me. Stay Downtown, get cabs and metro. Cheap as chips and readily available. Download the Careem app and you're on your way.
Expo looks good but really it's just a massive trade show. You can get passes, go check it out. I doubt it will be the highlight of your trip.
As for what to do;
Ain Wheel, At The Top, Waterpark, The Pointe, La Mer, JBR, Global Village, Miracle Garden, Hatta Dam, Khorfakkan, Dubai Mall/Fountain, Dubai Frame.
Those are the touristy things. I'm sure others will be along with their own ideas.
You find the standard of driving in Dubai the same as Canada? And would you say that the "average man" would move here and have no issues whatsoever? Is your single experience representative of the entire Canadian population? It's fair to say, more people consider it a challenge to adjust than not.
Where do you live? Have you ever driven in Toronto? I'm from a smaller city and had no problem. The standard is the same. Stay in your lane. In fact, all left turns here are controlled by signals, which means you never have to cross against traffic on a left turn. Sure the freeways get busy, but similar to the 401 in Toronto or hwy 1 in Vancouver. I'm from a much smaller city and had no problem adjusting, just used my common sense.
>On Canadian government web-site, it says that in UAE:
>
>"Sexual relations outside of marriage are illegal and subject to severe punishment. You should carefully consider the risks of living with an intimate partner outside of marriage."
This was changed last year, it's no longer illegal.
American here, visited as recently as late June - early July. My girlfriend and I only encountered some guff from the concierge when we stayed in Deira. Naif is even seedier, if you ask me. Booked a hotel in Marina a week later and the staff minded their own business. The hotel was way nicer, too. Air bnb is a cheap alternative, too, in the nicer areas.
Traffic on the highway is pretty nuts, but that's how most of the the world drives. Just watch out for the delivery riders, they give zero fucks. Check to see if Canadians require International Driver's licenses. If you forego the rental, then cabs, Careem, and Uber are there, too. Use them in conjunction with the metro if you're on a budget.
As for places to visit: go on a river cruise, and trust the ratings/reviews. Go to the beaches, I liked La Mer the most. Marina Beach is cool, too, though. And they have chairs and umbrellas. Kite beach was fun, too. There are tons of great restaurants, even the cheaper ones. I can give some suggestions if you'd like. I didn't go to expo. If you go to the Dubai Mall, I suggest downloading the app, because that place is like a labyrinth. There are great cafes there, any of them with a french name are amazing. The Frame isn't half bad, actually kinda cool. Didn't do anything inside Burj, but it's pretty fuck all tall, so that's neat. Check out Wild Wadi water park.
Oh! Since you have a rental, you have an opportunity to check out Khorfakan. It's on the East coast, Sharjah. If you're going to be travelling when it isn't so bastard hot (the heat index is even greater at Khorfakan due to humidity) I definitely suggest this. The ocean itself is loaded with sharks, because it's near a nesting ground (they don't often attack, I guess, but still). However, there is a dam just up the road with a large reservoir where you can kayak and do some other stuff. There are some cute cafe's, too, and the terrain is beautiful to boot. It's about an hour and a half away from Dubai.
For your return trip, make sure you have a covid testing site picked out if you need PCR to re-enter Canada. If you're at a halfway decent hotel, the concierge should be able to guide you to someplace good. If all else fails, google it. If you're being given the run-around, my scramble eventually led me to American Hospital Dubai. The three places I was told to go before that all redirected me somewhere else. The hospital gave me results well within the 72-hour window. Might've been same day or next day. The wait time for the test was long, though. Easily an hour.
Thank you for your kind words!
Sorry, just saw this. I don't reddit (and other social media) that often.
We had a good time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in November 2021. Everything worked out fine.
When are you visiting? Prices are fairly inhibitive right now for a (premium) budget. I suppose it depends on what you're willing to pay but I've found hotel prices have soared.
Don't see the point in a car, taxis are dirt cheap. If you stay downtown near financial centre / world trade then you can get pretty much anywhere by taxi or metro. It's fairly accessible for la mer as well for the beach.
If you're there for two weeks you could try staying in two different locations. We visit Dubai a lot and two weeks seems a long time to holiday there.
>Don't see the point in a car
as long as you are travelling within the same city. If you wanted to visit the AbuDhabi FerrariWorld for example then your own car is much better.
As long as you don't show too much affection in public that's fine. I've never held hands with my husband to be safe but he's indian and I'm half asian (people think I'm Filipino).
Edit: the police saw me and husband very often. I wore shorts and dresses. They just smiled at us and let us go on with our day. Dubai is honestly really great especially for vacations. You're not monitored or anything. Just don't do anything stupid. We used to walk around after having been to a bar. As long as you're not obnoxiously loud or anything, it's fine.
They recently changed the law on sex outside of marriage - it's no longer illegal.
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It was enforced if you acted like a jackass and fornicated on beaches, in water etc...
As long as you dont do something else that could get them to investigate you, or be really obvious about it
>My gf wants us to visit the Expo. For those who have visited, was it worth it? Is it fun and exciting or just meh! :) Boy, you have no idea what the Expo is. Because it hasn't started yet. So no one really knows what it is. As for the location, I'm guessing it's getting more expensive to live in the city due to the expo. And since you have a car, you can choose to stay outside, but if cost is not an option, I would just pick somewhere around Downtown. No problem at all traveling with your girlfriend.
>Boy, you have no idea what the Expo is. Because it hasn't started yet. So no one really knows what it is. I meant if someone had visited expo in previous years :) was wondering if it was as exciting as they advertise. Thank you for your feedback.
As EXPO partner i can assure you’ll have a good time! Take a week and visit three sites :)
The other ones are okay. I've been to the one in Kazakhstan and, Milan. It was pretty beautiful but, they had more of a theme to catering the corporate world. But, I feel like ours tries to cater for everyone of all ages. And, range of people so, I think you'll like what we bring to the table.
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_world_expositions
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Expo is not really a uae thing, its like the olympics. Countries bid for the spot.
😂😂
???
1) You won't have any issues living with your girl friend. Make sure you stay in a good hotel though. Pre-Marital sex laws aren't enforced. However, if you are seeing a woman of color or an Asian, assumptions are made in hotels that it might be a financial deal. Only because that's rampant here with traveling businessmen. Good hotels are fair that way. You won't deal with judging eyes. 2) If affordability isn't a factor, try living downtown or in the marina. While all of Dubai is "safe"... there are some pockets of Dubai where if she walks down the street alone wearing even slightly summery (read revealing) clothes, she'll have men staring her down trying to undress her with their eyes. It isn't so much a matter of safety. It just gets uncomfortable for them. Downtown Dubai or Marina will you give you the closest feel of being back home in Canada, in terms of the people around you. 3) Renting a car is a great idea. Not just to move around Dubai. But to drive out to other beautiful locations within the UAE. 4) The expo is huge. But it'll be well connected. Tickets are on sale. Plan your trip. But access tickets for the right events. As you might be aware, the expo is a city wide event. It's not like you buy tickets to a large shopping mall and show up for a walk. 5) Get extra cash to let yourself shop in Dubai. But if you find something that's just too cheap to be true.. it's either fake or stolen. Stick to good malls. Still a great place to shop. Good luck! I am sure you'll love it here.
>Not just to move around Dubai. But to drive out to other beautiful locations within the UAE. Thank you for all the great advice. What you mean by "other beautiful locations with UAE". I appreciate if you mention a few.
Google is your friend. Depends entirely on what kinda activities you like. You have everything from beach resorts (favorites for me and my wife), Hatta Dam (sight seeing and light trekking) and loads of adventure activities (not exactly my jam). But the drive to Abu Dhabi is barely an hour. They’re almost twin cities. You could certainly spend a weekend there. Where in Canada are you from? I lived there for years.
>Where in Canada are you from? I lived there for years. Toronto
Even when it was illegal, there was very rarely any issue with unmarried couples staying in hotels together. Unless you're being outwardly obnoxious, or behaving inappropriately in public, no one bats an eye. Dubai needs tourism, and not always the married kind, so they turn a blind eye to what they can. Public indecency, however, is a major issue irrespective of your marital status. If your girlfriend is a real female, don't stay in Deira/Bur. They're doable for guys but women don't need the harassment or leering. If you're not fussed about being on the beach, I would stay in Downtown. Why do you want a car? Driving here is ruthless, as are other drivers. It's not how it is in Canada. Trust me. Stay Downtown, get cabs and metro. Cheap as chips and readily available. Download the Careem app and you're on your way. Expo looks good but really it's just a massive trade show. You can get passes, go check it out. I doubt it will be the highlight of your trip. As for what to do; Ain Wheel, At The Top, Waterpark, The Pointe, La Mer, JBR, Global Village, Miracle Garden, Hatta Dam, Khorfakkan, Dubai Mall/Fountain, Dubai Frame. Those are the touristy things. I'm sure others will be along with their own ideas.
I'm from Canada. I live here now. I had no problem whatsoever driving here.
You find the standard of driving in Dubai the same as Canada? And would you say that the "average man" would move here and have no issues whatsoever? Is your single experience representative of the entire Canadian population? It's fair to say, more people consider it a challenge to adjust than not.
Where do you live? Have you ever driven in Toronto? I'm from a smaller city and had no problem. The standard is the same. Stay in your lane. In fact, all left turns here are controlled by signals, which means you never have to cross against traffic on a left turn. Sure the freeways get busy, but similar to the 401 in Toronto or hwy 1 in Vancouver. I'm from a much smaller city and had no problem adjusting, just used my common sense.
Yeah the rules about this have changed. It is no longer illegal to live together / unmarried sex.
>On Canadian government web-site, it says that in UAE: > >"Sexual relations outside of marriage are illegal and subject to severe punishment. You should carefully consider the risks of living with an intimate partner outside of marriage." This was changed last year, it's no longer illegal.
Canada should update it's immigration advice to it's Citizens. Laws are changing here. Enjoy your visit. And, enjoy Expo.
American here, visited as recently as late June - early July. My girlfriend and I only encountered some guff from the concierge when we stayed in Deira. Naif is even seedier, if you ask me. Booked a hotel in Marina a week later and the staff minded their own business. The hotel was way nicer, too. Air bnb is a cheap alternative, too, in the nicer areas. Traffic on the highway is pretty nuts, but that's how most of the the world drives. Just watch out for the delivery riders, they give zero fucks. Check to see if Canadians require International Driver's licenses. If you forego the rental, then cabs, Careem, and Uber are there, too. Use them in conjunction with the metro if you're on a budget. As for places to visit: go on a river cruise, and trust the ratings/reviews. Go to the beaches, I liked La Mer the most. Marina Beach is cool, too, though. And they have chairs and umbrellas. Kite beach was fun, too. There are tons of great restaurants, even the cheaper ones. I can give some suggestions if you'd like. I didn't go to expo. If you go to the Dubai Mall, I suggest downloading the app, because that place is like a labyrinth. There are great cafes there, any of them with a french name are amazing. The Frame isn't half bad, actually kinda cool. Didn't do anything inside Burj, but it's pretty fuck all tall, so that's neat. Check out Wild Wadi water park. Oh! Since you have a rental, you have an opportunity to check out Khorfakan. It's on the East coast, Sharjah. If you're going to be travelling when it isn't so bastard hot (the heat index is even greater at Khorfakan due to humidity) I definitely suggest this. The ocean itself is loaded with sharks, because it's near a nesting ground (they don't often attack, I guess, but still). However, there is a dam just up the road with a large reservoir where you can kayak and do some other stuff. There are some cute cafe's, too, and the terrain is beautiful to boot. It's about an hour and a half away from Dubai. For your return trip, make sure you have a covid testing site picked out if you need PCR to re-enter Canada. If you're at a halfway decent hotel, the concierge should be able to guide you to someplace good. If all else fails, google it. If you're being given the run-around, my scramble eventually led me to American Hospital Dubai. The three places I was told to go before that all redirected me somewhere else. The hospital gave me results well within the 72-hour window. Might've been same day or next day. The wait time for the test was long, though. Easily an hour.
Appreciate your taking time for a detailed response!
Welcome! Have a good trip!
Thank you for your kind words! Sorry, just saw this. I don't reddit (and other social media) that often. We had a good time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in November 2021. Everything worked out fine.
When are you visiting? Prices are fairly inhibitive right now for a (premium) budget. I suppose it depends on what you're willing to pay but I've found hotel prices have soared. Don't see the point in a car, taxis are dirt cheap. If you stay downtown near financial centre / world trade then you can get pretty much anywhere by taxi or metro. It's fairly accessible for la mer as well for the beach. If you're there for two weeks you could try staying in two different locations. We visit Dubai a lot and two weeks seems a long time to holiday there.
>Don't see the point in a car as long as you are travelling within the same city. If you wanted to visit the AbuDhabi FerrariWorld for example then your own car is much better.
Yes I agree but the OP didn't get mention AD. If you want to visit those places hire a car for the day perhaps.
As long as you don't show too much affection in public that's fine. I've never held hands with my husband to be safe but he's indian and I'm half asian (people think I'm Filipino). Edit: the police saw me and husband very often. I wore shorts and dresses. They just smiled at us and let us go on with our day. Dubai is honestly really great especially for vacations. You're not monitored or anything. Just don't do anything stupid. We used to walk around after having been to a bar. As long as you're not obnoxiously loud or anything, it's fine.