Going to Dubai is like going to Disneyland. Every time I arrive at Dubai International Airport I have the feeling of an immense excitement - something extraordinary is going to happen to me when visiting this place. Most of the time I am not mistaken.
No other city gives me such an adrenaline rush as Dubai. Not only this is the largest amusement park for grown ups and children alike, but it is build in the most inhospitable terrain such as desert. But this is not a mirage. I had to pinch myself many times to realize that this island of high sky scrapers, surrounded only by sand and sea, was indeed for real.
Ok, there are many aspects of the place which makes it probably the most artificial place on Earth. I cannot deny that. But if you are about to visit the most artificial human-made wonder of our World, this is the place to go.
Dubai boosts many records: the highest building, indoor ski resort inside one of the biggest shopping mall, artificial man-made islands visible from the space, over 70km of artificial coastline added by Dubai's waterfront. Just to name the few.
For many years I’ve heard of Metro being build in Dubai. This made me wonder how odd this concept was. Metro in the desert? How bizarre. I must try it out when it’s ready - I thought many times!
So last March when I had a chance to visit Dubai again, this was an experience not to be missed. I’ve done my Google map navigation how to get from office building to my hotel using Metro system and off I went.
But as soon as I’ve stepped out of the office building I was faced with the serpentines of winding roads, expressways and new buildings sprouting everywhere. I was lost after just first few steps. I had to go back and ask for help a security guard, but my question about directions to the nearest underground station met a confused grim on his face. I new something was wrong. I’ve repeated the question again but with no luck. Then by a stroke of genius I’ve asked: a Metro? Ah, that made all the difference and I was shown a general direction where to go. Over the patch of sand towards an island of brand new skyscrapers and 20 minute walk later, I’ve approached an entrance with Metro sign on it. And then it came a revelation, of course this was not an underground, the Metro system was 10 meters above ground level, spanning the whole city from one end to another. How silly of me! Few years earlier I have witnessed the construction of ramps all over the city thinking this was another express road, not realising it was a new Metro system in the making.
Ok, so I was on the way to have my first Metro ride in the desert. Got the tickets. Never mind that my final destination turned out to be a short walk away from the station, and in the end I had to come back to the place of my original departure. But I was determined to have the experience no matter what.
The train has arrived, the doors have opened as expected and I’ve stepped into the car. At the very moment I was shouted at by the platform assistant to get out immediately. What on earth have I done wrong? Was I on most wanted list again? Back on the platform, I’ve looked at the side of the car I was just trying to board only to notice “ladies only” sign. Uhrgrrr… am I going to be arrested? Luckily I was politely explained to get to the next car which was for everybody else I guess. Which I did, but to my surprise there was no inside partition between the cars. And like I was about 2 meters away from the nearest woman in ladies only section, I was also about the same distance from her in the adjacent compartment. I am still puzzled what was the point. But then again, what’s the point of catching a Metro in the middle of a desert and not going anywhere!
That was my first Metro journey in the desert that I will never forget!
Credits: Photo_SG |
No other city gives me such an adrenaline rush as Dubai. Not only this is the largest amusement park for grown ups and children alike, but it is build in the most inhospitable terrain such as desert. But this is not a mirage. I had to pinch myself many times to realize that this island of high sky scrapers, surrounded only by sand and sea, was indeed for real.
Ok, there are many aspects of the place which makes it probably the most artificial place on Earth. I cannot deny that. But if you are about to visit the most artificial human-made wonder of our World, this is the place to go.
Credits: NASA's Marshall Space Craft Center |
For many years I’ve heard of Metro being build in Dubai. This made me wonder how odd this concept was. Metro in the desert? How bizarre. I must try it out when it’s ready - I thought many times!
So last March when I had a chance to visit Dubai again, this was an experience not to be missed. I’ve done my Google map navigation how to get from office building to my hotel using Metro system and off I went.
But as soon as I’ve stepped out of the office building I was faced with the serpentines of winding roads, expressways and new buildings sprouting everywhere. I was lost after just first few steps. I had to go back and ask for help a security guard, but my question about directions to the nearest underground station met a confused grim on his face. I new something was wrong. I’ve repeated the question again but with no luck. Then by a stroke of genius I’ve asked: a Metro? Ah, that made all the difference and I was shown a general direction where to go. Over the patch of sand towards an island of brand new skyscrapers and 20 minute walk later, I’ve approached an entrance with Metro sign on it. And then it came a revelation, of course this was not an underground, the Metro system was 10 meters above ground level, spanning the whole city from one end to another. How silly of me! Few years earlier I have witnessed the construction of ramps all over the city thinking this was another express road, not realising it was a new Metro system in the making.
Ok, so I was on the way to have my first Metro ride in the desert. Got the tickets. Never mind that my final destination turned out to be a short walk away from the station, and in the end I had to come back to the place of my original departure. But I was determined to have the experience no matter what.
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| Credits: citronate |
That was my first Metro journey in the desert that I will never forget!
| Credits: jamesup |
