Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

Dubai -  Finally we had lunch - no more of this breakfast menu but it is at an India restaurant.  A very highly rated Indian restaurant.   Indian and Pakistani make up close to 37% of the Dubai's population.   Garlic butter Nan Chicken Mutton Biryani There were only 2 small pieces of lamb shank in this dish.   

 Dubai - Diera seems to be a very popular place with tourist and locals alike as it was crowded with people.   Souq Ramadan RAMADAN Ramadan will be starting next week.  The holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering, and spiritual development. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.  MUNICIPALITY MUSEUM  This is the smallest museum I have been to - just one room and a few minutes of viewing. The contents of this smallest museum HERBS SOUQ UTENSILS SOUQ entrance to the Utensil Souq GOLD SOUQ entrance to the Gold Souq This Diera Gold Souq is the largest with many shops selling gold.

Dubai - One of the most fascinating geographical aspects of Dubai is the DUABI CREEK , which divides the city into two regions- Deira and Bur Dubai. The natural Dubai creek from the Arabian Gulf spans 14km, and it isn’t just a relaxed area to walk in Dubai while taking in the breeze that it offers. It’s also home to a selection of local restaurants, activities and things to do in Dubai that both tourists and residents will be delighted with. One of the things we did was taking the ABRA or river taxis  to cross the Dubai Creek. Abra Before departing  In the river taxi It cost Dhs 2 per person for the ride across the Dubai Creek to Diera Souq.  I had to take off my baseball cap as the wind was very strong.

Dubai - just continue walking along the Dubai creek, we came across Alfahidi Historical Neighborhood -  An historical neighbourhood It was disappointing as the Dubai Museum was closed temporarily for renovations.   The buildings and alley are narrow and traditional stone wall. me walking through one of the alley Curo hotel collection by Hilton open air storekeepers Starbucks The weather was hot and we stop by Starbucks for some deserving coffee drinks.

Dubai - Lesley and I took an Uber to Grand Souq Bur Dubai, it is most popularly known as Bur Dubai Souk or even as Old Souk.   It is located in the historic district of Bur Dubai, along the Dubai Creek - the Grand Souq is a maze of narrow alleys and covered walkways that are lined with shops selling everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and souvenirs. Walking through the market, you'll be greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of the Middle East, making it a truly authentic experience. Lesley @ entrance of Grand Souq Bur Dubai One of the main draws of the Grand Souq Bur Dubai is its vast array of spices. The aroma of exotic spices fills the air as you make your way through the market, and the vendors are more than happy to let you sample their wares. You can find everything from traditional Arabian blends to Indian and Pakistani spices, and the quality is exceptional. Spice traders As we walk through the narrow alleys, we will be called in by several shopkeepers. S...

Dubai - Dubai is a food lover's paradise, and we went to Al Kayma Heritage Restaurant as it was highly recommended and I was not disappointed.  Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience that combines traditional Emirati cuisine with contemporary style.  Al Khayma Heritage restaurant A tree growing in the centre of the restaurant The Al Khayma lamb madfoon , which was a culinary delight.   The first thing that struck me about the dish was the generous portion size. The plate was large and the lamb was the star of the show. The meat was cooked to perfection and was incredibly tender, practically falling off the bone. The lamb was infused with a fragrant blend of traditional spices, which added a depth of flavour that was both satisfying and delicious. The dish was served with a side of rice and grilled vegetables, which complemented the lamb perfectly. Lamb Madfoon LAMB MADFOON is prepared with chicken and lamb (with meat left...

 Dubai - Dubai is known for its diverse and rich culinary scene, and one of the best places to experience it is at the Bosporus restaurant. Located in Dubai Mall, the Bosporus restaurant is a Turkish restaurant that offers a unique dining experience that combines traditional Turkish cuisine with modern twists. Turkish bread Mixed Appetisers  We started our meal with some Turkish bread and a mixed appetisers, including hummus, baba ganoush, etc. Each dish was bursting with flavour, and I could taste the freshness of the ingredients used. Cheese and Chicken Pide For the main course, we had lamb chops grill. The presentation was impressive, and the taste was even better. The meats were cooked to perfection.  It was so delicious and tender.  Lamb ribs Kunefe is a popular dessert from Turkey that is made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and a sweet syrup. It is a delicious and satisfying dessert that will leave you wanting more. Kunefe There is a layer of cheese, usu...

 Dubai -  After the 1st day of exhibition, we went to one of the most popular Emirati restaurant and the food was good.   Al Fanar restaurant is located at Dubai Festival City Mall.    Beautiful decor of this restaurant We had a reservation and was seated near the light and water fountain show - and it was a great ambiance and the weather was cool and nice. Water and light fountain show The show lasted for 15mins and on the hour another show starts.    Hobool Hobool is crunchy deep-fried fish roe dipped in a tarty and sour tomato sauce are an Emirati speciality.  It was so delicious. Mixed Grill platter The mutton and BBQ chicken wings was the best and tender.   The BBQ chicken was dry to taste. Robyan Magli Pan fried shrimp with onion seasoned with sauce.  The shrimp was fresh and very well marinated . Machboos Laham Machboos Laham is the national dish of Kuwait - consists of the mutton meat to well cooked and tender, and the...

Dubai - The desert safari driver came to our hotel and pick us on time at 1.30PM, he drove to the 2nd hotel to pick a Singaporean family of 5 - then off we went to our first stop 1hr drive away.    DUNE BUGGY RIDE At this desert location, the rental of the Dune Buggy - cost Dhs 800 (about SGD 296).   Lesley and I share driving the Dune Buggy for 45 mins.    I wore the mask whilst driving as the sand was flying into my face.  At one point my cap flew off into the air, I had to turn around and pick it up. Then the falcon handler came and put the falcon on my hand. DUNE BASHING Dune bashing in Dubai means driving at increasing and decreasing speeds over sand dunes. As the surface of the sand keeps shifting, it takes a special skill and a special type of car to navigate the terrain – usually a sports utility vehicle (SUV). I was flying off my seat as the SUV was driving through the desert - a thrilling and sometimes painful adventure.   We were ...