Day Two
Dubai (cont'd, 2 of 3)
After enjoying the wonderful breeze near the Burj, we ventured into the city of Dubai to have a look around. In knowing that Hiromi is a tour guide, I really didn't want to bore her by doing things that she had already done--but she insisted that we see a few of the things that she knows well about before venturing out and exploring around together.
I nodded in agreement, and with that, off we went to the history museum located on the grounds of Al Fahidi Fort (circa 1787). After paying the 5dhs entry fee, we had a look around at the different weapons and other artifacts found on the fort's grounds and in the surrounding area from way back when. While not particularly exciting, they did provide a glimpse into the sort of technology that had existed in the period. Below the fort, though, is a decent-sized museum (in English and Arabic) showing a good sample of how Dubai grew through the ages, and what sort of culture, flora and fauna had come to inhabit the area. As I meandered through the exhibits, I caught Hiromi's patient expression--and while she had insisted that she was okay, I nevertheless felt inclined to hurry onward.
After the museum, we walked around for a little bit and caught a glimpse of some interesting-looking buildings (which we would later find out to be the old Bastakia Quarter) and headed off in that direction. I asked Hiromi what the sort of clay-like structures were; she said that, actually, she had never before walked around that area. Happy that we had discovered something new for her, I took out my camera in anticipation of finding something neat.
Strolling around the maze of cream-colored buildings (said by a sign to be constructed in traditional fashion--using gypsum and coral stone), we soon came across a spice shop, art café, and quite a few other gallery spaces/areas catered to artists and artisans. Trees with beautiful pink-velvet flowers (unfortunately I know not their name) were planted in strategic areas to offer a bit of relief from the sun.
