I’ll say it: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the randomest (and most fascinating) places I’ve ever been. Here are 5 reasons why these cities in the UAE are strange (but awesome):
2. You can go skiing. In the summertime. In the mall.
I had to see it to believe it. In Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, it is possible to go skiing, regardless of the sizzling desert heat. Imagine that!
3. You can get gold… from a vending machine.
This is crazy, but beautiful. The “Gold to go” machine dispenses gold bars if you so choose. I spotted three of these bad boys during my trip: one at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, and the others inside the Dubai Mall, renowned as being the largest mall in the world. Lest us commoners think this whole this was a hoax, a gentleman and his lady patronized the machine, as you can see in the pic below.
4. You can get gold… in your cappuccino.
Liebling spotted this on the menu at the Emirates Palace Hotel and had to have it. For the dear price of $15 USD, he had his very own cappuccino sprinkled with real gold flakes. He let me try some. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel any richer after drinking it. *tears*
So Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Crazy? Yes. Awesome? Absolutely.
What are some strange and random things you’ve seen on your travels?
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
nice list!
is it OK to eat gold flakes? That seems so weird. ha
So fascinating! I had seen your pic of the gold bars earlier and it piqued my interest that I had to learn more. I see they have a Facebook and Twitter page too. I guess there really is a demand for that! I've been needing to still recap my trip to Nigeria in January but one "strange" thing I recall that is seeing babies riding in their parents arms on motorcycles.
Dubai does look awesome, I am hoping to get a chance to go one day. The strangest thing, for me, is the "Penis Park" in South Korea. I did not get a chance to go, because it was so far from Seoul. But I regret not going, because it just seemed so strange for Korea.
Great tour…Both cities are near the top of my list. And yeah, I've had a dessert with gold leaf a couple times…Makes you feel rich even if it doesn't come to reality:)
I love your dress in the first picture! It elongates you really well. I think the strangest is the ski park, Imagine walking from an oven into the deep freezer and then having to go back into the oven! I also love the woman's turquoise bag, it adds color to her "outfit" Were the gold leaves really real? would you mind sharing how much the trip cost you so those of us who are planning to go can have a realistic budget.
As a Nigerian myself, I don't think it's strange. but after living in Canada and now China for almost 10 years, I think I would be shocked to see stuff like that when I go back.
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oh my gosh. this post just blew my mind. CRAZY (but yes, awesome…in a very odd way!)
I don't think I will ever do Dubai, there just doesn't seem to be anything much there to see. I would love to go to Lebanon, Jordan and some other places in that region though. The only thing odd I can recall seeing, are horse drawn taxis in Cuba.
Oneika, when do you plan on going to Brazil?
Jules
Wow looks like such a cool place to go! I'm not sure I could ever live somewhere like that, but I'd definitely be down to visit (and try one of those gold flake cappucinos!)
I haven't been anywhere crazy yet, but I'd have to say Iceland has had the most different landscapes I've encountered. I felt like I was on the moon
Great post! I love the gold vending machine!
This post is totally why I need to go!
Wow, seems like an interesting place. I LOVE your dress in the second pic, so nice. How much do those gold bars cost in the vending machine?
I have been to Dubai for business and I also found it rather strange. In everything really. The whole way this country works and is being set-up…. but this gold vending machine just tops it. really…. really??
Tag, you’re it! http://girlroamingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/wanderlust-has-been-tagged/
Craziest thing i saw in Dubai was a Popeye's Chicken – no joke!
…But did you see the ladies at the beach going into the water in full Hijab& Burqa? That blew my mind in AD & Dubai.
And the faces of the the Shieks etched into the glass windows in downtown Dubai was just outright vanity! lol
Whoa whoa whoa! Gold bar dispensers AND gold in your coffee! It's crazy that there is so much wealth in one place. Some of these things are just over the top.
Weird huh! I'm not dead yet, so I think it was ok..
Haha, I saw a lot of that in Cambodia as well!
I have seen pictures! I'm mad I didn't get to go when I was in Seoul!
I actually found that it doesn't really taste like anything at all..
Thank you! They were real as far as I knew! I paid 450 GBP for the flight, and averaged about 15-20 GBP per meal. We rented a car for a week for about 80 GBP. Dubai is not cheap but it was nice to have a bit of luxury..
hee hee!
I would disagree and say that there are plenty of things to see in Dubai, the problem is that many people don't look beyond the malls and fancy hotels! When Liebling and I were there we did a lot of exploring beyond the glitz and glamour, it is definitely a cool place with a lot of culture. We spent a day exploring Al Ain, which is a neighbouring Emirate and it was completely different and very cool! As for Brazil, it is definitely on my radar, but it is so big and I need to find enough time to go!
Honestly Crystal, I could totally live there, it was so nice!
I agree with you about Iceland..
Thanks!!
lol!
Thank you! You know what, I never even checked!
LOL. Definitely strange! I really like it though..
LOL thanks for the tag!
I did see ladies at the pool jumping in fully clothed and thought that all that clothing must get pretty heavy when wet!
I agree, but pretty fun for the tourist!
Gold to Go? Wow. What would one use the gold for, I wonder (other than flavoring a capuccino)?
It looks breathtaking. However, I do need my alcohol. What can I say? I'm a beer-kinda-guy *shrugs* I might be willing to visit for a few days but nothing long term. Gorgeous pictures.
I know!? Definitely a head-scratcher..lol
You can get alcohol in most hotels and restaurants! It's a bit more expensive, but still an option!
oh wow…interesting! i've seen the skiing before but gold from a vending machine…classic! a country of it's own indeed!
That is all so crazy cool – I want to go on the fastest rollercoaster and have fancy gold coffee!
Awesome… I've heard a lot about dubai.. but nothing like this…
Amazing… precious little things you've shared..
Thanks
Filipa
http://atravelerjourney.blogspot.com/
just wild!
All you have to do is book a ticket..
Glad you enjoyed!
Imagine living here. It’s awesome and frustrating at the same time.
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I am always so amazed by stories from this place. This seems like a perfect list to show just how bizarre it really is! I’m wondering if the gold flakes would ruin my cappuccino though.
I WAS BORN IN DUBAI IM PROUD TO BE ARABIAN GO TO DRAGONMART IT HAS LOTS OF FABRICS