blinged up speed boat – Dubai 2009
This blinged up speedboat made us laugh out loud when we spotted it cruising past us at super slow speed. We were in the middle of the exclusive and glossy glamour of Dubai Marina, and the bright unrestrained colours popped out amidst all the tastefully restrained tones around us.
When we visited the old Harbour in Dubai, it felt as though we had entered another world, far removed from all the modern artificial gloss of the highrises. It was chaotic and busy, and merchandise was piled high wherever we looked. These wooden cargo ships were berthed 4 deep, and health and safety didn’t get a look in. We jumped onto one of the tiny crowded passenger ferries which zig zagged across the river, and it was a fairly hair-raising ride. The next shot was taken from onboard, about half way across, and although it looks quite tranquil, what you’re not seeing behind us is the mayhem which our tiny wooden boat has just navigated through.
Passenger ferries – Dubai Harbour
And of course there were no seat belts 🙂
The next photo was taken in the crumbling labyrinth of the Spice Market, which is in the old harbour. It made me smile to see such old-fashioned transport, compared to the high-end 4×4’s which seemed to dominate Dubai’s super modern seven lane highways. It looked like we had found the original old town of Dubai, and really we could have been anywhere in the middle east.
Dubai Spice Market
And just to finish off the Dubai themed transport, here is a shot taken in the desert which surrounds Dubai, and some of the traditional local transport. The haziness of the photo is due to the large quantity of red sand in the air.
camels: Dubai
I have ridden camels on a few occasions, and have to confess to finding them a very comfortable ride….once they get going. The mount and dismount still make me squeal in a very girly fashion, even though I know whats coming. I still get taken by surprise by the sudden and dramatic lurch and lunge of the camels rising up, or sitting down, and am certain I am about to hit the sand face down.
Visit Ailsa to see more interpretations on her weekly travel photo challenge – Transport
breathofgreenair 
“…old Harbor in Dubai, it felt as though we had entered another world…”
What a lovely set of shots. Those camels are so graceful.
Thank you for all that you do!
http://tamingtheinvisibledragon.com/2012/12/19/affirmation-appreciation-awards/
Blessings,
Sloan
That’s so kind of you. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy my blog. I love yours too 🙂 I hope to get round to doing all that’s involved in accepting this weekend….Christmas prep allowing! Thanks for the award, and Merry Christmas
How fascinating to see the contrasts of Dubai. I’ve only seen the airport and assumed the whole place was a modern extravaganza.
Well most of it is, but everything has to start somewhere and the old port is that place for Dubai. I came across a very old black and white aerial photo of the area in a cafe in this area. It showed a small, but cramped looking town huddled around the river mouth and natural harbour, surrounded by vast stretches of inhospitable desert. That’s where the modern stuff is built….and extravaganza is a great choice of words! Crazy stuff from an indoor ski run, to a vast green polo pitch and club….and all in the middle of a desert 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read. And yes the contrast is incredible, but it is a country of jaw dropping contrasts 🙂
Interesting post and great for the challenge – love that hot-rod boat and what a difference between the two Dubai-s.