DoinDubai Magazine

An Honest Guide to Life in Dubai

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Welcome to the TRAVELLING articles on DoinDubai

Dubai has two major airports and any statistics I quote about the number of visitors that fly in and out will be out of date by the time you read this. But rest assured, the word is HUB. Take advantage of your time in Dubai and GO PLACES! DoinDubai has reviewed places based on real holiday experiences. So no PR type information, just what went well and itineraries you can copy. Fabulous places in Sri Lanka and Italy have kindly offered DoinDubai subscribers real benefits for booking via the site. So take a look and go travelling.

If you would like to know how to feature a hotel or destination on DoinDubai then get in touch.

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DUBAI WATERFRONT MARKET vibrant organised market by the Creek

What is the Dubai Waterfront Market

The Dubai Waterfront Market is a vibrant, organised market by the creek, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood in distinct areas. So if like me, you don’t want to go the meat bit, you don’t have to!

Waterfront Market Deira Do In Dubai What to do in Dubai Monica Kapila Fresh Herbs
Fabulous Fresh herbs and leaves

There is a huge variety of fresh produce on offer, you can also have your fish cleaned if you like, but it takes time.

TIP

Do take up the offer of an official helper with a trolley who will help you and stay with you through out your trip unless you’re literally just browsing. Sometimes they approach you in the carpark or at the entrance to the market, they have official Dubai Waterfront Market uniforms on.

TIP

Do make time for some lunch especially if it’s wintertime in Dubai at one of the simple but very good restaurants by the creek after your shopping.

We like the Iranian restaurant for lunch. Remember though if you go on a FRIDAY lunch is served a bit later after prayer time.

Waterfront Market Deira Do In Dubai What to do in Dubai Monica Kapila Shiraz Iranian restaurant
Fresh seafood lunch at Shirazi Iranian restaurant

Entry to the market is FREE as is parking. You can bargain a bit, but not too much, I didn’t think it was whole lot cheaper than supermarkets like Union Co Op but well worth a visit to this side of town, again Friday is way less trafficky!

TIP

There is also a little plant souk adjacent to the market carpark you can add plants and soil if you have room after your market shopping!

Creekside walk behind the market

Location of the Dubai Waterfront Market

It’s part of the Deira redevelopment project. If you want more culture then try the Dubai Heritage Express experience. And do FOLLOW @DoinDubai on instagram for more immediate news and genuinely good ideas.

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WHERE CAN WE TRAVEL TO FROM DUBAI? without having to quarantine. IDEAS HERE

Where can we travel to from Dubai without having to quarantine is the question we’re all asking ourselves. It IS possible to go places but as we know restrictions are definitely in force on many fronts. BUT travel is in our DNA so see where you can go NOW.

LONDON

So now we can GO TO LONDON WITHOUT HAVING TO UNDERTAKE EXPENSIVE HOTEL QUARANTINE, but so far we still have to isolate and quarantine privately for 10 days with a possibility of early release after day 5.

So that’s a lot of expensive covid tests AND many days of leave for those who work “wasted” . I also understand it can take up to 48 hours to get your test result back after day 5 so that’s a minimum of 7 days!

So some of us are waiting till the UK recognizes our entirely genuine vaccines. BUT when and if you do get to London check out some ideas we’ve experienced below.

LONDON IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES from boutique hotels to cooking lessons and everything in between. We LOVE London!

Click on the picture to see our many London posts. Psst we’ve also been alerted to a cool new hotel to check out in London’s West End. So add The Mayfair Townhouse to your list of places to consider having a drink, meal or few sleeps at!

ARTESIAN BAR AT THE LANGHAM LONDON

KENYA

We’ve just travelled to Kenya for a short break from Dubai and while the visa process has changed, there is no need to quarantine. Click to KENYA IDEAS HERE to see all our previous posts linked to countries we’ve been to to inspire you to book a trip.

KENYA IDEAS tried and tested here.

KENYA BEACH HOUSE

It’s possible to go to Kenya without having to quarantine, you just need a -ive PCR test on arrival and you have to generate a QR code via a link. The link to how you generate that code is here It’s a short 4 hour 40 minute flight from Dubai to Kenya direct on Emirates.

You do need a visa before hand so apply for an e visa on line first. Then on return you need a _ive PCR test.

SUNDOWNERS IN THE BUSH KENYA

NOTE the terminal is now in a NEW PLACE at Nairobi airport. Check you get dropped at the right place. Covid tests are quite easily available in Nairobi, the cost is around US $65.00 or so.

AMERICA

Well California Ideas here tried by us.

It’s possible for us to fly directly to the States from Dubai. Click for CALIFORNIA ITINERARY for you to copy. It’s a long flight but you do just get on and get off!

Shutters View Visit California

(16 hours from here to California) And I understand if you spend 10 days there you can now also go to London from there.

California Holiday Big Sur Beaches

WHERE CAN WE GO IN EUROPE ? European Trips we’ve been on check the itineraries here.

I think you can go many countries in Europe from Dubai without having to quarantine, BUT check which countires are or would be green if you need to go on to the UK. See where we recommend in

SPAIN, NORWAY, ITALY, THE CZECH REPUBLIK, BUDAPEST and TURKEY.

SPAIN

You can travel to Spain from Dubai without having to quarantine. We LOVED Barcelona and our foodie adventures in San Sebastian. The H10 hotel group has a 25% discount on 2 of our favourite hotels at the moment.

IN THE MOOD FOR BARCELONA

CZECH REPUBLIC

We loved our long weekend in Prague, click the link to read about what we did and where we stayed. It’s a very quick flight from Dubai.

NORWAY

This is an expensive destination but if it’s clean air and fabulous scenery you’re after then this is the place!

FABULOUS FJORDS IN NORWAY

ITALY

A really easy flight, fabulous food, good infrastructure and very friendly vibes, choose what kind of holiday you want in Italy.

BUDAPEST

A really good short trip from Dubai, fabulous architecture and a very walkable city. Lot’s of history too.

SHORT BREAK IN BUDAPEST

TURKEY

Well we’ve put this into Europe but know it can be classed as Asia as well, we went to Istanbul, Bodrum and Cesme, I’d do that whole trip again if I could. We LOVED the Maçakizi hotel but there is a Mandarin Oriental in Bodrum too!

TURKEY TRIP

As always CHECK ALL RESTRICTION AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BOOK ANY TICKETS! We were almost off to Poland BUT we’re not clear as to whether they accept our vaccines or not, please let me know if you have any updated information on this. Poland seems like an amazing place to visit, great value too!

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KENYA BEACH RESORTS

3 Kenya Beach Resorts

A Kenya Beach resort holiday beckons but how to choose your resort? I’ve been to 3 luxe beach resorts in Kenya and can’t wait to go back. Read the honest detailed reviews here to help you make a more informed choice.

Msambweni Beach House

Splendid Isolation at Msambweni Beach Resort

Image of Sea view from Infinity pool

Hemingways Watamu

Boho Vibes and Deep Sea Fishing at Hemingways Watamu

Watamu Kenya DoinDubai copy

Lantana Galu Beach Private Villa

Do I need a visa and any health documents? CHECK HERE

iVisa.com

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TRAVELLING TO LONDON FROM DUBAI July 2020

Should we be travelling to London from Dubai ?

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai Business Class Window
It's all a bit unclear

3 Sep 2020 update TRAVELLING ANYWHERE FROM DUBAI

  • Covid Tests, required for travellling, are available in a number of clinics in Dubai, some are 24 hour walk in clinics such as the Dubai London Clinic in Jumierah. ⁠
  • Prices range from around AED 300 to AED 370. ⁠
  • You have to QUARANTINE till you get your result, usually within 24 to 36 hours or so, regardless of whether you display any symptoms. We’ll keep UPDATING THIS POST, PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR DETAILS. ⁠
  • Need a visa? Check here first. 

UPDATED 29TH AUGUST 

It’s now compulsory to have evidence of a covid negative test result 96 hours before you fly to Dubai.

Let’s look at the detailed requirements:

  1. On first contacting Emirates, I was told an NHS test would in no way be accepted. On a subsequent call I was told YES an NHS test would be accepted BUT it had to be an email, NOT an SMS 
  2. The NHS doesn’t always guarantee you an emailed result, sometimes it’s just an SMS you receive. 
  3. We know the NHS emailed results are accepted as friends have gone through fine with these. The advantage is of course they are FREE. 
  4. Private providers such as clinics and even pharmacies in the UK also undertake covid tests as in the PCR swab test that requires a swab of your nose and throat. The sample is sent to a lab and the results are emailed to you, usually within 24 hours. Labs seem to be working 24 hours to keep up with demand, at least in London as I understand. 
  5. The timing of the test is critical, so Emirates requires you take your swab pcr test no longer than 96 hours before your flight departure time. So that’s from the time you submit or go for your test, NOT from when the lab receives your sample. 
  6. It’s tricky as you need to leave enough time to receive your result as well. 

You also must have an approval form to return back to DXB. If you give your approval number to Emirates once you have your form, they will update it in the system for you. 

LINK from Emirates with new requirements FOR RESIDENTS  is

HERE

LINK from Emirates with new requirements FOR TOURISTS OR VISITORS is

 HERE

UPDATED 8TH AUGUST

HERE IS THE LINK TO MORE COUNTRIES ADDED TO QUARANTINE LIST FROM BRITISH GOVERNMENT. 

UPDATED 4TH AUGUST 2020

As we expected, changes to travel rules all the time, now it’s compuslory for anyone travelling TO DUBAI to carry a covid negative certificate that’s valid for 96 hours. So no earlier than 4 days before your departure date. 

If you’re coming from certain countries, then certificates must be obtained from certain designated facilities. Approval to return is still needed and applied for in the same way.  

All the new information that came through from Emirates today is in this LINK here. Please share with anyone who needs to know. 

There were so many uncertainties regarding travelling to London from Dubai during this time, but I did it and am sharing my honest experience as clearly as possible in this post.

Please share with others if you think it will help. Time of travelleing is around 3rd week of July 2020, so things may change very soon.  Please check with your airline and official government sites from your country of origin and destination before you decide to travel. It’s a calculated risk that depends on your personal situation. 

Making the booking with Emirates

I booked my flight a week before my departure. I reserved a seat by phone with Emirates : tel is 04 214 4444 and I asked if I needed to show an a “successful” approval to return Dubai form before booking.

I was told yes I should do this but as a Dubai resident, there would be no problem with getting the approval. But they offered to reserve my booking and “block or hold” the booking for 6 hours.

Do you need to complete an approval to return to Dubai form BEFORE you book?

The operator at Emirates said yes to me on the phone, but the second time I rang I was told no approval is needed for you to BOOK A FLIGHT WITH EMIRATES. You do NEED APPROVAL TO RETURN TO DUBAI ITSELF though.

But it seems you don’t have to apply for it before you travel. The validity of approval I received via email in a couple of minutes was for 4 weeks. If you travel for longer than that, you can re apply on line.

Here is the official link for applying for approval

You need your PASSPORT for your file number and an email address and date of birth. Very easy form to fill in and submit. 

48 hours before you go

You also need to download and complete an extensive landing track and trace form giving details of your stay in the UK. You HAVE to show this form when you arrive at Dubai airport before travel AND again at Heathrow airport.

It’s a 3 page form that you can fill in online and print off and or save on your phone and have emailed to you. I did all 3 and kept the printed version with me.  The UK border DID ASK to see it. Officially it’s called a Passenger Locator Form.

There are many countries and categories of people who are exempt from quarantining for 14 days on arrival in the UK,  BUT as I write, the UAE is not on on the exemption list, so you do have to quarantine. 

Here is the link to fill in the ARRIVAL IN THE UK FORM. 

You CANNOT DO THIS MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. The link won’t give you access to do so, as I understand. 

At the airport in Dubai

Dubai airport was much quieter than usual but it was much busier than when we dropped off our daughter on June 23rd. That was the date when covid tests before leaving Dubai were going to be compulsory. But as we know that didn’t happen.

Most airport staff are in full protective aprons and masks of course. Gloves are not compulsory. You are asked to show your arrival in the UK form when you check in.

Security is the same as usual, but overall, there are far fewer people travelling than what we’re used to so the whole process is very, very quick. You are told to get to the airport 3 hours before hand though. 

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai not the usual A380
not the usual A380 on the afternoon flight

Is Dubai Duty Free open?

Yes it is! So you can have a wander around the shops. There are some discounts around but they aren’t obvious, just ask if there are any offers, you may be pleasantly surprised! 

I upgraded my seat to Business using miles so I had access to the Emirates Business Lounge. While the lounge is open, the experience is very different to normal! Firstly it was almost deserted, very quiet with more staff than passengers at about lunch time. The lounge opened on the 1st of July. 

There is no open buffet or hot food of any kind at all. Ordering is done via a QR card  and a very limited menu is on offer. 

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai Deserted Business Class lounge
Business Lounge is deserted

There is the choice of a vegetarian or non vegetarian box that contains a salad, a wrap and some processed, white rolls. Hot beverages are dispensed in paper cups. But everything arrives on a silver tray and you are served at your table. Everyone was very polite. There is also a small menu of alcoholic beverages you can choose from.  

There are no magazines or newspapers of any kind on any stands neither are they available on request, so do take your own reading material for longer flights. 

There are toilets of course, but fewer than usual, the facilities were extremely clean and being refreshed on a regular basis. 

The lounge is open for customers for sure, but this is not Business as Usual, by a long shot. I did feel totally safe at all times at Dubai airport and on the flight too. 

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai Dubai Duty Free quiet
Dubai Duty Free is open

During the flight

Crew are in full aprons that cover their uniforms and they wear masks throughout the flight. It’s compulsory for passengers to wear masks for the duration of the fight apart from while eating or drinking. The flight took off and landed roughly according to schedule. It was about half full, or half empty! 

Again there is no reading material on board the cabin. I was served a hot lunch and an afternoon snack. There is a huge amount of real cutlery that comes with each meal. I counted a total of 6 knives, forks and spoons!  Tea and coffee were dispensed in china mugs whenever you needed a drink. 

There was no cheese board as an alternative to the dessert on the tray for the business class meal. 

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai Too Much cutlery small amount of food
Too much cutlery

Arriving at Heathrow

We arrived at Terminal 2, the Queen’s Terminal, not the usual terminal we would have exited from. Only Terminals 2 and 5 are open at Heathrow at the moment due to the much lower number of aircraft in circulation. 

At immigration you can opt to exit via the e-gates if you have a British passport, but a number of people who tried the gates, including your reporter, were denied access via the electronic gates and asked to Seek Assistance.

That meant a long wait in a line to reach the one immigration officer on duty in that section. 

You are asked to show your completed passenger locator form, it’s a long, but uncomplicated form so do it before hand. Some people were filling their’s up while standing in line! 

I ordered a private taxi to take me home, and on the way was struck by how much faster the journey was but also at the number of places that were closed. I kept another mask on throughout my journey. You do have to quarantine for 2 weeks on arrival in the UK if you are coming in from the UAE.

Coming back to Life after Lockdown. From London's Marylebone. NEXT POST

Masks will be compulsory to wear in all shops, cafes and restaurants including take away places in the UK from Friday 24th of July. 

Travelling to London From Dubai DoinDubai Monica Kapila Langham apron
Enjoying a Seedlip and Soda at home

What are your feelings about travelling this summer?

Please let me know in a comment below and do share this post with anyone thinking of travel. It’s an honest account of how things stand at the moment. Thank you.. Monica. 

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