Look out Maldives/Dubai, I'm on my way

[Quattromaster]

Following on from my "Look out America, I'm on my way" thread back in 2010, which proved so helpful to us on our first trip to the states, we are off on our travels again, and knowing PH is full of well travelling dudes I thought I'd start here in looking for ideas, help, thoughts and general abuse.

Sorry if I sound a bit wet behind the ears but I've never been so far east, and I suffer from a spinal injury so a big trip is always a bit nerve racking, for the record I can walk, on crutches, but will take my chair due to long walks in Airports.

Ok, well, as the title says, we are off to The Maldives and Dubai over xmas and new yr, I'll just list what we have planned and welcome any thoughts and pointers.

Sunday before xmas we fly out, on Emirates, A380 from Heathrow, to Dubai, 3 hrs there, then Emirates 777 down to the Maldives, arriving early Monday, then taking a seaplane out to our resort, Kuredu, a big island I think, but had to be as need good level paths, and this one has a "golf cart" taxi to help with me getting about.

First question, I fancy some nice headphones for on the beach, am I best to get on internet over here, Heathrow airport or in Dubai.

We spend a week in the Maldives before heading back on the 777 to Dubai, arriving Monday before new yr, we are staying in the "Al Manzil" hotel, approx 500 yds from the Burj Khalifa.

Second question anybody have any experience of this hotel.

We only have 4 days in Dubai, leaving on the 2nd, So far I have planned a trip to the top of the Burj, a 20 min helicopter trip over Dubai, and I'd love to see the aquaruim in the shopping centre. Also hoping they do some sort of firework display off the Burj on new yrs eve.

So, am I doing it right, am I missing anything, welcome any info, ideas from the PH massive.

[PhillT]

Quattromaster said:

Following on from my "Look out America, I'm on my way" thread back in 2010, which proved so helpful to us on our first trip to the states, we are off on our travels again, and knowing PH is full of well travelling dudes I thought I'd start here in looking for ideas, help, thoughts and general abuse.

Sorry if I sound a bit wet behind the ears but I've never been so far east, and I suffer from a spinal injury so a big trip is always a bit nerve racking, for the record I can walk, on crutches, but will take my chair due to long walks in Airports.

Ok, well, as the title says, we are off to The Maldives and Dubai over xmas and new yr, I'll just list what we have planned and welcome any thoughts and pointers.

Sunday before xmas we fly out, on Emirates, A380 from Heathrow, to Dubai, 3 hrs there, then Emirates 777 down to the Maldives, arriving early Monday, then taking a seaplane out to our resort, Kuredu, a big island I think, but had to be as need good level paths, and this one has a "golf cart" taxi to help with me getting about.

First question, I fancy some nice headphones for on the beach, am I best to get on internet over here, Heathrow airport or in Dubai.

We spend a week in the Maldives before heading back on the 777 to Dubai, arriving Monday before new yr, we are staying in the "Al Manzil" hotel, approx 500 yds from the Burj Khalifa.

Second question anybody have any experience of this hotel.

We only have 4 days in Dubai, leaving on the 2nd, So far I have planned a trip to the top of the Burj, a 20 min helicopter trip over Dubai, and I'd love to see the aquaruim in the shopping centre. Also hoping they do some sort of firework display off the Burj on new yrs eve.

So, am I doing it right, am I missing anything, welcome any info, ideas from the PH massive.

I can't speak for the Maldives, but I live around the corner from the Al Manzil hotel. There's a pub/bar in there called Nezesaussi which is our local. Recommended, the food is very good and they show lots of sport, particularly rugby. I can't comment on the rooms, but the hotel itself is pretty upmarket and seems well run judging by the restaurants and bars. There's also a little Spinneys supermarket in the adjoining Souk if you need supplies and don't want to raid the mini-bar, and tons of restaurants on the Boulevard and in the Dubai Mall. The hotel is right over the road from the Dubai Mall, which is where both the aquarium is, and the entrance to At The Top, which is the name of the Burj Khalifa tour. Worth doing, but book as far ahead as you can, as places tend to go very quickly, especially during tourist season.

As an alternative/extra, there's a restaurant called Atmosphere in the Burj, which is good. Not particularly cheap, but I've been a couple of times and like it.

Yes, there will be a firework display on New Year's Eve, and probably some sort of concert by the Dubai Mall fountains. It gets absolutely packed in Downtown well in advance of it, so be warned! The last couple of years, people have got so fed up with the traffic that they've just got our of their cars in the street and walked off. As you're at the Al Manzil you'll have no problems being there, but keep it in mind if you were planning on heading to a different area during the day. The Metro gets packed as well.

As for other stuff, you're within 10 minutes walk/roll of the Dubai Mall Metro Station (accessible best through the Mall and over the bridge) which will easily get you up and down Sheikh Zayed road, the main highway through Dubai. It's worth talking a train to the older part of town, Deira, and have a walk around the Gold and Spice Souqs, but beware of people selling you stuff! They're quite persistent. I can't guarantee that disabled access will be that good in the older parts of town though. In the more modern area, it's usually pretty well catered for - plenty of lifts, ramps, lowered kerbs etc.

Taxis are very cheap by British standards - you can get from one end of town to the other for not much more than a tenner.

There's loads of stuff to do here, so if you have specific interests I'll see if I can think of anything that matches them.

[Quattromaster]

PhillT said:

I can't speak for the Maldives, but I live around the corner from the Al Manzil hotel.

PhillT, you are a star, just the sort of "local" info I'm after, thank you for taking the time to type that lot out.

Regarding the trips to top of the Burj, you can only book up 30 days in advance so I'm finger ready for start of Dec.

Now all I need is a PH member from the Maldives, think I may be waiting a while for this one.

[Super Slo Mo]

I knew the name Al Manzil was familiar. I stayed in it in 2011, and in it's sister hotel in 2012, which is a short walk away. We ate in the aforementioned Nesezaussi bar most nights, it's an Austrailian/SA/Kiwi themed bar, with plenty of meat options, as you'd expect.

It's a nice walk over to the Mall and the Burj, best to take the longer way around the waterside, rather than the quicker way down the road.

The big fish tank in the Mall is impressive, it's absolutely huge. I've not been into the aquarium itself, but the tank is visible from several floors in the Mall.

If you want to go up to the viewing platform on the Burj, you might be as well booking in advance, as it gets busy and every time I've been it's been fully booked on the day. Visibility in Dec/Jan should be ok, as it's cooler, so less smog/dust. The view is very good from the public gallery, even though it's no-where near the top.

Speaking of cooler, I've been rained on in Dubai in December and January, so a light rain jacket may not be a bad idea.

[Kenty]

Sounds good, done the same trip to the Maldives a couple of times. The A380 is superb.
I was also looking for some headphones and it is a minefield! I think Dubai airport is cheapest but you do need to know your prices and exactly what you want. You might find more choice at the other terminal, the A380 terminal has fewer shops, you will be changing anyway for your 777 flight. There is plenty of time and would do your shopping in the larger terminal.
Enjoy!
I think there is always a firework display from the Burj on NYE.

[Chilli]

Quattromaster said:

Following on from my "Look out America, I'm on my way" thread back in 2010, which proved so helpful to us on our first trip to the states, we are off on our travels again, and knowing PH is full of well travelling dudes I thought I'd start here in looking for ideas, help, thoughts and general abuse.

Sorry if I sound a bit wet behind the ears but I've never been so far east, and I suffer from a spinal injury so a big trip is always a bit nerve racking, for the record I can walk, on crutches, but will take my chair due to long walks in Airports.

Ok, well, as the title says, we are off to The Maldives and Dubai over xmas and new yr, I'll just list what we have planned and welcome any thoughts and pointers.

Sunday before xmas we fly out, on Emirates, A380 from Heathrow, to Dubai, 3 hrs there, then Emirates 777 down to the Maldives, arriving early Monday, then taking a seaplane out to our resort, Kuredu, a big island I think, but had to be as need good level paths, and this one has a "golf cart" taxi to help with me getting about.

First question, I fancy some nice headphones for on the beach, am I best to get on internet over here, Heathrow airport or in Dubai.

We spend a week in the Maldives before heading back on the 777 to Dubai, arriving Monday before new yr, we are staying in the "Al Manzil" hotel, approx 500 yds from the Burj Khalifa.

Second question anybody have any experience of this hotel.

We only have 4 days in Dubai, leaving on the 2nd, So far I have planned a trip to the top of the Burj, a 20 min helicopter trip over Dubai, and I'd love to see the aquaruim in the shopping centre. Also hoping they do some sort of firework display off the Burj on new yrs eve.

So, am I doing it right, am I missing anything, welcome any info, ideas from the PH massive.

The Burj will have a cracking firework display. However, if you are planning on going anywhere on NYE, I wouldn't. Have you seen how tightly they cram sardines into a can? Well, that's 7 star luxury compared to what it's like within 5 miles of the Burj on NYE. It is no exaggeration to say that people on the outside of a 6 lane highway, 2 miles away, will come to a stop and get out of their cars to watch it!
Post on the Middle East forum for Dubai info.

[Jonjo91]

I was on Kuredu Island for a week in November after a weeks diving on a liveaboard.

The island is amazing, the golf buggy shuttles will be absolutely ideal for you, a simple call to reception from your room will have a buggy ready and waiting withing 10 minutes.
The seaplane ride to the island is a squeeze so just have that in mind, although its fine after a short wait in the air conditioned lounge the island has at the airport (free drinks, ice cold face towels etc)

All the paths are well marked out on the island and very level, the paths are swept daily of leaves and anything else that falls from the trees.

PM me if you want any pictures.

[Super Slo Mo]

Forgot to mention in my previous post, the Al Manzil hotel is up to the usual 4-5 star Dubai hotel standards, so no need to worry there.

[Chilli]

Jonjo91 said:

I was on Kuredu Island for a week in November after a weeks diving on a liveaboard.

The island is amazing, the golf buggy shuttles will be absolutely ideal for you, a simple call to reception from your room will have a buggy ready and waiting withing 10 minutes.
The seaplane ride to the island is a squeeze so just have that in mind, although its fine after a short wait in the air conditioned lounge the island has at the airport (free drinks, ice cold face towels etc)

All the paths are well marked out on the island and very level, the paths are swept daily of leaves and anything else that falls from the trees.

PM me if you want any pictures.

One om my lasting memories of being in the Maldives, is the constant sweeping of the leaves!