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You do remember that you have seen a couple of domes from the sightseeing bus, one being decorated with blue and green ornaments, and it was indicated by the guide that „behind the building on your right“ there is the largest mosque in Dubai, but also the Iranian one, Indian, etc. The bus doesn’t stop there. But I was too keen to see those ornaments up close and they said that Dubai Museum is in the same area, along with the former Sheikh residence and the old Arab Heritage Village.

Bastakiya Dubai

If it’s too much trouble to jounce on the bus that needs a lot of time to come through those busy boulevards towards Deira and Bur Dubai districts, the right way to go is by Metro.

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Wind towers in Bastakiya Dubai

There is a station nearby called Al Fahidi, and with water, wet wipes, and sunglasses as a must because of the weather (at least in the summer), you will reach Bastakiya in few minutes.

It reflects typical settlements with small houses and wind towers which were channeling the breeze down, cooling wide courtyards; with narrow passages; old craftsman shops in the traditional environment; calligraphy store; small Coffee Museum; impressive white mosque; old-style hotel, etc. There, you will find a part of the old wall that dates back to the end of the 19th century, encircling the city at the time.

Bastakiya was named after Bastak area of southern Iran. Traders from Bastak were encouraged to settle here by tax concessions at the beginning of the 20th century.

After a nice stroll around Bastakiya, while the heat sneaks up from above and below, take a break for tea or coffee in a typical Arabic (air-conditioned) cafe.

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Traditional store in Bastakiya Park

And then, not very far from there, there is a museum you were recommended to visit. Located in the old Al Fahidi Fort from 1787, it offers all you can find regarding Dubai’s history and heritage.

It should be said that those who live and work in Dubai, not being Emiratis, have just smiled at the idea of anything in Dubai possibly dating back to the 18th century: „The whole country exists for a bit more than 40 years and everything you see is recent. Half of the city didn’t exist just a decade ago! There might have been a fort there, but it is surely long gone.“

Ancient skeletons

Al Fahidi Fort did exist at the spot and it was the ruler’s residency and pillar of defense not far from the Gulf. In 1970 it was renovated and turned into a museum. I barely got out of the group of excited Japanese tourists who were moving slowly in a densely packed circle, flashing their cameras all around.

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Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort

Replicas of old Arab houses are displayed in the courtyard, covered with reed, fireplace in the middle, maybe a bed or a large pillow on the floor.

There is a spiral lane taking you down to the chilled basement with the actual exhibition. The group of children was greatly amused by the exhibition, and I was drawn towards two skeletons, male and female. They date back to the 3rd millennium BC, were uncovered in Jumeira in that same position – hugging each other.

You will not need more than 30 minutes for the whole Museum. If you don’t bring your children along, that is.

Old Souk Dubai

At least you did get a chance to cool down a bit and to catch a breath or two. Now, moving on, strolling through the heat and humidity.

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The Old Souk lightly covered

Right next to Dubai Museum there is a long mosque, beige on the outside, with numerous small domes and a tall minaret.

Stroll through nearby passages and you are already in the Old Souk, the real Arab open market, with salesmen stopping you at every stall smiling and offering tea.

Part of it is covered by wooden beams, while the rest bursts with passages and all the range of dresses, scarves, table cloths, curtains that are swinging above.

One salesman charmingly puts one of the scarves over your arm, so you have to stop to give it back, and there it goes… „Welcome, do come in, please, we have a lot more inside“, „Just looking around, thank you“, „You don’t have to buy anything, let me just show you those beautiful scarves, colors are like they were made just for you“…

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Blue and green ornaments of the Iranian mosque

And then, around the corner, a large mosque appears, covered in blue and green tiles, with flowers and leaves shaped ornaments, great dome decorated in the same manner. It dominates the area of beige and gray buildings, surrounded by cars, building constructions. There it is, the Iranian mosque! And on the other side of the small square – another one, the Sunni mosque, with elegant small domes, beige and charming.

Thus far even the camera got tired, „bugging“ from time to time because of the heat. People around smile – it seems I have once again entered an area not often visited by tourists in the summer.

Abra station

I have checked the sightseeing bus schedule, there should be one in few minutes at the entrance of the Old Souk.

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Charming beige mosque in the Old Dubai

The plan is to hop off after less than 15 minutes to visit the Heritage Village which is not that far. Well, if it wasn’t for those 45 degrees… Now, on the other hand, that chilled bus seems like a great idea!

After hopping on, being burned by the sun, I was reminded by the guide that „we are at the Abra station“ with small wooden taxi boats zipping up and down from Bur Dubai to the other side, to Deira district. „That is on the agenda for another day“, it crossed my mind, „along with the cruise I’m so eager to do“.

Next: VISITING THE GRAND MOSQUE (11)

The full Dubai SERIES

 

Dubai-travel-Deira-Glimpses-of-the-World

 

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Danijela ćirović

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