taj mahal

view from 'hotel' rooftop

nothing beats taj mahal when it comes to the old stuff. Its crowded and expensive though, only way to get a good picture is to wake up very early..

india 2

view from castle
castle itself. we took an elephant up. the rider claims we didnt tip enough, was at the verge of begging, i gave him a sgd $1 coin. i think he was pissed.
pearl palace, the best budget hotel
nus/ntu ppl we met there. they stayed in the same hotel as us, we decided to travel together for a day

the streets of india

hotel pick up

4 of us with full luggage squeezed into one of that. i had to sit in front with the driver, im not sure how it happened.
view outside my hotel entrance, delhi
random ox cart
bazaar/slums near a mosque/temple
morning, when the shops are closed. Looks like a dead town, but in the day till night its bustling with activity

just checking

just hanging around, been quite some time

bye bye dubai

Dubai 20090704

day 2.

After a good night's rest and a sumptous breakfast in the hotel we decided to brave the sun again and explore the 'heritage' area, almost dying of the heat a few times.

Aircondition is the greatest invention to come Dubai.

The 'Heritage' part of Dubai old town is reminiscent of the malay village in singapore.. recreated architecture, manequins and tourist shops

The towers are 'wind towers' which used to collect wind for cooling the interiors. At the heritage area they were boarded up and had added uplighting at night

Abra is the functional river taxi along dubai creek. Unlike singapore river, its a functional transport service ferrying passengers across the creek for AED 1, or 40 cents. Some sailors made the boats their home.

dubai 20090703

day 1

i woke up at 0715 hrs at home... somewhat close to the 0915hrs flight departure

rushed to the airport and managed to check in.

flight plan- jet airways

0915-1100 Singapore to Chennai

1330-1515 Chennai to Mumbai

1840-2015 Mumbai to Dubai

a 15 hour travelling plan to dubai

the colour scheme of Jet airways seems strangely familiar

at night we caught up with the rest and patrol the old streets of dubai near Majestic hotel-- in the 35 deg heat. Slight breeze seems like walking pass an aircon condenser unit. thankfully coke is only 40cents

Dubai series -- Arabian Nights

3rd to 11th July, 2009..

travelled to dubai as part of a school project -- urban study of the city of dubai, in progress to be the worlds biggest tourist destination

To be the gem of the middle east, like singapore/hong kong of the east asia

Inviting construction frenzy to the desert, creating islands and gardens in the desert

the economic crisis results in an exodus.. jobless expats return to their homelands, deserting the desert.. population plunges, projects halted... dubai quieter..

post-Daily reviews of dubaidventure in case i forgot, and some reflections