Stopovers during Ramadan
Jul 4th 2005, 1:11 pm
#1
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Stopovers during Ramadan
We are thinking of having a stopover in Dubai when we fly out in early October but I just noticed that Ramadan starts on 4th October for a month which, according to lonelyplanet.com, means no eating or drinking in public from 7am to 7pm.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
Jul 4th 2005, 2:38 pm
#2
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Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
No idea myself, but maybe post it on the Middle East forum as most of the guyson there seem to live in Dubai, so should know a bit about what its like then 
Jul 4th 2005, 2:39 pm
#3
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Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
Originally Posted by Pollyana
No idea myself, but maybe post it on the Middle East forum as most of the guyson there seem to live in Dubai, so should know a bit about what its like then
. Obvious really.
Jul 4th 2005, 2:43 pm
#4
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Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
One of my rare moments of inspiration (wine induced of course!!)
Jul 4th 2005, 4:26 pm
#5
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Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
Originally Posted by worzel
We are thinking of having a stopover in Dubai when we fly out in early October but I just noticed that Ramadan starts on 4th October for a month which, according to lonelyplanet.com, means no eating or drinking in public from 7am to 7pm.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
If you decide to go to Singapore- I can tell you that ramadan does not affect Singapore or Malaysia business, shops, restaurants. In Singapore there is a night market during Ramadam in the Muslim area Geylang. My part time maid still worked, everything stayed open. HTH
Jul 4th 2005, 5:55 pm
#6
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 82
Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
From personal experience of having lived and worked in KSA, unless your prepared to stay within a hotel complex, I'd forget about visitiing a ME country during Ramadan. Within a complex you shouldn't have any problems ordering/eating food, but if your caught eating/drinking (and that includes chewing gum) outside, you'll most probably get deported .
During daylight hours you'll find very little happening, but if your prepared to turn your body clock around, you could 'enjoy' a unique experience...
. During daylight hours you'll find very little happening, but if your prepared to turn your body clock around, you could 'enjoy' a unique experience...
Jul 4th 2005, 6:03 pm
#7
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Location: Hemel Hempstead UK
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Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
Originally Posted by worzel
We are thinking of having a stopover in Dubai when we fly out in early October but I just noticed that Ramadan starts on 4th October for a month which, according to lonelyplanet.com, means no eating or drinking in public from 7am to 7pm.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
I have friend who lives in Abu Dhabi (150 km ish away) and she says that although AB closes down, Dubai is fairly much business as usual... We have travelled to a few countries during Ramadan and it is fairly much business as usual. Some restaurants tend to be open (behind closed doors) for us lot! We were out in AB in February and it certainly a lovelly place to visit. Why don't you try the middle esat forum? I asked questions about our trip and got replies - enjoy your trip where ever it is! Michelle.
Jul 4th 2005, 11:49 pm
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,233
Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
From experience I would say it's no more than a slight inconvenience.
The hotels cater for an international crowd and so will have arrangements for ramadan. You can eat and drink in private, and it doesn't extend to children.
It is not unknown for westeners to carry bottles of water inside thier bag with a towel. When needing to drink, find a quiet place, head covered with a towel to take a swig of water.
It's quite an experience to sit there at sundown waiting for a cannon blast and the prayer calls. We would sit on our balcony, drinks and ice creams in hand waiting for the sun to set.
The hotels cater for an international crowd and so will have arrangements for ramadan. You can eat and drink in private, and it doesn't extend to children.
It is not unknown for westeners to carry bottles of water inside thier bag with a towel. When needing to drink, find a quiet place, head covered with a towel to take a swig of water.
It's quite an experience to sit there at sundown waiting for a cannon blast and the prayer calls. We would sit on our balcony, drinks and ice creams in hand waiting for the sun to set.
Jul 5th 2005, 12:01 am
#9
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: High up in Joondalup.
Posts: 4,228
Re: Stopovers during Ramadan
Originally Posted by worzel
We are thinking of having a stopover in Dubai when we fly out in early October but I just noticed that Ramadan starts on 4th October for a month which, according to lonelyplanet.com, means no eating or drinking in public from 7am to 7pm.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
Does anyone have experience of how much this will cramp our style if we want to go sightseeing or lie around a pool? Are the Souks, museums, shops still open? Apparently hotels are much cheaper at this time but is it worth it?
Will we have similar issues in other countries (which)? Malaysia, Singapore and HK would be other likely stop offs.
