mary1

Hi ! Is there any locals who can give me some info?

I will be stopping over in Dubai for 24 hours on the way to the UK from Australia in May next year.

I have booked into the "Pearl Resisdence Appts" and arrive at midnight and have transfers booked.

I am a female( middleaged-no spring chicken)and street wise travelling alone.Would this be advisable?

Thanks Mary

Border Reiver

As long as you don't bump into any of the people on this board you will be fine :scared:

Seriously though, Dubai is very safe and you won't have any problems. The very worst that will happen is that you will get stared at a little but it is more curiosity than aggression.

mary1

Thanks for your quick reply!
Do you think it would be safe for me to go shopping by myself during the day?

Are you from the Borders?
I was born in Hawick, lived in Selkirk ,Coldingham,and Gala(well travelled eh?) and my parents live in Melrose now.I live in Brisbane-Oz now.

My Mum still sends me a copy of the "Border Telegraph" and recipes from the "womens rural institute" (usually with mince involved).

I'm looking forward to my Ozzie hubbie seeing the Borders( I'm going over earlier than him).
He's never been to the UK and doesn't believe other people on the planet speak like I do!
He thinks I mean "dunny can " when I say "dinnay ken" (which means a toilet in Brisbane). He's looking forward to the scenery and pubs and meeting the folks.

I hope they still have Selkirk Bannocks and bridies and decent rolls.

Thanks again Mary

alowicious_28

You will be fine shopping on your own, just don't sit in the front seat of a taxi and don't wear any low cut clothing especially if you have big boobies

Border Reiver

Strictly speaking, I'm a little bit too far South to be a Reiver (more Southern end of Northumberland), but I have spent a lot of time walking and cycling around the Debateable Lands, and my parents now live not too far from Carlisle. I miss the countryside, too much sand around here!

CasaNova

It's safe but keep the CID and Police numbers on your phone in case. and rest assured they wil be their after you whistle!

remeber alot of visitors arrive here daily to this country and we don't know their past.

Truth Speak

Hello MAry

You'll be fine, Dubai isn't quite the wild west.

One point - the Pearl Reisence isn't in the most salubrious area - its on the edge of the 'red light' area but well situated for the souks of Bur Dubai...... depends where you want to go and what you want to see....

Have a good trip
TS

Sid2

Dubai really is a very safe place ... a thousand times safer than the average Western metropolis. (In fact, the safety is quoted by many Western expats as one of the main positive aspects of life in Dubai.)

Crime is rare due to a combination of efficient policing; strong border controls; a criminal-unfriendly justice system and discreet but effective surveillance. The policemen are generally helpful and understanding, and are able to speak English.

The taxis are supervised by the Government-run Transport Corporation, which means that the details of every taxi-driver are "on-file" & there is no place for cabbies to "run and hide" if they do anything funny.

I have seen many women sitting in the front-seats in taxis in Dubai ... of course, you may sit in the back-seat, if you wish, for reasons of greater privacy.

calina666

No problem. Taxi drivers are really helpful, and they are metered - well most of them, arrange a fare first if not metered. Respect the religion, and dress appropriate. I was being collected form the beach everyday wearing shorts & vest, so can't be that bad. Evening times I wore trousers and long sleeves, as most of the places to go are in Hotels, and they have a dress code. Considering only about 9% of the people there are true locals, I don't think you will find a problem. Most of the tourists tend to be Russian - well they were in March. I'm back there next month. Most of the taxi drivers are either Pakistani, Indian or from Egypt and like to have a yap.

mary1

Thanks for all the advice everyone.I'm looking forward to my trip now!

Benson

thought I would add my 50 fils worth. Be carefull crossing the roads. Cars dont stop. Enjoy your stopover.

CasaNova

they stop Only if a beautiful girl wants to cross.

novita77

in the UK or far east, the car will slow down when they see pedestrian want to cross, but somehow in Middle East is the other way around. They will speed up when they see you want to cross ...

shoushou

They do....They stopover you......

Benson

I read a letter in 7 Days recently that a guy claimed he was hit by a bus doing 100kph. He claims he was walking and had no external injuries although was aching inside. Must of been a big fella.