United Arab Emirates: General

The United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates cover a total area of about 83,600 square kilometers along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula with Qatar to the west and north-west, Saudi Arabia to the west and south and Oman to the north, east and south-east. The UAE was founded in 1971 and the founder was the forward thinking Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan of Abu Dhabi. He was the ruler of Abu Dhabi from just after oil was discovered there in 1962 Just two years after he came to power in 1966 the British withdrew from the Gulf States leaving them to manage their own affairs. Sheik ... more

Having given you a rather basic review about Living in Dubai, I thought it might be interesting to take you out of the city and look at some of the surrounding areas that make up Dubai and the UAE. Now that the weather is starting to cool down, most days now between 35 and 39 degrees, outside past times and off road adventures do make a pleasurable way to spend your leisure time. The cooler months are between October to May and although you can go off roading, camping etc. between June and September it is very, very hot and not unusual to have temperatures well into the 50’s, whew and its ... more

MOSQUES, MUSLIMS, BANGERS AND BEANZ An opportunity to visit my son-in-law in the Middle East in 1986, conjured up visions of unremitting sunshine, desert safaris, camels, Arabs, oilrigs and endless vistas of sand dunes. Yes, they were all there in abundance, but what an eye-opener as we approached the airport at Abu Dhabi, to see a modern city with high-rise buildings, outstandingly beautiful mosques and a well-planned roadway system. I was accompanied by my wife and daughter and much to their dismay I had chosen to book our flight with the Russian airline, Aeroflot – well it was ... more

Many people have heard of Dubai but few people have heard of the other six Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates or U.A.E. During my time living in Dubai I was able to visit the other Emirates and would highly recommend this to anyone visting the country. Many people are worried about the current middle east situation, I personally don't think this country will be effected. During the gulf war tourists were still visting on cheap deals and having no problems at all, but you should always try to keep up with foreign office advice when travelling to this area of the world. I personally ... more

This airline is a fantastic airline and a joy to travel with, having been to Saudi Arabia, we booked with this airline for the first time, and it was so pleasant. We did not travel first class but it may as well have been so. As they had to many numbers in the Economy they put our family in these different seats on the way book. They must have been first class. The flight was a joy and the six hours flew by, we entertained by the big screen and little screens, with some good films shown, the space room was fantastic, enough room for you to relax in. The food was different and again enjoyable ... more