FROM DOHA TO DUBAI

It was sunny day in Qatar and I was wondering where to go. I had 10 days holiday during EID Fitr as my place where I work with is part of semi government company. So, we entitle to have 10 days holidays. Unfortunately, I was not able to take whole 10 days. So, I tried to negotiate with my colleague if we can take alternated holiday so I could take at least 5 days holiday. I have plan to visit some countries around Qatar while living here. I have Indonesian friend living and working in Dubai. We met through traveler app (Couchsurfing) in January 2022. We did not meet in person as when I arrived in Georgia, she left on the same day. However, we still keep in touch and become best friend. So, I decided to travel to UEA (United of Arab Emirate) for this EID Holiday. I booked my flight from 3rd May 2023 to 7th May 2023 and I got ticket from Etihad 950 Qatar Riyal for two-way tickets. We made a plan where we would watch Maroon 5 concert in Abu Dhabi on our last day. So, Etihad is the best option as I would be arriving and departing from Abu Dhabi. They also provide free shuttle bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai with the fixed scheduled.

First thing I need to prepare before leaving Qatar is “Visa”. As Indonesian passport holder, I need a visa to enter UAE. Since I booked my flight from Etihad, I could apply tourist visa from their website. It is pretty easy and I obtained my visa after 1 or 2 days (tbh I forgot). Keep in mind, you would be needing a clear and proper size photograph for applying the E-visa. Do not worried, there is a lot of websites offering for auto sizing photos for visa.

——— Day 1 ———

I travelled in morning to Abu Dhabi. Once arrived in Abu Dhabi, I used Etihad bus to Dubai. I reached afternoon and the first place we (me and my CouchSurfing Friend ” Novi”) visited was Dubai Marina. I can say this place is similar with Pearl (Porto Arabia) in Qatar.

After that we were walking around Marsa Dubai. We bought Turkish Ice cream and enjoying the view. It was Eid Holiday and the place was crowded.

On 4th May 2022. We went to Ras Al Khaimah to try the sledder. It was fun activities. From Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah takes about 1.15 minutes. We went together with my friend’s colleague. For the sledder we paid AED 49 for single trip.

Here is some photos and videos I took during the trip 🙂

You can check their website and buy the tickets at counter. Reservation is not required.

sledder/https://visitjebeljais.com/adrenaline/jais-sledder/

There are a lot of places where we can take some picture from the top hill. I took some videos and photos. We had to pay AED 5 to enter that area.

On 5th May 2022, I went to Dubai Mall to see fountain water show. We had lunch and dinner at Dubai Mall. As an expatriate who lives in Qatar, I had noticed that food price in Dubai is more expensive than Qatar as there is tax 5% for restaurant or food bills. VAT (value-added tax) was introduced in the United Arab Emirates on 1 January 2018. It applies to most goods and services including for restaurants.

Not only food is more expensive in Dubai/UAE, taxi fare and Metro are expensive too compare with Qatar. In Qatar, the price for one way trip is only 2 Qatar Riyal (QAR) and in Dubai, they will charge us based on destination. I can say, uber price in Dubai also expensive where in Qatar for the nearest location they charge minimum 8 Qatar Riyal (QAR).

On 6th morning we travelled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi due to the bus queue was very long. We decided to take taxi. There were few people offering us the ride but they did illegally and and it was a sharing taxi. We arrived in hotel around afternoon and our schedule to watch Maroon 5 in evening.

In evening we were heading to Etihad Stadium where they held the concert. They served alcohol in the stadium. However, the guests could not bring it outside from stadium. We had nice experiences and specially for me it was my first experience watching International concert.

On 7th morning we decided to go to Sheikh Zayed Mosque. There is no entrance fee. We enter the mosque from tunnel and it is like mall. There is Starbucks also and some shops selling clothes and nice dresses. Please note that it is mandatory to use decent clothes which cover your legs and arm.

Overall, I enjoyed my trip in Dubai and I am glad I met my Couchsurfing friend and now we become a best friend 🙂