Revisiting Dubai after 26 Years

We left Dubai in December 1990 after having lived there for twenty years. Some of our most memorable days were spent in Dubai. My youngest daughter was born at the Rashid Hospital. My two older children completed their high school at St. Mary's High School. And we left behind good friends, colleagues, and our home.

I had seen the beginning of Dubai's growth spurt in the 1970s. Those were extraordinary days. Now I wanted to visit Dubai again. So in 2016 when my granddaughter said she wanted to see Dubai with me I jumped at the opportunity. On February 24, we landed at Dubai International Airport.

I wanted to show my granddaughter as much of the old Dubai as I could. The morning after our arrival we went to Dubai Creek. The malls, restaurants, gardens, would come later. She loved the hustle and bustle of the Dubai Creekside, the old souk, the spice market. The crowds of people did not intimidate her, she loved it all. By the time we left, she had learned to bargain for a good price at the souk and give directions to the taxi driver in Urdu! I couldn't have chosen a better companion for my revisit to Dubai.

The Dubai Creek (video)

The Dubai Creek appeared much the same as I remembered. It was as busy as before with "abras" (ferry boats) cruising up and down the creek. The difference was there were fewer commuters crossing the creek to get to work, but more tourists enjoying the "abra" experience.

Par Dubai (video)

This area of Par Dubai was reminiscent of the 1970s, though more crowded and with many more cars. You can see the Dubai Museum in the background.

At the Barbecue Delights restaurant near Ibn Battuta Mall (video)

In the end, we did go sightseeing, visit the malls, ate at restaurants, and loved the beautiful new look of Dubai.

Please check out the new photos I added to my October 27, 2021 post called "Dubai in the 1970s: A slide show."