012_slits

This picture was taken between two towers along Sheikh Sayed road. The gap is, proportionally comparing to its height, so narrow that sunlight seldom gets through in a day. This kind of in-between space is usually used for café, alfresco dining and bar. It’s got very nice ambience especially during winter. (For your information, Dubai also has winter season and the weather can be quite cool, even cold at night) Walking along Sheikh Sayed road gives you an interesting alternated rhythm of formally looking towers and relaxing outdoor space usage. (for distance between building in Tokyo see 006_gaps at http://urbanomania-jp.blogspot.com)

011_attention, sir!

More and more office towers are being built along Sheikh Sayed road and they are so close to each other trying to fight for attention from passersby. Can you believe that there was almost nothing at all along this highway a few decades ago? Dubai is really growing at incredible and unmatchable speed, like an instant city suddenly appears out of nowhere in the desert.

010_sheikh sayed

This is Sheikh Sayed road, a 12-lane thoroughfare that links to Abu Dhabi and is a solely major road in Dubai. It also serves as an important business hub as you can see many office towers along the road. Since Sheikh Sayed is a highway, pedestrian crossing from one side to the other is impossible and, with its slip road system, you, or your taxi driver, need to know the way quite well in order to get to the building you want to go without making unnecessary trips. Only one slip road can take you to your destination without making a u-turn. Pretty tricky, isn’t it?

009_flexi-fare

Getting a cab in Dubai is tough, particularly during peak hour. I mean the taxi is empty but the driver just wouldn’t stop. I wonder why. Ok, here are some tips for catching a ride in Dubai. (for tips in Singapore see 005_fair fare? at http://urban-o-mania.blogspot.com)
1. Look for a hotel or department store nearby; you may find your luck there. It’s much easier than trying to flag from street.
2. Be specific with your destination. Always say its full name. For example, Sheraton hotel, there are more than one Sheraton in Dubai. (Sheraton Creek, Sheraton Deira and Sheraton Jumeirah)
3. Make sure that it’s a meter taxi and the driver turns it on.
4. Taxi drivers in Dubai are salaried employees so they don’t mind taking you to a faraway place that chances of getting a passenger on the way back to city are rare.
5. This one is cool. If you ask for a receipt, the driver will ask you how much the fare you want him to write down. If your company sends you to Dubai for a business trip and you are evil enough, here is a chance for you to earn some pocket money.