Monthly Archives: November 2024

Middle East 2024 Day 6 – UAE

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Started today a bit late (2pm) by going to the Jumeirah Mosque (did the tour which was only 40 AED), where they went through some important concepts of Islam.

The “tour” started with eating Arabic pancakes and something that sort of resembled Tim Bits (but harder and it was covered with a dates glazed sauce). We then proceeded to the area where you cleanse/wash yourself (from hands to hair to face to arms to feet). After, we proceeded into the mosque (had to remove our shoes. Also FYI, we were able to get in with pants and a short sleeve shirt).

Inside our guide explained the 5 pillar points of Islam (he was explaining how mosques from various parts of the world are different, and even different countries / regions have slightly different practices. However they are all Islam if you follow the 5 pillars). These were the pillars:

  • shahad (two phrases)
  • The prayers (5 prayers, first one is before sunrise)
  • Zeigat (a charity you should give to once a year (2.5 percent of your savings))
  • Fasting during the holy month (Ramadan, ninth month). Call Siam
  • Pilgrimage to mecca (the “box” that is in Saudi Arabia where mecca is is supposedly built by Abraham and Ishmael (and note that in Catholicism Isaac is supposedly the important son).

We also witnessed someone praying. They explained he is always facing mecca. Also he ends with something that sounds like “Ameen” which is similar to Amen.

Lastly they did explain that Islam does have a chapter with Mary and her miracle birth of Jesus. But ultimately Mohammed came after Jesus, and he was the actual messenger from God.

Afterwards we ended up getting food across the street at a place called Yara. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/30/yara/

We then headed to The Frame around 4pm (wanted to catch the sunset at 5:28pm, so 4pm ended up being the perfect time since we got to the top around 5:05pm. FYI we didn’t have VIP tickets).

After The Frame we got drinks at our hotel from The Eloquent Elephant (didn’t make a separate post since it was just an Aperol Spritz).

We then slept for 2 hours, got room service, and then got ready for a night out with Kevin de Vries.

Kevin de Vries played at a venue 30 minutes out called Terra Solis. it was presented by Tomorrowland, so the venue had elements of it (see pics below).

Middle East Day 5 – UAE

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Started the day with the the continental breakfast at our hotel.

Then headed our way to the Museum of the Future. We prepared ourselves to be super underwhelmed because many online reviews said to expect that. I will say there are a few things that I found cool (fyi the premise is that you’re in the year ~2070 and the earth is harnessing a lot of solar energy and powering various things on earth through microwaves). One section of the museum had a bio section, and it had over 2000 living organisms (from plants to bacteria) represented in a a 3D crystalized tube. I thought this was cool. Also, there was one invention that was shoes that adapt to your foot over time. The one final thing I will say about the museum is that they have this contraption in the lobby that flies around. It’s supposed to look futuristic, but someone in line called it a plastic balloon (in an NJ voice). Thought that was hilarious. (Oh, and also there were several references to Space-X which I thought was interesting).

After the museum, we headed back to the hotel to get a late lunch at a restaurant in the hotel called Meda. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/29/meda/

After, we walked over to the Burj Khalifa. We originally thought it would be a 15 minutes walk, but google maps was totally incorrect (it didn’t lead us to the right entrance, and there were definitely more optimized streets it could have taken). Therefore we missed being at the top by sunset. (But for future reference take an Uber instead, and the entrance is through the mall. Also VIP is worth it to skip the lines to and from the top. The top observation deck at 154-152 floors is best during the day since there will be less glare for photos, and I would say 148 is cool for night because it has a 360 view and an outside for the south and east corners. 124 floor has an outside view for west and north. 125 floor is meh lol). Will say it was cool to have a drink at the highest point, it also a bit underwhelmed by the lounge at 154-152 (very much just like an airport lounge). When we exited, we saw the fountains outside the Burj go off (similar to the Belagio fountains). Also, I will say the walking area around the Burj is really nice. Can’t wait to explore that area more in a few days when we go around the mall.

To end the night we saw Mind Against at SoHo Gardens (specifically The HIVE as soho is a collection of clubs). I will say I did like the vibe, and g people were definitely not shy! But one thing is, you will smell like an ash tray coming out of it (even down to your underwear!). Great night overall. (And they closed at 4am, mind against went on at 2:30am).

Middle East 2024 Day 4 – UAE

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Started off the day early to get to our morning dessert safari.

We ate our free continental breakfast at 7am, then got picked up shortly after and we were headed to the west part of Dubai. It took almost an hour drive to get to the location.

When we arrived, we got a head scarf to protect from the sun and dust (had to pay for it). Then spent an hour on a dune buggy (I only drove it for 10 minutes, but had a lot of fun still). Also did sand boarding (difference between that and snowboarding is that you can’t turn with sand because the sand is too fine compared to snowboarding). The last thing before ending the safari was riding on a camel for the first time (will say it wasn’t the most comfortable thing).

Overall had a great experience with the dessert safari, but will say sellers are fairly aggressive (ie from people selling the pictures to the person giving the head scarf to a person selling ice cream).

After coming back to the hotel from the safari, had lunch at this Asian fusion restaurant conveniently located in our hotel:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/28/miss-tess/

Afterwards we made our way to the Palms area, specifically Atlantis Hotel to ride the Dubai balloon ride (you can get tickets and ride the same day without booking). Unfortunately the weather was too windy for any balloon rides. We then tried Halcyon which is attached to the Atlantis since it is a Michelin star restaurant here. Unfortunately it was closed. We then tried to enter lost chambers with a free ticket from someone who gave it to us that was walking by. They said they didn’t scan it, but apparently it was scanned! So definitely didn’t have too much luck at Atlantis, but still glad to check it out to see what the area was like (basically like an Excalibur type ambience, it had a water park).

We then proceeded to the monorail that ran through The Palms. It had a pretty nice view of the Palm area (which aside from Atlantic a lot of it was either residential or being constructed).

After the Monorail, we checked out a beach club called Barasti. Music was good (house), but I think beach set up could have been better (beach area seemed a bit small. The W hotel beside it had a nice private beach set up).

We then proceeded to Dubai Marina. The sun had already set so everything being lit up was nice (see the pics).

For the most part it is a bunch of eateries (no alcohol along the floor part of the walk, which makes sense since I assume UAE does not want people to be seen with it).

Then I got my first taste of Turkish ice cream. That was an experience (ie it took me a while to get back the ice cream from the server!).

Then we ended up checking out Bar 44 from the Gosvenor Luxury Hotel (which is part of the Marriott hotel chain). They served the Glenfiddich out of its actual glass! More details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/28/bar-44/

Also the waiter at Bar 44 told us how to obtain alcohol bottles (basically there is a site in Mall of Emirates… just ask people in the food court of that mall where the store is located. He also mentioned a place called MMI, which is a liquor store that is a bit further out).

After Bar 44 we went to eat dinner at a restaurant called Iran Zamin that is on the ground area of Dubai Marina. It had a great view. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/29/iran-zamon-restaurant-cafe/

We then went to a rooftop called The Penthouse at the Five Hotel, which is at the entrance of the Palm area. It has a rooftop lounge, and after 10:30 there is another room that is a night club you can enter for free (or pay a minimum spend for entering the more exclusive area). DJs like Solardo play there. The night we were there they were playing Purple Disco Machine type house music. (lol they ended up letting me in with a casual shirt and string bag. Shorts people were generally wearing here, but pants i would recommend since we couldn’t get into one place because we didn’t have pants).

And as an interesting tip and note, the hotels around the Palm area seems to have a more young (30s) and party type vibe. So next time would stay in this area (especially the hotels towards the end of the Palm).

Middle East Day 3 – UAE

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We caught a flights at 11am on flyDubai from DOH to DXB. Aside from the long luggage line (and the flight agents asking if I had a ticket onwards from Dubai) the flight was a good experience.

Also, we ended up getting 2 whisky bottles at the Duty free since UAR lets you bring in 4 liters (and we didn’t want to deal with the whole process when we landed).

After landing, customs was easy (and they give you a free 10GB SIM card!). Then headed in an Uber to the hotel, the Taj Hotel. Will say the drive is interesting since the architecture of the newer parts of Dubai are amazing. (Really contrasts to old Dubai).

At check in they did greet us with an Indian style lay and tea drink.

Afterwards, we made our way to Dubai Old City. We did however first stop by the Al Fahidi historical neighborhood to get food at this really popular tourist restaurant called Al Khayma Heritage restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/27/al-khayma-heritage-restaurant/

After, explored the Bur Dubai – Diera Old Souk area of Dubai Old City, where there are lots of coffee shops and vendors (that are very aggressive). If you walk more along the river though, will say that was more pleasant.

We then took an Abra type boat to cross the river to make our way to the more modern (which reminded us of Asia) Souq area, where we went through the Gold Souq. Vendors there were also aggressive, but still did a bit of window shopping for a necklace.

(FYI lots of Al Fahidi was closed off/ under construction. Next time doing a walking tour around here and old Dubai might have made more sense).

From the Gold Souq area we made our way back to the hotel to end the first night in Dubai.

Middle East 2024 Day 2 – Qatar

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Started off Day 2 in Doha at 9am, as we had plenty of sleep the night before.

The day started by strolling into Souq Waqif (which our hotel was right beside), and getting an Arabic breakfast at the Baith Maryam Brothers restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/baith-maryam-brothers/

Then strolled around Souq Waqif, visiting various Souq areas, including jewelry, falcon, bird, clothing. (Haha friend I was with thought the jewelry here would be fake).

Afterwards we headed towards the Museum of Islamic Art. Countries represented in it included Spain, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Qatar. Lots of Qurans, and pen boxes! There was also a temporary museum featuring Morocco art.

Here is a link to the museum’s audio guide:

https://app.smartify.org/en-GB/tours/highlights-of-the-museum-of-islamic-art?tourLanguage=en-GB

Afterwards we made our way to the West Bay Area, where there are a lot hotels and 2 malls. Also the sky scraper view looks fantastic. The first mall, The Gate Mall, was definitely not impressive (would not go back). We then checked out the Marriott hotel nearby to get drinks at their Tulum like bar (which is located at their pool deck and according to a friend did have Tulum vibes):

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/tulum-doha/

After we went to the City Center Mall. It had a giant arcade, and a giant kids bouncy castle. Also lots of eateries (American ones). Also had a Gold Souq area. Would come back to this mall.

Then walked up to the beach area to check out Doha Beach Club. Will say we weren’t too impressed by it (but did enjoy the walk to the beach club to check out the rest of the buildings in the city.

After we walked to the 2nd tallest building in Doha, The Kepinski Residences. Here on the 61st floor they have a restaurant (with drinks) called Zengo, which has an epic view of the Lusail area, and also captured a sunset view. Details are here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/zengo-doha/

Afterwards, to a small nap, then head back to Souq Waqif, which is a different vibe at night (the website guide mentioned it’s when you can see how the locals live). And indeed it was wayyy busier than the day (probably since it is cooler at night). For dinner, checked out this restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/infinity-rooftop-bar/

Then headed one block away to the Msheireb (Downtown Doha) area, which was a contrast between the adjacent Souq Waqif (very modern). We checked out this rooftop bar in the area called Infinity Bar that was in a hotel. Here are the details:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/infinity-rooftop-bar/

Ended the night by going back to the West Bay (City Center) area to check out a club called HIDE (Monolink, Zed, Tale of Us played here by the pictures on their wall). The club was a bit too crowded, and smelt like too much smoke for my liking. Therefore we checked out Glo Bar (again at the Marriott) as our last night at Doha.

Learnings/Take-aways: next time would either stay in the West Bay Area (where there are more westerners/ bars) or the Lusail area (ie where it’s more like Vegas). Whisky drinks here are way over priced since one Oz shot is usually $20. Also for the west end (also referred to as city Center), remember thinking that there is a lot of hotel buildings, residences, and office buildings, but still a lot of things being constructed, and doesn’t seem busy (ie hard to believe all the buildings are even close to being fully occupied). Some buildings look like they are starting to be constructed, but ran out of money. Lastly, basically all alcohol is in a bar in a hotel (and seems like you can get a whole bottle at the Marriot… but not sure if you can take it to your room or if you would have to finish it there). And lastly lastly, if I came back here again, would check out some sports stuff (since Formula 1 is now here, and the World Cup a few years ago). And lastly lastly lastly, for entering places that is exclusively alcohol / 21 plus like sports bars or clubs, you need to present your passport (most alcohol places we did did not have to do this).

Middle East 2024 Day 1 – Qatar

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We flew from New York with Qatar airways. The flight is 12 hours, and it was definitely a pro move to get an aisle seat that has extra leg room, and is in the baby bunker area. Also, Qatar airways meals are pretty good, and they serve you unlimited whisky and Prosecco for free!

We arrived at DOH airport at 6am. For US citizens there is a $20 USD fee to enter. Also, they do xray all carry bags, and they randomly have people pull aside for extra screening (that happened to me, but the extra screening was just scanning my luggage tag).

We tried to call our hotel to see if we can check in early, but they did not answer, so we took a taxi (Uber does exist in Qatar, but not around the airport).

When we arrived at the hotel, called the Al Najada near Souq Waqif, it was 7:30am, and our room was not ready yet, so we decided to get the continental breakfast. The selection was great (really enjoyed the shrimp curry).

At around 8:30am they had our room ready. So took a 5 hour nap.

After a nap, headed over to the Lusail region, where we first checked out the Place Vendome mall. The mall is known for its dancing fountain (will say wayyy under impressed… a 3 minutes show only, and Bellagio fountains are way better). The mall did have a bunch of high end stores, and lots of American and European ones (ended up getting star bucks and Dairy Queen at the mall). I will say, the courtyard of the mail really looked very Vegas like, and I thought the sky in it was fake (it is real).

After the mall, got a quick double Makers whisky drink at a sports bar called The GOAT in a hotel (Le Royal Meridien) was attached to the mall (liquor in Qatar is VERY strict, and only really expensive restaurant serve it. You also need your passport as ID).

After, Ubered 6 minutes the Lusail Night Market. It is basically food and nothing else (would say I recommend it). However the Fairmont hotel was near by, and that was epic to check out (it basically looks like the eye of Soran). Next time would definitely try out one of the restaurants in that hotel.

We then proceeded to the Katara Cultural Village, where lots of outdoor art pieces are( and a gold mosque). We also ate a restaurant called Mamig. Here are the details:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/11/26/mamig/

After we ended up going back to the hotel to sleep for 9 hours.