Dubai is full of things to do

More and more folks are talking about the United Arab Emirates as a place to visit, and especially Dubai. In fact the son of a close friend works as a golf instructor in the UAE and has regaled me with stories about the area and we are now planning to go with them on their next visit and take our children - hence the research. Dubai, it seems is just a cornucopia of delights for the visitor –whether you are there on business, having a short stopover or holiday.
The Gulf is very rich in marine life and fishing enthusiasts can catch sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks and hire a fully-equipped boat with crew for a deep sea trip (if you're rich that is). And, of course, Dubai is a golfer’s paradise – the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and the Emirates Golf Club are the venues of the European PGA tour.
There are a number of great things to do for all ages including the Magic Planet found in the huge Deira City Centre Shopping Mall. It is a brilliant entertainment centre for children with 10 pin bowling, a bungee jungle, electronic games and a mini golf. The Wild Wadi Water Park is 12 acres of desert filled with 30 million litres of water – with 23 rides and the particularly exciting Jumeirah Sceirah – a 33 m high slide which propels riders up to 80 km per hour, and there is a wave machine forming 1.5m waves. The Wonderland fun park also has water attractions with speed slides, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. Wednesdays are ladies only (what a good idea) and Thursday families only. Then there is the Galleria Ice rink, and Go Karting, the Thunder Bowl which is kind of bowling plus technology (though I’m not sure what, it sounds to be exciting). If that is not enough what about Archery, or Bird Watching (falconry is very popular in the UAE), mountaineering, cruising, or scuba diving. I believe that the hot air balloon ride over Dubai is pretty good too, though not for me with my problem with heights ! Of course, Dubai is not the only place to visit in the United Arab Emirates – I believe that Abu Dhabi is also interesting and Sharjah and Ajman and Ras al Khaymah further up the coast are also worth visiting. If we can get cheap hotels we are planning to travel a little.