Travelling to the Middle East • Non-Gaming • Travel • Eurogamer.net

Flying_Pig 1 Jan 2019 20:13:04 16,956 posts
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I'm due to travel to Bahrain and Dubai for a week later in January with work.

I've never been to that part of the world before so was wonder if anyone had any tips or things to watch out for.

I'm aware of the obvious stuff around drinking alcohol etc, but any insight would be appreciated.

fontgeeksogood 1 Jan 2019 20:18:48 12,913 posts
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I haven't been to Bahrain but I hated Dubai, it's so fake and like a police state. I actually hated most of the Middle East I've been to with the exception of Jordan and Israel.

This is one of the less helpful posts I've made. You're welcome x

Flying_Pig 1 Jan 2019 20:32:40 16,956 posts
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@fontgeeksogood thanks. I think

I've heard that Dubai is a lot like Las Vegas, but without the fun

fontgeeksogood 1 Jan 2019 20:38:33 12,913 posts
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You know what though, if you're going for work and it's just a week and not in the height of their insane summer it might be okay.

Depends what sort of thing you like. I like golf so a day off would be spent there, but that's not really being very touristy

JamboWayOh 1 Jan 2019 20:40:39 25,236 posts
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Flying_Pig wrote:
@fontgeeksogood thanks. I think

I've heard that Dubai is a lot like Las Vegas, but without the fun

I fucking hated Dubai tbh, it all felt so fake with ridiculous things like a massive aquarium in a mall because they can. Plus if you're the wrong kind of brown and not white you're less than dirt to the Emirati.

Rogueywon 1 Jan 2019 20:43:39 12,387 posts
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Been to Dubai (albeit for less than 48 hours) and was pretty thoroughly depressed by what I saw. "Vegas without the fun" is bang on the money. Only it's even less tasteful than Vegas and has all the obvious trappings of a police state.

Not been to Bahrain. Can't imagine it's any more pleasant.

senso-ji 1 Jan 2019 20:45:38 10,271 posts
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Dubai is vacuous, but if you have time you could book a side trip out into the desert. You can rent a 4X4 and join a convoy or rent a quad bike. If you enjoy the outdoors like hiking then all the best spots are in nearby Oman. Getting there by car takes a few hours but you'll need to pay for visa to enter the country.

You-can-call-me-kal 1 Jan 2019 20:51:03 23,013 posts
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There’s plenty of fun to be had in Dubai if you’ve got the means and the knowhow, but yes, it’s a vile status-driven place. I hate it there. That said there’s cool stuff you can do in the desert if you have down time.

Never been to Bahrain. Might be nicer, or at least more authentic.

Only tips I’d really give are get taxis everywhere, tip generously, and just watch how you interact with Emirati. I’d just steer clear as much as you can to avoid any accidental bumping into them and ending up in jail incidents etc. And don’t get into lifts if there’s only women in them.

JamboWayOh 1 Jan 2019 20:56:55 25,236 posts
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Well yeah, women get thrown into jail if theyve been sexually assaulted. Loathsome place.

cowell 1 Jan 2019 21:11:15 2,254 posts
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So I went to Dubai on a work trip maybe 5 or 6 years ago and had some fun. We were chaperoned by a local partner so that probably meant we stayed on the right path, but there was no shortage of great food and booze. There’s a lot of Brits working out there, partying at night and having a good time.

Other than the pool and the endless malls and hotels, there’s nothing to do in the day time. Hopefully work will keep you occupied during the day. Nights out can be a lot of fun.

Enjoyed it, without being a bellend. Didn’t get arrested

Edited by cowell at 21:11:47 01-01-2019

Khanivor 1 Jan 2019 21:27:58 44,800 posts
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Had the worst stomach bug in my life on a stopover in Dubai. Never been so glad I could lean over the sink while sitting on the toilet.

On that front, make sure to eat local food.

BurnoutJunkie 1 Jan 2019 21:30:22 1,222 posts
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I was in Bahrain for a couple of days a few years ago. I had a good experience but it was extremely hot. CRAZY HOT. Can't speak for Dubai though.

EDIT: didn't the BBC do a documentary on one or two of the Dubai princesses or something going missing? Probably taken by their own family?

Edited by BurnoutJunkie at 21:31:12 01-01-2019

Trafford 1 Jan 2019 22:02:25 9,358 posts
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Last year, ( when I was working in the travel industry) we had a visit from the Bahraini tourist board selling the place.
Apart from the rep being incredibly attractive, Bahrain looked pretty cool and we lapped it up. Lots of little islands to visit and an ancient tree which is very important to the people there.
Like Abu Dhabi it's more focused on Arabian culture. Very difficult from the shopping Mecca of Chavlamabad.

Trafford 1 Jan 2019 22:04:41 9,358 posts
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*different, not difficult.

MadCaddy13 1 Jan 2019 23:30:31 3,165 posts
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ZuluHero wrote:
If you take medication, double check what they class as A class drugs, some of mine is, so you have to get a cover letter from your doctor validating it as a prescription drug.

Fuck that I wouldn’t dare. End up doing 15 years hard labour or something!