Контрасты! Contrasts!

Winter somehow did not work out right away: either rain or ice. The whole city is gray and dirty. "Not positive at all! " - I thought. The friends with whom we were in Val Thorens last January are back on the skis. We sat and thought it was time for us to think about the winter holidays. There are also weather anomalies in Europe. I want sun and heat. Therefore, to the sea!
The emirates are chosen almost uncontested. Both before and on the eve of the trip, opuses about trips to this country were read. 99% of tourists... are delighted, surprised, amazed! Like most people choose a hotel for a long time. The first line - the prices are high. In city hotels, the option to get to the sea is either a taxi, or a bus assault. We chose, it seems, the best option: there is a shuttle to the beach, and it’s not far to walk on foot.
Through the Biblio Globus we buy a tour for three (2 + 1) to the Marina view hotel apt. at breakfasts. A flight with Transaero significantly benefits in price compared to Air Arabia and Emirates.

We went to the airport in our car. Previously, we booked Park and fly parking through the site (which could not have been done, since there were enough free parking spaces). As promised in additional services: free weighing and packing of luggage, as well as transfer to and from the airport. 5-10 minutes drive and we are at the airport. In Vnukovo there is calmness, as if in a modest provincial airport. The first impression is that there are very few people.
Five hours later, the flight landed in Dubai. Long transition from the plane to the passport control area. (Very reminiscent of Frankfurt Airport with its long corridors and vast territory). We went to dutifree upon arrival to buy a martini and hennessy for friends. It took forty minutes for baggage claim, passport control and customs. Eye scanning right there, one queue.
In the arrivals area and on the street there is a huge crowd of representatives of Asia. “Yes, we are in Domodedovo! ” - I hear Russian speech in the neighborhood. The sun is out, the southern air immediately penetrates into the lungs. Not hot. The representative of the Biblio Globe (the meeting side of the Voyage tour), as a mother hen, collected her "chickens". A little manipulation of the phone and gestures somewhere to the side, and five minutes later we were sitting on the bus. All tourists go to the Dubai Marina area, so the transfer promises (as stated in the hotel description) not to be long. However, in fact, they drove for about an hour, although the bus driver is an Indian Schumacher! Two "strong" Russian women groaned a couple of times on steep turns, hanging over the aisle in the bus. "Is this a prelude to Ferrari Park? " - Smiling, asked his wife. He smiles, but something is not right. Eyes now and then rounded from the landscapes passing by the window.
This is due to the construction work that is being carried out everywhere - pulling the light rail line to Palma. Many roads are blocked, everywhere there are signs of a detour, a narrowing of the road. Construction of new skyscrapers. I read at home that Dubai Marina is an actively developed area. Actively! is the priority word here.

Arrival at the hotel brightens up the negative impressions of the road. Beechboys pick up luggage from the bus, open the doors. At the front desk, Jasur clearly does his job and clearly explains everything: what, where, when! There is no deposit. Plug adapters are available in the rooms. The number went to the end with a view of Sheikh Sayed Road No. 713. At first they did not pay attention, but the noise from the road was constantly present both in the evening and at night. Therefore, the next morning we moved without any problems to another room overlooking the pool No. 306. An ordinary studio with a kitchen, which was what we needed with a small child.
We brighten up the evening with a trip to the nearby Marina Mall, where we ate, the daughter rode the carousel, the wife took pictures of the shops with her eyes (in order to study prices and goods), bought groceries in the supermarket and went for a walk along the embankment. On the first day, as usual, I want to see everything, go somewhere, but common sense takes its toll: morning is trickier than evening!
Breakfast - buffet. Many, varied, something tasty, something not. The sun is already hot, so it is more comfortable to sit inside the restaurant, or under a canopy on the street. A large influx of visitors for breakfast from 9 to 10. Apparently, this is why the staff does not have time to clean the tables and serve again. But not critical, they always respond to requests to bring something. Ekaterina left a pleasant impression, always friendly and ready to help.
The hotel bought a wi-fi card for a week. My wife needs the Internet for work, naturally unlimited. And also to communicate with relatives and friends, my daughter watched cartoons.
Good gym, but used once))
The pool is heated. There are always places. You can play volleyball in the water, the staff will set up the net. On the cards, beach towels that you can take to the sea.

We woke up late, we didn’t have time for a transfer to the beach. Yes, they didn't really want to. We walked. Of course, not 10-15 minutes, but all half an hour. But we walked with the child slowly. The problem area is to cross the road towards the beach to the first line of hotels. There is no traffic light, no crossing. Sometimes there are few cars, but a couple of times, it’s like running across the Moscow Ring Road! But it's scary the first time... then you get used to it)) The beach line is wide, there are changing cabins, lifeguards. There are no toilets. Beautiful views from the beach to the skyscrapers. When there is no haze, both Atlantis and Sail are visible. By vacationing on the beach, you can study geography. There are some very colorful characters. Working Indians and others come to the daily beach show: Bikini Girls! Funny Indians, rejoice like children! Smile and take pictures!
The water in the sea, of course, is not summer. But once you get used to it, you swim normally. Daughter so generally had to drive out of the water. One day brought some kind of turbidity to the shore, it was not comfortable to swim. There were jellyfish. One with long tentacles stung his wife. The trail is still there.
One day was dedicated to Jumeirah beach near Parus. We took a taxi for 22 dirhams. Go only for the sake of the photo, but I didn’t like the beach - it’s dirty, there are a lot of people. Again, another construction site - to the right of the Sail, a platform in the sea for the next construction.
In the evenings we went to the malls. Mostly on the subway. Dinner, daughter had fun. The Emirates looked at the snowy slope, invited my girls to come in. They refused, there is enough snow at home! My daughter spent two hours at the Magic planet at the attractions. Ibn Batuta mall, to be honest, was not particularly delighted, as many were. Beautiful region of China, and India. We went to Dubai mall 2 times. The first time, so to speak, for reconnaissance. We looked at the aquarium from the outside and went into the tunnel. Very impressed, especially my daughter. And the wall with divers reminded me of the movie “I am a robot”. Singing fountains naturally do not leave anyone indifferent - power, beauty! The second time we went to Dubai Mall especially earlier to take good pictures and see more of the fountain show. There was no desire to return from the Dubai Mall by metro, as it was a very tiring transition. Therefore, we went to the hotel by taxi - 55 dirhs.
One day we went to Creek Park to the Dolphinarium, then we walked around the park. From there we took a taxi to Nasser Square. This is where a completely different Dubai is – dirty and noisy. "Boxes" of shops with consumer goods, sticky barkers. We went to the spice market, bought something for ourselves and as a gift.

Water park Wild Wadi, which was going to visit was closed. Atlantis Water Park is not particularly suitable for a 5 year old child according to various reviews. Did not test. For the same reason, we did not go to Ferrari.
By evening, the girls were tired, despite the escalators, travelators, metro and taxis. This is because the distances are large in everything. Even the "cosmic egg" of the metro, which seems close to the hotel, is not close in reality, due to the numerous transitions and its huge size. An optical illusion is created by looking at these gigantic structures.
And, as usual, the result:
Why "Contrasts"?
Yes, because everyone who was here imagines what was before "oil" and how it is now. Driving through the outskirts of Dubai, you see a lifeless desert that a person conquers. And on every scrap something another masterpiece is being erected.
Because people of different nations and different faiths have gathered here, who live and work in the neighborhood with each other.
Dubai is definitely a hit. And of course there is a desire to return here to see the beautiful unique buildings again. Take full advantage of the entertainment and attractions offered here. And of course, climb the Burj Khalifa, go on a safari in the desert. Only without small children, because active life in this city and long distances is tiring for both them and the adults accompanying them. With children, we will choose the option of a beach holiday in another emirate, and in Dubai you can limit yourself to outings.
Moreover, the book of Entertainer Dubai vouchers pre-ordered on the website and received at the hotel remained almost intact. We used one voucher each for the Dubai Mall Aquarium, Dolphinarium and several vouchers for meals in cafes and fast food chains.
What did not like. No matter how rude it sounds - "local", even in gestures and behavior which are superior to the rest.
Good mood everyone! After all, as you tune in, so you will rest!