Once upon a time, Dubai was just a sleepy trading post, mostly made up of sandy desert. Today it's built up with skyscrapers that hem the Creek (the natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the heart of old Dubai), shopping malls that have skis slopes, and five star hotels that overlook the beach.

This was all the brain child of the enterprising Sheickh Maktoum and his family who realised that oil reserves were one day going to run out and a new revenue stream would be needed to fund the future of Dubai. What better way to entice overseas money than to make a hedonistic playground for the rich?

This cunning plan has paid off big time; expats at every corner, malls galore, hotels with underwater resorts, and a plam shaped resort built outwards towards the sea.

You can still find the souks (Arab markets), or catch an abra (a small water taxi) to get you around the old part of town where the exotic Arabian culture still reigns.

Here are some must visits/dos for any visitor to Dubai:

1. Dubai Creek
Catch an abra and take a trip along the Dubai Creek. This sea water inlet cuts through Dubai and is the quickest and most quaint way to become acquainted with the old trading port and the dhows (A dhow is a traditional arab sailing vessel with one or more triangular sails). It's also the ideal way to criss cross the Creek from the Souks of Eira to those on the Bur Dubai side. For an hour-long historical trip, flag an abra from the embarkation point to the mouth of the Creek and further long to the Maktoum Bridge. On the way you will take in many if Dubai's landmarks.

Birdwatchers should hang around at the inland end of the Creek because this is a large shallow lagoon which has been turned into a wildlife sanctury. Migrating birds love it here and 27,000 have been spotted at one time during the autumn migration. Check out the Greater Flamingos who call this home all year round.

2. Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort
If you don't believe the 'Dubai was once just a sandy sleepy port' story, then a visit to this interactive museum will dispel any doubts. There are countless pictures of Dubai before the developers took over showing a Dubai without the razzamatazz. There's also life size displays portraying various aspects of life in Dubai. The museum is housed in the 18th century A Fahidi Fort, which is probably the oldest building in Dubai.

Address: Al-Fahidi Street, Tel: 00971 4353 1862
Open: The museum is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm (Sat-Thu) and Fridays from 2pm hrs to 7:30 hrs.

3. Murshid Souk
You can shop with the locals here, well, mainly women in Islamic purdah - for household goods. Or follow your noise to the spice section and choose from sacks full of cardamon, frankinscense, ginger, dried lemon, almonds and apricots.

4. Deira Gould Souk
This market has street after street that glitter with gold and all manner of necklaces, rings and jewellry. If you like garish, you'll find it here among the gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, amethysts and pearls that decorate the windows.

5. Mall of the Emirates
This marble clad mall has all the designers selling their wares. This is also home to Ski Dubai which has five powder pistes and the world's first indoor black run. There's also a chairlift and two Alpine-themed restaurants. You can hire the entire gear (except gloves) for around £18.

Address: Sheik Zayed Road Tel: 00 971 4409 4000
Mall of the Emirates website Ski Dubai website

6. Burj Al Arab
This world famous iconic hotel, shaped as a sail, is the most distinctive in Dubai. It stands alone on its own artificial island and overlooks the Jumeirah Beach. It has self-styled itself as the world's only seven star hotel, which some dispute, but at 321 metres (1053 feet) it is definitely the tallest.

This is one of the most expensive hotels in the world offering suites instead of rooms and has the tallest atrium lobby in the world (180 metres/590 feet). The lobby has an amazing waterfall and fountain combined with a lightshow. At its top is the Al Muntaha restaurant which offers superb panoramic views. On its lower level is the Al Mahara restaurant accessed via a simulated submarine. Inside is a huge seawater aquarium.

Address: Jumeirah Road Tel: 00 971 4301 7777
Burj Al Arab website
Rooms: Suites from £1,200
Reservations are required to dine at the restaurants or even to have a drink at the bars.

7. Jumeirah Mosque
This mosque must be the most photographed piece of architecture in Dubai. It is made entirely of stone in the medieval Fatimid style with two minarets. At night the mosque is lit up and quite beautiful to behold.

Address: Al-Jumeirah Road
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours; access to non-Muslims through organised tours only.

8. The Grand Mosque
Located on the Bur Dubai section near the Ruler's Court was newly rebuilt in 1998. The mosque is quite an eyeful of beautiful architecture. It has nine large domes alongside another 45 domes and the largest minaret in the city (70 metres high).

Address: Ali ibin Ali Talib Street
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours; entrance to non-Muslims is forbidden.

9. Wadi Wadi Water Park
Designed like an Arabian wadi (oasis) this is a 12 acre water theme park offering 30 different rides and slides. If you like water sports this child friendly water park is for you.

Open: daily from 11am to 6pm.
Entry: 160 AED for adults and 125 for kids.

10. Palm Islands the the World
They say Palm islands are so big you can see them from space. These man made islands designed to look like palms using land reclamation expertise, are intended to be the larged man-made island in the world that will be home to over a million people. The Palm Jebel will have an aquatic park, the Palm Jumeirah has a mix of residents and hotels and the Palm Deira will be mostly residential with over 7000 villas. The three islands interconnect with bridges. These will be accompanied by 'The World' - a series of 300 offshore islands that represent the world.

The Palm website The World website

Note:
If you find yourself in a souk, this phrase may come in handy:

Anta tamzah rhair-ly jidan - You must be joking, that's too much too much!

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7 April 2008