Here’s a simplified map of Dubai, showing areas that I mention now n then in my postings, for a better idea of where I live, how far from the city, airport, Burj Al Arab, etc.
Ewan Residences is located in the “pink” spot in Jebel Ali. The Gardens is also in Jebel Ali, about 15 minutes away from Ewan by car/shuttle bus. Burj Al Arab, the little “yellow” man-made island, is about 25 minutes away from Ewan by car/shuttle bus. It’s located in Umm Suqeim, not Jumeira, although the stretch of beach from Umm Suqeim right up to Jumeira is Jumeira Beach, along Jumeira Road.
The bolder “orange” line is Sheikh Zayed Road, the main expressway that runs right across Dubai. As we’re located near the Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, you get lots of huge trucks, trailers, tankers travelling along the expressway around this area. At certain times during the day, the Jebel Ali Interchange/Roundabout gets jam-packed with all these big trucks. I’m sure at least 10 accidents occur at this roundabout every day. One taxi driver told me his friend died there just a week back.
That’s the scary thing about traffic in Dubai. It’s not just how the average speed on roads is 120km/h, with most drivers going at 140 (the speed limit is 120). Drivers are really, REALLY reckless – swerving, switching lanes without signalling, drifting... Dubai has the third highest road accident rate in the world, with one person killed in a traffic related accident every 48 hours, and one injury every four hours.
Other than the truck pile up, Jebel Ali is a much quieter area in terms of road traffic and human traffic. Mainly an industrial area, and with a few camel farms scattered around too. A bit ulu, but the residences here are newer, mostly less than 2 years old, with many vast areas of land (desert) fenced up and marked for future development, or already undergoing the intial phases of construction of residential, retail and industrial complexes.
The “green” spot on the map makes up the Al Wasl, Safa, Jumeira district, which is older, but because of its beachfront location, it’s one of the most expensive areas to rent or buy a property.
The One & Only Royal Mirage and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi is located just to the left of the entrance to the Palm Jumeirah, and the areas opposite the Palm Jumeirah make up the newly developed Dubai Media City, Internet City n Knowledge Village. Nearby is Dubai Marina, another new area with more expat-targetted apartments and such.
Distance by cabfare:
Burj Al Arab – Mall of the Emirates, Dhs.10
Mall of the Emirates – Ewan, Dhs.55
Ibn Battuta Mall – Ewan, Dhs.30
Burj Al Arab – Airport Area/Deira, about Dhs.50-60
Don’t ask me distance in km or even metres, I really can’t tell. Even 100m back in school days was considered a very long distance to run (notice how I say run, not sprint).
Al Quoz is another huge industrial area, and Jumeirah has its own staff accommodation built there for lower grade employees. This is the place I had to go to to get my medical (blood test from hell) done.
The stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road from around Al Wasl to Satwa is the business district of Dubai, lined with hotels and office buildings. Emirates Towers is located here and is 15 – 20 minutes away from Burj Al Arab.
The “purple” zone is the oldest part of Dubai, Bur Dubai on the left, and Deira on the right. Our friend Andrew rents a small studio in Satwa for about Dhs.3,000 a month (he used to rent one in Deira for Dhs.3,500 a month!), and he works at Madinat Jumeirah.
Most of the old souks are located in Deira, and a few in Bur Dubai. The other bulk of hotels are located in Deira, either along Dubai Creek or near the airport. So far, I’ve received most invitations for job interviews with companies located in Deira, one in Karama, and even one all the way in Al Qusais. It’s not just the distance that puts me off, it’s the traffic! The whole “purple” area is crazy, congested, and not very safe for women to be walking about alone.
Lamcy Plaza is located in Oud Metha, and the Singapore Consulate is in a building nextdoor. There are quite a few Chinese restaurants around this area, but we have yet to try any of them.
Ras Al Khor is another huge industrial area and the Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the mangrove area here where the creek ends. There are also camel farms and the enormous Dragonmart that we visited here. Nad al Sheba, the Dubai camel racing “circuit” is somewhere around this area too. So Hatta is somewhere south of Ras Al Khor, Sharjah is to the right, and Abu Dhabi to the left. And yes, there’s more than one “Palm”. Three altogether, plus “The World”, all under construction. Dubai’s total coastline is aapproximately 60km, but these new offshore projects will add over 1,000km! Palm Deira is about three times the size of Palm Jumeirah. Palms in the ocean… What next? Coral lagoons in the Empty Quarter?
Ewan Residences is located in the “pink” spot in Jebel Ali. The Gardens is also in Jebel Ali, about 15 minutes away from Ewan by car/shuttle bus. Burj Al Arab, the little “yellow” man-made island, is about 25 minutes away from Ewan by car/shuttle bus. It’s located in Umm Suqeim, not Jumeira, although the stretch of beach from Umm Suqeim right up to Jumeira is Jumeira Beach, along Jumeira Road.
The bolder “orange” line is Sheikh Zayed Road, the main expressway that runs right across Dubai. As we’re located near the Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, you get lots of huge trucks, trailers, tankers travelling along the expressway around this area. At certain times during the day, the Jebel Ali Interchange/Roundabout gets jam-packed with all these big trucks. I’m sure at least 10 accidents occur at this roundabout every day. One taxi driver told me his friend died there just a week back.
That’s the scary thing about traffic in Dubai. It’s not just how the average speed on roads is 120km/h, with most drivers going at 140 (the speed limit is 120). Drivers are really, REALLY reckless – swerving, switching lanes without signalling, drifting... Dubai has the third highest road accident rate in the world, with one person killed in a traffic related accident every 48 hours, and one injury every four hours.
Other than the truck pile up, Jebel Ali is a much quieter area in terms of road traffic and human traffic. Mainly an industrial area, and with a few camel farms scattered around too. A bit ulu, but the residences here are newer, mostly less than 2 years old, with many vast areas of land (desert) fenced up and marked for future development, or already undergoing the intial phases of construction of residential, retail and industrial complexes.
The “green” spot on the map makes up the Al Wasl, Safa, Jumeira district, which is older, but because of its beachfront location, it’s one of the most expensive areas to rent or buy a property.
The One & Only Royal Mirage and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi is located just to the left of the entrance to the Palm Jumeirah, and the areas opposite the Palm Jumeirah make up the newly developed Dubai Media City, Internet City n Knowledge Village. Nearby is Dubai Marina, another new area with more expat-targetted apartments and such.
Distance by cabfare:
Burj Al Arab – Mall of the Emirates, Dhs.10
Mall of the Emirates – Ewan, Dhs.55
Ibn Battuta Mall – Ewan, Dhs.30
Burj Al Arab – Airport Area/Deira, about Dhs.50-60
Don’t ask me distance in km or even metres, I really can’t tell. Even 100m back in school days was considered a very long distance to run (notice how I say run, not sprint).
Al Quoz is another huge industrial area, and Jumeirah has its own staff accommodation built there for lower grade employees. This is the place I had to go to to get my medical (blood test from hell) done.
The stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road from around Al Wasl to Satwa is the business district of Dubai, lined with hotels and office buildings. Emirates Towers is located here and is 15 – 20 minutes away from Burj Al Arab.
The “purple” zone is the oldest part of Dubai, Bur Dubai on the left, and Deira on the right. Our friend Andrew rents a small studio in Satwa for about Dhs.3,000 a month (he used to rent one in Deira for Dhs.3,500 a month!), and he works at Madinat Jumeirah.
Most of the old souks are located in Deira, and a few in Bur Dubai. The other bulk of hotels are located in Deira, either along Dubai Creek or near the airport. So far, I’ve received most invitations for job interviews with companies located in Deira, one in Karama, and even one all the way in Al Qusais. It’s not just the distance that puts me off, it’s the traffic! The whole “purple” area is crazy, congested, and not very safe for women to be walking about alone.
Lamcy Plaza is located in Oud Metha, and the Singapore Consulate is in a building nextdoor. There are quite a few Chinese restaurants around this area, but we have yet to try any of them.
Ras Al Khor is another huge industrial area and the Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the mangrove area here where the creek ends. There are also camel farms and the enormous Dragonmart that we visited here. Nad al Sheba, the Dubai camel racing “circuit” is somewhere around this area too. So Hatta is somewhere south of Ras Al Khor, Sharjah is to the right, and Abu Dhabi to the left. And yes, there’s more than one “Palm”. Three altogether, plus “The World”, all under construction. Dubai’s total coastline is aapproximately 60km, but these new offshore projects will add over 1,000km! Palm Deira is about three times the size of Palm Jumeirah. Palms in the ocean… What next? Coral lagoons in the Empty Quarter?
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Strategic Arab Consultant Elevating Jebel Ali Free Zone
As an accomplished Arab business consultant, I specialize in navigating the dynamic landscape of Jebel Ali Free Zone. With a keen understanding of regional markets, I empower clients to optimize operations, capitalize on strategic opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth within this thriving economic hub.
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