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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take the DC on holiday to Dubai?

333 replies

FudgeBrownie2019 · 29/12/2019 14:16

We have two DC, 14 and 9. We've travelled fairly regularly with them but haven't ever done anywhere like Dubai/UAE. DH has found some summer holidays in those areas but I have a little weird feeling about going there - no idea why, no rational reason, I'm just uneasy but can't really put it into words.

Would you go there with DC? Have you been there with DC? Is it somewhere you'd be willing to visit?

OP posts:
Linguaphile · 31/12/2019 13:37

I would definitely go. So much for kids that age to enjoy!

cantchooseyourfamily · 31/12/2019 13:58

I've lived in Dubai for almost a decade and so much of this thread is untrue and inaccurate.

I have my own company and a large proportion of my staff are from Asian countries. They absolutely have rights and can leave their jobs with a moments notice, it's illegal for employers to hold passports and has been for at least the last 10 years (I dont know about before then) and the suggestion that there is a huge slavery problem is not something I've come across. Anyone here could go to the ministry of labour/their embassy if they were being treated unfairly. Almost all service staff have free accomodation, my staff live in a building with a pool and a gym! The salaries may be low compared to the UK minimum wage but that's a figure relevant to the cost of living in the UK and isnt relevant to the rest of the world! The men and women who come to Dubai to work, leaving there children at home, normally then pay for private school and university in there home countries to give there children the chance at a better life - I have nothing but admiration for them.

As for coming in summer - it's extremely hot, October - April would be much better.

Just to add I feel safer here than anywhere else in the world. I have had dealings with the police on about 5 occasions and they have been nothing but fair and professional. I have never once felt like a second class citizen as a woman here, on both a professional and personal level. I dress exactly as I would in the UK and dont even consider needing to modify my outfits based on where I am. Swimwear for the beach, dressy dress for a night out, leggings and top for shopping, it's all fine.

onioncrumble · 31/12/2019 17:50

Thank you! My guys are also happy

Oliversmumsarmy · 31/12/2019 18:10

We have been in the summer.

Nearly 50degrees but I lived it.

I don’t really do shopping. We went for a complete rest. A few days just to swim and sit under a brolly by the pool.
Drink cold drinks and have a nice evening meal

Original poster
FudgeBrownie2019 · 31/12/2019 18:19

As for coming in summer - it's extremely hot, October - April would be much better.

In fairness to the sun-hating DH he was looking at going over Easter so less hot than the surface of the sun! He hates heat, though, so anywhere in the ME is going to ruin his life.

I've given up on Dubai/UAE and was looking at Thailand there are still huge, huge problems with certain areas. And I'm torn; I want to take the DC to see as much of the world as I'm able, but I also want them to be conscious of doing the right thing and it feels a bit of an impossibility. How do everyone else deal with this - we're lucky enough to be able to travel with the DC, but don't want to take the piss and visit places that we oughtn't visit.

OP posts:
PurpleTrilby · 31/12/2019 18:37

Yeah sure if you want to prop up a country like that, fill your boots.

onioncrumble · 01/01/2020 11:04

Thailand is a festering pile of rape, exploitation and pedophilia. Why would anyone want to support a country whose industry is based on trafficked women and children. I have been there twice with a charity and the British and American middle aged men dragging little more than girls around is disgusting. I can't go again, it makes me lose faith in the world. I still pay for the school I work with.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 01/01/2020 11:06

OP go wherever you want and make up your own mind!

user1480880826 · 01/01/2020 11:08

If you’re happy with their human rights record and treatment of women and homosexuals then go for it. I wouldn’t go on holiday to the Middle East if you paid me.

Aragog · 01/01/2020 11:13

We stopped in Abu Dhabi for 2 nights on our way to Singapore. Me, Dh and teen dd.

We stayed on Yas Island. We stopped there mainly for Ferrari World, which we all really enjoyed. We also visited the grand mosque which was stunning.

I don't think we'd have stayed longer. It was very hot and probably not much more to do for us.

When at the mosque and near the beach we were covered up. Tbh we did anyway, though at the malls and theme parks many western people were in shorts and t shirts, little sun dresses etc. Nobody seemed to be concerned about that.

onioncrumble · 01/01/2020 11:50

I am now staring to work out why there are not many of the most annoying types of mummy's in the ME, keep up the moral outrage (while buying knickers from Primary and supporting child labour), we don't want you here. Grin

BlouseAndSkirt · 01/01/2020 13:15

OP: Mauritius?
Good human rights, v interesting culture, great beaches and mountain areas.
They do cull fruit bats, and there is corruption at gvt level but it does get addressed (previous PM is under house arrest, I think).

DuchessofWoke · 01/01/2020 13:29

I have never been. I picture it to be full of wags and nouveau riche types, Range Rover driving, sunglasses-wearing (indoors) people who are looking for sun, booze, gaudy hotels and fake handbags at a knock-down price.

I think you can only go if you’re happy to experience all this in a foreigner bubble and not think about how the place was built, slavery and people trafficking, how women are treated and the (in)justice system.

Presumably it’s cheap? Is that why people go?

Ocarinan · 01/01/2020 13:37

we don't want you here. Grin

You're right. I'm gay so I'm definitely not welcome in Dubai.

eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 01/01/2020 13:38

We take ours went 1st when 3 and 7 they love it we tend to stay in Ras al Khaimah a UAE about and hr fro, Dubai but much cheaper highly recommend the doubletree by Hilton marjan island resort.... we have also stayed at JA palm tree resort which is 15mins from the theme parks.

We have always gone may/June for a week yes it's hot you adjust pretty quick.

Best tip I have is fly out overnight most hotels will let you use facilities til check in and often let you check in early if room is ready and then fly home on the 2pm ish flight. Avoid fri/sun/mon for travelling as costs generally higher where some commute from UK for work n vice versa. Def play around with dates.

WelcomeToShootingStars · 01/01/2020 13:42

I've been a few times for work. Would never ever choose to go. Slavery is a staple part of society, women are second class citizens and I was often visibly treated with disdain. And I wouldn't choose to visit somewhere for a holiday where being the victim of a crime would result in prison for me. Nah. I'm just delighted my work doesn't take me there these days.

LuluBellaBlue · 01/01/2020 13:55

Awful place, my friend and I were threatened with arrest Because we’d been robbed!

our passports were seized whilst they investigated the crime we supposedly committed - unless we wrote on passport photocopies of ourselves stating ‘I, Lulubelleblue was not robbed or had any jewellery stolen from Fairmont Hotel on x date....’ the hotel know full well what was going on too.
So despite staying at a global well known hotel, if you are robbed, attacked, if ANYTHING should go wrong whilst you’re out there, not only are you own your own you’re also likely to be persecuted for it!

LuluBellaBlue · 01/01/2020 13:59

@FudgeBrownie2019 just saw you’re latest update - what about Costa Rica?!
They disbanded their army and have ploughed so much into wildlife and natural habitat.
Out of everywhere I’ve been I loved it there for the country’s ethos and vision of a better world

Oliversmumsarmy · 01/01/2020 14:54

I have never been. I picture it to be full of wags and nouveau riche types, Range Rover driving, sunglasses-wearing (indoors) people who are looking for sun, booze, gaudy hotels and fake handbags at a knock-down price

You don’t go to Dubai for the booze.

You can drink in the hotels but no one was visibly drunk.
A couple we met were talking about buying a particular watch. Not a fake. It was cheaper to buy in Dubai and pay the duty than to pay the retail price in the UK

Everyone seemed quite ordinary, even down to the men in the white robes and their wives who were sat around the pool and took a dip or 2 fully clothed.

Met a white robed Arab guy in the bar who got chatting to us.

We said we were from London. He didn’t like London as his 3 wives when they came for a holiday all insisted on having their own room and London was very expensive but he loved Blackpool because it was so cheap.

Don’t recall the hotel being particularly gaudy. It was just beautifully done

We just wanted a quiet few days with guaranteed sun and that is what we got

Mummyshark2019 · 01/01/2020 14:59

Dubai is brilliant and loads to do for the kids.

tiredvommachine · 01/01/2020 15:25

Is there horse riding near to the Palm? I know I could Google but interested if anyone can tell me from having been /living near by. Am going in May 😊

Nanamilly · 01/01/2020 18:17

Range Rover driving, sunglasses-wearing (indoors) people who are looking for sun, booze, gaudy hotels and fake handbags at a knock-down price.

I drive a Range Rover, my sunglasses are for outdoors only, I don't drink, I don't own fake handbags (don't own real designer ones either) and this evening Ive just sat and booked very ordinary hotels for a trip Im doing to Italy and Switzerland later this month.

Thelastlittledragon · 01/01/2020 19:25

I think the problem is that we do have such relatively high standards with regards to human rights in the UK that many places are pretty dreadful in comparison. I've travelled extensively around the world and many of the places that I've been to such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, many African countries are just awful in so many ways (animals are treated appallingly too but another topic). You could look as tourism though as a good way of locals earning a living though maybe? If no-one went on principal then it is they who would suffer. Think how Egypt has been so terribly affected by the terrorism, so much of the country is dependent on tourism and yet their human rights are pretty flakey. You'd have to stick to rich European countries probably or Canada - although that's said I saw something recently about how atrociously they treat their indigenous people - there's unjust behaviour all over the world sadly.

HulksPurplePanties · 02/01/2020 06:50

Mauritius?

Mauritius is also a Tier 2 Human Trafficking country. It's no better than the UAE.

HulksPurplePanties · 02/01/2020 06:52

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is also Tier 2 for Human Trafficking. Same as the UAE.