Dubai

I wasn't actually expecting this to be a proper museum because from the outside it just looks like an old fort, but it was quite nice inside. It is a good place to go to learn about the history of Dubai if you are into that sort of thing. It was interesting to learn about the history of Dubai and why it was settled there and also to learn about the Bedouin culture and how they lived in the past. It cost 3 Dhs (>$1 USD) so you wouldn't really be wasting your money regardless! There are all kinds of displays, artifacts, and movies but the BEST part of it was that is was air conditioned! It makes a nice escape from the heat and sun in the middle of the day! The museum also had a person to give henna tattoos but I never saw the price. It was in walking distance to the creek and a one of the large souks in Bur Dubai.

If you are looking for budget accomodation in Dubai, good luck...there is not much to choose from. The Nova Hotel in Bur Dubai was fairly inexpensive (in Dubai terms) at $85 USD per night through Expedia. The location is good, in the old part of Dubai, Bur Dubai, within walking distance to the creek. The hotel was clean, had complimentary breakfast, and an Indian restaurant/bar. There was also internet which was unbearably slow for 10 Dhs per half hour...most of which was spent waiting! The hotel could arrange many tourist activities for you but don't rely on them to call you a taxi - not sure if it was a faulty cab company or what!? It is a 35 Dhs taxi ride to the Mall of the Emirates, about the same to the Burj al Arab, and much less to the beaches of Jumeira.