Hello and welcome back to Pranam Vlog! Episode 3 begins with our decision to move to a nicer hotel — a small change that opens up a whole new side of Dubai. We pack up, check out, and say goodbye (for now) to the narrow lanes and busy markets of Deira.

Deira is one of the oldest and most historic parts of Dubai. Long before the skyscrapers and luxury, this area was where merchants from India, Iran, Africa and the Gulf arrived by boat. Markets, trade and the early business culture all began here. Deira still carries that character: bustling bazaars, affordable food and plenty of everyday life. Many expatriates — including thousands of Nepalis, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Filipinos — live and work here, and it remains famous for the Gold Souk, Spice Souk and textile markets.

But for this episode we wanted to show a contrast: from the old soul of Dubai to its modern, tech-driven side.

The Careem ride — fast, convenient, and very Dubai

To move from Deira to Dubai Internet City we booked a taxi using Careem. If you haven’t used it, Careem is one of Dubai’s most popular apps for rides, food delivery and even groceries. It’s reliable and convenient: our driver arrived on time, the ride was smooth, and it felt like the easiest way to cover that long city stretch.

As we drove out of Deira, the landscape changed slowly. Old buildings and narrow streets gave way to shiny high-rises. On the way we spotted landmarks like Zabeel Hotel, the Museum of the Future and, in the distance, the world’s tallest building — Burj Khalifa. The shift from historic lanes to modern towers is one of Dubai’s most striking contrasts.

Arriving in Dubai Internet City — calm, green, modern

When we reached Dubai Internet City the difference was clear. This area is a major technology hub in the Middle East and home to offices for companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Dell and Meta — along with many startups. Compared with Deira, Internet City feels cleaner, more organized, greener and noticeably calmer.

“We reached our new hotel and checked in. Let me show you the room,” we say in the vlog. The room tour shows a modern, tidy, cozy space — everything you need for a short stay: a comfortable bed, a small work desk, good lighting and a pleasant view. It’s a good base to explore the neighborhood.

(Quick on-camera moment: “Do you feel pressure in your ears when the lift moves?” “Yes — the lift moves fast and that can change ear pressure.” — small, human moments like this make travel vlogs feel real.)

Evening walk — the area comes alive

After freshening up we went out for an evening walk. Internet City has a relaxed night vibe: soft breeze, leafy pathways, and cafés with people chatting over coffee. “It looks so nice — now this area seems like the real Dubai with all the shiny buildings,” we note. One of us even says, “I actually like this kind of heat — it feels warm and nice!” — a reminder that Dubai’s evenings can be pleasant even when the day is hot.

We also realized we’d chosen a great location for our stay: it’s close to the metro, quiet, and very walkable. If you’re visiting Dubai, consider staying near a metro station — it makes getting around easier and cheaper.

Dinner at Namaste Dubai — familiar flavors, warm welcome

Walking around, we found a restaurant called Namaste Dubai. The word “Namaste” is a warm greeting across Indian and Nepali cultures, and the restaurant matches that feeling. We ordered biryani and finished with gulab jamun — biryani rich in aroma and spices, and gulab jamun for the sweet finish. It felt like the perfect end to a day of travel.

The area offers a wide range of food options — Arabic, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and many casual cafés — so you’ll find something to suit every taste.

Small travel tip — zebra crossings and pedestrian priority

One local detail we loved: drivers in Dubai actually stop at zebra crossings and give pedestrians priority. It feels like an unspoken rule that everyone follows. If we ever drive here, we’ll need to remember the same courtesy — in Nepal, zebra crossings aren’t always treated the same way. This small difference is an easy habit to adopt and it makes walking the city much more pleasant and safe.

What this day showed us

Today’s episode highlighted a basic truth about Dubai: it’s a city of contrasts. Deira shows the historic, working-heart of the city while Dubai Internet City represents its modern, tech-forward future. Both sides feel like essential pieces of the same puzzle.

If you’re traveling here, staying near a metro will make transit easier, try Careem for smooth rides, and don’t miss a relaxed evening walk in tech districts like Internet City.

Watch the episode & stay tuned

Episode 3 wrapped up with dinner and plans for the next day. In Episode 4 we’ll dive into one of Dubai’s most impressive systems — the Dubai Metro — and show you how it connects so much of the city.

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Next up: Episode 4 — Dubai Metro (Internet City → Al Fardan Exchange → Expo City 2020 → Dubai World Central).