Mae Ping River cruise ~ Chiang Mai

One of the many recommended activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a cruise on the river Mae Ping East of the city.
The cruise lasts 2 ridiculous hours on an old boat. You will be taken to a temple, a market and an authentic fishermen village along the river. All this for about 400 baht (12.5$). You can add 50 baht more and get a Khao Soi, a traditional delicious meal of Northern Thailand (some people will jump out of their seats at this price *wink*).
Although some parts of the cruise can be scenic and relaxing, I don't find it very cheap for a mere 2 hours of boat ride with rushed visits to interesting spots. 400 baht after all pays 5 lunch meals! Ha!

Dubai Creek

Dubai is often associated with tall skyscrapers, modern architecture, crazy surreal projects and of course.. the Real Estate Crisis and bankruptcy.
But a lot of people who have never visited the UAE have never heard of the "old Dubai", the area around the creek, with low old buildings, a population of Asians (Pakistanis and Indians mostly), old taxi boats and huge souks (markets).
It's a part of Dubai I like, a part that reminds me of what the UAE used to be before the leaders went crazy with the petro-dollars.
I love walking in the old markets and actually being able to bargain with a merchant while he offers you a tchai (tea with milk) all in good humor, creating a connection that is missing in the gigantic modern malls scattered around the newest part of the city.
And once shopping is done, take a ride on a taxi boat while watching the sunset away from the abandoned half-started projects and all the superficial crazy hype of Dubai's "New Vision".