The Wonder Bus, Dubai

Have you heard of a bus that can travel both in land and water? Sounds strange and impossible, isn’t it? Unthinkable but true. I was lucky to have the experience of this extraordinary bus during my visit to DUBAI. With unparalleled excitement, you are transported from land to sea, while seating on same seat. Wonder Bus is the only bus in the world equipped with all the facilities like full internal decoration, air-condition, Internal bathroom, Sound system, TV and DVD player. Total seating capacity of the bus is 44. It’s the first in the Middle East and second in Asia after Japan(Osaka).

This amazing amphibious bus is manufactured by CAMI of USA and cost 3.5 million dirhams( around 4 crores 20 lakhs). Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International (CAMI) was founded in 1999 by John and Julie Giliam. They live in South Carolina. They started in the amphibious business with an operation on Hilton Head Island. They owned Cool Stuff Tours for years. The Giljam’s ran with an old LARC V built in 1963 for the Vietnam War. After running with that cantankerous vehicle John decided a new vehicle was needed. He designed and built the Hydra-Terra from the ground up. He wanted a vehicle that did not rely on an antiquated military unit. He also wanted to be able to walk into an auto parts store to purchase what he needed for the new vehicle. John has been designing and building specialty vehicles all of his adult life. He built farm and construction trucks, oil field service trucks, fire trucks, ambulances, rescue trucks and other specialty vehicles. It is this experience that enabled him to develop the Hydra-Terra, which is fully patented. They are being sold for both tourism and search/rescue capacity. The vehicles are being used not only throughout the United States of America, but in other countries as well. They have revolutionized the automobile industry with this invention. This bus is impossible to sink in water and is capable of operating in high winds, rains and flood. It can drive into an area of heavy flooding and sail through it. Thus it optimizes the option available to search and rescue operation. The driver’s cockpit that places the driver in the center of the vehicle provides more and proper visibility and outward appearance. The bus is designed in bow shape so that it can cut through the water. The bus requires servicing every 3-4days because of the water but its mainly mechanical maintenance.

The yellow-blue colour bus where I took the tour was made for Wonder Bus Tours of Dubai by the company. They organize two trips a day of two hours each; which cover both land and water. But there are three trips on official holidays and other exceptions on school and chartered trips. You should book your seats in advance as there is huge demand for the tour. Also you must arrive 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. They doesn’t guarantee the seating if arrival time is not 20 minutes before tour. The bus departs from the Burjuman Mall and pass by Sheikh Khalifa Road, Sheikh Rashid Road, Zabeel Park, Wafi City Centre, Grand Hyatt, Wonderland, Al Boom Village, Garhoud Bridge, Creek Side Park, Deira Gold and Spice Souk and a tour within the Creek. Your journey back will include a trip along the Dubai Courts, Al Maktoum Bridge, Sheikh Maryam Palace and back to BurJuman Centre via the Seef Road beside British Embassy and Sheikh Khalifa Road. The wonder Bus cruises Dubai Creek in the most beautiful trip you ever dreamed of. In this trip you'll see the beautiful architectures and the historic buildings on the both shores of the creek. And as you travel on the road, the modern skyscrapers lined along the horizon will bewildered you.

Each passenger on the bus has access to his/ her personal life jacket. You will also find fire extinguishers in it. You can avail the much-needed help in case of an emergency that is provided by the members of the crew and the tourist guides. Our tour guide could speak Arabic, English and French. He gave special attention to every details of the event, explaining and showing the important landmarks of Dubai as we travelled, holding quiz and giving prizes, thus assuring satisfaction and a fun time on board the Wonder Bus. The tour price includes nuts, water and juices.