Dubai Sidetrip

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Imagine that you could build a coastal city from scratch with buildings designed by the world's top architects and that you could include all of the infrastructure and amenities to attract tourists and investors from all over the world. Also, imagine that you had the financial resources to build such a city with the idea that "if you build it, they will come". And to help people get here, you could create your own airline. Well, the Dubai royal family had that opportunity and they seem to have pulled it off.

It is truly a unique place and a city of superlatives: Home to the tallest building in the world, the only seven star hotel in the world, the most expensive hotel in the world, the only rail Metro system in the middle east. Dubai is the home of twenty percent of the construction cranes in the world! While I was there, a major bank announced a new $140 million dollar building project. There are about 2.5 million people living here in an area of about the size of Minneapolis. Interestingly, only about 20% of them are "Emiratis" (Dubai citizens). The remaining 80% are all "ex-pat" workers mostly from Asia (India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.). So, in my two days there, I never once met a true citizen of Dubai! With all of the opulence here, I should point out that the government has taken significant steps to make life better here for the ex-pats. There are new subsidized housing projects in the suburbs. They have built a public transportation system (the Metro, buses and water taxis) which is fantastic and inexpensive. The taxis are highly regulated, inexpensive and you will not be ripped off.

Having said all that, there is an odd feeling about the place. It is like Disney World. Everything is new and clean and well maintained but it is hard to find the "soul" of this city. There is still a small historic part of the city and my hotel room was very close by. Dubai was founded along Dubai Creek which at one time was an actual flowing body of water. Today it forms a water way that meanders for about two miles or so. I stayed on the south side of the creek in an area called Bur Dubai. The National Museum was just across the street from my hotel and was a good way for me to get an overview of the history. A few hundred meters away from the museum is the "old" Souk or traditional market place which is right on the creek. It is amazing how much commercial activity still happens up and down the creek. Today the Souk seems to specialize in the trading of textiles. Shop after small shop have colorful displays of every type of fabric you can think of.

Dubai is also spread out and is not a walking friendly place. Given the short time available, I took a "Big Bus" tour which was great for getting an overview of the place. One of the interesting phenomena in Dubai is the creation of new land by filling in the sea. The most famous of this type of activity is called Palm Jumeirah. From the air, this development looks like a giant palm tree enclosed by a circle. The trunk and fronds contain housing of various types and the circle contains resorts and hotels. They are creating two other "Palms" one of which is even larger. They have also created "The World" which is a collection of islands which, when viewed from the air, look like a map of the world. You can buy one of the islands for anywhere from a couple of million on up to $200+ mil. I suggest you Google "Dubai" or "Palm Jumeira" to get a better idea of what is going on.

I think I could go on for another several pages describing my experience in Dubai and I still couldn't give a complete picture of the place. In closing, however, I have to add one comment: In an era when US domestic flight has become increasingly uncomfortable and where you are nickeled and dimed to death for every optional amenity, it was an absolute treat to fly Emirates Airline. It is only an hour flight from Bahrain to Dubai. But, we all had pillows and blankets, a tasty lunch, free movies and other entertainment from a personal screen built into the back of the seat in front of us. No baggage charges. And, all of this was provided by the most friendly cabin attendants I have ever encountered. Of, course, this operation is subsidized by the government. I think their theory is: "Let's get people to travel here and we'll make money on hotels, restaurants and investment." What a novel idea!!

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Photos

Dubai in 1950
This was all there was 60 years ago. Population about 20,000.

Riding the Metro
These cars like everything else on the Metro System were new and spotlessly clean. Designed and built by the Japanese so it is no surprise.

Dhow at the Dubai Museum
As in Bahrain, this is sort of a national symbol. Used for pearling, fishing and shipping.

Palm Frond House with Wind Tower
Houses like this were lived in up thru the 60's. The wind tower was used as an early form of air conditioning.

View of Dubai Creek
This is an "Abra" which is a water taxi used by all the locals to move up and down and across the creek.

Riding the Abra
I took an Abra to cross the creek. Cost about 30 cents!

Burj al Arab
This was taken from the public beach. This is probably the most expensive and exclusive hotel in the world. Sits on it's own island.

Arial View of Buj Al Arab
Jumeirah Beach area up the coast.

Palm Jumeira
Driving up the "trunk" which is lined with large apartment buildings and condos.

Atlantis Resort
Sits at the top of the circle around Palm Jumeira.

Arial View of Palm Jumeirah
It is really difficult to capture the scale of this development.

Company Buildings
I think every major corporation in the world has an office here.
Recognize the one on the right?

Approaching the Buj al Khalifa
The tallest building in the world is visible almost everywhere in Dubai. It is 2700 feet tall, almost a thousand feet taller than the next tallest building.

Burj al Khalifa
At this distance, I couldn't get the whole building in the shot. When this complex is completed, it will be surrounded by other tall buildings.

Emiritates Towers
Another Dubai icon. One is a hotel and the other an office building.