When finished in two years, the silvery steel-and-glass building is expected to rise beyond 2,300 feet and more than 160 floors — dozens of stories taller than the world's current tallest building, the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan, which measures 1,671 feet and 101 floors. The thing that blows the mind with this project is that fact that the "full structure" will rotate completing a 360 degree rotation once every week and it will be powered by the bright light in the sky called the Sun, there is plenty of that in Dubai I can tell you that. Consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories - private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands.
Been there a couple of times, though it's been a few years. Great city. Special city. I said over 10 years ago that one day America would discover Dubai. It still hasn't happened but it will.
I travel there for business a few times every year. Its a great place, but the temperature is unforgiving in the summer time. If you walk out of your hotel about 50 paces, your shirt will be soaking in sweat. One thing the media doesn't really talk about is the prostitution scene. This is the prostitution capital of the Middle East. There are girls from every contintent and place imaginable. So many hot Eastern European women you see walking around the malls and night clubs. There is this club called Cyclone, which is known as the UN for prostitution. If you go to the club or mention it to anyone they they will know you are getting laid that night, but at a price of course. Dubai is a liberal place in many respects such as this, also alcohol being served in bars and hotels. The reason for the boom in tourism Las Vegas type gimmick attractions is the fact that the kingdom is running out of oil. Unofficial estimates put the Dubai running out oil completely in next 10 years or so. That is the reason why the Sheikh Maktoum(s) have developed a strategy to turn it into a tourism capital of the world. But while the government pours money into these amazing projects, they are criticized for the sub human pay and poor conditions they treat their guest manual labourers. Most of these are from the South Asian subcontinent mainly India and Bangladesh. It is interesting to note that 50% of the population is made up of South Asians, and they are the predominant ethnic group even more than the Arabs! Also a note for American tourists, is that the immigration authorities try to institute some sort of reverse racism to American passengers. After 9/11, most Arabs were incensed by the treatment of Arabs and other brown people in the US, and thus they make it a pain for white American tourists coming through their land. They often times painfully open and search each and every bag of these particular tourists. Alot of times it is Americans with little kids so it is kind of obvious what the immigration authorities are doing. This is something that many business travelers and some local Arabs have talked about to me in regards to their experience with traveling to Dubai. If you don't believe me, go to the airport and hang around on the top floor overseeing the immigration inspection. You'll understand quickly. On a more positive note, if you travel to Dubai, make sure you go on Air Emirates. This is the nicest airline I've been on. The coach feels like business class, and the business class feels like first class. I've never been on first class, but it must feel like a spa I guess.
Yes, the last time I was there was 5 years ago. Because of the insane rate of construction over there, it apparently is a completely different place from back then.
You mean Emirates Airlines? The first class is exactly like a freakin spa. I've been once. You have your own private freakin cabin. With a flat screen and mini bar. The seat of course turns into a nice bed.
I haven't been there in about 20 years - back when I was a kid. I wouldn't mind going again some day. One question I have - what is there to do there other than stay in all the 5 million new super cool hotels? I couldn't care less if the hotel was a Holiday Inn - what else is there?
I'll probably visit there soon in the near future...gonna be working on one of the theme parks! Great success! I think with my newfound informatione, I should turn to prostitute theme park with sex crime theme and sexytime rides, yes?
I've been. Neat city. Too expensive though, but it's fun to visit every now and then to get out of the Hell hole that is Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Amazing city. I saw a PowerPoint presentation showing the city's landscape over the years...and it's absolutely mindboggling how long they've come in a short period of time...the landscape has radically been altered probably more so than any other city in the world. http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/dubaiprojects
My dad worked for Conoco, and I lived in Dubai as a kid for six years back the the 80's. I saw it again last June and February for the first time in 18 years. Needless to say, it has changed a lot. Back in the 60's / 70's the royal family knew that their emirate would run out of oil in the relative near future. They diversified the economy into finance and trade. Dubai is located at the inlet to the Persian Gulf, so tankers can pull right up. Present day income from trade is staggering, and Dubai is one of the most important banking/financial centers in the eastern hemisphere. Because government infrastructure is small, the native Emirati population is small, and oil/trade/finance revenue is massive, the government doesn't need much in the way of taxes. No sales tax, property tax, income tax. Businesses built in the "free zones" pay no corporate tax. Think about that for a second- every single dollar you make, you keep. This is why Dubai is one of the fastest growing metropolises in the world- every major corporation in the world with activity in Asia or the Eastern Hemisphere is building a headquarters there. Now, they will find ways to 'tax' you- people there are quick to remind me that it's not a totally tax free place as some would have you believe. But there's no question: if I was an entrepreneur, I would start my business in Dubai. Foreigners are allowed to buy property and invest over there. It has a very Las Vegas feel to it. Incredibly glamorous and glitzy. Money everywhere. Huge money everywhere. Everything is flashy, everything is big. Entertainment is more important than culture. On one hand it's shiny and fantasy-like, on the other it's shallow and fake. The style and architecture can have the feel of gaudy-nouveau riche. They are more size obsessed than Texans- everything built has to be the biggest. The tallest tower in the world, the biggest waterpark in the world, the biggest amusement park in the world, on and on. They have the money to do it all. The Burj Dubai is still a landmark (the "seven star" hotel in the shape of a sail) but not for long- the world's tallest building is coming soon, an underwater hotel called Hydropolis, the Palm Islands, The World, a rotating solar powered apartment building, on and on. The extravagance is beyond reason. I wish I was an architect- I would go to Dubai and say "hey, I'm going to build a hotel that floats on magnets!" And some sheik would throw a billion dollars at me. The native Arab population is a small minority in their own city. I think they are already outnumbered by Europeans and Americans. The majority population is the massive near-slave labor work force that is building all of these projects from Iran, Pakistan, India, and other Asian sub-continent countries. These guys work under heat and humidity that could crush you in hours, and often have their passports and pay withheld and forced to work onwards. Dubai is very liberal, maybe the most liberal city in the ME. But it still has some conservative Muslim laws. For example, no public displays of affection between unmarried couples. A friend of a friend was arrested with his girlfriend for this. They were taken to the police station, and told that they would either get married or be deported. They chose marriage. Of course, the government turns a blind eye to the massive prostitution business in Dubai. Any city that has thousands of businessmen and tourists flying through for short stays will have prostitution, and in Dubai it's big. Perhaps I'm coming off a bit critical of the city, but I do have affection for it- it's a childhood home for me. Personally, I love the desert above all. If you follow the highway west towards Hatta for over an hour or so, you will find yourself in the most mesmerizing deep red sand desert. To me it's the most beautiful place on earth. Huge, massive arching dunes of soft red sand rolling for eternity. It's amazing. If you visit I suggest you go 'dune bashing' in an SUV or rent a four-wheeler ("quad bike" as the brits say) and you will have a wonderful time.
wait, hold on... does this only apply to residents or tourists too? if it applies to tourists, how the hell does that work... on one hand they're totally catering their city to tourism, but on the other hand they would deport you just for holding hands or something?
wow that looks awesome, plus i heard they have a shortage of doctors right now, the rumor is you get paid there twice as you would here in america, and its all tax free...good to work there for a few years and pay off those student loans and comeback here.
I don't know what the threshold his for unallowed public affection. I very much doubt holding hands would do it. I don't know what the couple in question were doing. In a nearby emirate, Sharjah, you can't even rent a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex unless you are married. It would appear that there is sex, drugs, and rock & roll to be had in the city... the club scene is pumping. But In the mall you should be somewhat attentive to conservative customs. But times are changing. I lived there as a kid in the 80s. When I went back this year and saw european girls walking through the mall in short skirts and tank tops, I was stunned. That would have been pretty rude a couple of decades ago.
I love Dubai threads! Wohoo!! I live in Dubai Notes: - Prostitution is "common" here. LOL at the guy who mentioned cyclone... You got it, spot on. - About the public displays of affection, its really not that bad unless you're unlucky. Basically, as long as you're respectful, it's fine. But if you're HARDCORE making out in a family area, then yeah, they will screw you up. Sharjah (another Emirate) is a different story. They're quite strict over there. You can't wear really short skirts (girls) for example. Basically, the point is to understand that it IS an Arab country where religious people are around, and you need to respect their views by not making out freely in public. - The population is 4-5M (different estimates), but there are only around 400,000 UAE nationals (again, lots of different estimates). I wouldn't say 50% are South Asian, but they are definitely around 25%. - Labor laws are changing. The wages aren't as bad as in Vietnam or India, but they could be better. - Through the gifts he's been blessed with and the people who have supported him, I would say that Sheikh Mohammed is the world's number 1 entrepreneur. He is a genius and loved by everyone here. - About Entertainment... It's really a young country, so there's not too much historical sight-seeing to be done. Most of the entertainment involves the nightlife, the beach, checking out the new projects, going to the ski resort (yes, we have a ski resort in a mall), Desert Safaris (BBQ, dune bashing, belly dancer, some drinks), etc... Unfortunately, this stuff can be quite expensive.. I can't believe you guys left out my new crib! I've been staying here for a few months and the view is awe-inspiring: Palm Island Oh and Ski Dubai
