Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DUBAI, 2004-2009
United Arab Emirates

Gulf MP

Abu Dhabi

One of the most redeemable features of living in Abu Dhabi was the ability to make the two hour hop across the desert to Dubai every now and then. Quite simply, Dubai is an enigma. Love it or loathe it, Dubai is not like any other place in the Middle East - or the world for that matter. Unlike some of its neighboring cities such as Abu Dhabi and Doha, Dubai is one of the few metropolitan renovations in the Gulf not to have been founded mainly on oil reserves. In fact it was trade; especially that of gold, that made Dubai rich. Dubai became an Emirate when it separated from Abu Dhabi in the 1830's. For its first 60 years, Dubai was a relatively barren coastal town with a small pearling industry.

In 1894, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum levied taxes on foreign traders. Utilizing its strategic location at the heart of the Persian Gulf Dubai became the capital of trade between Persia, (British) India and Britain. Dubai built it's economy by "re-exporting" goods, i.e.; importing goods and then selling them to other ports. In the 60's smuggling gold to India took off and in 1970 and estimated 259 tons of gold went through Dubai. The already wealthy Emirate became even more opulent when oil was discovered in 1966.

Today, Dubai is a tax haven, a symbol of anything-goes capitalism, a bridge between the east and west and a testament of self promotion and exposure. Dubai advertises itself to the world anyway it can, be it through sporting events, rock concerts, events, state of the art skyscrapers, lavish luxury housing projects on man-made islands, etc. Five star hotels seem to have been drowned out by six star hotels which are being muffled by the seven star ones. Dubai seems to want to have the biggest and best of it all.

Above: Dubai's most conspicuous landmark, the Burj Al Arab - seen from the Madinat Jumeirah shopping area.

Dubai may not be everyone's cup of tea but it certainly is unique. The vast over-commercializing and materialism of the place may turn off those looking for something a little more traditional or authentic but there's plenty to see and do here. The historical creek is one of my personal favorites, complete with the Dubai National Museum. There's a plethora of shopping centers to visit, I've started to lose track of them to be honest - but several have unique features such as the Mall of the Emirates, with its indoor ski resort sticking out from the back. The new Dubai Mall has a built in aquarium. Dubai's two most distinctive landmarks are perhaps the Burj Al Arab Hotel and the still unfinished Burj Dubai - supposedly the world's tallest building! Another must do is a desert safari into Dubai's vast surrounding desert area. For a more detailed write up, check out my old Dubai site.