Dubai has a population of 2M people of which 82% are expatriates (or there on visa's). This creates an incredibly diverse community of people!! And as a result it is a very safe place to visit -- you break a law and you are sent back to where you came from.
Dubai is a desert, a desert that has been transformed into a coastal paradise with man-made islands, lush golf courses, and architecture that will blow your mind.
This afternoon I toured Dubai from the air, a seaplane to be exact. I apologize that some of the pictures appear grainy, but I was shooting through a window and did my best.
Dubai has taken the floor of the ocean and with large quantity created what they call the Palm Islands. There are three palms in total (construction on the 3rd has been halted due to the economy). There is a center tree with fronds and then a crescent that surrounds the tree to protect it from the ocean.
Below is Palm Jebel Ali. Creation is just about complete and then construction will begin.
This is the picture of the Jebel Ali port - largest in the world. There is a container ship docked, but hard to see - 56 container ships can be parked here at one time.
A container ship making its way in.
The world largest building - Burj Dubai
And the very famous "7 star" hotel - Burj Al Arab
A picture of Sheik Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Palace. The Royal Family has been in place for nearly 200 years. The Sheik is very popular in Dubai as it is his vision that has put them on the map. I think the accommodations look OK.
Several picture of the city line from various angles... The construction seems constant, cranes are in motion everywhere you look! And each building seems to have out done the one next to it.
Dubai Creek
Another little man-made project... The Islands of the World. There are 300 in total and represent the different countries on planet earth. They start at $12-13M. The Sheik's personal island is the only one that has been fully developed at this time, but we do know that Rod Stewart owns one! =)
Palm Jumeirah - and this is where I stayed, at the Atlantis Resort. Atlantis is located on the crescent that surrounds the palm and you arrive via an underwater tunnel.
A view looking up Palm Jumeirah - Atlantis is the castle looking structure at the top of the picture.
This part of Dubai is considered "New Dubai" as it contains the newest Marina and Marina Village as well as some of the newer construction.
And the worlds largest Desalination Plant - they use ocean water for everything in Dubai, including keeping the grass green!!
I hope that helps give an overview of Dubai.
**I just realized I sound like a tour guide - perhaps a job opportunity?!?! =)
