Dubai – Are You Thinking What I Am Thinking?

So here we are!  Dubai!  Honestly, what really crosses your mind when I mentioned Dubai?  What do you expect from this one of the most urbanized cities on earth?  How do you ‘recognize’ Dubai?  Ah-ha! I knew it! Shopping! Wahoo! You are absolutely right.  Yes! This is the haven for Shopaholics! But you are absolutely wrong if you think that I am going to enlighten you on how or what to shop here, dude! Anyway, I never have any doubt that Dubai can seriously offer ‘damage’ to your wallet (but it's worth it, though!) ha-ha!

Nah! A glimpse of Dubai in the morning!

A view of Dubai at night ... :))

Whenever I am in Dubai, I never stop being astonished.  Who might think that from the plateaus of the desert, Dubai has changed to be overwhelmed by ‘cloud-capped’ buildings?  Who might think that from dry land, Dubai can be proud of its world’s tallest water slide?  Aaaannnd ... check this out – who might think that from camel riding, driving has been a serious challenge in Dubai today?  And it ‘transformed’ in just less than 40 years!  Dubai has become the world’s most popular tourist and tax-free working destination.

Located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula,
covered by sand 5,000 years ago, in one of the seven sheikdoms
in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai started as a humble fishing
Village and was also very well known for its pearl export until
1930s, where it was damaged by the World War I

Today, the main revenues of Dubai are from tourism, property and financial services, although its economy was originally built on the oil industry.

Take note that one of the very proverbial names in Dubai is Al Maktoum.  In 1833, the Bani Yas tribal family moved into Dubai led by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Butti, who became the founder of the Al Maktoum family.  Generation after generation, Al Maktoum still rules the Emirate of Dubai to this very day.

Clad in beige color kandura (the one looking at me - AHAKS!),
probably the most famous of all the Al Maktoum family is
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum,
currently the Vice President and Prime Minister of the 
United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai

Dubai covers about 4,100 sq kms and it has plenty to be figured out! Thus, let’s start with the Dubai Creek. 

This is Dubai Creek.
Visiting Dubai Creek, I must say, is a must!
This is the dock where you tend to appreciate 'the before'
and 'the after' of Dubai (errmm ... at least for me)

Dubai's history has been founded on its pearls diving and fishing
mainly due to this strategic location ...

... between Mediterranean Sea
and the Indian Ocean (that connects between the Middle East, Africa
and Far East)

Dubai Creek splits the districts of Diera and Bur Dubai
near the entrance to the Gulf

Let’s ‘get acquainted’ with the experience!  Certainly, the best way to admire all the striking buildings that have ‘emerged’ along this creek today is from the waterway itself!

So, I chose this traditional dhow, 
where from the top deck the view is spectacular!
This is an example of a dhow used to traverse the spice route

One of the most familiar sights of Arabic culture are these traditional dhows.
Traditional dhows are made for working, racing as well as pleasure.
And this really keeps the old tradition alive!

The view that I definitely appreciate...

The window to luxury

The Dubai Creek is where the famous ‘souks (markets) are established.

The Spice Souk - where gingers, chilies, cardamom, frankincense
are everywhere ... and the Gold Souk - or else how do
you think Dubai is referred to as 'The City Of Gold'? heh!

At this instant, before you think what I think you might be thinking, I think I would like to share my two cents about this Emirate.  Why the world keeps on scrutinizing Dubai for its debts?  Was it because of the anxiousness to stand tall next to New York, London or Tokyo?  Was Dubai being modernized overnight?   

Nevertheless, even if it was a painful reality, there has been an over-reaction over Dubai’s debts of the world (especially towards the fourth quarter of 2009).  Oh come on!  May be if Dubai is not in the Middle East, this will not be a big question mark at all!  Not that I fully agreed with this overnight success so called, but the fact is today the Dubai government is in full control of all its commercial debts and has fully met its obligations.  If the ‘minority’ projects still do not work out at present, does that mean the entire Dubai falls short?  At least, I have not come across that Dubai has to go through an austerity measure. Yeaww! Correct me if I am wrong!

I had little chats with few Emiratis and was amazed when being told that even throughout the harsh times, the government still treats the needs of its nation as its super main concern. Kudos!

Dubai continues its dynamic development, albeit at a slower
rate than before the recent worldwide recession

Even with the drastic growth of Dubai, Emiratis are very proud of their heritage and culture.  I guess the real quintessence or rather spirit of Dubai can definitely be found somewhere in between the people, the culture and the way of life, even in the laws and regulations enforced by the government. 

The late His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the UAE once said, “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn” and “I have said a lot, and I have wished a lot.  God Willing, God helps people of the Emirates.  What I hope for each of them much of what has happened and more”.  And I supposed that ‘characterize’ the United Arab Emirates at present.

Well, I say ... being the one of the most happening cities around the globe, it is easy to ‘overlook’ that Dubai is a very young city, but there always seems to be a buzz about this place, and it will be interesting to picture what Dubai will look like in say ... ten to 15 years time!

To be continued …