Dubai was the opposite of Kenya, Tanzania, and Egypt. Incredibly rich, clean, and orderly, it is the most touristy of the emirates. Only around 20% of the population is Emirati, making United Arab Emirates one of the most international countries in the world. Almost everyone in the service sector is from another country. Thailand, India, Pakistan, Egypt and many others. Everyone seems to get along and there are strict rules to keep it that way. It is a little too showy, glittery, and the wealth is too much in your face for us but everything works so we were happy.
Everything is about the tallest or the biggest in Dubai. This is the biggest gold ring in the world at the gold souk in DeiraDubai creek is the original town center and has now been Disney-fied with recreated buildingsMost of Dubai looks like this. Miami-VegasBahrain chose not to join UAE but are equally wealthy but a little less touristy. We only had a short layover hereFrom humble beginnings as mother of pearl traders and herdsman, the UAE was founded in 1971 by Sheikh Zayed. The leader of one of the most powerful Emirate familiesThere were a dozen stores like this on the way to our hotelDubai Mall is huge. It’s easy to get lostLuckily you can cool off with a spin on the ice rinkThere are expensive car stores everywhere. Dubai mall has a waterfall and a skating rink. There is even an indoor ski area in DubaiBurj Al Arab. Actually kind of ugly Atlantis like in the Bahamas (but bigger of course). The water was like bath water. Nice! See, Miami and Las Vegas. Nice beaches but in a desert settingWent to the Blue Mosque. Very interesting and beautiful. It is a tiny version of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul TurkeyPrayer clock based on sunrise and sunset so it changes slightly per location and date of year. I read that originally, Allah asked for 50 prayers each day but it was negotiated down to 5. Our guide said you could do a make up prayer if you missed one of the five. Practical!Worship is allowed for all religions and there are different types of worship houses but Islam is still very dominantThe Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Just stunning in daytime or at night. My favorite thing in DubaiI’m beginning to appreciate architecture as art. This is a masterpiece IMHOThe Dubai Frame. Why? Hazy views from the topSunset was not much better. Palm island is to the left but you need to fly over it to really see the shapeThe actual tour to the “Top of the World” was underwhelming. It looks like another tall building and the weather in Dubai is very hazy so…Burj Khalifa Fountain just like the Bellagio in Vegas but probably filled with expensive champagne
