A Must See!

If you get a chance to see Dubai, DO NOT pass it up! You will feel as if you've been transported into the 22nd century! Dubai makes the US look backward in areas such as technology, architecture, road design, innovative malls, and cleanliness. There is no need to be afraid to go to Dubai. Although we didn't see many US tourists there because of the distance and expense, there were many Europeans, and English is the language of choice. While shoppping, a shopkeeper asked me where I was from - when I said "US", he said, "Oh, I'm from a friend of your country" - I guessed England and Canada - he said no. At that point he told me he was from IRAN! And we both laughed. I felt absolutely safe shopping alone, while my husband and son took a trip to Oman. Dubai has a very western feel to it - the hotels are OVER THE TOP, as is the service. You must eat at Burj Al Arab, only one of two 7-star hotels in the world! If you eat lunch (or STAY) there, you are allowed to explore the hotel - otherwise, it is gated. Ask to see the royal suites on the 23rd floor - you will not believe your eyes. These suites house heads-of-state, and even though the 2 we saw were unoccupied, every room in the 2-level suite had magnificent fresh flowers and spotless hand-made carpets (they are cleaned every day). There is a helipad at the top which also serves as a tennis court. Lunch there for 3 set us back about $300, and it wasn't a lot of food! But the tour of the hotel was priceless. Every room in the hotel is a two-story suite, but the ROYAL suites are probably at least 5,000 sq ft.
The construction going on there is amazing, and it goes on 24 hours/day. They joke that the natl bird is the "crane" because cranes dot the skyline wherever you turn. Unfortunately, it is said that poor construction workers from India and Pakistan are brought in and exploited with horrible living conditions and low wages. That's awful because there is no shortage of $$ in Dubai. When we were there, they were constructing a new mall with an indoor ski slope!! It is an engineering marvel - it is now done, and for the first time, people in that region can experience snow! While other places in the Middle East are very conservative in dress, Dubai accepts all kinds of Western attire - including skimpy bathing suits. One emirate over, in Sharjah, you would have to cover up. But Dubai is definitely a playground for the rich. You must see the palm islands - sand was poured into the Persian Gulf in the shape of palm leaves - and homes are being built on them. INCREDIBLE! They also have "THE WORLD" - islands built to represent the continents, on which homes are being built. Unfortunately, while you can feel safe there, it is unsettling to know that anyone with an Israeli passport cannot visit Dubai. And, while Dubai has purchased much in our country, Americans are not allowed to invest in Dubai. That probably will change soon - but I don't see any progress on the Israeli front in the works.

Don't forget to take a jeep ride on the desert dunes at sunset - you'll be in for quite a treat. Other than visiting Old Dubai and going for a boat ride, visiting the desert, shopping, and going to the beach there is not much to do in Dubai. It is really a place to just chill out. As for the technology, every major tech company has a building in what is called Internet City - a beautiful complex of buildings in one section of Dubai. Each building outdoes the next in its architecture. Go through the technology souk there and see products we just don't have in the US. We didn't buy anything, as we were unsure whether it would be compatible with products here. But they are definitely on the cutting edge - everywhere, you see flat screen TVs, as if that were the norm.

We stayed in the Ritz Carlton, which is on Jumeirah Beach - we were there in June, and it was VERY hot - so hot, that you couldn't stand on the sand without shoes. As we relaxed under palm trees around the pool, a Ritz employee came around with fresh washcloths covered with ice. What a relief! They also carried misting bottles and would spray you as needed. I don't know how the workers survive working in long sleeves and pants, but they claim it protects them from the heat.

The stores there are over the top - any high end store you would find on Rodeo Drive has a branch in Dubai. There really are no bargains there, except in January when they have a sale - they call it shopping month, and they use it to attract tourists. Must be something!

Getting around is easy in beautiful, clean taxis - all drivers speak English and are very accomodating. Expect to pay NYC prices for the cabs though. Unless you want to go to the beach every day, I'd be more inclined to stay in the center of the city which is closer to Old Dubai and shopping.

When you think that Dubai was all desert 30 years ago, you have to marvel at what they have created. And what is to come is mind-boggling as well. I felt as if I was living in a dream-world. Oh, no crime to speak of, either. All in all, a fascinating place to see. If you're lucky enough to be sent on business, take the family - it's certainly something to see!