DUBAI -- A MID-EAST JEWEL

WELCOME TOURISTS!!

At this point in my life, I am too old, wise (?), skeptical and preconditioned to be impressed with anything but I must admit that Dubai has penetrated my innermost curiosity and iven me pause to consider its awesome accomplishment. You might say I am borderline envious. 

We awakened early Thursday morning in the Port of Dubai, looked out the window to the hazy but impressive skyline and hastened to prepare for our day. After “reupping” (checking in) for the next leg of our “odyssey" and enjoying an early breakfast we were off the ship and aboard a shuttle inbound on a 20 minute ride to a city mall. We transferred to a hop on hop off bus for a two hour tour of the city and an up close and personal view of the tall buildings and impressive architecture that makes thia city spectacular.  It ia a truly innovative vision that has transformed this desert into a bustling, high octane thriving metropolis. According to our recorded guide, the Sheik whose vision and planning it encompasses estimates that the current version represents only 8% of his dream.  (I am unable to confirm that number and thus, I am not sure that the percentage is correct but I was taken aback by the low number. I may not have it right – but no matter -- the Sheik is on a roll!)

Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates which was formed in 1966 after Britain announced it would withdraw from the region. Dubai occupies an area of approximately 1,500 miles and in 2013 its population was 2,106,177.  (Our tour guide estimated the current population as 2,400,000.)

Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emeritus (UAE), is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that make up the country. It is a global city and business hub of the Middle East and Southern Asia and a major transportation hub for passengers and cargo.

According to Wikipedia, in the 1960s Dubai’s economy was primarily revenue from trade and, to a smaller extent, oil exploration concessions, but oil was not discovered until 1966. Oil revenue first started to flow in 1969. Dubai's oil revenue helped accelerate the early development of the city, but its reserves are limited and production levels are low: today, less than 5% of the emirate's revenue comes from oil. The emirate's Western-style model of business drives its economy with the main revenues now coming from tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. 

Dubai’s skyline of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings accentuate the inspiring and amazing magnitude of its building process and the number of projects in construction phase seems incredible with the world’s tallest building, the “Burj Khalifa” providing the “icing for the cake” that is still being baked.

 In case you are contemplating attending the 2020 World Expo to be hosted by Dubai, Wikipedia reports that in 2012  Dubai was said to be the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East.  There is no graffiti, the streets are clean, housing is impressive and there appears no shortage of money and the good life seems abundant. It does not appear to be a hostel for tghe poverty stricken.

Our combination air conditioned and open air bus was comfortable and our English headset narration informative.  The history of Dubai was entwined with the sights before us.  There are three major routes (red, blue and green bus) that provide a thorough introduction to the cities, past, present and future in the form of new buildings in various stages of construction.  

We had committed to a desert tour and dinner at a Bedouin Camp for a genuine Arab experience and it quickly became apparent that there were not enough hours in the day to provide more than one tour and little, if any, time to examine the sites in any detail.  At the conclusion of our first tour a quick reference to our watches confirmed that we did not have enough time to do another tour and get back to the ship for our 4 PM desert departure.  Ken especially wanted to do the free water trips that were included in our hop on hop off selection but that had to be put off.  We grabbed a hamburger, took some photos from the mall and grabbed our shuttle back to the ship and prepared for our next adventure.

Our tour included old Dubai, the modern city with its many high rise apartments, skyscrapers and extraordinary architecture. An in depth history and background of the old city and elaboration on the vision of the current Sheik for the ongoing development of the new Dubai was shared.  Ken and Diane went back on Friday morning before our 2PM departure and did the Blue bus but alas, there was not enough time for him to do the water cruises or the green bus tour.  Perhaps if a fountain of youth is uncovered that will permit old bodies to be young bodies, and we can see the rest on another trip?

At 4 PM we were loaded into a caravan of jeeps for our Dunes dinner Safari. There were six passengers to a jeep and the seating was tight and getting in and out somewhat difficult.  A younger couple (60’s) shared our jeep and thoughtfully took the less comfortable back seat at our first stops for which Diane and  I were exceedingly grateful.

Upon leaving the four lane highway our group of perhaps 70 jeeps made a 5 minute stop at an obvious preset location and let the air out of the tires before striking off across the desert.  This was obviously not their first “rodeo’ (or in this case, caravan).  As promised in five minutes we were again on the road.  We now headed off across the open desert and our first stop, a falcon exhibition at the Dubai Desert Conservation Refuge. The falcon exhibition was interesting but the “featured falcon” was in a cantankerous mood and had some difficulty in following its regimen.  A further benefit of our stop was a “potty break”, water and stretch of our legs.  Mission accomplished we were now ready for the “dunes” experience.  Our information warned that people with a bad back or other medical conditions should consider their physical fitness before committing to this tour. Inasmuch as I have had some reoccurring reminders of back discomfort, I took two ibuprofen before we departed.

As we struck out across the dessert we were treated to an “E” (Disney special) ride of the first degree.  We climbed over major sand dunes, slid down them, tipped to the right, slid to the left, got stuck, backed up and did another take and curved past one dune into another until even the most sturdy among us must have felt moments of queasy discomfort in the pit of our stomach. I wondered aloud who the poor victim might be that would buy the used jeeps.  Bill thought that they would be junked and that seemed reasonable.  A final stop for a photo op of the deserts setting sun concluded our nerve wracking and exciting desert safari. It was a thrill that I would never intentionally commit to but one that I will never forget.  Be assured, however, that I am now a bit wiser and it is unlikely that I will ever commit to a repeat performance – not even for money!!

After our sunset stop we made our way to the Bedouin Camp where we were greeted by a camel caravan and treated to a photo op with real live camels and experienced a camel ride. We were introduced to the traditional activities of a Bedouin camp i.e; hand painting, aromatic water pipe, live music and belly dancing after an Arabian meal consisting of grilled meats, fresh salads, vegetables and sweets. It was a memorable day capped off with an unforgettable evening and experience. What a blast.

It was a full day with the stuff from which memories are made, remembered and treasured. 

Diane and Ken went back for more pictures from the Blue line before our 2PM departure Saturday but alas, there is much left to do should we ever get a second "go at it".  Tomorrow we are in Muscat Oman for another day of Arabian and mid-east culture.