World Cruise 2015: Day 77 – March 23, 2015

This was the first of two days we are spending in Dubai. A quick update on the notary, it seems you have to make an appointment at the consulate to get something notarized, but there were no appointments available for our time in Dubai. So we have an appointment at the consulate in Oman on 3/26 at 2 PM. Keep you fingers crossed. The good thing is we are able to do both days of tours here in Dubai. What a city!

There are seven Emirates in the United Arab Republic, each with its own King, called sheiks. The king of Abu Dhabi is the president of the UAR and the president of Dubai is the vice-president. Our guide explained that an Emirate is like a city. Some are too small to be a state, so they are thought of as cities. Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates in geographic area, but with over 2 million residents, it has the largest by population. There are over 8 million in all of the Emirates. Long a small center of fishing and pearl diving, Dubai burst onto the international scene in 1966 when oil was discovered. In 1971, Dubai joined with others to form the UAE. So, Dubai is officially 43 year sold this year, and there are signs all around proclaiming this. Since then, Dubai has become known for its incredible architecture and feats of engineering, such as the construction of the Palm Islands and the World Archipelago, manmade islands off the coast of Dubai designed to display man’s ability to shape nature. Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa and former highest building Burj Al Arab, as well as the world’s largest mall, the Dubai mall. Dubai is now as an international jetsetter getaway with a myriad of luxury stores, world class restaurants and hotels and over the top seaside resorts, each of which comes with a hefty price tag.

The majority of the city’s residents (78%) are foreigners, with worker draw to work in hotel and construction industries and executives working for financial and oil interest. This represents 231 different countries. You cannot come here without a job and if you lose your job, you are sent home. It is a very safe city. A study was done and the people doing the study dropped their wallet over 200 times and every time it was returned. They have used their oil money, not only to build a new city, but they take care of those that are called the Emerites, the natives. You have to prove that you are a descendent of a Bedouin to be one. You cannot live here and get citizenship. The city’s glamorous party and fashion reputation is well earned, but there is another side: the mosques and a few remaining historic buildings give a glimpse into what it was like in the this small Arab kingdom before the oil boom.

The first day of our tour was to be of old Dubai, but we also saw a lot of new Dubai. We went by many of the new buildings, and they are all tall, beautiful and different. I have never seen such different forms of architecture in high rises. It is also a very expensive city to live and shop in. The Emirates Twin Towers are the 9^th tallest in the world and are built to look like chocolates. Dubai now has the busiest airport in the world, having passed Heathrow. They are also building a new airport that would be the biggest one in the world. The tallest building, Burj Khalifa, is 828 meters tall and was designed by architects in Chicago. The Blue Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. Dubai is obsessed with being the best and first and has over 200 Guinness World records. Muslims make up 94% of the population. They do allow alcohol, but do not allow gambling. So, you have all these resorts, horse and camel races, but do not have any gambling. We went to visit a mosque in the Beverly Hills of Dubai. We learned at lot about Muslims and their practice. They believe in 5 pillars – that Mohammed was the last messenger from God, you must give to those less fortunate (here they must give 2.5 times what they have in the bank), must pray five times a day, must fast once a year (Ramadan) and you must once in your life make a pilgrimage to Mecca. If you do not have the means to make the pilgrimage, then you do not have to go.

The people that live here in this area of the mosque are the natives. The king gives them a home (beautiful), free education and free health care. This is why you see little crime. Dubai uses the oil money for its own people as well as infrastructure. Many stars come here as you cannot take a picture of anyone without first asking, so they are not bothered by paparazzi. Arabic is the official language, but most people speak English. We visited the gold and spice souk (markets). We got there by taking an Abra, an open low boat. There were tons out on the water. You could have driven or taken a tunnel, but this was a great way to do it. We bought some camel milk chocolates and some dates stuffed with almonds and then dipped in chocolate. Both were very good. We are bringing some back.

We also went to the Basktikiya area, which is famous for the original air conditioners. They are tall stacks that have opening on each side and set up to catch the most air and move it into the home and draw the hot air out. We also went to the Dubai Museum, which gave a great insight into how things used to be. At the end of the day we took some pictures of one of the kings palaces and then went to the Dubai Mall where they put on a fabulous water show in the evening. It is supposed to have 2.5 times the fountains as at the Bellagio. It was beautiful.

Here are some pictures from the first day, Hopefully in order two times in a row.

1 – Tallest building

2-10 Architecture of buildings

11-16 Mosque

17 – Times that they go to prayer; the second time is optional

18-21 Basktikiya area

22 Statue of man that did a handstand on a watermelon to set a world record

23-24 Dubai museum

25 – Boats waiting to go across river to souks

26 – Boat like we took

27 – Bus on water

28 – Boats uses for dinner cruises