Dubai trip - just amazing

Dubai is one of seven Emirates (states) that make up the UAE. It has only ~10% of the oil in the UAE, relative to Abu Dhabi’s 90%; hence the late Sheik Sayed saw a need to diversify it in the 70’s and it has grown leaps and bounds since, especially in recent years. “New Dubai” is what most of hear about in the news in conjunction with the Burj Al Dubai which will be the tallest building in the world when complete and will dwarf most other skyscrapers. They currently have 17%+ of the world’s heavy construction cranes in Dubai working on the massive and uber well thought out development plans. 80% of Dubai is ex-patriot and venture capitalism is everywhere. The class system is unfortunately present with the Asia and Asia Pac ex pat primarily working the service and construction sector and the Europeans and Americans in the planning, consulting and capital ventures. The Arab nationals just visit for fun and print money when they need some. In order for a non-national company to do business in an Arab gulf country it must have a local sponsor (a national individual). This person may or may not have a position within the company and in most cases just skims a percentage of revenue off the top, number I heard were around 20% being standard. Must be nice ehh. Dubai is clean and the people were great that we met. (note the Palm Resort on the horizon in the water of heli photo)

On Wednesday we took an earlier than planned flight over from Bahrain, got to the hotel and all took free upgrades to executive sweets. I was on the 28th floors 3rd from the top with a balcony facing east. We went to Jumeirah beach resort the first night for some sushi while sitting outside next to the crashing waves of the Arab Gulf. After a late dinner on the best Yellow Tail I have ever had we went to Boudoir, a hip hop club till 2 and got some bees out of our butts. Had 2 very late nights while there. Woke up the next morning to 95 and sunny, seems to be the unbreakable trend around here, and headed off to the Gold Souk, a market where you can buy at market price with no mark up for workmanship. Local gold mostly except for the white gold as it is imported. I got a lesson in pearls as one jeweler, but no purchases, just yet. Buy 1pm it was at least 100 flipping degrees and we took an Abra (water taxi) across the creek over to the Textile Souk for a gander. Bought an Emirates t-shirt and then something caught my eye. A currency exchange in the souk had old Saddam Iraqi currency that is no longer in use. Had to get one, cost, less than 2 bucks for a 25 dinar note. After strolling through the souks we headed back to the Central Business District on Sheik Sayed Blvd and stopped off some hotels to snoop, get some quotes and just people watch some. Went to the Fairmont, Crown Plaza. Back to the hotel for a quick shower, now about 5pm and then over to smoke “Sheesha”. It is a flavored tobacco that is smoked out of traditional 3 foot tall hookah. Very smooth and good buzz. There are no drugs in the Middle East, really at all, just not tolerated. Not even in the clubs, very encouraging to see. After the sharing some shish with my colleagues we met up with a Dubai native Hanan who went to school with one of the guys. She is Jordanian and been in Dubai about a year. We hit up Long’s Bar which was in our Hotel the Towers Rotana, home to the longest bar in Dubai (for now) and then she took us over to the Madinat Jumeirah near the Burj Al Arab.

Most of you have seen the Burj Al Arab in the news or possibly when Tiger Woods hit the golf ball off the helipad in a commercial. I can’t explain how amazing the Madinat was designed and maintained. It makes any other hotel I have ever stayed in look like a 2 star motel. Every hotel (except the Burj Al Arab) is open to the public and most are donned with very nice restaurants, cafes, shopping, bars and clubs. Most places that serve food, serve past midnight. So back to the Madinat, did a jazz club for bit then a techno club for bit, walked around a lot and took some pics.

Before heading home we took a drive to the marina district which is the center of “New Dubai” it is totally under construction and just amazing, would love to come back and visit after it is complete. Got back to the hotel about 3:45 am, again late night.

I think I am rushing a bit as I need to head to bed, early morning tomorrow and the beginning of our work week here, no Memorial Day for us. More to come.


http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/
http://www.rotana.com/
http://www.burj-al-arab.com/
Burj Al Dubai: http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/701.php