Dubai

[Prawn_86]

Dubai is one of the seven emirates and the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. The city of Dubai is sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate.

Written accounts document the existence of the city for at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country's legislature. Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. Dubai's current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE.

[goutham]

dubai a home away from home . a fusion of west and east in living style with best of both the worlds. culture and comfort but at cost price u have to pay for.

Beaches are lovely, people are extra nice, malls are out of this world and food is sooo good.

A excellent city... great villas, great commercial place.

[chrissylewis03]

yeah, i really want to visit Dubai but as a woman am not really sure how i'll be treated.

Even going into a mosque in Malaysia i was treated so differently, although i can respect the cultural difference, it was still difficult for me to know how to feel about it. As an australian my first thought is to be offended by it but i needed to stop myself and try to appreciate the different customs.

i just want to know if there is anything i need to keep in mind, anything i would need to do differently as a female going into a muslim country? or just any advice or comments in that area?

[Prawn_86]

A NOXIOUS tide of toilet paper, raw sewage and chemical waste has transformed Dubai's most prestigious coastal stretch into a foul-smelling health hazard


http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24983248-5014090,00.html

[Sails]

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24983248-5014090,00.html

I guess at least they have the money to be able to clean it up. Gross though, sounds like Kuta in the wet season!

[Prawn_86]

A LUXURY resort in Dubai is under pressure to release a whale shark on display inside the hotel's giant fish tank.
Environmentalists and activists claim the managers of the Atlantis hotel are endangering the life of the whale shark by keeping it in the open-air aquarium along with more than 60,000 fish, stingrays and other creatures.


http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25027162-5014090,00.html

I thought Whale Sharks were a protected species and there are limitations on keeping protected animals?

[Prawn_86]

BEACHES in the Gulf tourism hub of Dubai have been plagued by a bloom of algae known as the "red tide" that has killed fish and is potentially harmful to humans, a municipality official said.
”This is a natural fauna that goes into harmful algal bloom,” said Mohammed Abdulrahman Hassan, head of the marine and wildlife section in the municipality's environment office.



Also saw an intersting doco stating that all the work they have done to the coastline has dramatically changed the tidal flows and eco type things...

[nhowelson]

Dubai is really a place to visit, it's multi culture environment will make you feel like that you already travel the world. You must Burj Al Arab, world claimed to be the first and only 7 star hotel in the world(at least since it was built). And surrounding the great architecture of burj Al Arab are nice beaches of Jumeirah. From the beach the burj al arab looks so great.

Snow in the dessert. Dubai being in the middle east which means in the dessert and what desserts have? Sun sun and sun, with this hot weather of dubai, they was able to build a place of ice, Ski Dubai, this is a great place to chill out (litteraly) after roaming around the hot places of dubai.

And of course do not forget to visit the dessert for Safari, Safari driving is fun,after riding safari there will be some food and of course the shisa and experience watching some women do the belly dancing.

In short, dubai is a place to visit. :p

[nhowelson]

Today is the launch of Dubai first ever metro railway system, this is the first longest railway that will operate driverless.



Dubai: With the launching of the first Metro in the Gulf region, Dubai has achieved a never before attempted milestone - the world's longest automated driverless train system built in just four years.

"The completion of such a massive project in a short period of time speaks volumes about Dubai's economic strength and its commitment to the development of the city regardless of the global economic crisis," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).



http://gulfnews.ae/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10347416.html

[white_crane]

Dubai is a major stopover destination and one that I'll be passing through on my travels this year. Does anyone have any info./tips to pass on about this place (or where to find it)? (e.g. importation of medicines seems a bit unclear)