Remember the 2011 Tom Cruise movie “Ghost Protocol” where he repelled off the tallest building in the world? That was Dubai. Also, did you ever wonder where the Apple TV “busy streets and “tall buildings” screen saver came from? That was Dubai too. Dubai has always had the air of mystique, adventure and everything “Grand”. We had to go to Dubai and see it for ourselves. Let the adventure begin!
Something is Amiss in Dubai
Once on the ground in Dubai we felt there was something different about the city streets and public areas. We could not identify what it was. We have visited many international cities and all of the major metropolitan centers in the United States. What was it? Was it the super modern, incredibly efficient, third busiest airport in the world? No, that wasn’t it. Was it the city skyline with several of the tallest buildings in the world? No that wasn’t it either. Hmmmm.
Then it hit us. No graffiti and no pan handlers were found anywhere! How could that be? Every city, new or old, big or small, have those two prominent, “in your face’, problems. Dubai is incredibly clean, modern and efficient. Traffic is horrific at all hours of the day and night but with no traffic jams or blaring horns. Locals prefer their cars in spite of a very modern, semi-autonomous light rail system serving the central city.
Dubai’s locals love not just any cars, but fancy exotic cars, Bugatti’s, Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s and all the rest. These ultra high end luxury cars mingle with monstrous tour buses all day long. It helps that there are no potholes in any of the roads we saw. This vehicle dance plays out on all of the major thorough fares, including the Sheikh Zayed Road, otherwise known as the E11. The E11 is the main, north-south corridor through Dubai. It stretches 350 miles from Al Sila, on the border between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, through Dubai, to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Dubai is Small yet Big
The Emirate of Dubai, at nearly 600 square miles, is similar in area to that of the City of Los Angeles California. The City of Dubai, however, is only about 14 square miles, about the size of White Plains NY. The entire country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is the size of the state of Georgia. Unfortunately, 80% of the UAE is desert. In spite of its relatively small size everything within Dubai is the newest, the glitziest, and in most cases, the biggest in the world. There are activities and sights for virtually everyone, no mater their interests or tastes.
Safe and Secure
When visiting a country for the first time we make sure to investigate the level of safety for visitors. Dubai, and the entire UAE recently topped a list of countries where people feel safe walking alone or with a companion. About 95% of residents world-wide confirmed the country’s safety in Gallup’s Global Law and Order 2021 report.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said: “Residents can safely walk alone at night. Security is a blessing, and security means a calm and happy life. If someone tells you that a woman can walk alone, during the day or night, without fear, know that she is in UAE”.
We visited Dubai in November and experienced clear skies, daytime temperatures in the low to mid 70s and no rain. The humidity was low and the evenings were very comfortable. The climate during other parts of the year can be oppressively hot and humid, especially along the coast. Rainfall, we were told, averages only 4 to 6 inches each year and summertime temperature can reach as high as 115 degrees F.
Zippyness and Happiness
Dubai is home to the largest shopping mall in the world, some of the tallest building, the 3rd busiest airport, world class horse racing, the Desert Classic Golf Tournament, luxury marinas, inner city zip-lines (please note that we were not tempted at all to try), the longest fully autonomous metro system, one of the world’s largest aquariums and more. Dubai even has a governmental Minister of Happiness. There, who could not be happy?
Metro not Petro
Everything changed in the region in 1958, just 65 years ago. Oil was discovered in the neighboring Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It changed the entire region from one of no hard fast borders, influenced primarily by nomad Arab tribes, to one of organized governments and laws. Seven individual Sheikhdoms eventually bonded together for a mutual defense in 1971. They formed the UAE. The City of Abu Dhabi became the new country’s capital.
Petroleum production in Dubai began in 1969. At its peak, Dubai produced about one-sixth of the UAE’s total output of petroleum. Oil and gas discoveries provided the money to grow the new nation and the individual Emirates. For Dubai, that production has decreased substantially over the years to a negligible amount today. Diversifying Dubai’s economy became quite a strong initiative beginning in the early 1990.
Destination Dubai
Dubai began investing in many grand scale projects to lure global business and vacationers. They expanded its first airport 2000 and built a second airport. Many new hotels were constructed including the striking Burj al Arab in the late 1990s. In fact, the entire area around Burj Al Arab is known as the Jumeirah District. You can find the best hotels in the Jumeirah District and be right in the middle of all the best attractions and sights. Hotels such as the Burj At Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah, and Atlantis The Palm and the Atlantis the Royal are found in this District sitting on the shores of the Persian Gulf.
Along the E11 you can experience riding through a canyon of extremely tall buildings. The Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai city became the world’s tallest building and the tallest freestanding structure when it opened in 2010. It is third tallest currently. While riding along on the E11, names of the most prominent world corporations adorn the building facades. The economy became centered more on business than on oil and gas. Commercial and financial ventures have led the country in a dynamic economic diversification.
Strict and Moderate
Dubai is very serious in its quest to become a destination for global vacationers as well as global business. That of course meant relaxing strict rules on public dress and behavior. Alcohol is now widely available to the tourists and dress codes are more like those in western countries.
Even in Dubai, however, arguably the most relaxed Emirate, both men and women still must cover everything between their shoulders and their knees. You do not have to hide your figure, as you do in most other Arab countries, but tight-fitting clothing might cause an official warning. Women can wear bikinis at their hotels or resort pools, but going topless is not ok. Young children can wear whatever you want them to, but they cannot run around completely nude.
I was not well informed about all of the rules and taboos therefore I was surprised to be told that public kissing, hugging and hand-holding were not permitted.
Drugs and Jail
The UAE has a zero-tolerance approach to drug use, and distribution. Visitors should remember this at all times. Do not temp fate. Your luggage and personal belongings will be searched. Expect heavy fines if not jail when carrying anything to might be considered drugs. Even check on you medications before leaving home to make sure they are not banned.
Return to Dubai and Stay Longer
We were only in Dubai for 3+ days and managed to see a lot before we ventured on to another Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah. A good measure of a good adventure is when you want to do it again. Going back to Dubai is on our travel list to complete over the next couple of years. The Jumeirah Beach area is definitely where we would stay, maybe at the Atlantis-The Palm Resort. There is a tram from the Atlantis that can take you to the Dubai Marina area for restaurants and bars if you tire from the Atlantis options. The tram also connects to the metro system enabling you to travel to virtually all of the other Dubai attractions, even to the airport. Renting a car or hailing a taxi is not only expensive but bothersome because of parking and traffic. A three to five day stay in Dubai is enough time for you to see and experience this modern, high tech city with incredible beaches and water activities.
