The most memorable travel experiences are those which take us out of our comfort zones and throw us into new worlds. The experience of another culture and a different way of life is powerful to say the least. Travel allows us to see things through new lenses, to take in sights and sounds with heightened awareness and to understand culture and civilisation in new and exciting ways. Dubai holidays are a perfect chance to experience the exotic otherness of a foreign culture. From the tallest building in the world to the humble Bedouin camps nestled under a desert sky, Dubai is most remarkable in its extremes.
Dubai at night – photo by crazydiamond
Half the population of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates, are actually Indian or of Indian descent. With a healthy population of other foreign workers and large groups of tourists each year, the total population of indigenous Emiratis in Dubai totals less than 20%. With such a mix of people, Dubai's culture incorporates multiple religions, culinary traditions and languages with little to no conflict: the crime rate throughout the Emirate is virtually zero.
While the economy in Dubai was originally built on oil and natural gas, tourism, trade and real estate are now the top three drivers of this modern economic powerhouse. With some of the most fantastical malls, resorts and leisure facilities in the world, Dubai is focused on providing visitors and residents alike a once in a lifetime experience of the finer things in life.
Dubai Marina- photo by plannedcity
In 1968 there were reportedly only 13 cars in the entire city. In 1991 there was one lone skyscraper. Today the traffic congestion in Dubai is so overwhelming that double decker roads are common place. There is a comprehensive public transit system that was built in only 2 years and there are now over 400 skyscrapers that compose the magnificent and world-class skyline of the city.
Dubai cityscape – photo by robertpaulyoung
In Dubai's on-going quest to assert itself as the biggest and the best destination for shopping and all things luxurious, artisans in the Emirate created the longest gold chain ever made. The record breaking piece of jewellery was made for the Dubai shopping festival in 1999, boasted an impressive 22 carats and spanned four kilometres in length.
Dubai Gold Market – photo by www.dubai-information-site.com
One of the most interesting things about Dubai is not the overwhelming glitz and glam on offer, but the penetrating call to prayer that comes through the speakers five times a day. It is in these moments when the disparity between merchandise and Mecca becomes crystallized and the diverse culture of this fascinating place is most apparent. Hotel rooms throughout the city, luxurious and western-inspired as they may be, still feature signs pointing toward Mecca.
Burj al Arab Hotel – photo by Jumierah.com
This remarkable city is more than meets the eye. While Dubai likes to put it all out there in many respects, the most interesting elements of the city are experienced in the quiet moments, the calls to prayer, the winds sweeping across the desert and the observation of peaceful multi-culturalism in the Middle East. If you get the chance for a Dubai holiday this year, be sure to take advantage of it and see these remarkable sights for yourself.
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Dubai is the glitzy Blackpool of the Middle East, with a bucket load more fun things to do, especially if you like shopping. My son and I spent a few days there en route to New Zealand and loved every minute, apart from the heat. Zooming across sand dunes in a hefty 4×4, screaming down a death-defying water slide, skiing in the shopping mall and bargaining in the souk. All quite unreal and thoroughly enjoyable – for a few days …
The middle east is a horrible place full of over zealous police waiting to throw you in jail at the sign of a slightest bit of fun.Stay away.
There are places in the middle east that are dangerous at present, there are over-zealous police in many countries and one person’s definition of fun can offend another – viz the behaviour of some drunken Brits on holiday around the world. The culture of the country must be respected and care taken in any country. We spent 4 days in Dubai staying with friends who’ve lived there for almost 10 years and had no problems, great fun and a very enjoyable time.
It’s awe inspiring to think of how fast this city has grown and the last 22 years! Amazing! It does sound like an extraordinary land of contrasts!
It seems to be a bit like Marmite, Mary; people either love it or hate it. There’s very little left of ‘Old Dubai’ – but then there was very little in the first place so it’s hardly surprising that when wealth was found in the oil, there was this boom. The biggest contrast is between the man-made hedonistic city-state and the vast expanse of sandy desert just waiting nearby to reclaim its territory at some point in the future …
Dubai is definitely a great place to visit. I am planning to start a tourism company in Dubai.