The Seven-Star Wonder
Before the tallest building became the symbol of Dubai, there was a hotel shaped like the sail of a sailboat that introduced the desert country as a place for tall and ridiculous architecture. The concept introduced the audacity of a tiny country to tap into engineering and technological prowess from the western world to make a statement out of everything they built. “Burj Al Arab” as it will be popularly known across the world, became a symbol of the hyper-luxury way of living. With helipads used to have high-profile tennis matches to host high-profile events to cater to international dignitaries, It became known as a place where no average person can step onto.
Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis Resort
Palm Jumeirah, is a man-made island shaped like a palm and is a permanent zip code for the wealthy few, who want to indulge in desert luxury. Each branch of the palm contains rows of villas that suppose to cater to the best Dubai living can offer. And at the topmost branch of the palm, you have a water paradise called Atlantis, built to attract families who care for a water park fun. Although, its prices ensure only elites can visit it often, making it a once-in-a-lifetime vacation destination rather than a weekend getaway. There are lines of hotels along the topmost branch of the tree, that offer a view of the ocean with a faint glimmer of Burj Al Arab in the distance.
Dubai Desert Safari
Desert Safari is by far the best Dubai offered me in terms of pure exhilarating entertainment. The drive in sand dunes on a 4X4 Japanese SUV is no less than riding a rollercoaster at your favorite theme park. It is part scary and part breathtaking. I was in the middle of the desert with sand dunes all around me. Made a brief pit stop to soak in the beauty and got the opportunity to hold a leashed national bird, the falcon.
The desert safari also took me to a small entertainment area built in the middle of the desert to accommodate 400 people with some local and international food. Camel riding, ATV riding, Henna painting, and flavored hookah along with the bar serving alcoholic beverages were meant to customers engaged until nightfall. Once it gets dark the food service starts clearly separated into 2 sections, one with precooked buffer and the other where food was prepared fresh, mostly barbecued meat and deep-fried fish.
The highlight of my desert safari has to be the show with 4 individual performances of native dance. They were beyond amazing. The dark night as a backdrop and the delicious food and beverages made a perfect environment to enjoy some performances which used light and fire as their props. In all, it was an evening to remember.
Dubai also boasts of having one of the largest seafood markets, the largest Chinese store, and obviously, one of the largest Gold markets. I got to visit all of them, basking in their enormity and how they became so prominent places in Dubai’s lifestyle.
Is it because Dubai has more immigrants than natives?
Is it because Dubai has entrepreneur friendly government?
Or is it because Dubai has no resources of its own that the world wants?
Whatever the reason may be, Dubai sure knows how to keep itself relevant on the international podium by doing larger-than-life things.
Until next time.
By
Roy D