Dubai, man-made Fata Morgana,
It's difficult to imagine that less than half a century ago, Dubai was nothing more than a quaint, fishing town.....yeah....it has a history of trading, but which coastal town didn't or rather doesn't trade as to generate additional 'income'.
The oldest building, 'Al Fahidi' fort, which was the monarch's residence, and since the early 70's, converted into the 'Dubai museum', is merely 200+ years old. Nowadays housing artifacts, antique and depicting diorama's of a by-gone era.
Actually, the museum is a good way to start off one's journey into Dubai, it provided us with a sense of feeling of how 'far' and 'fast' Dubai has progressed in a little over 2 centuries.
Or should I say, last 3 decades.
With the foresight of its erstwhile rulers of not possessing vast quantities of black gold aka 'oil', Dubai has transformed itself into 'THE' major trading port of the Gulf region, imposing virtually no tax, thus attracting vast numbers of merchants to set up shop in the city.
And along with the swelling numbers of people arriving there to realize their 'dreams', a boom in property and commercial development ensued.
We've all read, heard and seen on tv...unbelievable, majestic, grand buildings being built and developed, but you have to see it first-hand in order to really appreciate what man-power, will-power but foremost an abundant glut of credit can achieve.
Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building,.....check...
Burj Al Arab, the world's most expensive hotel......check....
Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping mall.....check....
Ski Dubai, the world's largest indoor ski facility.....smack in the middle of the desert.......check....
Palm Islands, the so called 8th world wonder........check.......
Rows and rows of skyscrapers, each one trying to outmuscle the next doors building in terms of size and height.........check......
The world's biggest gold bazaar, displaying all the bling bling on offer........check....
And why not throw this in for good measure, the world's heaviest golden ring, weighing a whopping 60+kg inclusive precious stones.......Double check!!......
In short, Dubai is simply astounding.
But I can't get rid of the feeling whether all this is a bit too much......they've hit a brick wall a few years ago with the financial meltdown......projects put on hold or even postponed, and knowing that a full recovery is not due yet for another few years, I cross my fingers that the globalized merchants will not seek better pastures and leave this town behind.
Money can buy everything, but is money really everything?
Time will tell........
Let's hope all this is not a fata morgana in the making, but really a benchmark for other cities to follow, 'cos the only way is UP.....somebody should inform the Old Continent's lawmakers that there is a way to get out of the economic doldrums.....take a close look at Dubai, and learn from them.....
Welcome to the next century I'd say
It's difficult to imagine that less than half a century ago, Dubai was nothing more than a quaint, fishing town.....yeah....it has a history of trading, but which coastal town didn't or rather doesn't trade as to generate additional 'income'.
The oldest building, 'Al Fahidi' fort, which was the monarch's residence, and since the early 70's, converted into the 'Dubai museum', is merely 200+ years old. Nowadays housing artifacts, antique and depicting diorama's of a by-gone era.
Actually, the museum is a good way to start off one's journey into Dubai, it provided us with a sense of feeling of how 'far' and 'fast' Dubai has progressed in a little over 2 centuries.
Or should I say, last 3 decades.
With the foresight of its erstwhile rulers of not possessing vast quantities of black gold aka 'oil', Dubai has transformed itself into 'THE' major trading port of the Gulf region, imposing virtually no tax, thus attracting vast numbers of merchants to set up shop in the city.
And along with the swelling numbers of people arriving there to realize their 'dreams', a boom in property and commercial development ensued.
We've all read, heard and seen on tv...unbelievable, majestic, grand buildings being built and developed, but you have to see it first-hand in order to really appreciate what man-power, will-power but foremost an abundant glut of credit can achieve.
Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building,.....check...
Burj Al Arab, the world's most expensive hotel......check....
Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping mall.....check....
Ski Dubai, the world's largest indoor ski facility.....smack in the middle of the desert.......check....
Palm Islands, the so called 8th world wonder........check.......
Rows and rows of skyscrapers, each one trying to outmuscle the next doors building in terms of size and height.........check......
The world's biggest gold bazaar, displaying all the bling bling on offer........check....
And why not throw this in for good measure, the world's heaviest golden ring, weighing a whopping 60+kg inclusive precious stones.......Double check!!......
In short, Dubai is simply astounding.
But I can't get rid of the feeling whether all this is a bit too much......they've hit a brick wall a few years ago with the financial meltdown......projects put on hold or even postponed, and knowing that a full recovery is not due yet for another few years, I cross my fingers that the globalized merchants will not seek better pastures and leave this town behind.
Money can buy everything, but is money really everything?
Time will tell........
Let's hope all this is not a fata morgana in the making, but really a benchmark for other cities to follow, 'cos the only way is UP.....somebody should inform the Old Continent's lawmakers that there is a way to get out of the economic doldrums.....take a close look at Dubai, and learn from them.....
Welcome to the next century I'd say
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