Decades later, Dubai became an attraction to foreign workers and investors after the realization that it would run out of oil within 30 years. In the mid-1990s now ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum masterminded the extraordinary plan to reinvent the city as an international hub of finance, free trade, and tourism so Dubai would no longer rely on the oil trade.
Currently, Dubai is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations on the planet. It is thriving with the worlds largest shopping mall, tallest building, biggest indoor ski area, and much more. Increasingly, Dubai is not just next to the gulf – it’s extending into it, with hundreds of man-made islands.
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| Palm Jumeirah is the largest man made island which was created by Dubai’s ruler to help solve the areas beach shortage. The Island is shaped like a palm tree because it provides more beach frontage then a traditional circular island. |
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“The World” is an engineering expedition to create an island paradise of sea, sand and sky. The World is a destination that allows investors to create their own unique island with an expression of individuality, where the only limit is the imagination. An innovative and one of a kind destination, The World is a collection of 300 private man-made islands shaped into the continents of planet Earth. It was created from sand unearthed from the sea and surrounded by breakwater which took 34 million tons of rock to create. It is divided into four categories- private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands. The area that the world occupies is 5.4 miles long and 3.6 miles wide and over 3 and a half square miles are visible to the naked eye from outer space. The World is now destined to become Dubai's exclusive island destination…a blank canvas in the sapphire waters of the Arabian Gulf, no more then a 15-minute boat ride from Dubai.   Atlantis, The Palm is a 1,539 room, ocean-themed destination resort located at the centre of the crescent of the man-made Palm Jumeirah. Here is a variety of water park amusement, further marine attractions, entertainment, and a collection of some of the most renowned world-class chefs including Nobu, Giorgio Locatelli, Santi Santamaria and Michel Rostang. It is home to one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with some 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis.  The Dubai Mall has a world class aquarium features on of the world’s largest viewing panels.features a walkthrough tunnel, and has over 33,000 living animals, representing more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays combined.The mall also consists of a medical center, a cinema, a hotel, and an underwater zoo.  Dubai is one of the worlds greatest gold trading centers.  A 7 star hotel in Dubai  |
In Dubai it is illegal to drink in public. Alcohol isn't served at restaurants, only in hotels. If you reside in Dubai you need a permit in order to drink alcohol in your home.
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| Home to the largest indoor ski area. |
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| Dubai Fashion Fiesta "Nowhere else will you see a Muslim lady covered from head to toe in her black Abaya standing next to a European lady dressed in a mini skirt."--Dubai is a very diverse place, english ranks alongside arabic as the language of commerce. |
Finally, I will leave you with some recipes that are common in Dubai. In Dubai you can find practically any type of food, but the most common foods are Arabian, Lebanese, Moroccan, and Iranian.
Hoummus- Today the traditional Middle East’s recipe has several variations, but is generally served with fresh or toasted pita bread.
Ingredients
- 2 15-oz cans of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
-1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas.
-3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste).
-1 1/2 tablespoons tahini.
-2 cloves garlic, crushed.
-1/2 teaspoon salt.
-2 tablespoons olive oil.
Preparation
---Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Mix the remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 5 minutes on low until thoroughly combined and smooth.
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the middle of the hummus. Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional). Serve directly with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread, or cover and refrigerate. Optionally, insert a sliced red chili or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier dish.--------
Chicken Shawarma (Also can be made with lamb like the greek gyro)Ingredients
-1/2 cup malt vinegar
-1/4 cup plain yogurt
-1 tablespoon vegetable oil
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 teaspoon mixed spice
-1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
-8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
-1/2 cup tahini
-1/4 cup plain yogurt
-1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
-2 tablespoons lemon juice
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
-4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
-1/2 cup sliced onion
-4 cups shredded lettuce
-8 pita bread rounds
Directions
-In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, 1/4 cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt and pepper. Place the chicken thighs into the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, 1/4 cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
-Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish, and cut into slices.
-Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with the tahini sauce.
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/94/art_20_Reasons_Not_Move_to_Dubai.html
Either way I would love to go to Dubai someday.
