Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Greetings from Dubai,


The fastest built city in the world! And still going...

In Dubai, just about everything is meant to be the biggest and the best. And it's no joke: Here you'll find the world's tallest building, the largest man-made islands, the richest horse race, the biggest shopping festival, and soon the most extensive entertainment complex, the most massive mall, and the biggest hotel.

Dubai began as a very small, sleepy settlement occupied by nomads who herded sheep, goats and cattle and fishermen. Fishing and pearl-diving supported the region for many centuries, but it was the sudden discovery of oil in 1966 which poured wealth into Dubai, leading to its rapid reinvention from a quiet settlement to the land of the bling.

And here we caught our first glimpse of the world's tallest building..

And we headed towards Jumeria and the beach.

Dubai is neat, clean, and new. Even the beaches are plowed clean...

And beautiful...

Endless white sand.. it reminds me of home!

Except a huge difference... see that tanker out in the distance?

North Florida is not dredging sand to recreate the world in a series of islands.

The World Islands, which is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Palm World or Globe Islands, are a collection of man-made islands shaped into the continents of the world, located off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It will consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories - private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands.


The $ 1.8 billion project will cover a total area of 5.4 miles in length and 3.6 miles in width, surrounded by an oval shaped breakwater. The only means of transportation between the islands will be by marine or air transport and boat transportation to and from the mainland.

You can see the formation of the lower ring in the distance...

Each island of The World will range from 250 to 900 thousand square feet in size, with 164 to 328 feet of water between each island. Each island will be sold to selected private developers and are expected to have pricing beginning at $ 6.85 million. Individuals who own on an island in The World Islands include Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.

Using gigantic machinery, massive amounts of sand were pumped from the sea floor and deposited into huge piles in the appropriate places. The sand is then mixed with fertile soil, creating a stable base, so it doesn’t wash back into the sea. A ton of vegetation was then added into the mix. As the vegetation takes root, not only does it evoke a more natural look to The World in Dubai but it also creates even more of a reliable foundation. At the end of the process the foundations of the coming infrastructure are laid.

And from the opposite view of the beach.... Burj Al Arba Hotel

In the shape of a sailboat...

The world's only 7 star hotel...if a 7 star hotel existed.

If you can actually see the sign... pretty much nothing is allowed!

And here is a little part of the old town...

My goal this trip is to buy this outfit for Harry

And they have water taxis too...

Each project is bigger, bolder, and significantly more expensive. The skyline is being filled with more architecturally daring high-rises. The land is being carved with new canals and marinas. The sea is being gifted with new artificial islands. In other words, nothing is constant. If Dubai has a core identity, it lies in its dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and not in its layout. Tomorrow there will undoubtedly be even more audacious plans to turn fantasy into reality

The history of Dubai may resemble a rags-to-riches fairytale.

And I am loving every minute of it!

Blessings,

Kristie