Joanna James
Dubai is very good at impressing its visitors; anyone who goes there is overawed by the city's wealth. Manifestly, the city has mastered the art of unprecedentedness.
This is the largest mall in the world, and a dream come true for shopaholics. It has everything you can possibly imagine; from entertainment to international brands to dining, everybody who visits the mall is thoroughly spoiled. On the weekends, what you witness inside the mall is something of a community gathering; the residents of the city usually convene at the mall to catch up with each other.
The city is also home to the tallest building in the world. Burj Khalifa is a magnificent creation born out of Dubai's wealth and the talents of four individuals: Adrian Smith, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Come nightfall; the building lights up Dubai's skyline, which is a magical sight to see. On New Year's Eve, the building is at its most wonderful form; the light shows, and the fireworks light up the whole area.
Dubai holds a Guinness World Record for the longest automated metro. Red Line is 52.1 km in length, and in 2011, the second line of Dubai Metro, Green Line was adjoined with Red Line, together, they form a 75 km long metro line.
94 cubic meters of sand were used for the construction of the artificial islands in Dubai, which is the amount of sand that would be needed to build a wall around the globe.
Attractive salaries, and the fact that employees don't have to pay income tax make Dubai attractive to employees. People from other countries, mainly from Europe, come to Dubai in search of jobs, and they live there for the duration allowed by their work permit. The population of Dubai is estimated to be 2.5 million, and 90% of the population are other nationals. The city, therefore, has a very diverse culture, and you see restaurants catering to different tastes of different ethnicities.
The city has a diverse array of food options which are pretty unique and exciting. From beach food stalls to restaurants to excellent dining options, Dubai is indulgent to every whim and fancy. As for accommodation, visitors are often offered the best hotel deals in Dubai, the likes of Oaks Liwa Heights are an example of Dubai accommodation.
The city is known for showing off its wealth; the affluence of the city is apparent where ever you look. For example, the country has ATMs that dispense gold bars; the city is a primary consumer of gold. The police officers in Dubai benefit from the most modern and latest technologies, their vehicles, for instance, are the most expensive you find in the world. The city doesn't fall short of perfection; it seems that Dubai's motto is 'nothing succeeds like an excess'.
Dubai is truly a modern country; there's no denying that, but you cannot mistake the palpable presence of culture either. The city is extremely cultural despite what you see on the surface. There are rules tourists are supposed to conform to.
Dubai observes Ramadan, and during the season, the visitors are expected to show respect. For instance, it would be very disrespectful and thoughtless if you were to eat something in the presence of someone who's fasting.
The members of the royal family in Dubai are praised for having a down-to-earth attitude towards people. They seem to live in absolute luxury and extravagance, which is not hard to believe, but His Royal Highness is the one who enables all the development projects in Dubai.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
