Dubai and the Burj Al Arab

[Tony Baloney]

It wouldn't be in my list of places to visit either but you can't knock it when it's a free holiday. Well when I say free I mean apart from that tenner they had to prise from Tony's hands!

[SLIGONIAN]

Its an class place, 2nd night i was here had an awesome fireworks display for opening of the atlantis, got snowboarding lesson for 30 euro in ski dubai aswell, went dune buggieing, went to irish bar for 10 hr session, went to a kickboxing night in a massive niteclub, rugby 7s too was class , etc,...all in first 2 weeks. Loads more to do.

Driving isnt as bad as everyone says either, feel safe enough on the roads.

Lots of diversity of people, women are mostly hot, friendly enough too despite what i was told.   

[ludermor]

A good few of the lads i know working in construction in Dubai have been let go the past few weeks, a lot of the major jobs have come to a standstil. The dream could be over for Dubai.
There is still plenty of work in Abu Dhabi and that should keep a lot og the gang busy but the lifestyle would not be a liberal as dubai.

[Hardy]

From Minders post Hardy.

"Essentially it is Las Vegas without the sex and the gambling, which is Las Vegas without a point".

Ive never heard Vegas nutshelled so well before.

I liked that too.

The article summed up for me why I've always felt, without really thinking about it enough to articulate why, that I'd never be bothered going there. It strikes me like an expensive Butlins with good weather - loads of "things to do" that you could do anywhere if you were interested, but mostly things I'm not interested in. Especially shopping. And with zero cultural interest, local colour, historical context, etc.

Skiing, FFS!

[Chrisowc]

'Dubai makes Blackpool look classy'

That's all I need to know.

[T Fearon]

Actually the place has a lot of culture and fascination. The cargoes loaded on the creek bound for India, Pakistan etc are sights to behold, as are the souks offering excellent value in gold, spices and linen. The excellent Dubai museum (entrance 60p) charts the history and development of the place and is as good a museum as Ive visited (certainly beats Trim Castle where I spent one of the most miserable Sunday afternoons of my life this autumn). The desert safari and arabian meal in a beduoin camp etc. Most of all the can do attitude that has, in the space of thirty years, transformed a sleepy fishing village into a city to rival any you would see in the USA. No where else has blown me away like Dubai, not Los Angeles, New York, Athens, or Rome even

[Tony Baloney]

Actually the place has a lot of culture and fascination. The cargoes loaded on the creek bound for India, Pakistan etc are sights to behold, as are the souks offering excellent value in gold, spices and linen. The excellent Dubai museum (entrance 60p) charts the history and development of the place and is as good a museum as Ive visited (certainly beats Trim Castle where I spent one of the most miserable Sunday afternoons of my life this autumn). The desert safari and arabian meal in a beduoin camp etc. Most of all the can do attitude that has, in the space of thirty years, transformed a sleepy fishing village into a city to rival any you would see in the USA. No where else has blown me away like Dubai, not Los Angeles, New York, Athens, or Rome even

White Hart Lane?

[lynchbhoy]

Actually the place has a lot of culture and fascination. The cargoes loaded on the creek bound for India, Pakistan etc are sights to behold, as are the souks offering excellent value in gold, spices and linen. The excellent Dubai museum (entrance 60p) charts the history and development of the place and is as good a museum as Ive visited (certainly beats Trim Castle where I spent one of the most miserable Sunday afternoons of my life this autumn). The desert safari and arabian meal in a beduoin camp etc. Most of all the can do attitude that has, in the space of thirty years, transformed a sleepy fishing village into a city to rival any you would see in the USA. No where else has blown me away like Dubai, not Los Angeles, New York, Athens, or Rome even

try going to school there for 5 years and mitching in the castle on a couple of occasions in 5th year - made us decide that school classes were a far more interesting prospect!

[Minder]

No where else has blown me away like Dubai, not Los Angeles, New York, Athens, or Rome even

A force 10 gale would be needed by all accounts Tony.

[BennyHarp]

Has anyone been to Dubai during Ramadan? I'm visiting in a few days and realising it's slap in the middle. Staying at the Hilton at Jumeriah Beach so hoping I won't be too affected.