Dazzling Dubai and Desert Dreams

Friday, April 26, 2024

Dubai, UAE

Dubai is like the Arabian love child of Las Vegas and Disneyland, lots of magical, fantastical sights. They’re very proud of the tallest building in the world, the Burg Khalifa, and an enormous man-made group of islands shaped like a palm and artificial islands intended to look like the world map. On a hazy hot helicopter flight, we had some vision of the enormity of Dubai and its stunning structures. Nice place to visit but its impossible to imagine anyone thriving here except camels. We’re told that most of the residents are from other countries such as India. Of course, they’re not citizens but laborers who help to cast a sparkling veil of luxury and fancy around the visitors. They’re definitely out to impress and there’s no doubt about who is in charge.

A Boudouin Dinner on the Dunes led us on a convoy of 4X4s through the nearby desert, past a camel racing stadium (!?), on a heart-stopping caravan through the rolling sand dunes to be reminded that not everything in Dubai is the fanciful creation of architects and engineers. After admiring the sunset and photographing a couple of camels and each other, we were treated to an Arabian feast and bewitching dancers. An unforgettable experience!