If one could dream of a place where vast mounds of sand are turned into the purest gold, then Dubai would certainly be a candidate. I had the golden opportunity, together with a group of Maltese journalists, to visit this land of dreams and opportunity a few weeks although the stay was rather short, one can only marvel at the intensity of everything that fuels this state in the United Arab Emirates.
We departed on a Saturday afternoon on an Emirates flight for the routine stop at Cyprus then on to Dubai International Airport. The flight (in business class) was totally relaxing with incredible service from the ever-smiling Emirates staff (Air Malta could take a leaf or two out of their book) complete with á la carte menus and the obligatory glass of champagne to start you off.
Arriving in the massive airport is an experience in itself and you can see why this place is called the “gateway to the world”. In sultry temperatures of around 30° Celsius, it is a hive of activity with huge cargo and passenger planes coming and going and the huge terminals packed to capacity and thousands of workers rushing around in an almost military manner. It took us some time to get to our hotel and by then it was almost 3am so I just had a shower, fell into bed and slept, although I had already noticed the beauty of the surroundings.
Come the morning and we were off on our busy schedule in the heart of this city of dreams. As soon as our Emirates van arrived, we hurried out of the hotel and it was like stepping into a blast furnace after the air-conditioned environment of the hotel lobby. One thing that strikes you as you drive through the streets of Dubai and the Diera area is the traffic – all 800,000 cars of it and boy, that causes traffic jams kilometres long I can assure you.
We were taken to the headquarters of Emirates where we met Keith Longstaff, the company’s Senior Vice President for Europe. Answering questions in a matter of fact but crystal clear manner, Mr Longstaff insisted that the company would continue to grow regardless of rising fuel costs and other ancillary expenses. In fact, Emirates’ statistics are truly impressive with a turnover of USD6.6 billion in 2005–2006 and a net profit of USD 762 million. The airline carried 14.5 million passengers in the same period, an increase of two million over the preceding year. Mr Longstaff methodically went through the operations of the airline, stressing the “no subsidies” concept that is applicable everywhere in Dubai and I was truly impressed by his sound business sense and drive, nay thirst for success.
After the interview, it was off for a lovely lunch at the Sofitel Hotel, one of the many to be had during this visit, and down to the city centre for a tour. I have to be honest here, I was not overly impressed by Dubai’s claim to fame as a historic destination after a visit to an old fort (about 300 years old), but it is immaculately preserved. It was interesting to view at first hand some of the old traditions of the nomadic peoples who used this important trading post in the past centuries but Heritage Malta have nothing
to fear in terms of competition for their product. However, one could already begin glimpsing the massive construction projects that dot the skyline around the river port area and the promised luxury of distant Jumeirah still in our dreams.
That became a distinct reality when after a half hour drive we arrived at the Palm Islands office in downtown Jumeirah, a real billionaire’s playground. It was fascinating to observe row after row of massive construction projects that included skyscrapers surrounded by luxury villas, apartment blocks and a myriad of other buildings which were teeming with armies of construction workers all toiling at their jobs in the unforgiving heat (it was actually cool in November compared to July, when the temperature rises to 50°C on a regular basis).
The Palm Islands office gave us the opportunity to view and marvel at those tremendous projects that are almost like taking a man on the moon – islands built in the middle of the sea. They don’t need an authority around here, the sheer size and scale of investment and the work that is going on beggars belief. It is truly extraordinary to have a peek at these lush playgrounds of the rich, with the artist’s impressions showing mile upon mile of luxuriously finished villas in tranquil surroundings of great beauty. The hotels to be built include a specifically styled ‘Atlantis’ property that is half submerged to allow its patrons to view marine life as they sit in their sealed, glass enclosed rooms. Incredible but true.
And if that was not enough, we visited the Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building that is still under construction. We were able to see some model apartments that will form part of what is being termed as the world’s most exclusive community and, after seeing the interior design, I could only gulp in disbelief at the sheer luxury and taste of the finishing, naturally costing thousands upon thousands of dollars.
A snap look at facts shows that the Burj Dubai will cost USD20 billion, will have 22 million square feet of total development, nine world class hotels, 19 residential towers and the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall. As for the tower, this now has 2400 construction workers on site daily, has used 216,000 cubic metres of concrete and a further 39,700 metric tonnes of steel rebar. It has reached its 80th level and at 266 metres, it is taller than the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco and the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt. Mind-boggling is what one can say when the totality of the Dubai experience is factored into one’s consciousness. The next instalment of my travel diary will include the out of this world Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa and the unique experience of a desert safari in the middle of nowhere.
Emirates Airline made this coverage possible