Dubai Sky Mansions...get them while they're hot...

[Blansky]

Well I guess they're always going to be hot....it's Dubai.

https://newatlas.com/architecture/si...ina/#gallery:1

[kieselguhr]

The wife and I frequently transit Dubai as we enjoy flying Emirates. Our last visit incurred a 30 hour layover, with accommodations provided by the airline.

We did not enjoy our short visit and safe to say will never set foot outside the airport or provided accommodations again.

Beautiful city, superficially and that’s about it. Other than that, the hospitality was non existent. We never felt welcome wherever we went. We got scammed by a Chauffeur service masquerading as a taxi our first night.

All this in stark contrast to our experience in Doha, Qatar which was significantly more pleasant all around.

And yes. It’s hot and humid.

[enjoythemusic]

Not surprised.

As a side note, Wife and i love watching the comedy show TV series Dubai Bling. It is amazing what unlimited access to anything and self-centered personalities do. Also helps gain a better understanding of their 'society values' in a comedic way.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

The wife and I frequently transit Dubai as we enjoy flying Emirates. Our last visit incurred a 30 hour layover, with accommodations provided by the airline.

We did not enjoy our short visit and safe to say will never set foot outside the airport or provided accommodations again.

Beautiful city, superficially and that’s about it. Other than that, the hospitality was non existent. We never felt welcome wherever we went. We got scammed by a Chauffeur service masquerading as a taxi our first night.

All this in stark contrast to our experience in Doha, Qatar which was significantly more pleasant all around.

And yes. It’s hot and humid.

Dubai has changed quite a bit in the last five years. It has always been a place to spend your money, but now it’s become too westernized. It has lost the first class service culture that made it a top destination. Not to mention the open acceptance of massage parlors all over the old city. It reminds me of Manama Bahrain in the US Navy hangouts.

It’s Muscat and Doha when we’re in the region.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

The wife and I frequently transit Dubai as we enjoy flying Emirates. Our last visit incurred a 30 hour layover, with accommodations provided by the airline.

We did not enjoy our short visit and safe to say will never set foot outside the airport or provided accommodations again.

Beautiful city, superficially and that’s about it. Other than that, the hospitality was non existent. We never felt welcome wherever we went. We got scammed by a Chauffeur service masquerading as a taxi our first night.

All this in stark contrast to our experience in Doha, Qatar which was significantly more pleasant all around.

And yes. It’s hot and humid.

Am in Dubai now and always love it. I have friends and business here which may make a difference. Very safe, beautiful, great food and I have found the hospitality at least as good as most other large cities.

[Scottyboy]

A city built using oil money, using slave labour? No thank you very much.

[brandrea]

That tower looks likes it’s about to blast off. I guess good design/architecture is subjective

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Scottyboy

A city built using oil money, using slave labour? No thank you very much.

They use low cost foreign labor, not slave labor. Much like the labor the US uses in unskilled positions (who harvests your fruit?). Everyone gets paid, some more than others.

Dubai was built on foreign investment, not oil. It’s been a while since Dubai was a player in the oil export business. The UAE’s oil exports are from Abu Dhabi. A completely different ruling family. Dubai doesn’t share in that income.

[AzPaul]

May seem like a fabulous place to live, but I've seen enough movies to know you don't want to be in a building like that when Superheroes start fighting.

[Scottyboy]

Originally Posted by Maleg

They use low cost foreign labor, not slave labor. Much like the labor the US uses in unskilled positions (who harvests your fruit?). Everyone gets paid, some more than others.

Dubai was built on foreign investment, not oil. It’s been a while since Dubai was a player in the oil export business. The UAE’s oil exports are from Abu Dhabi. A completely different ruling family. Dubai doesn’t share in that income.

Rubbish. A lot of Asian workers have to endure inhuman conditions and have to hand their passports in to their employers, often working just to pay off debts for their over populated living quarters.

If that's not modern slavery, I'm not sure what is.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Maleg

They use low cost foreign labor, not slave labor.

Heard it was akin to indentured servitude, with the added fatal bonus of Passport confiscation at the get-go. History shows many places within the Middle East were built by very very VERY cheap labor, so it could be considered by some to simply be part of their Middle Eastern culture (religion?).

Kinda like if you lived among generation after generation of cannibals, then cannibalism would seem normal to your society.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Scottyboy

Rubbish. A lot of Asian workers have to endure inhuman conditions and have to hand their passports in to their employers, often working just to pay off debts for their over populated living quarters.

If that's not modern slavery, I'm not sure what is.

You need to Google what slavery is. You clearly have no idea.

I worked in the middle east half my life. I never once saw working conditions as brutal as west africa where actual slavery still exists.

[Carguy87]

IBTL with the direction this thread is headed….

I’ll probably sound like the dumb American here but as someone completely naive to travel to the Middle East as a whole, and the UAE by extension can someone explain the draw of visiting the region? Other than some very nice shopping centers what all is there to do/see that makes this a place people want to travel to outside of work/business meetings?

[enjoythemusic]

Great question Steve, and in recent years the area (in general) has greatly stepped up adding 'attractions' to draw tourists (and seeking businesses). Some of their ventures are quite interesting and far too extensive / diverse to post here.

We live in interesting times.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

IBTL with the direction this thread is headed….

I’ll probably sound like the dumb American here but as someone completely naive to travel to the Middle East as a whole, and the UAE by extension can someone explain the draw of visiting the region? Other than some very nice shopping centers what all is there to do/see that makes this a place people want to travel to outside of work/business meetings?

Look at Dubai as the Caribbean for Europeans. Beaches, endless sunshine, and all the same entertainment that you’d find at a good beach resort. Plus world class shopping.

It’s a very western friendly area. Visa on arrival. All the name brand hotels. And an economy focused on enticing foreigners to leave their cash in Dubai.

If you are into it, there’s dune bashing, scuba diving (better an hours drive east to Fujairah), camping, glamping, F1, and a lot of cultural activities.

[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Look at Dubai as the Caribbean for Europeans. Beaches, endless sunshine, and all the same entertainment that you’d find at a good beach resort. Plus world class shopping.

It’s a very western friendly area. Visa on arrival. All the name brand hotels. And an economy focused on enticing foreigners to leave their cash in Dubai.

If you are into it, there’s dune bashing, scuba diving (better an hours drive east to Fujairah), camping, glamping, F1, and a lot of cultural activities.

Thanks G! I appreciate the insight; honestly I didn’t even think about F1 it would probably be badass to go for F1 weekend! And I didn’t even consider scuba diving / water activities; makes total sense.

You’d think as a guy from Nevada I’d understand the draw of wanting to go to a desert in the middle of nowhere just because it has some nice hotels and shopping LOL.

[Scottyboy]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Look at Dubai as the Caribbean for Europeans. Beaches, endless sunshine, and all the same entertainment that you’d find at a good beach resort. Plus world class shopping.

It’s a very western friendly area. Visa on arrival. All the name brand hotels. And an economy focused on enticing foreigners to leave their cash in Dubai.

If you are into it, there’s dune bashing, scuba diving (better an hours drive east to Fujairah), camping, glamping, F1, and a lot of cultural activities.

No, the Caribbean is the Caribbean for Europeans.

All of the listed activities can be found in Europe and much, much more. Ok, replace dune bashing with mountains, lakes, real beaches, more F1, more sport than you can actually watch, and even more cultural activities, I'd say Dubai is rather lacking in the things to do category. Apart from spend exorbitant amounts of money on thing can be easily be found locally.

In essence, Dubai is just a soulless, rich man’s playground which offers little other than an expensive setting, in a morally questionable environment.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Scottyboy

No, the Caribbean is the Caribbean for Europeans.

All of the listed activities can be found in Europe and much, much more. Ok, replace dune bashing with mountains, lakes, real beaches, more F1, more sport than you can actually watch, and even more cultural activities, I'd say Dubai is rather lacking in the things to do category. Apart from spend exorbitant amounts of money on thing can be easily be found locally.

In essence, Dubai is just a soulless, rich man’s playground which offers little other than an expensive setting, in a morally questionable environment.

I can see you hate Dubai and will go out of your way to trash it. You are in the minority. Millions have enjoyed pleasant holidays there. Millions more will do so in the future.

[TRS1]

With all the salt they pump back into the water I can’t imagine there is good diving near Dubai. I’d rather dive in Scotland.

[77T]

Clearly the region is polarizing among some members of the forum, for that reason let's be respectful.

In particular, just because one "can" doesn't mean one "should" attack another.

It's complicated - I grant you that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by 77T

It's complicated - I grant you that.

Great wisdom, and agree with Paul.

[Scottyboy]

Originally Posted by 77T

Clearly the region is polarizing among some members of the forum, for that reason let's be respectful.

In particular, just because one "can" doesn't mean one "should" attack another.

It's complicated - I grant you that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Do you honestly believe that all correspondence on the forum needs to be of a positive nature? I mean it would be amazing if it was, but we are having real life discussions based on peoples personal experiences, and it’s absolutely fine to have a differing opinion. If we are discussing a place or a watch, or even a car, it is perfectly within the rules of the forum to discuss pro's and con's, which has been done here.

Some people are more direct than others, but please don't confuse this as a personal attack or being disrespectful, it's merely voicing one's opinion.

[Batmannr1]

IBTL, just curious were this thread is going

[S’portEye]

So many places I want to see other than Dubai. IBTL

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by TRS1

With all the salt they pump back into the water I can’t imagine there is good diving near Dubai. I’d rather dive in Scotland.

The gulf is bad due to oil production and construction. Fujairah (eastern shore of UAE) has good diving. For tech diving there are some great deep wrecks

[private jet villain]

I understand the allure of Dubai. Despite the intense heat, it can offer a lifestyle of comfort and luxury, especially in its safe environment. It's rare to find a place where I can confidently stroll with a watch worth $500k or even $1m without any concerns for safety.

[enjoythemusic]

Excellent point about safety PJV, and we know Singapore is an excellent choice as well.

Plus Singapore has Krispy Kreme donuts :)

[subtona]

Originally Posted by 77T

Clearly the region is polarizing among some members of the forum, for that reason let's be respectful.

In particular, just because one "can" doesn't mean one "should" attack another.

It's complicated - I grant you that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You can lead them to water…