DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Thursday, March 27

We exited the Strait of Hormuz and continued in the Arabian Gulf reaching Dubai at 7 AM. Dubai has the largest population, one million, and is the second largest emirate by area after Abu-Dhabi. Dubai is the world's fastest growing city and it is estimated that there are 90 billion dollars worth of projects being built. Approximately 16% of the world's large construction cranes reside in Dubai. It boasts the world's most expensive & beautiful hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The Burj Dubai Tower, upon completion this year, will be the world's tallest building. In the middle of the desert the world's largest theme park is being built, "Dubailand," to be completed in 2009. The world's biggest ski dome is at the Mall of the Emirates. They are in the process of building a monorail across the city. We left the ship around 9:00 and returned at 6:00 and never left a construction site. A 4 or 5 star hotel opens every week. The main reason for the construction boom is it's drive to diversify the economy as their government does not want to depend on it's oil reserves which are believed to become exhausted by 2010. They are also building the world's largest airport.

This weekend they are having one of the world's largest derby's and milliners, mostly from Australia, come to Dubai to display the most fabulous hats for the occasion.  There must have been 8 long tables filled with gorgeous hats.  Women come to this center bringing their derby dresses in order to match a hat.  I would have loved to buy one but the only time a hat is worn in the U.S is either for the Kentucky Derby or Easter.  Too bad!

We visited the Gold Souk, which is a series of jewelry stores featuring huge, ornate gold jewelry, skirts & tops, breast plates & trinkets. Alll in 18-24K gold. When a man wants to divorce his wife (or wives) he only has to say "I divorce you" three times. She leaves the marriage with only her jewelry. Thus, these large, heavy gold pieces of jewelry.
 

Most of the workers, taxi drivers, shop keepers, etc., are Pakistani. This is the first country we have been to where everyone is rich. In order to enter the Burj Al Arab Hotel, a person has to make a reservation and give them a credit card at the entrance along with paying $60 per person. The dress code is that men must wear long pants, a collared shirt & no athletic shoes. Women must be completely covered (no head scarf or gloves is OK) and not wearing athletic shoes. You are not allowed to speak to a woman and can only use your right hand. Needless to say we didn't go inside. We found Dubai to be very westernized and saw very few women completely covered. Dubai is a place that is striving to be "the world's biggest, best & generally #1 in everything (in case you haven't already gotten the message). Amazing city!