Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is the biggest and most populous of the cities in the United Arab Emirates.
Like many Arab nations, Dubai got rich because of oil, but their reserves are limited and their oil cashflow won’t last forever. Their solution? To become a global city on steroids.
The Palm Islands
Since Dubai is small at only 1,588 square miles, it obviously needs more land to fit the wealthy who flock to it. But who wants a view of the desert?
That’s why they Built more land, giving residents their own personal beachfront at what’s called the Palm Islands since the whole thing looks like one.
Incredible buildings
His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Sheik Mo, for short – has a simple motto for his country – build, build, build. So they did just that.
There’s the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world at 2,717 feet with 160 floors, the Cayan Tower at 1,004 feet designed by the very people who thought up the Burj Khalifa, and the Burj Al Arab Hotel – the world’s only 7-Star hotel because it’s just so luxurious… all guests are picked up by a Rolls Royce.
Insane bedrooms
Want to know what a room in the Burj al Arab looks like? Check out this Royal Suite.
Only $24,000 a night… during the off-season, that is. But it does come with a personal butler available 24/7.
Gold ATM Machines
Need gold? Then head on over to the Emirates Palace Hotel and make your way to the gold-plated ATM machine. Stick your money, credit, or debit card in then choose from up to 320 gold products – from gold bars to gold coins in varying weights and purity.
Dubai was the first to host Gold to Go ATMs by TG Gold-Super-Markt. As of 2018, there are now 50 all over the world.
Air-conditioned bus stops
Like all deserts, Dubai is extremely hot. For those who can’t afford to stand in line at the gold ATM, and instead stand outside waiting for buses in the burning sun, the city’s got them covered with air-conditioned bus stops.
Biggest Mall in the world
The Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the world by total area and hosts some 1,000 retailers.
In 2011, it became the most visited in the world because it’s also home to the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Center. In 2012 alone, it hosted over 65 million visitors. To put that into perspective, New York City saw 52 million tourists in the same year.
Giant Indoor Ski Park
Not to be outdone is the Mall of the Emirates, which hosts Ski Dubai. As its name suggests, you can ski in it. It includes an 85-meter-high mountain with five slopes and a 400-meter long run, complete with ski lift, and even a few real-life penguins – all to help you forget the desert outside.
Luxury Car Parade
In 2013, the city decided to host the 2020 EXPO, and to make sure everyone got the message, it held a Luxury Car Parade.
How many joined? Over 500 private owners who were more than happy to show off their luxury and super luxury cars and motorcycles.
Camel parking
Luxury cars aside, Dubai hasn’t forgotten its ancient roots, which includes a reverence of camels – a traditional means of transport, food, and even currency. It, therefore, hosts a camel festival and camel races complete with cash prizes.
When not walking their camels, they even have spaces to park them in.
Ridiculous villas
If you have money to burn and want to make Dubai home, there’s the Reserve at Al Barari – a mere 10-minute drive out of the city. Mansions on offer include this 50,000 square feet villa complete with a pool, six bedrooms, and a four-car garage. How’s about a bathroom the size of most people’s homes complete with a skylight?
Dubai Aquarium
Like all desert cultures, Dubai has a thing about water, hence the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall. Among the largest suspended aquariums in the world, it holds 10-million liters of water and is home to over 140 species.
If you’d rather enjoy aquariums at your hotel, stay at the Atlantis The Palm – which sports a water park and even has aquariums in the restaurant lobby and some rooms.
Dubai Miracle Garden
The largest flower garden in the world was opened in 2013 – putting the Dutch to shame. Over 150 million flowers call this garden home compared to the 7 million in the Keukenhof in the Netherlands. But it’s no ordinary garden as it’s made up of flower sculptures which include a replica of the Burj Khalifa.
Traffic jam solutions
Though Dubai is crammed with rich people, even they get stuck in traffic filled with other super-luxury cars. Some are richer than others, however, and have friends in.
Pets taking owners for walks
Some suggest this picture of a Dubai resident riding on a lion is fake.
Given this video of another who keeps a tame lion, however, I believe it’s entirely possible that lions could make a good mode of transport when the oil finally runs out.
Exotic snacks
So if you can afford exotic pets, what’s to stop you from feeding them with exotic animals? Like another predator, for example. From the sea?
Exotic cats being taken for rides
Or how about taking your pet cheetah out for a ride in your car? Or your pet tiger? Pet lion?
Do note, however, that they banned owning exotic pets in 2017 because too many were getting loose.
Exotic pets are okay but not fish
While exotic pets were banned only in 2017, fish were banned from the metro the moment they opened in 2009 because of the smell.
Birds of prey
Falcons are a symbol of the United Arab Emirates, which allow them to fly… onboard their planes, that is. And if you don’t believe me, just take a look at this.
Here’s another example. It is understood they are often transported to take part in hunts, with the birds allocated a seat and placed on cloths to avoid any accidents.
Gold wrapped cars
There’s no sin in driving a relatively cheaper car like an SUV in Dubai… so long as you gold wrap it, that is.
Golden cellphones
Sadly, that’s too much gold for many, so the Dubai airport kindly sells gold phones for $43,189.
The Burj al Arab also provides guests with 24-karat gold iPads to maximize their stay. For those who can’t bear to part with them upon departure, they even sell them for over $10,200!
Edible gold
If you’re desperate for a gold fix, you might enjoy the Bloomsbury’s Golden Phoenix Cupcake – covered with 23-carat gold sheets! Yours for Only $1,007!
