On our second day in Dubai, I took a panoramic tour of Dubai. Dubai is certainly a change of pace from Sharjah. It must have the most of everything: the world's tallest building (Burj Khalifa), the world’s biggest indoor ski area (Ski Dubai), maybe the world’s largest shopping center (Mall of the Emirates), the Burj al-Arab, the world’s only seven star hotel (I think the seven stars are for the seven emirates, but it is certainly one of the world’s most expensive hotels), the world’s most exclusive housing area (Palm Jumeirah, an island constructed in the shape of a palm tree surrounded by a circle), The World Islands (another set of islands constructed to look like a map of the entire world; apparently you can buy a country if you can afford it – we heard Brad Pitt bought one). Evidently Dubai got caught in the real estate downturn like everyone else: the Burj Khalifa was originally to have been called the Burj al Dubai, but they ran out of money when the real estate market fell, and Abu Dhabi came up with two billion dollars (dirham?) to finish construction, so the name was changed to honor the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

One of the more interesting stops had a re-creation of a Bedouin camp, and camel rides were being offered. I got some good pictures of people riding camels, and found out how you get on and off (with difficulty). Ski Dubai was also an eye opener; the guide said that the temperature there is maintained at four degrees Centigrade (about 40 Fahrenheit) even when the temperature outside is forty degrees Centigrade (about 104 Fahrenheit).

We went about Dubai looking at the sights and ended up in a Gold Souk: lots of lovely window shopping, but I really wasn’t in the mood to buy jewelry, so I just walked around looking in windows. I really wanted to find a burnoose like one I saw in Morocco several years ago, but did not find any.

There was an interesting German cruise ship behind us in the port. I have included a picture of it just for fun. It looked like it was going to kiss us.