Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is the tourist center of the United Arab Emirates. The choice of shops and hotels is huge and new buildings are springing up every day like mushrooms. Money seems to be in abundance here - no wonder, since the price of petrol in Dubai is 1.05 dirhams per liter (32 centimes). We stayed here for two days as a stopover on Emirates Airlines to the Maldives.

Side Street — Fig. 1: One of the side streets in Dubai's "old town". Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=35 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:16:38

Dwelling House — Fig. 2: One of the many residential buildings in Dubai - mainly for foreign workers. A two-room apartment like this can cost USD 2,000 a month. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=24 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:20:37

Minaret — Fig. 3: The minaret of a mosque between antennas and satellite dishes of the surrounding houses. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=110 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:21:23

Residential Quarter — Fig. 4: Residential area near Dubai's "Textile Souk" with antennas and satellite dishes. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=58 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:22:12

Building with Tower — Fig. 5: Looks a bit like a mosque but appears to be one of the many malls. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:28:37

Street — Fig. 6: A side street near the Textile Souk of Dubai. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=50 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:35:17

Subway Construction Site — Fig. 7: Dubai is one gigantic construction site and is growing and growing. A metro is being built here that will run below the main road. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=102 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 11 November 2007 09:36:50

Burj Al-Arab — Fig. 8: The Buj Al-Arab (Arabian Tower) is probably the most famous and exclusive hotel in Dubai. The design is reminiscent of a sail billowing in the wind. Entry is only available with a prior reservation in one of the restaurants. Dress code is mandatory. Jeans and t-shirts are not allowed. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=45 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 12:22:30

Burj Al-Arab — Fig. 9: The top of the Burj Al-Arab with helipad and the "boat bridge" at the back is a restaurant. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=102 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 12:22:47

Jumeirah Beach Hotel — Fig. 10: The top of Jumeirah Beach Hotel behind shrubbery. It is in close proximity to the Burj Al-Arab. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/350 s; f=120 mm; f/10.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 12:24:37

Jumeirah Mosque — Fig. 11: The Jumeirah Mosque Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=35 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:11:57

Jumeirah Mosque — Fig. 12: The Jumeirah Mosque Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=120 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:16:28

Jumeirah Mosque — Fig. 13: Even in Dubai, all that glitters is not gold. The spikes with the stylized crescent moon on the Jumeirah Mosque are already rusting. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=120 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:17:36

National Bank Dubai — Fig. 14: Pure kitsch: The facade of the National Bank of Dubai glitters in the light of the evening sun. To the left is the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=42 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:45:16

Skyline — Fig. 15: High-rise buildings on Dubai Creek. In the foreground the traditional dhow ships. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=70 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:45:38

Sprinkler Plants — Fig. 16: Sprinkler systems in a park at Dubai Creek. The city's water consumption must be enormous. A few decades ago there was only desert here. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/2500 s; f=38 mm; f/5.0; ISO 400; 11 November 2007 13:46:53

Palm hiding Sun — Fig. 17: A kitschy photo of a palm tree backlit by the evening sun. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=120 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 13:49:19

Rolex Twin Towers — Fig. 18: The Rolex Twin Towers at Dubai Creek. It makes you wonder what the difference is between the production price and the selling price of a Rolex watch if you can afford it. In the souks there were Rolex watches for 5 dollars. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=52 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 14:02:22

Dawn Mood — Fig. 19: A building with the typical wind towers backlit by the setting evening sun. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/400 s; f=120 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 14:05:48

Wind Tower — Fig. 20: A wind tower, an antique simple and ingenious air conditioner. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=50 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 14:08:02

Street — Fig. 21: Any building with a wind tower in the pedestrian zone of Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=40 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 11 November 2007 14:08:26

Gold Camels — Fig. 22: Gold camels in a souvenir shop. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/40 s; f=120 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 11 November 2007 15:08:20

Arabian Courtyart — Fig. 23: Hotel Arabian Courtyard neon sign. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/10 s; f=58 mm; f/5.0; ISO 640; 11 November 2007 15:14:20

Arabian Courtyart — Fig. 24: : Hotel Arabian Courtyard neon sign. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/13 s; f=82 mm; f/5.3; ISO 640; 11 November 2007 15:15:16

Minaret — Fig. 25: Minaret near Dubai Museum. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/4 s; f=90 mm; f/5.6; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:16:28

Nightlife — Fig. 26: Nightlife in the souks of Dubai's old town Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/20 s; f=62 mm; f/5.0; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:22:04

Skyline — Fig. 27: Skyline of the old town of Dubai at the creek. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/10 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:33:16

Water Taxis — Fig. 28: The water taxis at Dubai Creek, the quickest way to get to the other side as bridges are few. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/15 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:36:30

Spice Souk — Fig. 29: Scene at the Spice Souk in Dubai. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:47:36

Spice Souk — Fig. 30: Scene at the Spice Souk in Dubai. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/20 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:49:26

Spice Souk — Fig. 31: Scene at the Spice Souk in Dubai. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 800; 11 November 2007 15:51:15

Taxis at Mall of Emirates — Fig. 32: Taxis in front of the "Mall of Emirates", the largest shopping center outside of the United States. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/50 s; f=102 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 12 November 2007 09:50:09

Mall of Emirates — Fig. 33: It couldn't be crazier: indoor ski area in the Mall of Emirates. Skiing in the middle of the desert. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/10 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 09:57:23

Mall of Emirates — Fig. 34: It couldn't be crazier: indoor ski area in the Mall of Emirates. Skiing in the middle of the desert. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/15 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 09:58:09

Mall of Emirates — Fig. 35: It couldn't be crazier: indoor ski area in the Mall of Emirates. Skiing in the middle of the desert. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/13 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 12:35:04

Burj Dubai — Fig. 36: The construction site of the Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower) is currently the tallest building in the world. It is said to be 810m high. Well, a composite photo, and not particularly original either. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=24 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 12:55:38

Skyscrapers — Fig. 37: The skyscrapers in Dubai are shooting up like mushrooms from the desert floor. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=38 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 12:56:17

Skyscraper — Fig. 38: A triangular skyscraper near the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=78 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 13:17:45

Skyline — Fig. 39: Skyline at Dubai Creek in evening mood. Contrasts: traditional wooden boats (dhows) in the foreground and modern buildings in the background. Some of the boats are probably older than the whole city. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=120 mm; f/7.1; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 13:24:18

Glass Palace — Fig. 40: I think this glass palace is also a bank. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=78 mm; f/9.0; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 13:25:20

Rolex Twin Towers — Fig. 41: The Rolex Twin Towers of Dubai. Any questions why these watches are so expensive? Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=45 mm; f/8.0; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 13:45:25

Contradiction — Fig. 42: Contrasts in Dubai. In the foreground, restaurants in traditional wooden boats on Dubai Creek and in the background ultra-modern glass palaces. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=110 mm; f/6.3; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 14:10:36

Crescent Moon above Mosque — Fig. 43: The crescent of the new moon over the Mosque at Dubai Creek. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/6 s; f=120 mm; f/5.6; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 14:54:00

Dubai Creek — Fig. 44: Evening mood at Dubai Creek. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/6 s; f=75 mm; f/5.3; ISO 400; 12 November 2007 14:54:56

Water Taxi — Fig. 45: One of the many water taxis that operate between the two sides of Dubai Creek. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/4 s; f=78 mm; f/5.3; ISO 800; 12 November 2007 15:00:16

Traffic Lights Instructions — Fig. 46: The city of Dubai is so new that even the traffic lights still need an instruction manual. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Nikon D200; Δt=1/10 s; f=24 mm; f/3.5; ISO 800; 12 November 2007 15:45:27