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A few months back we did a story on DUBAI. The other day on AOL, they published these amazing new photos, I wanted to share with you.

This city looks AMAZING! I am dieing to go there! Today the city of Dubai is one of the wealthiest and most modern anywhere, boasting the highest skyline in the Middle East including the two of the tallest hotels in the world, and soon, the tallest building in the world!

As one of the seven emirates that make up the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through some mind-boggling, innovative real estate projects. Dubai today is flashy, fun and slightly surreal. Renowned for its sand, sun and shopping, it was once a tranquil
town of coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses built by Persian traders and palm-frond huts housing Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers. Today shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.

Above Right – In the shape of palm trees, these are the three largest man-made islands in the
world. The islands are: The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali and The Palm Deira. The islands were commissioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in order to increase Dubai’s tourism.

Below Left – These 300 islands, positioned to form the shape of a world map, are currently being constructed 4 kms offshore from Dubai in Gulf waters. ‘The World’ is being built primarily using sand dredged from the sea. Prices for the islands will range from $15 million to $45 million. The project is scheduled to be completed by next year.

Below Right – The latest Dubai marvel-to-be is a proposed 68-story combination hotel,
apartment and office tower where the floors would rotate 360 degrees.

Each story of the tower would be shaped like a doughnut and be attached to a center core housing elevators. Each floor would rotate independently and one single rotation would take around 90 minutes.

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Below Left – Ski Dubai is one of the largest indoor ski resorts in the world, with 22,500-square
meters of indoor ski area. It is a part of the Mall of the Emirates, which is one of the largest malls
in the world. It is approximately 25 stories high and can accomodate 1,500 guests at any one time.

Below Right – Bringing new meaning to “ocean-view room,” the Hydropolis hotel is the world’s first underwater luxury resort. It will sit 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf and feature 220 guest suites. The Hydropolis is scheduled to open in late 2007, but has faced major delays due to cost issues and concerns over the project’s impact on marine life.

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Although Dubai is in many ways strikingly modern, please note some important
caveats: There are venues where gays can meet, but as homosexuality is punishable
by up to 14 years’ imprisonment, overt cruising and public displays of affection are not
recommended. Again, the internet is best – unless you know someone there. But caution
is always advised.