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The crossing from Ras-Laffan to Jebel Ali (Dubai) is done in a few hours and we arrive in sight of the harbour by 1500.<br/><br/>

Dubai and the U.A.E has for me similar connotations to the promised land. Dubai will provide us with all that we desperately need: the spare parts to repair the Air Conditioning on board, the supplies of fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, fresh water, vast quantities of alcohol and juices. All the shops in the world, containing all the luxuries imaginable. More than that, it is the first city which I am really truly excited to visit. Port Sudan and Ras Laffan were mere appetizers before Dubai.<br/><br/>

Dubai, Friday the 16th of September

Degrubenc
2005-12-09 16:26:21

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and obtaining a shore pass, I ask the driver to take me to what is considered the most luxurious hotel in the world, the Burj-El-Arab Hotel. It is set on a man-made island nearby the city centre. Everything about it is exclusive. The building has the shape of a large sail blowing majestically in the wind. Entrance to the hotel is sadly restricted to guests only. It is possible to buy a day pass to go in to use the facilities, such as restaurants and shops, but the pass costs 60USD, just to go in. I imagine the food is not cheap.

I decide that I will return at some point in the future, when I am filthy rich and able to be a rude and arrogant guest, instead of a begging tourist. I am told by my gossipy driver that Michael Jackson was there last week and now Jennifer Lopez is there with someone, no one knows who, but my driver promises to keep his ear open to any gossip that might come his way.

The driver tells me that the hotel has an underwater restaurant, tennis courts and swimming pools on the top of it in addition to everything a rich man could dream off.

I find the story of the hotel entertaining. Religious laws in Dubai prevent gambling, like in most Arabian countries; nevertheless, the seven Emirs and their friends were rather fond of a throw of the dice but they had to go a long way to enjoy the kind of gambling luxury which they had come to expect.

Gambling in the U.A.E is outlawed by religion on land. Thus, a few entrepreneurs decided to build an island, complete with hotel and casino so that the local rich people could gamble there in all legality. This, because the hotel, not being situated on land, would be immune from the religious restrictions placed on the country. The wrath of God was not powerful enough to convince them otherwise.

Work started eagerly and all looked well. It is only once the hotel was nearly finished that the local religious leaders ...