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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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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.

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.

The port of Jebel Ali is an incredible port, everything is brand new, modern, top of the range equipment. There are no rusting carcasses in the corners. Old ships look decidedly out of place in the harbour. American and British warships were present in the harbour, as is often the case, but what is entertaining is that the pilot, a good chap form Kent, told me that the Brits and the Yankees have to be berthed at different areas of the Port, otherwise they tend to have a bit of a fight... This is due, according to our pilot, to the complete lack of sense of humour from the part of the Yankees. They seem to not fully appreciate the English humour. To their great loss, I imagine.

Before entering the harbour, we pass alongside the "palm projects". Dubai is building three of those huge projects, each bigger than the last. The Palm projects are gigantic, man-made islands off the coast of Dubai, shaped like palms. They contain exclusive residences, luxurious hotels and expansive shopping centres. Only 1 of the projects is nearly completed, the other two are still raising the islands. It is a huge investment and no one is quite sure that it is going to sell. Dubai has also started another project, called “the world”. Similar idea, man made islands off the coast of the city but this time representing ...