Me myself and I – one of the lucky belodged.com members – took a 1 week time out to check in /out Dubai and Abu Dhabi ;0) … in a few words: what an exciting experiment Dubai is… simply incomparable!
Dubai is one of the seven emirates and the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai city lies directly within the Arabian Desert.
The desert, however, you must be really looking for. Much of Dubai’s real estate boom is concentrated to the west of the Dubai Creek, on the Jumeirah coastal belt. Port Rashid, Jebel Ali, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and theme based free zone clusters such as Internet City or Business Bay are all located in this section. Even so the eastern section of Dubai forms the locality of Deira and is flanked by the emirate of Sharjah in the east. The Palm Deira is located north of Deira in the Persian Gulf and still under heavy construction (like elsewhere in UAE).
Lodging – lucky me – was provided very close to the Dubai Creek (local river). One of the exciting methods of getting across the Creek to Bur Dubai or Deira is through Abras, small traditional boats that ferry passengers.
Dubai, at that time, was hot and humid of over 40 °C (104 °F) and I tell you, you want no more than hanging around in air-conditioned hotel lobbies and drinking fruit juices 
Of course, to live the belodged.com idea, I hooked up with 2 locals and we had some drinks (fruit juices, alcohol is not permitted in public) together. The two guys, both very open-minded UAE nationals, had a lot to talk about the incredible expansion of the Emirates and – of course – its current challenge due to the economic crisis…
All in all it was more than a very interesting experience!
Dubai, let me keep an eye on you!
