Have you been to Dubai?
Your photos made me google for more info this evening.
Ten or so years ago, a friend moved there and we continued to email each other for a while before losing track.
Back then, Dubai City seemed a thriving metropolis. I remember the big Bizarre drew people from all over.
Apart from flying that helicopter from the hotel pad. ;)
No LJ, I never went to the Persian Gulf although I spent two and a half years in the East Indies as we used to called all lands surrounding the Indian Ocean. Our overseas postings used to be two and a half years at a time in those days.
My first overseas stint was from 1947 to 1950 - ranging from Saudi Arabia down to South Africa all the Indian Ocean to Malaya. I was based in Trincomalee, Ceylon or as it is called, Sri Lanka.
In my time things were in their more primitive stage of development, nothing like they are today. Your friend will tell you that Dubai is great for shopping. I think is a free port.