Expats make up over 88% of the population in the UAE. Not to be outdone by other nations, we also have a growing presence in the sandbox – according to Wikipedia, the South African expat population in the United Arab Emirates is estimated at between 40 000 and 100 000 as of 2008. Time Out magazine estimated that 50 000 South Africans resided in Dubai alone as of 2009. The influx of South Africans has been so large that Independent Online once referred to the UAE “South Africa’s 10th province”.
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Dubai’s world class physical infrastructure has already established it as a major player in terms of trade, tourism and as the leading conference and exhibition venue in this part of the world.
Jonty from Travelstart recently returned from a trip to Dubai. We asked him about it but he prefers to let his lens do the talking in this series of 20 Dubai photos.
Looking down on The Dubai Mall and The Dubai Fountain from ‘At The Top’, at Burj Khalifa
The Dubai Aquarium located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.
If you do just one thing in Dubai, go see The Fountains at night
A juice seller at the Spice Souk in Deira, Dubai
In the Old City, you can cross Dubai Creek on a traditional Abra for 1AED
Dubai Museum is located inside Al Fahidi Fort. Built in 1787, it is the oldest existing building in Dubai
Outside a Mosque in Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is one of the world’s most illustrious hotels
Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm is the standout attraction. It’s a 42 acre water park with twelve slides and a 2.3km river ride with cascades, tidal waves and rapids.
The ‘Shark Attack’ Ride at Aquaventure Water Park. Slide down into the Tower of Neptune’s mysterious core, before emerging in the middle of a shark-filled lagoon … only in Dubai
I want Dubai to be a place where everybody from all over the world meets each other, don’t think of fighting or hate, just love it, enjoy their sport, and that’s it – Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Wild Wadi Water Park adjacent to Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the only themed amusement park in the UAE situated on Jumeirah Beach road in front of Burj Al Arab
The colourful Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the city’s most recent attractions
Inside the lobby looking up at the 7-Star Burj Al Arab – the most luxurious hotel in the world
Inside the Royal Suite at Burj Al Arab … we don’t know the price tag
Al Mahara Restaurant at Burj Al Arab offers the best seafood dining experience in Dubai
Camel rides at Marina Beach in Dubai are a thing
Standup Paddleboarding (SUP) is big in Dubai
Dubai Marina District is a high-rise residential area popular with expats
Dubai Marina by night
Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers another “mini-world” in Dubai where it’s all about entertainment and luxury on another level
Get some more Dubai travel inspiration or search the latest flight prices to Dubai.
All Dubai photos by Jonty Medcalf, Travelstart