2016, Autumn
Recently, on the eve of my eight years as a resident of Dubai, I have been contemplating this hot and dusty place I call home. How, even during these few years, a city can expand so rapidly without leaving behind its people, is like a modern urban fairy tale. Everywhere I visit I see fetes of human creativity manifest in front of our very eyes; great architectural and engineering progress not seen any place else on earth. Natural beauty Dubai is short of, this is true. Yet people flock here not to marvel at nature; we come because right now, on Earth, it is the place to be. Like Singapore and Hong Kong before it, Dubai is having its moment in this decade, and I could not wish to be any place else.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum ruled Dubai during the critical period of its history. During his lifetime he coaxed his Emirate from desert obscurity to the position it now holds on the world stage. The Dubai I shoot is a city that far outclasses any other Middle Eastern city as a place to live, enjoy, work, make friends, do business and be enthralled by.
The achievements of this city are awe inspiring. The scope and breadth of projects makes me draw breath, such is their extraordinary design and execution. From the largest man-made port in the world, Jebel Ali (which can be seen from the moon!) to the tallest building, Dubai certainly enjoys its reputation as a competitive beast among nations.
Come take a walk with me around Dubai. Photos of this place are enough to give you reason to visit such a moderate, tolerant, welcoming, modern Islamic city where camels live behind some of the the most expensive real estate in the world, and ladies who cover gladly share the pool (and some gossip!) with those in bikinis.