The Chess Olympic Monument
by bugulma
It's the symbol of the Chess Olympic Games of 1987 in Dubai. I like to play chess and I had to photo here. Moreover, if I remember rightly, USSR won that games :-)) The monument is situated in the embankment, near of Dubai municipality.
Watering devices
by solopes
One of the landmarks of Arab culture in Portugal is the “nora”, a very ingenious device to pull water from the wells.
I thought that the device standing in the museum’s yard was something alike, but it doesn’t: it is hands driven, more primitive or maybe, more suitable to elevate water from deeper wells.
Another Dubai Wonder!
by MM212 about Ibn Battuta Mall
Ibn Battuta Mall is another artificial, yet magnificent, Dubai oasis. Considered one of the largest shopping centres in the world, Ibn Battuta Mall was designed to shadow the travels of the great discoverer, Ibn Battuta. Each country or civilisation he encountered has been designated a separate section in the mall with interior and exterior architecture drawn from that civilisation. These include Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China. This Mall reminded me of the Aladdin and other theme hotels in Las Vegas, but to its credit, it has an interesting permanent exhibition on Islamic civilisations and Ibn Battuta's voyages making it far more valuable culturally than the Las Vegas counterparts! Despite being a copy, the architecture is indeed beautiful and sumptuous. The Mall seems to include anything and everything from a cinema, to foot massages, and the usual clothes and restaurants. It is a great place to waste many afternoon hours to escape the summer heat.
Dubai Metro - UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
by MM212
It's coming! But not for a couple of years... Dubai is working on its first metro, a train system along Sheikh Zayed Road linking old and new Dubai, with plans to extend it to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The attached photo shows some of the construction work on the elevated part of the railway taken in 2007. This is the emirate's effort to reduce the extreme traffic congestion that is caused by a population explosion. The second photo shows one of the stops along the railway (outside Burj Dubai) in Oct 2008.
Fast, Healthy Lunch
by Shibiru about The Lime Tree Cafe
They have a great selection of healthy salads, sandwiches, fresh juices, meals and fantastic deserts! I think the owners are from New Zealand.
The entire concept of the restaurant is that while you are waiting in the queue, the fridge is next to you and you choose what you feel like eating, drinking, trying out. You receive a number after you pay and they serve it to you at your table...they always have seats inside and outside. It's always busy but the service is fast in both locations! There are many! I love the salads with vegetables, the tikka chicken sandwich and for desert a slice of the carrot cake or the chocolate brownie (which is more like a bar of chocolate then a brownie) :) For drinking: triple berry juice, banana smoothie and their natural ice tea (capuccinos and moccas are also great there!)