Sometimes you just must share the adventure
No photo to share. No need to. Read on. International Monetary Fund estimated that the emirate of Dubai faced $30 billion in maturities this year. That is reportedly equal to a third of its annual economy. But --- an agreement was reached last March allowing the sheikdom to refinance $20 billion at 1% fixed interest, …
Continue reading "A $20 billion refi at 1%? You’re kidding, right?"
Purportedly the largest infrastructure project in the world is in the oven. The monstrous Dubai Water Canal project was launched last October by the Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. What is it? It’s a 3 kilometer (1.8 mile) canal that stretches from the Arabian Gulf inland into the heart of …
Continue reading "Big? Uh uh. Momentous! It’s Dubai. Now what?"
November 2013 Interviewed by international broadcaster Derek “Tommo” Thompson at the One World – Five Continents Conference in Abu Dhabi in November, Steve discussed the emirate’s rulers’ mindset to THINK BIG – quantum leaps, not incremental steps, and at record-breaking pace. Pick up the book STAYING AFLOAT – Three Years in Abu Dhabi to acquire …
October 27, 2013 Qatar, a tiny Arabian Gulf country with enormous wealth and breathtaking cultural ambitions, has become one of the most –if not THE most– influential buyers of art in the world today. The $250 million paid for one of Cėzanne’s five The Card Players in 2011, is the highest known price ever paid …
Continue reading "Paul Cėzanne’s painting sells for a record $250 million!"
Steve and Pamela share in the celebration with ebullient Dean Barker, skipper/helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand, following Emirates Team New Zealand’s victory today over Italy’s Luna Rosa in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. ENZ advances to the 34th America’s Cup against Oracle Team USA beginning on September 7th.
August 6, 2013 WALL STREET JOURNAL By Eliot Brown, Rory JonesMiddle East cities are racing to develop dominant international airports as luxurious transfer points for a fast-expanding global aviation market.On a sprawling patch of sand near downtown Abu Dhabi, thousands of workers are building the foundations of a new $3 billion international airport terminal, which …
Continue reading "Middle East Cities Vie to Have Biggest and Best Airport"
July 7, 2013 There is no nationality requirement that sailors on each of the four competing teams in the America’s Cup hold a passport originating from the country for which they are sailing. Artemis Racing (Sweden), Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), and Luna Rossa (Italy) are competing for the Louis Vuitton Cup --- the …
Continue reading "Where are the Americans in the America’s Cup?"
July 3, 2013 The expat population in the Arabian Gulf countries --- defined as being a citizen from another country, thereby requiring a work visa --- accounts for at least 31% of their combined populations, as reported yesterday in Arab News. By the numbers, 12.5 million out of 40 million are foreign workers: 26% of …
Continue reading "Huge demographic population imbalance in Arabian Gulf countries"
June 23, 2013To quote Aarti Nagraj in Gulf Business, “Contrary to popular expectation, Dubai’s penchant for the ‘biggest, tallest and the best’ has not been dimmed by the property meltdown in the emirate in 2008/2009.” Gulf Business exposes five immense developments that, when complete, will continue to reshape Dubai’s map.http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/06/dubais-biggest-mega-projects/#.Uccj8JyM_28
June 18, 2013 Throughout the world, people have consumed unusual life forms for centuries, even millennia, which many folks might find appalling. Insects, dogs, snails, snakes, raw meat, animal organs, even the dorsal fin of sharks are only a few of the tantalizing dishes. Sausage, salami and hot dogs made from assorted parts of beef, …
Continue reading "Camel-meat hot dogs are now offered in Dubai"
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