Sometimes you just must share the adventure
Considered the world's toughest sailing race, Azzam (Arabic for 'determination') crossed the finish line in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 11 June after covering approximately 39,000 miles that required nearly 9 exhausting months to complete. The race began in Alicante, Spain, on 4 October and included stops in 11 ports. The 7 international teams, each carrying a …
Continue reading "Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Team won the 2014-15 Volvo Around-the-World Ocean Race"
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 …
September 26, 2013 Emirates Airline’s sponsorship highlights the world of sports. The Dubai airline’s global marketing campaign is helping sports clubs and countries achieve things that never before seemed possible. Case in point: In sailing, Emirates Team New Zealand, with Fly Emirates emblazoned on its main sail, advanced to the sudden death race yesterday on …
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"
June 22, 2013 In which country – Italy, New Zealand, Sweden or the US – will this magnificent America’s Cup trophy, the best-known trophy in international yachting competition, reside following completion of America’s Cup match races on September 21st between the defender, Oracle Team USA, and the winner of the challenger’s Louis Vuitton Cup?
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"
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