Sunday, 3 June 2007

This week in Dubai

This is the third time I visit United Arab Emirates this year.

I have been impressed by the Dubai International Airport. They have the same efficiency as Singapore and Hong Kong. And you can't imagine how many people use it everyday. Interestingly, there are more people after midnight than daytime. The lounges, especially the Emirates ones, are very crowded. The cashiers in the dutyfree shop are always busy at night. Someone told me that there are more flights at night due to the heat at daytime. The heat (could reach 40-50 degree) creates dangerous air current for the planes.

I had a brief walk in the morning to shrug off my jet lag. It's 40+ degree. There are constructions everywhere, reminds me about Shanghai in the 90's. Real estate has been going crazy. It was AED682 per sq ft in 2002 and reached the AED1,000 mark in 2006. It is expected to rise 20% in 2007. With more and more people migrating in for work, it's unlikely to slow down for a couple of years. I have no doubt about it. The flights to Dubai, Cathay or Emirates, are always full.

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