tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216203612012-02-23T14:04:16.196+04:00Commentary about the changing face of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00647015483310802719noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-90754331679741495672012-02-21T22:33:00.000+04:002012-02-21T22:33:18.814+04:00

A great photo of Dubai from above. It's a little old, but the aerial view is amazing  - check it out here.  Hat tip to reddit

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-83756103500278257492012-02-14T21:58:00.000+04:002012-02-14T21:58:51.817+04:00

Ever since MIA flicked her finger mid Madonna superbowl entertainment, the world has been watching MIA. She has courted controversy wherever she has gone. Indeed one of her earlier videos was banned by youtube. Madonna and Nicky Minaj are pretty incensed by the finger - but that seems to be old news, because MIA has been riding on a wave of publicity. Arguably that performance has cemented her

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-87162269825710949132012-02-08T01:38:00.001+04:002012-02-09T00:27:43.868+04:00

As all readers of grapeshisha know, we like a good tech startup, especially one with Middle Eastern roots, so it was a breath of fresh air to stumble upon Ananasa, a quasi Etsy slash notonthehighstreet curated Middle Eastern store full of wonderful goods, that it's like an online Aladdin's cave. But enough of the stereotypes, this is a fantastic site with much potential hoping to ride on the wave

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-39323555385805575282012-02-06T18:12:00.000+04:002012-02-06T18:12:16.693+04:00

Another classic from brownbook. They imagined how Sheikh Zayed Road might look if we had free rein to turn it into a utopian oasis of green space. Here is Sheikh Zayed Park! Open publication - Free publishing - More brownbook

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-72884654038838933452012-02-02T13:53:00.001+04:002012-02-02T13:53:14.870+04:00

This is the ad that was banned by Emirates Airline - and you can forgive them for doing so. However what it does do is highlight the plight of animals transported over long distances - and the point of it is that the animals transported over long distances to places like the Gulf  - that can afford to pay for such food - are usually in such bad conditions that it contravenes multiple factors

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-85123145268958801392012-01-26T15:59:00.001+04:002012-01-26T15:59:13.417+04:00

It sounds like a new brand of underground superhero, and they may be to some - but this issue is one of much debate: From the FT A group of Emirati Islamists stripped of their nationality for unspecified security concerns are launching legal action to overturn the government’s decision, criticised by a human rights group as “part of an unprecedented crackdown on peaceful dissent” in the Gulf

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-38188979001171261122012-01-26T15:07:00.001+04:002012-01-26T15:07:20.427+04:00

As if you needed someone to tell you that this could get you into trouble The lawyer was responding to a query by XPRESS following the arrest of a 53-year-old Pakistani man charged for inciting women to commit sin by going with three women to their apartment after they promised him a "nice, relaxing massage". The man, who met the Ethiopian women at a Deira pub, said things went bad when

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-26667456604479742242012-01-25T15:22:00.001+04:002012-01-25T15:39:26.281+04:00

The very bullish expectations of creating a new Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island have come back to reality. This from AP: The state developer of an ambitious cultural district in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday outlined a new timetable for the stalled project, with its first attraction — a branch of the Louvre — slated now to open in 2015. A division of the Guggenheim will follow in 2017, which like the

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-321812075658413052012-01-20T19:29:00.001+04:002012-01-20T19:29:16.785+04:00

Misunderstood the world over, the abaya has a heritage and history that has changed over time. Interesting report from brownbook and persilabayaworld. Traditional Clothes

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-24586591247320589572012-01-18T16:43:00.002+04:002012-01-18T16:43:53.947+04:00

Peace in the Middle East took a back seat last year as the Arab Spring sprung into action. But nothing rests and now we have an overlay of a new type of conflict - cyberwar. And this is not to do with governments it's to do with inhabitants and criminals who exist within those countries - which ultimately affect those governments. We're in a new world with new boundaries that move into a virtual

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-63544484693681940432012-01-17T13:19:00.000+04:002012-01-17T13:19:00.379+04:00

For 24 hours we are offering our ebook - The Abu Dhabi Travel Guide - for FREE. No catch - you just need a kindle or a kindle app/amazon account.  More information on the Abu Dhabi Travel Guide here From Amazon or Amazon UK

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-62932167385261287742012-01-12T14:54:00.000+04:002012-01-25T15:39:15.442+04:00

The UAE and the whole of Gulf Arabia has had a reputation for large construction projects - some of the best projects that have ever taken place - and some of the leading edge. While there has been a slowdown of sorts, places like Qatar and Abu Dhabi continue with some great buildings. Even Saudi Arabia has some amazing buildings in play. However, when it comes to putting together an IKEA

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-35777131971938241812011-12-14T20:40:00.003+04:002011-12-15T13:52:32.558+04:00

The first Arab to feature on Time's Person (Men) of the year was Yasser Arafat, way back in 1993. This year, a nameless Arab, face covered, representing the Arab Spring and all the revolts and uprisings that took over the lives of many and dominated all media. They're saying "the protester" is the man of the year. I'm saying the "Arab Spring" was the revolution of our time. The Protester

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-42363967845679160042011-12-13T14:46:00.002+04:002011-12-13T15:02:14.774+04:00

Abu Dhabi has moved on leaps and bounds since the old days of underground pubs. It's now a happening city. And for that a new site has emerged to be the specific go to destination for what's happening. We provide our recommendations on the best nightclubs in Abu Dhabi as well as other recommendations on abu dhabi bars and clubsThe new site is called The Capital List. Perhaps it's a play on words,

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-12149647568793903192011-11-17T19:34:00.003+04:002011-11-17T19:43:43.454+04:00

In a couple of years the UAE will be 40 years old. And with the Arab Spring, the UAE has remained stable. But will you sign you allegiance? The UAE has provded opportunity to many different people from different walks of life from all over the world. But what must you commit to, to show your gratitude.Enjoy the celebrations.

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-32897869364813569962011-11-14T21:01:00.002+04:002011-11-14T21:25:21.064+04:00

A haunting yet amazing time lapse video of 24 hours in Dubai centred on Burj Khalifa. Worth 5 minutes of your time. You will want to watch it again.If you are looking for things to do in Dubai in 24 hours check out our itineraries.24 hours in Dubai

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-16863356288822090492011-11-11T14:45:00.003+04:002011-11-11T14:47:17.227+04:00

The Dubai Airport Flash Mob Video shows the diversity of people who travel through Dubai - which is a reflection of the people who live in Dubai. Enjoy!

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-43215137900634532572011-11-09T16:00:00.002+04:002011-11-09T16:14:22.668+04:00

Name another world record that the World's tallest tower, the Burj Dubai? The world's highest toilet (in a building). And in a recent interview, Kate Ascher on NPR talked through some of the problems of the Dubai Sewage system, in advance of her new book, The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper, released tomorrow.The book is not really about Dubai - it's about skyscrapers, but any reference to Dubai

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-81557703478651142872011-11-04T04:49:00.003+04:002011-11-04T05:05:37.639+04:00

Surveys come out on all sorts of things. And people don't like it when they come bottom. It didn't quite happen for the UAE but they didn't do very well with the Corruption Perception survey. Essentially this refers to bribery. From the National:Companies in Russia are the most likely to pay bribes when doing business abroad, according to a list released by anti-corruption group Transparency

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-71168776044956097222011-10-28T19:28:00.004+04:002011-10-28T19:53:51.581+04:00

Money - eh? When you have a lot of it, there no end of crazy things to do with your cash. At $7250 this ash try made for the Burj Al Arab is probably one of the most expensive in the world.The official description:This very opulent ashtray displays three fine diamonds (0.15 karat, G color, VVS 1 purity) in a crown manner. This elite model is employed in royal quarters and is hand produced in

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-81025947267304257082011-10-19T13:46:00.003+04:002011-10-19T14:14:26.357+04:00

Is anyone else scared of the Robots that will be marauding the hallways of Abu Dhabi mall and Marina Mall next year. It looks like a reality - but an expensive one. Each one will cost about USD 270k - which depending on its lifetime could be cheap or expensive. Either way it's a little creepy but amazing at the same time.Anyone worried by an I, Robot type world?Humanoid robots will be roaming Abu

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-19687064351082653252011-10-17T21:01:00.002+04:002011-10-17T21:05:44.509+04:00

There's not much to say about this. Don't BBM and drive.ABU DHABI // A dramatic fall in traffic accidents this week has been directly linked to the three-day disruption in BlackBerry services. In Dubai, traffic accidents fell 20 per cent from average rates on the days BlackBerry users were unable to use its messaging service. In Abu Dhabi, the number of accidents this week fell 40 per cent and

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-24509782689579632592011-10-11T14:44:00.005+04:002011-10-11T15:07:28.131+04:00

You have got to love it - but the picture doesn't lie. This man appears to have made a desk from his Mercedes Benz S Class. This takes recycling to a whole new level. Supposedly it's from the UAE, but the collars aren't so clear - it could be Emirati, Saudi, Qatari or even Kuwaiti. What is clear is that this looks legitimate. I think this did circulate years back - and what I will say is that 3

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-58502947777005765382011-10-11T14:40:00.003+04:002011-10-11T14:43:19.998+04:00

The Fish Market of Abu Dhabi is not a tourist destination per se, but it is a great view of the daily life of the city.Dozens of graceful wooden dhows crowd the wharf, built as they have for centuries with high sterns and low, curving sheer lines. Boats come and go daily, piled with stacks of wire fish traps, each usually spending a few days at sea before returning with their catch early in the

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21620361.post-49801950045018202772011-10-10T13:38:00.004+04:002011-10-10T14:17:24.531+04:00

How much would you pay for a shisha? The latest creation from porsche design is close to AED 11,500. it's sleek - it's modern and it's exclusive. It's not the type of shisha you would see in the shisha cafes - but it's what you get from porsche."Purist design combined with high-end materials: The iconic style credo of the Porsche Design luxury brand is reflected at its best in the brand new

grapeshishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123700670911102184noreply@blogger.com0