Absolutely Gorgeous Dubai

Look up from the lobby of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel for a dizzying view of its 48 floors.

The driver of an abra, a traditional wooden boat that ferries passengers across Dubai Creek, takes a break. From sleepy trading port to global gateway in 25 years, the Middle East metropolis of Dubai has sprung up out of the desert sands. Once centered on bustling Dubai Creek, from where old dhows (boats) still sail to Iran, Dubai now sprawls south toward the United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu Dhabi. While oil revenues fueled its early development, now trade and tourism power this city-state’s phenomenal growth rate. Travelers come for sun, sand, shopping, and a touch of the exotic, and Dubai delivers. While it might not have the ancient sites of Cairo or Damascus, Dubai just gets on with making history as one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

The traditional wind towers in the restored Bastakiya Quarter were designed as a household cooling system.

Behind modern apartment buildings, cranes rise from the construction site of the Burj Dubai Tower, slated to be the tallest building in the world.

Dubai’s skyscrapers backdrop a line of camel trainers returning from camel racing practice.

The Gold Suq is home to myriad shops with dazzling displays of gold jewelry; be prepared to bargain.

The wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai has rooms that overlook the Persian Gulf.

Fishermen try their luck from the railings of the Dubai Marina, a huge new hotel and dining complex.

A guest at a mass wedding in Dubai peruses the thick program, which lists 47 couples.

On bustling Dubai Creek, traditional abras (water taxis) still ferry locals and ships carry trade goods.

Bastakiya Quarter
Tranquil turn-of-the-20th-century Persian neighborhood on Dubai Creek; labyrinthine lanes; restored courtyard residences with wind towers; art galleries, cafés, tiny museums, and boutique hotels. Tip: “Don’t miss XVA and Ave galleries’ shows of upcoming Arab and Iranian artists.”—Antonia Carver, co-editor, Bidoun magazine.

Burj Al Arab (Arabian Tower)
“Dubai’s own Eiffel Tower: futuristic, iconic, and the quintessential vacation photo op.”—Claire Malcolm, editor, Concierge magazine. Ostentatious “seven-star hotel;” dancing fountains; “underwater” restaurant. Tip: Book ahead for sunset cocktails at Skyview Bar. Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah; tel. 971 4 301 7777. http://www.burj-al-arab.com/

Desert Safari
“Ride nature’s roller coaster then feast under the stars with shisha and belly dancing.”—Claire England, managing editor, Explorer Publishing based in Dubai. Dune driving, camel riding, sandboarding. Arabian Adventures; tel. 971 4 303 4888. http://www.arabian-adventures.com/

Dubai Creek
“Grab an abra for a trip down Dubai’s original lifeline where dhows unload cargo beneath sculptured skyscrapers.”—Claire England. Tip: Abras (water taxis) crisscross the creek, leaving when full. Hire one for sunset.

Dubai Museum
“The best way to comprehend Dubai’s meteoric transformation from desert settlement to Arabian megalopolis.”—Sarah Monaghan, author, DK Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Dubai. Evocative quirky dioramas; archaeology, weapons, instruments, costumes inside an old fort. Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai; tel. 971 4 353 1862; fee. http://www.dubaitourism.ae/

Dubai Suqs
Bargain for gold, spices, perfume, and textiles at atmospheric creekside suqs. Tip: “Offer half what they ask, walk away if they don’t agree; they’ll call you back and drop their prices.”—Claire Turrell, editor, VIVA magazine.

Heritage House & Al Ahmadiya School
“Old-school style and courtyard calm offer shaded respite from Deira bustle.”—Claire Malcolm. Restored merchant’s residence and one of Dubai’s first schools. Al Ahmadiya Street, near Gold Souq, Deira; tel. 971 4 226 0286. http://www.dubaitourism.ae/

Jumeirah Mosque
“This forward-thinking tour offers an opportunity to understand Islam.”—Sarah Monaghan. Elegant, intricately detailed; only mosque in the country that non-Muslims can enter, enlightening guided visits. Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah; tel. 971 4 226 0286. http://www.cultures.ae/

Madinat Jumeirah
Contemporary incarnation of mythical old Arabian city; opulent hotels; air-conditioned suq; myriad cafés, bars, restaurants; abras gliding on canals; mesmerizing vistas. Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah; tel. 971 4 366 8888. http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
“A bite-sized introduction to local culture.”—Zoe Rawlins, editor, Visitor Magazine. Elegant old courtyard residence; meet Emiratis at a cultural breakfast. Bastakiya; tel. 971 4 353 6666. http://www.cultures.ae/

Ski Dubai
“Artificial piste action inside a megamall—only in Dubai!” —Claire Malcolm. Tip: Snow is best and crowds less in the morning. Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road; tel. 971 4 409 4000; fee. http://www.skidxb.com/

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Dos And Don’ts
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Greetings:
“Dubai Is Home And Host To Visitors From Around The World And Is A Melting Pot Of Cultures, But The Arabic Greeting ‘Al-Salaam Alaykum’ (Peace Be With You) (The Reply Will Be ‘Wa Alaykum E-Salaam’/Peace Upon You) Is Always Welcome And Is A Great Icebreaker. Never Offer Your Hand To An Arab Woman Unless She Offers Hers First. Upon Entering An Arab Home It’s Customary To Remove Your Shoes—Make Sure Your Socks Are Clean.”

Clothing:
“Dubai’s Dress Code Is Liberal, But Dress Modestly Out Of Respect And Save The Beachwear For The Beach. On The Jumeirah Mosque Tour, Men Should Wear Trousers With A Shirt, And Ladies A Long Skirt Or Loose Trousers, Long-Sleeved Blouse, And Head Scarf. Slip-On Shoes Are Best As Shoes Are Removed Before Entering The Mosque. If You Don’t Have Appropriate Clothes, Don’t Worry, We Provide Sheylas (Head Scarves) And Abayas (A Long Cloak)."
Ceremony: “Emiratis Are Open-Minded, Tolerant, And Hospitable. Integral To That Hospitality Is The Coffee Ceremony. Always Accept The Tiny Cup In Your Right Hand—It’s Polite To Drink At Least Three—And After Finishing Gently Shake The Cup Side To Side; This Is A Signal That You’ve Finished."

Manners:
“At Meal Times Your Arab Hosts Will Be Generous With Portions, So Forget Calorie Counting! Be Prepared To Sit In The Traditional Manner (On The Floor); Women Should Wear A Long Skirt. Try Not To Sit So That The Soles Of Your Feet Are Presented To Another Person; It’s Impolite. Food Is Eaten With The Right Hand But You May Use Your Left To Drink.”

Smoking:
“If Here During Ramadan, The Holy Month Of Fasting, Remember Not To Smoke, Eat, Or Drink In Public From Sunrise To Sunset. Kids Are An Exception And Can Discreetly Drink And Eat As Usual. Hotels Keep Eateries Open For Non-Muslims, As Do Some Malls; Your Concierge Can Advise You.”

Worst Floods In Pakistan Since 1929

The news

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: As the death toll climbed above 800 yesterday, survivors affected by the worst flooding Pakistan has seen since 1929 lashed out at the lack of response from the government, accusing it of ignoring their plight.

“We have seen people drowning at close distance. But no one could help anyone. Everyone feared for his own life,” a resident of Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtoonkwa province angrily told local television.

Sher Jan, a resident of Akora Khattak, said around 300 people are stranded in his village. “Everything has been destroyed. The government should provide us with food and shelter. We do not have any food left.”

The provincial information minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, while speaking yesterday to local media in Peshawar, one of the hardest his areas, along with Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Nowshera, Hangu, Kohat, Manshera and Battagram, defended the rescue effort, saying 3,789 people had been rescued by relief workers and army officials. Government estimates put the number of people still trapped by the floods at 26,758.

“Government had taken pre-emptive measures and intimated people of affected area to shift to safer places, but the emergency call was not ... properly heeded by people,” Mr Hussain said, adding that the floods have badly affected the communication network of the province.

The pics

The Creative AT&T Advertisements

AT&T is a cell phone carrier that knows how to make a successful promotion. Take a look at these great posters. Using just hands and a phone, American carrier recreates a popular idea of painting hands into the colors of different countries.

AT&T is the second largest provider of mobile telephony service in the United States, with over 85.1 million wireless customers, and more than 150 million total customers.

Advertising agency BBDO has created yet another applause winning series of advertisement. Their client this time is one of the top tier telco in United States – AT&T, promoting their wireless international roaming. Enough of talk, lets take a look at these awesome hand decorations ads.

This Is Why You Must Go To Sleep Early Everyday

Do you always stay up late watching that late night show? Do you always find yourself distracted from different activities at night? Always end up staying up late again because you want to watch that show for another 30 minutes? In this post, I am going to tell you why you must go to sleep early everyday.

Going to Sleep Early is Very Important for the Liver’s Health

37 years old doctor from National Taiwan Hospital shocked his colleagues since he was diagnosed having a liver cancer although he always does laboratorial test (GOT, GPT and Liver Function Index). Despite that the doctor diligently does the test, there is a possibility that the disease is undetected. There is no better way to avoid the liver disease rather than preventing the disease as early as possible. And sleep is essential thing we must do to prevent liver disease as from 11.00pm till 01.00am, de-toxification process in our livers occur. This process will be optimal when we are sleeping deeply. Sleeping early and help you liver works well.

Going to Sleep Early is Good for Our Antibody System

Researches have shown that, when healthy people miss sleeping early their body will susceptible to infection. This is because at 9.00pm till 11.00pm de-toxification process in our lymph gland is occurring. This process must happen in calm situation. If someone still works during 9.00pm till 11.00 continuously, it will bring negative impact to his/her health. That’s why the research also shows that every hour of sleep we get before midnight is twice as beneficial as the hours after midnight.

Going to Sleep Early is Good for the Metabolism

There are some persons who have habit sleep too late after midnight and wake up too late till afternoon. They think it is all right as long as their sleeping duration is fulfilled. This thing will disorganize the exile of useless substances from our body. Our ability to sustain exertion is as vital to our health as what we eat and drink.

Breakfast is Essential to Our Health

In the morning, from 7.00am till 09.00 our intestines absorb nutrient from food. This means we must have breakfast. Research shows that for the sick people it is better to have breakfast before 06.30am. Breakfast is essential to our health. For they who cannot wake up early, it is good to have breakfast at 09.00 till 10.00am rather than not having breakfast at all. And very practically speaking, in order to be able to rise early in the morning to have breakfast, we have to get to bed early.

Getting to Bed Too Late Will Have a Negative Impact on Our Performance

There is no substitute for night sleep. Some people take a nap in the afternoon. It still cannot substitute the benefits we get when we sleep at night. Without enough sleeping in the night we lose our ability to concentrate and make complex decisions. Sufficient sleep at night is the foremost factor in a person’s ability to sustain a high performance level, cope with stress, and feel a sense of satisfaction in life. Getting enough sleep directly impacts our moods and emotions, our ability to think creatively and respond quickly.

Lets Visit Italy...So Many Beautiful Places

Italy is a beautiful country view that Europe is becoming one of the highlights of the trip for anyone. It has all the incredibly blue Mediterranean Sea to the spectacular Alps, with good food at every stop on the road. And while you're there, you can not help falling in every phase of history.

Some places you need to go when you are in Italy:
– Venice.
– The Roman Colosseum.
– Florence.
– The Vatican. Art, architecture, history and sheer aura of this place without words.
– The Italian Alps.
-Lake Como