I just can’t avoid the comparison. Dubai and Abu Dhabi remind me of Vegas, but minus the sleaze, gambling, live shows, cheap hotels and rowdy behaviour. They are luxury urban resort centres for affluent couples and families to relax and bask at the never-ending opulence of the emirates’ lavish hotels.

As I’m leaving the area tonight, I’ve jotted down a few things worth mentioning from my two-week stay in the UAE.

Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
Although Dubai is a more happening place, it’s too surreal for my taste. I’d prefer to live in Abu Dhabi, which has as many expats (80%) but more character. Then again, my brother lives in the HSBC Building.

Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi is playing catch up with the contruction frenzy taking place in Dubai. The most ambitious project is Saadiyat Island, which will be home to a Guggenheim gallery, a Maritime museum, a Performing Arts Centre, and a Classical Museum.

Other notable works include the Gate District, featuring a Stonehenge-like design, and Yas Island, the future site of the F1 Grand Prix (via Timeout Abu Dhabi).

Burj al-Arab
You can’t just walk in as I thought you could. You have to make reservations and dress in proper attire, meaning collared shirt, no jeans and no trainers, just to get in. Fortunately, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is a more inviting hotel.

Gridlock traffic
This is the bane of Dubai commuters. It took the cab driver an hour, rolling as fast as 10km/h in the congested area, just to get from one part of the city to another. Needless to say, public transportation is underway and is expected to be completed in 2009.

Images courtesy of Wikipedia and Cribs.

After a quick two-day stop in Paris, I am now in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Different culture and definitely style as the pic below of the airport lounge attests. Pretty sure I won’t use this form of design on our T-shirts but it’s always refreshing to see things done differently.