Dubai is a Desert Oasis in a Digital Age

Out of all the Emirates in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the most famous. This free-trade, technological city literally sprang up out of the desert in just a few short decades. Dubai is a desert oasis in a digital age. Now the sprawling metropolis is a world-class travel destination and it was my home away from  home for the majority of 2011. This is a photographic journal I created during my time spent in this futuristic city.

Standing in front of the Burj Al Arab (world’s most luxurious hotel).


While Dubai is certainly an oil-rich emirate, tourism has become an important part of the city government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash pouring into the emirate. Dubai’s lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, making it the “shopping capital of the Middle East”. Visitors no doubt als travel to this United Arab Emirate to experience the countless number of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2018, Dubai is the fourth most-visited city in the world based on the number of international visitors.

My princess of Arabia and the most beautiful flower in the desert.



Golden reflections glimmering in opulent pool.





So sultry and she’s all mine!




I might just be the luckiest guy in the Emirates.


Americans can find some of their favorite food chains in Dubai from Starbucks to the Texas Roadhouse.


Looking out over the Dubai Marina 


A glimpse of the Burj Khalifa can be seen in the backdrop.


Outside a British pub near the Dubai Mall and I’m standing on a ledge to make myself look taller… but don’t tell anyone.


Wealthy oil tycoons park their cars outside the front of the Dubai Mall.


A beautiful desert oasis in a digital age


I would cross any desert to be with her.


The base of the Burj Khalif , the tallest building in the world, rises up over the water.


My baby doll in her pretty black dress


There is a spectacular fountain show every night outside the Dubai Mall.



Opulence and beauty



The Pink Panther and her clone pose for a pic inside the Dubai Mall.


 The Dubai Mall features an indoor promenade for patrons to feel like they’re almost outdoors yet escaping the desert heat.


The grand fountain inside Dubai Mall


A scuba diver inspects the tank inside the  Dubai Mall aquarium.

Big John enjoys a Guinness at the Irish Village.




The most grass I found in the entire city was located at the entrance to the Irish Village.


I guy could really get used to this old desert life.

Waterfront dining at Madinat Jumeirah.


Atlantis Resort Dubai – There’s nothing like sliding through an underwater tube into waters literally teeming with sharks.



The lazy river around Atlantis was the perfect place to just cool off and relax.


The Atlantis in Dubai is quite literally an oasis in the desert.


Me and the boys on the beach in Atlantis, Dubai.


View from my rooftop pool at the Coral Boutique Hotel, Dubai


There were date palms surrounding our pool and boy were they sweet

A glimpse down into my hotel atrium at the Coral Boutique, Dubai.


A glimpse of the skyline from the highway.


Rebecca strikes a pose in front of the Burj Khalifa.


Thank you for journeying with me on my photographic tour of Dubai. As you can see, it truly is a desert oasis in an digital age. I hope you visit my site again real soon. Feel free to explore other areas of my blog, post a comment, and share some love on social media.

Happy travels,

Big John


Posted in Adventurous Places, Asia and tagged ,

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