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By Mike Hancock
Association members might be interested in the photos taken last year, on a clear day with a bit of a blow running.
The sail shaped building is the Burg Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, it has become a bit of a photo opportunity in advertising Dubai, Emirates Airlines and so on. At 1070 feet tall the building is located on a manmade island about 100yards off the beach. It is a very exclusive "7 star" hotel, all glitz, gold and glamour. The cross shape at the top is a restaurant with far reaching views across the Gulf. Just to the left of the Burg is a wave shaped building, this is the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and only 5 stars! A further complex of 3 new 5 star hotels is to the right, built in the arab style and called the Madinat Jumeirah.
Photo 1 probably shows best of all the hotels as a shoreline
complex, what is not obvious is the shear size and height of the Burg. (Tower
in arabic).
Further to the right in the distance of 1 is the stalk of the Jumeirah Palm,
a reclaimed, man made palm tree, extending about 5kms out to sea, and now prime
real estate.
My Drascombe is a 1981 Coaster called Kristin, which I keep on a marina mooring at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, approximately 4km's north up the coast from the Burg. Interestingly the Coaster spent all her life in the United States, until I bought her 18 months ago in Florida. She was transported to Dubai on a ro-ro from Jacksonville, USA, a 30 day passage. A much travelled lady in her prime at just 25 years old.
As summer is fast approaching, 41deg. C today, increasing
to 45-47deg. C in July and August, Kristin will shortly be pulled out of
the water and rested for her summer hols.
Click on any picture or link to see a larger version
Photos © Mike Hancock 2006
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