Advantages: Old part of Singapore
Disadvantages: Not very big

...Arab Street in Singapore isn't very big and there isn't that much to see in the area. Historically, Arab traders from Yemen and the Middle East, took up residence in this part of Singapore. Most notable from these Arab traders was Shaikh Mustafa al-Juneid who contributed considerably towards the local community. Arab Street is in an area known as the Arab Quarter. The most famous landmark here is the Sultan Mosque, on North Bridge Road, distinguished by its giant golden dome. It is one of the first mosques to be purposely built in Singapore. Around the mosque are streets with distinctive Arab names such as Baghdad Street, Muscat Street and Haji Lane. These are lined with Muslim restaurants selling Halal food and shops selling Batiks and silks, along with other handicrafts and gift items. The other distinguishing landmark... Read review

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Advantages: Highly Informative for the layman
Disadvantages: None

...With the current discontent that we see so much of on the news these days, I have been finding myself more and more drawn to gaining an insight to the Arab mind and their rich history. "The Arabs" by Peter Mansfield is a highly informative book which very capably answered this need. The book is in two parts; the first half is a thorough but not overbearing synopsis of Arab History and the second part tells the individual story of each Arab nation. For someone like myself who has until now been fairly ignorant of the goings on in this part of the world, the book has given me a more than satisfactory insight into issues such as the ongoing tensions between Arabs and the people of Israel and the motivations behind the infmaous Iran-Iraq war. I would also recommend this book to those people that are curious about the religion... Read review

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Advantages: Exclusive, brilliant, luxurious, great service
Disadvantages: very expensive

...The Burj Al Arab also known as The Tower of Arabs is one of the major attractions in Dubai. It is located on a man-made island on the Persian Gulf. It was once the tallest building in the world used exclusively as a hotel. It is now the third tallest hotel due to two taller buildings being built, which are used exclusively as hotels just like the Burj Al Arab. The second tallest hotel is located in North Korea and the hotel leading the way is also in Dubai and is called the Rose Tower. The Burj Al Arab is a staggering 321 metres (1,053 ft) and is one of the reasons why Dubai at the present time is on of the most popular holiday destinations. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island, which is approximately 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah Beach. The island on which the Burj Al Arab is located is connected to the mainland... Read review

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Advantages: See review
Disadvantages: See review

...* Initial Note* I have been in the United Arab Emirates for a while now, well 5 years, and have picked up a little bit of arabic on the way.. I will start with a little bit of an introduction, in to what formed the arabic language in the United Arab Emirates (-the country that Dubai is in) The "original" arabic comes from Yemen. Now a lot of th e gulf countries speak this, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and even Iraq. The thing is with the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, that it has such a diverse culture here, with people from all corners of the globe, predominantly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri lanka, Indonesia, The Phillipines, as well as a good percentage of Europeans. This has not only affcted the traditional attitudes of the country (if you ever visit, you will notice that there is a very... Read review

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Advantages: Great Spring weather. Loads to see and not a mozzie in sight
Disadvantages: Local dishes a bit thin on the ground and insipid international cuisine

..., and car ferries ply back and forth. Chief industries, apart from the obvious tourism include: a) Selling olive oil to Italian wholesalers who then re-badge it, and claim an EC subsidy greater than the price paid in Tunisia – Yes, why does the Italian quota of bottled oil exceed the amount pressed? b) Allowing Libyan trucks access to Tunisian ports, thereby busting any trade sanctions placed on the former. The Libyans even built their own dual carriageway to speed up the process. c) Phosphate mining. The fertiliser is used either at home or by ‘poorer countries’, which can’t afford to worry about what it does to the water table. d) Various other fruits like dates figs and oranges. The people really are a melting-pot mix of the original Berbers, the Arabs who moved west and settled there, descendants of sub-Saharan slaves... Read review

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Advantages: A chance to meet a very diverse community, as you are in the UAE you are very close to some amazing countries (for example, 2 hour flight from the himilayas, an hour flight from Oman, 2 Hour flight to India)
Disadvantages: Some Emirates or states are 'dry' which means no alcohol, Can be especially difficult to get a job (especially men), a general reluctancy to give work permits - resulting in a constant flight out of the country (2 months if you're British)

...* Initial Note* If anyone has been reading my reviews, you will have learned that I am taking a gap year in Dubai, the UNited Arab emirates - following 4 years of going through schooling here, and then going to college. I have met a lot of people, and have learnt a lot about the country, and what to do if you want to come over here. In this review, i will advise different cities in the UNited Arab Emirates that you could visit on your gap year, where is relatively travel to cheap to, and most importantly how to get work. I will say that the only way I got a job over here, which I was doing illegally because my boss wouldnt sponsor me (i.e. get me a visa), was through somebody I knew. Anyway I will go through my experiences, what i would have done differently, and where I have been (and where I wish I had been) before I went... Read review

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Advantages: A very fun Country to visit and live in
Disadvantages: Some smog and needs to clean up it's litter problem

...Having lived in Lebanon for the past three years I have come to understand and acknowledge the Lebanese and Arab cultures. There are many important cultures and things that are very different in Lebanon and I am going to explain them to you. If you visit during the time of Rhamadan which is a time of fasting for Arabic people it is polite to not eat in public during the day. This is because during Rhamadan Arabs are not allowed to pass anything between their lips from dawn to dusk. However during the night they go out and celebrate and during this time there is amazing dance clubs and restaurants. Because Lebanon was controlled by the French during the 1900's there is a very strong French presence in Lebanon. Many of the Lebanese women wear Chic clothing and are very French. This adds some different types of culture... Read review

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Advantages: its all about me =)
Disadvantages: its about me!

...* What nicknames are you know by? Ok, i seem to have a few and they all sound very similar; Most my friends call me tutu, my fiancé calls me, tutsi, toots and warde(, that's flower in arabic), and my family call me thahawy, which is just a play on my name Thuha (pronounced differently in arabic than it is in English... english: "2-ha", in Arabic, its "thu-ha" but the sounds have to be coming out from the back of your throat and for most non-arabic speakers, that's almost impossible! Btw, my name in arabic means the glorious morning light! =) 19* What is your favourite food? That very much depends.. but i love my mums food most of all! i also like Nando's chicken ceaser salad, its scrumptious!! =) 20* What's the last film you watched on tv or sky? Hmmmm, i don't remember, i don't watch much tv because i just don't have... Read review

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Advantages: Dubai is a safe place with very good quality of life. There is universal brotherhood everywhere.
Disadvantages: None for me, but the hot weather for tourists who are not used to this.

...was growing, too, and slowly but surely reached the prime youth. Even though when I look at the mirror every morning, an old, no, older man stares at me, I never repented on my decision to come to Dubai for greener pastures. Because Dubai made me, and Dubai is in me. Better known as the Pearl of the Gulf, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates and is a paradise on earth. It stretches 72 km along the Arabian Gulf and has an area of 3885 sqkm. Dubai is the second largest emirate. Dubai creek, on the banks of which Dubai is located, divides the city into two parts: Bur Dubai and Deira. There are many nationalities living and working here in harmony, peace, happiness, safety and satisfaction, thanks to the farsighted policies of the able rulers of this wonderful country and its loving people. The laws are strict... Read review

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Advantages: shopping, beaches, gold, nice and warm weather
Disadvantages: Can get too hot :-)

...Summary Our vacation started on March 13th and ended on March 24th 2002. The travellers this time were as usual my love Nikki Mooki and myself Gard Karlsen. We flew from Stavanger (Norway) via Amsterdam to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. We stayed at the Arif Castle Hotel in Bur Dubai. Prelude We always take a lot of time deciding when to go and where to go on vacation. I first read about Dubai in a local newspaper about 4-5 years back and this was the first time I realised that it would be a fun destination. Well, I had really never thought of it as a travel destination before at all. The article can be found on this link (only available in Norwegian). The article described a town of many contrasts, a town being under a great development, a town filled with shopping possibilities and cheap gold. So when we found an offer... Read review

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