Over the past few decades, the city of Dubai has evolved into one of the world’s most architecturally and technologically advanced cities. Those who live in Dubai have a taste for the more luxurious things that life has to offer.
Dubai attracts celebrity vacationers like Robert De Niro, the Kardashians, and pretty much every Instagram influencer out there. The city, which has a GDP of $108 billion, boasts attractions like resorts, marine-life parks, skyscrapers, and artificial islands. The ultramodern architecture contrasts nicely with all of the natural flora and fauna in the emirate.
The people of Dubai are able to indulge themselves in everything from golden desserts to exotic pets. Given the right amount of money, there are not many things that Emiratis are not able to purchase. The following are just a handful of life’s hidden pleasures that one can find in Dubai.
Est. Value: $135,000*
Produced by: WaterCar
Though WaterCar is an American company that is actually based on SoCal, it is popular in Dubai. WaterCar specializes in manufacturing and developing luxury amphibious cars. The company was founded in 1999 by Dave March, who was so inspired by the 1960s’ Amphicar (another amphibious luxury vehicle) that he developed WaterCar.
The first commercial water car was available to the public in 2013 when WaterCar released the Panther. In having a rather reasonable price tag of just over $135, 000, the more recent model has become a popular accessory in Dubai, and not just amongst the higher class, although Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheik Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum, does own six of these amphibious water vehicles, himself.
While driving into the water at speeds just shy of 10mph, the wheels are retracted by a hydraulic off-road suspension. In under fifteen seconds the transition from a land vehicle into a sea-faring one, and vice versa, can be completed. Once the transformation is complete, these ‘Bond-esque’ vehicles can reach speeds in the water of more than 60mph.
Est. Value: $6,295 per night*
Produced by: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Known mostly for its tall buildings and man-made islands, Dubai also has several hotels that allow for their guests to stay in undersea hotel rooms. Most commonly located in the Ambassador Lagoon, the suite’s guests are treated to magnificent undersea views for a hefty price. The most well-known of the underwater suites can be located at Atlantis, The Palm
“Neptune” and “Poseidon”, are the two aptly named underwater suites located in Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. They sport floor-to-ceiling windows which provide an up-close look at the more than sixty-five thousand sea creatures who inhabit the lagoon.
However, if you’re looking to stay in an underwater hotel, be prepared to spend some cash. It costs, at minimum, $314 a night to stay in an underwater Dubai hotel, which is pricier than even some of the nicest hotels in the States. A stay in some of the most luxurious underwater hotels can cost up to $25,000 for just one night.
Est. Value: $500/Robot Jockey*
Produced by: Various Local Shops
Pre-2004, camel racing in the UAE had a plethora of human rights issues including the use of small children as jockeys for the aforementioned races. The Emirates’ answer was to ban the use of all human jockeys in 2004 and replace them with robots.
The robots are aluminum framed and have the capability to transmit the camel’s heart rate and running speed to the race team who are observing from a safe distance. The robots’ operators are driven along the side of the track in separate vehicles while handling the remote control devices.
The use of robot jockeys has prevented numerous injuries and countless human rights violations across the UAE’s camel-racing circuit. Not to mention, they also look cool. The robotic camels have been modified a lot as the years have gone on. Though development began in 2001, it took four years before the first race occurred. The robots had to be modified to survive the tough desert terrain and hot weather.
Est. Value: Unknown
Produced by: Unknown
If there is one thing that automobile drivers around the world have in common, it is the frustration they feel when stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Few things grind the gears of a driver more than staring at the back bumper of the car in front of them for hours on end. In Dubai, they have found an answer to all of one’s traffic problems.
Helicopter taxis can be seen flying around the Dubai skies, transporting the vehicles of the rich and famous from one location to the next. Those who live in the Burj Khalifa can see these heli-car taxis flying across the city on a regular basis.
The project began in 2017, thanks to a German startup, which signed on to be the first airborne taxi service in the world. The eighteen-rotor AATs (autonomous air taxis) were supplied by Volocopter. For a group of six people, a taxi ride costs about $144 per person, so it’s not cheap.
Est. Value: $5,000*
Produced by: Flyboard
Adrenaline junkies and water sport enthusiasts in Dubai have almost seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to the ways in which they can occupy their free time. If high-rise tennis courts and pet tigers are not enough to get one’s kicks, they need to look no further than the Persian Gulf to find their next thrill-seeking weekend activity: hydro-flying boots.
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