Images of Dubai - Old and New

Dubai Wild Wadi at night

Sunset at Dubai

A stop sign in Dubai

Camel Race in Dubai

Dubai Old Souk (market)

The Jumeirah Mosque

Iranian Mosque

Gold Souk

Gold Souk (gold market)

Lady of the Desert...

Desert Safari

Old Canon of Dubai

Dubai at Night...

A view of the Marina from Burj al Arab...

Marina Towers...

Inside Mall of the Emirates

Madina Jumierah Dubai...

Buildings in Dubai...

Inside Burj al Arab...

The Emirates Towers

Dubai Sand Dunes...

The Dhow...(old boat of Dubai..)

Dubai Creek...

Burjuman shopping mall

A Lady in a hammock at Jumeirah beach..

The Buddha Bar Dubai...

Old Traders of Dubai...

Belly Dancer...

Lady at the beach...

Burj Al Arab over Madinat Dubai...

Seven Star hotel of Dubai..The Burj...

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008

World Youth Day-Sydney, Australia

The leader of the world's 1 billion Catholics will lead a mission to rejuvenate the faith in Australia as part of World Youth Day 2008.
Speaking in English, Pope Benedict last night summoned pilgrims to Sydney for the six-day gathering of young Catholics, the church's biggest global event.
"I'm pleased to announce the next World Youth Day will be in Sydney, Australia in 2008," he said, ending a vigil Mass in Cologne, in his native Germany, attended by up to a million people from 193 countries.
The Pope's delivery contrasted with Juan Antonio Samaranch's stuttering Olympic announcement in 1993.
But it evoked an equally ecstatic response from the 2200-strong contingent of Australian Catholics who had gathered in a field - the site of a former coalmine - on the outskirts of Cologne.
The Australians were jubilant and unfurled a welcome banner, but the announcement came as no surprise since the Pope himself had jumped the gun 48 hours earlier, telling an Australian pilgrim Sydney would be the host city.
The event is expected to cost more than $80 million, about half that of Cologne, and will use Sydney's Olympic facilities.
The NSW Government will contribute $20 million value in kind, with an equal amount coming from the Federal Government and the rest from donations, corporate sponsorship, registration fees and church funding.
It will be the first visit to Australia of a Pope since John Paul II kissed the tarmac of Sydney Airport in 1995, when he beatified Australia's first saint-in-waiting, Mary MacKillop.
The visit rekindles Catholic hopes that the new Pope will come to Australia bearing the gift of MacKillop's canonisation, which still needs proof of a second miracle.
Pope Benedict, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was said to have favoured relaxing the requirements for canonisation, eliminating the need for proposed saints to provide an authenticated miracle to be canonised.
The Australian church is also pinning its hopes on the papal visit to boost church attendance among the young and revive interest in priestly vocations and religious life.
The largest denomination in Australia, with 5 million followers, has been struggling to reverse declining church attendance and dwindling vocations to the priesthood. Rates of Mass attendance among young people are as low as in parts of Europe. In 2001, the attendance rate for Catholics in their 20s was about 7 per cent, slightly down on 1996.

In his homily, Pope Benedict, wrapping up his first foreign visit and triumphant return to his German homeland, urged young people to shun a "do-it-yourself" concept of religion in which they could choose what they wanted and disregard the rest. He criticised "a kind of new explosion of religion" that, if pushed too far, turned religion into something approaching a consumer product.
"Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us," he said. "It may be comfortable, but at times of crisis we are left to ourselves."
World Youth Day is something of a misnomer since it is a week-long event, held every two to three years, a fusion of powerful religious symbolism, mass prayer and highly charged rock concert, with the Pope centre stage.
Up to 150,000 people are expected to attend the opening Mass and as many as 500,000 the Pope's final Mass, which would make it the largest public gathering in Australia since the Olympics.
Overseas pilgrims are expected to number about 85,000, slightly fewer than the 100,000 visitors who flocked to the 2000 Games but about twice that for a Commonwealth Games.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, the driving force behind Sydney's bid and leader in Cologne of an observation team of 25 which included the Tourism Minister, Sandra Nori, was delighted with the decision. He has ruled out any compulsory levy.
"It's a great privilege to have World Youth Day entrusted to the church in Australia," he said.
"World Youth Day is about bringing the faith of Jesus Christ and the reality of God's love to the youth of the world. I hope that many young people from Australia and overseas will come and deepen their faith through the experience."

World Youth Day 2008 Precious Moments...

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Australia ahead of World Youth Day, which will be held from July 15-20. The event is billed as the Catholic Church's version of Woodstock - five days of peace, love and Christianity.

Pilgrims from Australia celelebrated the news that the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day will be held in Sydney.

The 2008 World Youth Day cross , icon and message stick pilgrimage in Tahmoor heading to St Anthony's Catholic Church .

Surfing Bishop...

'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' Acts 1:8

Miss Universe 2008

Miss Universe Precious Moments...

Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, was crowned Miss Universe 2008 on Monday. An elated Mendoza received the crown from her predecessor, Riyo Mori of Japan

The 22-year-old was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

Miss Venezuela looks stunned upon hearing the news of her victory, while first runner-up Miss Colombia, looks gracious in defeat.

Eighty contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang in Vietnam, vying to be crowned the winner.

Spare a thought for Crystle Stewart, the second Miss USA in a row to fall down during the pageant. She tripped on the train of her bejewelled evening gown as she made her entrance

The final five contestants included four from Latin America: Miss Mexico, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Colombia and Miss Venezuela. Rounding out the final five was Miss Russia.

Talk show star Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown (far right) hosted the event, which was broadcast live to hundreds of millions of viewers in 170 countries.

Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas, twirls her evening gown.

The New Land of Promise - DUBAI,UAE.

The contract valued at Dh2.9 billion has been awarded for the construction of the 62-storey structure, which is set to become a focal point of the Palm Jumeirah. The 270-metre design, which has a total gross built-up area in excess of 250,000 square metres, will feature two towers that rise above the Palm Monorail and central park. The development comprises a unit mix of 378 hotel rooms and suites, 385 condominiums, 12 exclusive townhouses, and 45,000 square feet of retail and 60,000 square feet of office space.


The Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai will offer panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and a range of exclusive leisure facilities. "Trump, Nakheel and Dubai - this is a combination that makes a luxury destination point an absolute necessity for the world traveller. "Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai will not only be spectacular, but will offer the ultimate in luxury with the finest amenities. That's what Trump stands for, and that's what we'll deliver," said Donald J. Trump, Chairman and President, The Trump Organisation.

Source : Gulfnews

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, literally, Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Burj Al Arab is managed by the Jumeirah Group. It was designed by British architect Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC[2] with the design and construction managed by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory of WS Atkins. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.[3] However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away this title upon its opening.[4][5][6] The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

Dubai Gold Souk is a traditional market (or souk) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The souk is located in the heart of eastern Dubai's commercial business district in Deira. The souk consists of over 300 retailers that trade almost exclusively in jewellery. Retailers in the souk include both well established stores like Damas, ARY Jewellery and Joy Allukas Jewellery as well as smaller stores that operate almost exclusively in the gold souk. The Dubai Gold Souk is situated in the locality of Al Dhagaya. By some estimates, approximately 10 tons of gold is present at any given time in the souk[1] It is bordered to the north by the Dubai Fish and Vegetable Market and the Deira Corniche

The Lagoons(masterplan) pictures by Imre Solt,Dubai (18/September/2007)

The Lagoons- Redefining lifestyle! Located in the heart of Dubai, The Lagoons project is set to create a series of enhanced waterways and delightful islands right next to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary- a haven for birds, particularly the flamingos. The Lagoons is a mega mixed-use project immersed in a lavishly landscaped environment, with aesthetically designed apartments, villas, office towers, hotels and retail outlets. An extension of Dubai Creek, The Lagoons reflects the gleam and glory of the old Dubai, boasting an array of exclusive and modern facilities. To ensure an attractive mix throughout The Lagoons, each project incorporates a number of distinct components, from landscape and waterfront surroundings to office and residential space, from luxurious hotels and leisure resorts to modern schools and medical facilities. Wholly owned by Dubai Holding, Each specific plot at The Lagoons has associated timing, construction and planning parameters which allow you to plan and construct your own property. The parameters have been formulated for the benefit of all land owners as part of a carefully and meticulously prepared masterplan. The Lagoons will provide the purchasers with approved innovative conceptual designs, including FAR, site coverage, maximum height etc.

Source:Gowealthy