Dubai does not rank among my favorite cities I have visited. Flashy superlatives (the first, the biggest, the tallest...) and frivolous are words that immediately come to mind.
Yet I did enjoy our stop at the oldest building in the city: Al Fahidi Fort. Built in the last years of the 1700s (the history I read does not agree on one date), about the time the settlement was established, it was originally used for sea defense. In later years it served as a jail, an ammunition store, an emir residence and the seat of government.
Since 1970 the building has been a museum displaying an interesting range of cultural artifacts. I was most interested in the fort itself.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2005
my Chinese "brother" Tom - then business partner
This beautiful carved door is impressive, and I can only wonder where the wood came from in those days.
The many dioramas were effective in giving me a peek into the locals' past desert life - before oil was discovered. Sorry about the flash glare, but I did think this image showed something uncommon. Lots to look at here, like the gorgeous fabric of the woman's dress. This couple must have had a high social position.
This brief glimpse into the Al Fahidi Fort Museum is posted for ABC Wednesday where the letter F is the prompt. Follow the link for many more links to takes on this letter.