The first of the Palm Islands - Palm Jumeirah is nearing completion, and has become an upscale development for visitors to Dubai wanting a holiday apartment. Although three were originally planned, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira will be ready sometime after 2010. Geographically the Palm Jumeirah has been placed in the centre of the new Dubai, and has Dubai Marina to the West, and the Sheikhs Palace to the East. Both are no more than minutes from the Palm Jumeirah. With all the projects, Dubai is still one very large construction site, and looks to be like that for the next several years.

The selection of world cuisines is enough to put London, and New York to shame. You'll find everything from Arab,Indian, to Sushi and Thai. With the prices being lower than you would expect to pay in most major cities.

Crime is extremely low, with traditional Islamic values still being applied to criminal activities. General safety guidelines should still be used. Use yellow metered cabs, do not wander into deserted parts of the old Dubai town etc.

Since the apartment is situated in the new Dubai, the whole area is well lit, developed, and patrolled by each buildings respective security.

There are a number of traditional Souks, or traditional markets in Dubai. The textile and gold Souks are the best known, and are well placed in the heart of the Old Dubai.

A lot of people take advantage of the textile souk and tailors. They take designer outfits and get them copied from fabrics they pick from the Souk. If you fancy bringing along an old outfit you liked, but want in another material, then do that at the start of the trip, so it can be made in time. Most tailors need a week to do dresses and suits.

No soft drugs of any kind should be used or brought into the country.
Dress moderately in public areas. The GCC Arabs are still a conservative culture, and tight fitting outfits, midrift, and short skirts are still a no no.
Beach wear - Bikini's are ok for all beaches, but topless bathing is still a don't.
In upscale Malls, ladies should their shoulders covered, since you are often mingling with more local GCC Arab residents, and children.
Putting your feet up in chairs is considered rude, and eating in public during Ramadan is considered bad form.
Although there are numerous bars,restaurants serving alcohol, consumption is fine. Being drunk and disorderly in public however is not. Not the sort of place to have a Hen night or Stag weekend. I would recommedn Budapest for that.

The heart of The Palm Jumeirah is The Trunk. What has turned the Palm into more than just a land reclamation project, is the symbolic iconic shape, and the ideas of what will essentially stand in that sapce.

The 2km Trunk has been designed as a living, retail and tourism space. It is connected to the mainland by The "Gateway Bridge" and a Monorail. The Trunk encompasses upscale residences, World leading 5 star hotels, marinas, boutique shops and restaurants.

From the Palm Site: "The Shoreline Apartment buildings that line the east side of The Trunk feature some of the Middle East’s most desirable apartments. Five exclusive beachfront clubhouses cater to residents, providing world class fitness centres, retail outlets, al fresco dining, swimming pools and direct access to the island’s white sand beaches."

Apartment facilities

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