Published Photographs: Dubai Edition

Each destination has its icons new and old. In Dubai both new and old include a fair amount of bling like the Burj Al Arab Hotel and gold souk pictured below.

Also pictured are the Bastakia Quarter, Spice Souk and Souk Madinat. These photographs have appeared in newspapers, books and advertising.

What are some of you favorite travel icons old and new?

Mannequins From Around The World

It seems that wherever you travel most mannequins appear to have European features. Perhaps there is some worldwide monopoly on the often freakish figures, much like Monsanto has on soybeans?

This bobble headed mannequin outside a uniform shop in Dongdaemun Market in Seoul, South Korea would no doubt make some small children cry. Perhaps she is overcompensating for her headless comrades?

These androgynous mannequins in an Issey Miyake showroom in Tokyo are minimal and more chic. The fit right in Aoyama, an upscale fashion shopping district.

This feminine looking mannequin in Bur Dubai Souk in Dubai looks displeased to be wearing a gutra (head cloth) and dishdasha shirt dress traditionally worn by men in the UAE. Perhaps her male counterpart was on holiday the week I was there.

I’m contemplating starting a mannequin business that represents the cultures of the world. Naturally proper research would involve extensive travel.

Published Photographs: Beirut Edition

Lebanon received a record number of tourists in 2010 – more than 2 million in a country with a population of 4 million, according to published reports.

Beirut alone offers a waterfront, a hip night scene, archaeological sites and fine cuisine. Much of the city’s downtown has been rebuilt following the civil war, which ended in 1990. Hopefully the surge in tourism will continue despite ongoing political turmoil.

Pictured above is Beirut’s Mediterranean hugging Corniche, Roman baths, Place d Etoile and Mohammad Al Amin Mosque. These photographs have appeared in magazines and newspapers.

Has political strife stopped you from traveling to a destination you have always wanted to see?

Harbors From Around The World

Many of the world’s cities were built around harbors. Although functional the waterways are also often scenic.

Shanghai’s harbor remains active long after the lights in Pudong and the historic Bund have been turned off for the night, which in my experience happens just before midnight. It is one of the world’s busiest.

Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor keeps shrinking due to land reclamation in the space starved special administrative region. I predict one day you’ll be able to cross it by footbridge.

Essaouira, Morocco’s harbor is color coordinated. Its signature blue fishing boats are the perfect Moroccan blue.

The harbor in the ancient city of Byblos, Lebanon is peaceful and houses small fishing and leisure boats.

What harbors of the world do you find most scenic and which would you like to see? I’d love to see Sydney Harbor.

Baalbek Temple Complex Lebanon

The Roman temples of Baalbek Lebanon are some of the grandest and best preserved in the world. Layers of civilization and pagan roots date back to the Phoenicians. Known in ancient times as City of the Sun, Baalbek's heyday came when the Romans colonized it and spent centuries building the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus.

Most tourists take a day trip to Baalbek, which is about a two-hour drive from Beirut. There are a few hotels in town, including the legendary Palmyra Hotel where I stayed. A relic from colonial days gone by this mansion has spectacular views of the temple complex from its roof and terraces. It also has a good selection of wine, due to its strategic location in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon’s wine country.

In recent years the spotlight on Baalbek as home to the temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been overshadowed by the ongoing political conflicts in Lebanon. Baalbek is a stronghold for Hezbollah, the Party of God. Indeed T-shirts emblazoned with the Hezbollah logo were being sold at souvenir stands outside the temple complex and were popular with tourists.

But Lebanon was undergoing a renaissance when I was there in May of 2006 about six weeks before the war with Israel broke out. It was re-emerging as a travel hot spot after 15 years of civil war and the subsequent years rebuilding. Even with the up tick in tourism I pretty much had the place to myself, particularly late in the day when the day trippers departed leaving me with free photographic reign during the golden hours of the late afternoon light.

Street Scenes: Marrakesh Souk at Night

Photographing the night personalities of the world’s great cities is always a pleasure. Night photography doesn’t have to be about major landmarks and icons.

This stall just of off Marrakesh’s famed Djemma el Fna is not your average lighting shop. I was tempted as always to bring a lantern home from Morocco. The trick of course is how to get it back in one piece. What is the most difficult to transport item you’ve brought home from your travels?

Boats From Around The World

Boats are not only a convenient way to get around when traveling but can also provide a great way to take in the surrounding scenery.

Sometimes the vessels are floating art like these Moroccan blue fishing boats in Essaouira’s Harbor.

In Dubai abras or water taxis are used by commuters to cross Dubai Creek and are an inexpensive and scenic way for travelers to get around as well.

Nothing punctuates Hong Kong’s skyline like a Chinese junk floating in Victoria Harbour.

In New York City the free of charge Staten Island Ferry provides some of the best views of lower Manhattan.

Where do you prefer to take a boat ride?

Strange Souvenirs: Mosque Alarm Clock

Waking up to the Call to Prayer echoing throughout a metropolis is peaceful, powerful and beautiful. But there are some experiences you can’t transport home.

Enter the mosque alarm clock. You’ll find them in Dubai, other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Made of plastic it comes in a variety of sizes and colors and lights up when the alarm goes off. The voice of the tone-deaf muezzin makes him sound as though he is falling off a building. Perhaps one day the recording will be updated with one more appealing to the ear. Inshallah. In the meantime for your listening pleasure here is a link to a video of said alarm clock on youtube. It’s the extended remix version. No snoozing allowed.

The clock does have an upside. If you live in an apartment building with thin walls and noisy neighbors it’s a perfect way to get even. Do try this at home.

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Beaches From Around The World

If you had to choose between escaping to the mountains or the ocean which would you choose? I’m more of an ocean person but in a perfect world I’d be happy perched along the Pacific Coast on a mountain overlooking the ocean. The best of both worlds is always a good thing.

Believe it or not the Pacific Ocean in Southern California is too cold to take a dip in many months out of the year. But this doesn’t faze surfers who come prepared wearing wet suits.

Further down the coast in Mexico, the waters of Zihuatanejo were the perfect temperature last November.

In order to get this beach view of the Burj al Arab in Dubai you’ll need to pony up to stay at an exclusive beach resort or pay for a day pass. Or if you are like me you somehow manage to walk past the receptionist and cabana boys handing out towels as you enter the beach despite the fact that you are carrying heavy camera equipment and in no way are dressed for the beach.

Known as the Windy City Essaouira in Morocco is a wind surfer’s paradise. It’s the perfect place to sit under an umbrella and take in the ocean breeze.

Street Scenes: Corniche Beirut Lebanon

Most large cities have a place where people gather to stroll, strut their stuff and socialize. The magnificent squares in many of Europe’s cities come to mind. In Beirut, Lebanon it is the Corniche.

The waterfront boulevard lined with palm tress hugs the Mediterranean coast. Vendors sell a variety of refreshments including freshly baked bread. Hubbly bubbly pipes, or hookahs, stuffed with flavored tobaccos are available to rent. The best time to visit is late afternoon and early evening. What is the preferred place to stroll where you live?

Museums From Around the World

Museums house the world’s treasures. Often the architecture is artwork in itself.

The modern aesthetic of the Shanghai Museum is home to many collections. But its roots are traditional. The building was designed in the shape of an ancient cooking vessel.

The architecture of the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico maintains the region’s true style.

The National Museum of Beirut sits on both sides of the Green Line. During the civil war priceless ancient artifacts were hidden and kept safe. It took years to restore after the war ended and is one of Lebanon’s national treasures.

It would take a lifetime to explore all that the Vatican Museum has to offer. You could rest in one of its beautiful gardens in the process.

My favorite museum is in my hometown and walking distance from where I live. I could spend days at the Metropolitan Museum of Art traveling through the ages in one of its many wings.

What’s your favorite museum?

IBN Battuta Dubai’s Traveler Mall

Even if you are not a mall person you can’t travel to Dubai without visiting at least one. They are the man made oases that offer respite from the heat and a place to socialize and people watch.

In some ways Dubai’s IBN Batutta Mall is the consummate traveler’s mall. It was designed to reflect the travels of 14th century Moroccan explorer and Islamic scholar Ibn Battuta. He hit the road for 30 years.

The mall is divided into six courts: China, India, Persia, Tunisia, Egypt and Andalusia. Each is decadent. The China Court features a full size Chinese Junk.

IBN Battuta is Dubai’s largest themed mall. In theory it would be possible to wander its courts for days without leaving if you could find a place to rest your head. The mall is so large it has a shuttle that will take you from point to another. It even accommodates worshippers by piping in the call to prayer and providing prayer rooms.

IBN Battuta Mall is located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between interchanges 5 and 6. It is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-Tuesday and until midnight Wednesday-Friday.

The UAE’s Oldest House of Worship

The United Arab Emirates’ oldest house of worship may also be its smallest.

The Bidiya Mosque is believed to have been built in AD 640, but may have been built as far back as 1449 BC. Also known as the Ottoman Mosque the adobe-like structure is still active. Visitors often climb the hill under which the mosque sits to get a good view of the surrounding countryside from the remains of watchtowers.

Located near an ancient fishing village of the same name, a visit to the Bidiya Mosque is easily incorporated into a day trip to Fujairah. Bidiya is about a 90 minute drive from Dubai. Only worshippers are permitted to enter the mosque.

Dubai’s Spice Souk

The fragrances and spices at the Spice Souk in Dubai include the biblical variety. Crystal-like chunks of frankincense and myrrh fill large overflowing stacks, which compete for room in a long narrow covered alley.

One of the star attractions is saffron. Expensive and coveted around the world it’s priced well here. If you manage to bring it home and through customs without incident it makes a nice gift for the chef in the family.

Shopkeepers are happy to chat and explain what’s on display. You’ll see plenty of turmeric, cinnamon bark, cardamom, pepper, chillies, cloves and nuts in addition to dried rosebuds and fruit.

The Spice Souk is strategically located along Dubai Creek in Deira next to the Old Souk Abra Station. It’s a small non-touristy market, which remains true to its Arabian heritage.

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Markets From Around The World

Wandering the world’s markets can give you insight into local culture past and present. Some of the markets below have been in existence for centuries.

Maya traders travel from all around the Guatemalan highlands to sell their goods at the market in Chichicastenango twice a week.

You have to bargain hard in the labyrinth of Marrakesh’s souks.

There are probably more fakes than originals at the Dongtai Road market in Shanghai, China but you can still find an abundance of communist kitsch.

Shopping like a Roman is not expensive at Rome’s Camp De Fiori market.

I’ll just cut to the chase and zero in on the bling in Dubai’s Gold Market.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai

One of the perks of shopping at Souk Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai is the view from its outdoor terraces of the Burj Al Arab hotel.

Built in the style of an Arabian market the souk is part of the sprawling Madinat Jumeirah resort. It’s the only market in Dubai where prices are fixed and bargaining is not the norm.

Its corridors with arched high ceilings and open front shops lend a bazaar like (and air conditioned) atmosphere. The exterior of the complex recreates traditional Arab architecture and features wind towers.

Housing more than 70 shops you’ll find anything from beachwear to high quality arts and crafts and home décor items from the region.

There are also a wide variety of restaurants and bars to gain a second wind in the midst of a shopping spree. Many overlook the canals where passengers are ferried on water taxis throughout the resort.

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Tailors Market Tripoli Lebanon

Wandering the the world’s markets is one of life’s traveling pleasures. The port city of Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, houses among the most atmospheric of Lebanon’s markets.

Like ancient markets around the globe the souks in the Old City of Tripoli consist of a network of alleys and covered passages where generations of merchants and craftsman have toiled for centuries. Each section features particular goods, such as spices, jewelery and textiles.

Pictured is the Tailors Market. Dating from the 14th century it suffered damage during the Civil War and was restored after. Openings in the high arched ceilings allow natural light to filter down to the small shops. It is nice place to take in displays of traditional fashions worn by women.

Spices From Around The World

Spices can appeal to the eye as much as the taste.

Dubai has a market dedicated to spices. Located in Deira by the creek large sacks overflow with many varieties.

These deep red chiles in India were found in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi.

Like India, Mexico is also a land where chiles are a common spice in cuisine.

Included in these sacks is golden turmeric, photographed in Marrakesh’s souk.

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The Ancient Cedar Trees Of Lebanon

The cedar trees in Bcharre, Lebanon include the country’s oldest. Some date back about 1,500 years give or take a few centuries.

The national emblem of Lebanon is the cedar tree which graces its flag. The country was once covered with vast forests.

Today Lebanon’s national treasures include its cedar reserves. The majestic trees in Bcharre are known as the Cedars of God.

The drive to reach the cedars of Bcharre on a twisting mountain road with majestic views of the valley below is among the most scenic in Lebanon. Nearby is the birthplace of Khalil Gibran and a ski resort.

Just imagine what these ancient trees have witnessed throughout the centuries.