The Old Marina

I paid a first time visit today to the DIMC--I'm sure an unknown acronym to many--the Dubai International Marine Club. To me it is the old or perhaps original Dubai Marina. What I found, to my surprise, was a rather extensive boat and yacht harbor for which the new Dubai Marina skyline provided a spectacular backdrop. The scene was so striking that it made me wonder, which is the real Marina? By comparison the newer man-made marina resembles more an inland creek. The boats moored at the new Marina are few in comparison and occupy but one small portion of the channel. That is not to say that the new Marina is not nice, but it seems less a marina than a canal and promenade.


New Dubai Marina condominums towering over the old DIMC. --21 Dec. 2005

One other major difference between the new marina and the old is that while the new Dubai Marina offers very visible and accessible public vistas the old marina is hidden off behind a hideous (plywood or corrugated metal) baracade. One would never know it was there, which explains why today was my first visit in the 5 and 1/2 years I've lived in this country. What one might imagine hides behind the baracade is a derelect shipyard. I suppose it was meant for the private use of the privaleged and snobbish elite.

So, in comes the new Dubai Marina--thank you, Emaar--with towering residences along its banks, which all eyes are compelled to notice. Besides the fact that the new Marina is attractive for both its promenade and fancy towers, and despite the fact that it is rather small as far as yacht harbors go, the new Dubai Marina is very much pleasing for its accessibility. Even if one cannot afford to live in any of its posh new residences, it is there for anyone to visit, whether for a pleasant stroll, a water-side meal, shopping, meeting friends, or any other activity that is well complemented by calming waters and dramatic city views.


Sunlight filtering through on the new Dubai Marina. --21 Dec. 2005

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