Billy Staples loved water sports. In fact, he just loved being in the water, especially when it was warm water. What he had done, was to turn the personal watercraft industry on its head. His new PowerPoint motive engine was a marvel of technology and the phone had not stopped ringing since he had completed the work on the patent and released the new technology to the public.

Most sports stores and boatyards, most beach area outlets, and nearly all the big box stores wanted to carry his new machines. He was at the doorstep of success and had indeed, worked very hard to get there. Then, that fateful call came in. It was the Mayor of Dubai and he wanted Billy to come over and see the wonderful city and experience all the incredible waterways it had to offer. Moreover, he wanted the new technology.

Needless to say, Billy got on the first plane to Dubai and was met at the airport by none other than the mayor himself. The mayor’s party chauffeured him to the manor house where lunch was served and plans were made. Billy agreed to open the first of many huge outlets that would soon be everywhere, in Dubai. After lunch, the mayor invited Billy to sit beside him in his personal vehicle and enjoy a tour of everything Dubai.

The mayor began by explaining how Dubai was formed in the beginning.

“Dubai,” the mayor began, “is, in my most humble opinion, the finest emirate, and city in the United Arab Emirates. Our beautiful city is known for containing a great many areas featuring luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and a lively nightlife. I will personally take you to the Burj Khalifa, which is our 830m-tall tower that dominates our skyscraper-filled skyline. As you can see, I am very proud of my city and its wonders. Outside of the Burj Khalifa, you shall see the Dubai Fountain. This amazing piece of work features jets and lights choreographed to music.

I am certain you will fall deeply in love with all of this, as I have done. Also, built on artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis. You may have heard of this unbelievable archipelago. Here, you will find the Palm Resort which features the finest water and marine-animal park known to the common man anywhere in the world!” the mayor bragged.

Billy saw all this that day as well as many other places of wonder in Dubai. Next, they were off to the Dubai Mall. Here, Billy marveled at the architecture and how the clear blue waterways wrapped around the buildings like an endless lagoon. The sweet smell of the salty sea air filled his senses as they moved from one store to another and he felt a light sea breeze kissing his bare skin most gently and pleasantly.

The mayor began to speak again saying, “Here you see we have the very comprehensive Dubai Aquarium, an ice-skating rink, a full-featured gaming zone, and a cinema complex so there is indeed something for everyone at our featured shopping mall.” He told Billy.

“And there is more, when you are done with your shopping, you will be hungry! The eateries in this mall are unmatched. Whatever food you care for, it is available here. The possibilities are endless.” He went on.

“When you are done eating, I must tell you, the special events features here at our mall are also unmatched. We always have live music and fashion shows, the most famous of which is the annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February and the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival in July and August. As I said, something for everyone here in Dubai,” the mayor told Billy and the entourage.

After that, it was back to the limousine and off to the Dubai Museum. “Here,” the mayor began, “we have ready to show you a historic treasure. The museum is housed within the Al-Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek. The fort's walls are constructed from traditional coral blocks and held together with a mixture of limestone powder.

You will notice that the upper floor is supported by wooden poles, and the ceiling is constructed from palm fronds, mud, and plaster. This is something we are very proud of,” the mayor stated. And then he continued, “Over its history, the fort has served as a residence for the ruling family, a seat of government, garrison, and prison. It was restored in 1971 as well as again extensively in 1995, and it is now the city's premier museum. Notice here that the entrance has a fascinating exhibition of old maps of the Emirates and Dubai, showing how we have built up the region after the oil boom,” the mayor continued.

“The courtyard here houses many of our historic watercraft and features a palm-leaf house with an Emirati wind tower. Isn’t that wonderful?” the mayor asked Billy.

Billy was amazed and enthralled at it all. Dubai was simply one wonder after another and all the tourists were sporting a permanent smiles on their faces.

“But wait, there is more,” the mayor said. “The hall on this side features weaponry, and on the other side, there are hall showcases as well as Emirati musical instruments. And down here,” the mayor said gesturing with his arm for them to follow, “are showcases of entire halls containing exhibits and presentations covering a lot of features of traditional Emirati life. This includes pearl fishing and Bedouin desert life and also artifacts from the 3,000- to 4,000-year-old graves at Al Qusais archaeological site.” When the mayor had completed his presentation, everyone applauded his kindness and his knowledge of Dubai.

Billy was taken to many other places and continued to be amazed at the ambiance and wonders of modern-day Dubai. It was a place, he thought, that everyone with the ability to travel, should indeed come and see for themselves.