dubai isn't your average cosmopolitan
city it's a lively place rich in culture
and steeped in history and although it
may be known for architectural marvels
the city is complemented by an array of
landscapes wildlife and natural wonders
what sets it apart is its many
unexpected surprises
the first location gives us a glimpse
into the city's history and beginnings
as a thriving trade hub
set in the spectacular desert landscape
the saruk al-hadid archaeological site
is one of the most exciting discoveries
of the 21st century
the site is considered to have been a
center of constant human habitation
trade and metallurgy dating back over
3000 years to the iron age
unique artifacts discovered at the site
are on public display at the world's
only live museum
the saruk al-hadid archaeology museum
allows visitors to delve deeper into the
story of bustling trade routes between
some of the most influential
civilizations
regularly updated artifacts housed at
the museum include axe heads and daggers
to metal and stone jewelry among them a
4 000 year old intricate gold ring which
inspired the logo of the iconic expo
2020 the 3d cinematic room transports
visitors to the edge of the desert to
learn more about some of the fascinating
discoveries
our next spot is home to a huge variety
of feathered residents
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just inside the bustling city of dubai
you'll find a treasure trove of diverse
bird life in the vast wetlands of the
russell corps wildlife sanctuary
known as the cape of the creek it
comprises a variety of salt flats
mangroves and natural lagoons that is
one of the few urban protected areas in
the region
from one of the three bird hides you can
witness more than 25 000 resident and
migratory birds which include great
egrets reef herons cormorants and more
though the real stars of the show are
the pink flamingos that flock to the
area during the winter in the hope of
attracting a mate
a leica telescope sits at the mangrove
hide on the southern edge of the
sanctuary to watch the majestic raptors
and greater spotted eagles soar overhead
guided tours take visitors on a journey
to explore the wetlands through the eyes
of a conservationist
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our next location goes deep into the
water off dubai's coast
a short ride from dubai's glistening
shoreline lies a little-known marine
adventure
the emerald waters of the gulf were once
known for pearl diving and bustling
trade
over 500 species of aquatic life reside
in the pristine warm waters surrounding
dubai
these waters are home to many magical
secrets of the underwater
world one of the most popular dive sites
sits at a depth of 30 meters
the zainab a 70 meter long oil smuggling
vessel bound for asia is a thrilling
deep wreck site for advanced open water
divers
other interesting wrecks include the
sheikh mohammed barge neptune 6 and
victoria star where divers can explore
many more mysteries that lie deep below
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next we head into the desert to discover
diverse wildlife that thrives in one of
the largest conservation reserves in the
region
only half an hour from dubai and
spanning more than 40 hectares of
tranquil desert shrubland and wetlands
the elmar moon reserve is home to over
200 species of native birds
the name marmoom is inspired by one of
its most revered occupants the hubara
bustard an internationally protected
species of bird that nomadic
civilizations relied on heavily to
survive in the arabian deserts
tall observation towers like the nest
look out over 19 species of endangered
animals the highest concentration of
large flamingos in a desert environment
and one of the largest arabian gazelle
herds in the uae
the almar moon bedouin experience takes
visitors on a historical adventure to
discover what life was like in the 9th
century when nomadic bedouin traversed
the deserts visitors can enjoy cultural
performances a falcon show and
delectable emirati cuisine surrounded by
the majesty of the desert dunes
and last we travel through the desert in
the dark of the night to experience the
wonders of islamic astronomy
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thousands of years ago to navigate the
vast dunes of dubai bedouins used a
technique involving the sun and stars
instead of compasses they used their own
shadows as well as sand dunes that were
shaped by the wind to traverse the
desert
due to the constantly shifting landscape
the majority of their traveling was done
by night when stars lit up the sky
making it a more trustworthy navigation
source
the role of islamic astronomy
particularly from the 9th to 13th
centuries still impacts modern
navigation today these ancient
techniques and stories are still shared
in dubai
from the mountains of hatta to the dunes
of almar moon the mesmerizing tales of
the dancer a ruckus and the flying eagle
altai air are but just a few
settle in and let these legends
transport you
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[Applause]
you