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A year ago the world experienced food riots on a global scale. After being on the decline for decades, food prices increased exponentially between 2006 and 2008. Rice prices rose by 217%, wheat by 136%, maize by 125% and soybeans by over 100%. Last year, there was much talk about food security and how to ensure it, along with the reasons for the crisis. These included higher land usage for bio-fuels, combined with the failure of wheat crop in Canada and drought in Australia.

To what extent one can blame global warming for last year’s food crisis is unclear. However what is clear is that even though the food crisis has abated for the moment due to temporary trends, the future of food, agriculture and food security is very closely tied in with global warming. Things are only going to get worse unless a global collaborative solution is found.

With changes in the temperature, agriculture in the tropics is expected to be most affected. Changes in the growing period of crops are already being experienced in countries like India, Ethiopia and Latin America. Cultivation of crops that are sensitive to temperature rise are expected to shift towards the temperate zones or to higher altitudes. This has been experienced with the apple crop in northern India and coffee in Uganda. It is not just a matter of shifting to other areas. Experiments have shown that global warming could lead to a 10 percent drop in the production of maize in developing countries over the next 50 years.

Following the crisis last year major rice exporters such as India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Cambodia and Egypt cut back on exports of rice. Others such as Argentina, Ukraine, Russia, and Serbia either imposed high tariffs or blocked wheat exports driving up prices still further for food importing nations.

Another interesting development was the setting up of the Organization of Rice Exporting Countries (OREC) consisting of a small group of South-East Asian countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. It is unclear whether OREC is modeled on OPEC to form a rice price fixing cartel. The organization has been denounced by many countries including the Philippines, a major rice exporting nation, as well as the Asian Development Bank.

The food crisis led to new kinds of trade agreements being signed, as food-importing countries sought to buy or lease large blocks of land to farm in other countries. Libya, which imports close to 90 percent of its grain, leased 250,000 acres of land in Ukraine to grow wheat for its people in exchange for access to one of its oil fields. Egypt is seeking land acquisition in Ukraine in exchange for access to its natural gas. China is currently looking out for long-term leases of land in other countries, including Australia, Russia, and Brazil.

Qatar has plans to lease 40,000 hectares of agricultural land along Kenya’s coast to grow fruit and vegetables, in return for building a £2.4 billion port close to the Indian Ocean tourist island of Lamu.

In February 2009, Madagascar was all set to sign a 99 year agreement to lease 1.3 million hectares of land to South Korea’s Daewoo Logistics Corporation to plant maize and palm oil for export. This has however been put on hold after major protests by the Madagascar people about fears of becoming a colony of South Korea.

Yet another aspect of global warming on food is depletion of fish stocks in the ocean due to rising sea temperatures and greater acidification due to increased rate of carbon dioxide absorption. This is expected to kill corals, affecting the habitat of smaller fish, on which larger fish are dependent.

Thus global warming is expected to have a critical impact on our food security. From the land to the seas, the food we depend on is going to be affected, changing not only our future menu but also the politics of the world.

Dubai to Musandam peninsula road trip would be one of the most memorable trip from the most of amazing drives that you have in your entire life. Winter of the Dubai and cooler weather and the amazing lights of the UAE and Arabian Peninsula will make you crazy and make your trip more memorable. So stop thinking, get rid of your tough routing, and be ready to start your drive towards Musandam Peninsula.

Book this ride like the UAE (United Arab Emirates) locals who enjoy on the weekends and drive through the road and go towards Oman. Enjoy a Dubai to Musandam Peninsula road trip going through the most of the dramatic driving routes of Middle East that is also considered one of the most favorite road trips in the UAE.

WHY DO A DUBAI TO MUSANDAM PENINSULA ROAD TRIP?

Dubai is more than the sun destination including sand and shopping for those who are fed up of swimming sun rays. It is true the whole UAE is such an amazing country and neighboring Oman to enjoy the natural beauty and amazing scenes.

Other than the fake news, Dubai is not country but a city and city-state or city-emirate in reality. It is also true that some parts of the Dubai are dull, with a lots of flat miserable sand but there are also some areas that are really amazing, covered with waves of sand dunes in peach and apricot, and elevated Rocky Mountains with collapsing watchtowers and beautiful date-palm oases. And the more amazing with this is neighboring Oman.

The most amazing thing is that in just three hours you can have one of the Arabian Gulf most wonderful drives towards the Khasab Musandam peninsula that is an enclave of the Oman within the UAE. Here you can spend a weekend by enjoying cruising the fjords by sitting on the wooden dhows, snorkeling and swimming with dolphins and can enjoy some of the breathtaking views of the region.

FIRST STOP: SHARJAH, UAE

While travelling towards the Musandam peninsula your first stop would be Sharjah, UAE. As long as you will avoid the peak-hour of the Dubai when Dubai and Sharjah roads look like worst gridlock in the country, so it would be best for you stop here for a time and enjoy some of the beauties.

Sharjah looks like a scenic lake having lively dhow docks and amazing stores and it would be wonderful for you to stay and look around here. It is advised you to follow the Corniche Road towards the dhow docks where you can have the parking slot.

Take a short round towards the Arts Precinct and Heritage Precinct, both are spotted with old restored courtyard houses

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TO AJMAN, UM AL QUWAIN AND RAS AL KAIMAH, UAE

After enjoying a short stay in Sharjah now move towards the Musandam peninsula by following the Corniche Road. While crossing the Corniche you will get chance to see the neighboring Ajman and Arabian Gulf Street on the way. Although it is home of one of the most amazing beaches and beautiful waterfronts in the UAE but still there are much scenes or places to see in this sleepy town. There are many soft white sand and many date palms picnicking points which you will found during the journey.

For a successful journey to Musandam Peninsula do follow the signs of the emirates of Um Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. Um Al Quwain is famous for those visitors who are bird lovers and come here for the abundance of birdlife at Khor Beidah.

Now follow the signs to Ras Al Khaimah to continue your Dubai to Musandam road trip. Ras Al Khaimah has become one of the most interesting tourist destination in recent years. In the center of the Ras Al Khaimah you will get chance to find out a ramshackle old town that is spotted with simple tailor shops and small colorful market.

You will have short drive passing through the small communities of Rams, Ghalilah and Ash Asham to the border.

THE MUSANDAM PENINSULA, OMAN

If you had direct drive from the Dubai to Musandam then you will reach at the boarder approximately in two hours, but it also sometimes depends on the traffic. If you had stops on the way then this road trip can take three to four hours to reach you at the border.

While passing through the border of Musandam peninsula it depends on the staff at the immigration office how much time they will take, may be offices are closed for lunch or tea. But if you are open and you have your passports with some currency then you have a chance to be out of UAE and into Oman in a couple of minutes. To make the process fast you can get an Omani E-Visa in advance to get rid of all tensions.

As you cross the Musandam border your road trip will really get more exciting and amazing with a lot of natural scenes and beauties.

Dubai Travel – You might be traveling to the Middle East soon on business, but hopefully you will also get to savor the sights during some well-earned vacation time as well. Your plans for Middle East travel will likely hinge on the sights you wish to see that are nearby your Dubai hotel. There are many lovely local attractions, with hotels nearby, so that you can spend your precious vacation time enjoying the attractions rather than traveling to them.

If you enjoy golf and Dubai travel, or United Arab Emirates travel, then visit The Montgomerie Golf Course. You will receive excellent service as you enjoy this outstanding challenging but fair course designed by Scottish course designer Colin Montgomerie. For a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Dubai hotels, visitors choose the Burj Al Arab. A five star hotel located on a manmade island, with its architecture resembling the sails of an Arabian ship, the Burj Al Arab will offer you every luxurious accommodation you could wish, all with style and panache – an excellent choice for a Dubai hotel.

Visitors to Cairo, Egypt flock to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids. Cairo Hotels nearby include the Hilton Ramses. Located only eight miles from the Sphinx and the Pyramids, the Hilton Ramses offers their Windows on the World restaurant, which is up on the 36th floor and features glorious views of Cairo. The Hilton Ramses is one of the premiere Middle East Hotels.

For those who want history, privacy and luxury, you can find it all at Qatar hotels such as the Ritz Carlton Sharq Village. Fourteen courtyard houses with architecture reflective of an earlier time are where guests stay, enjoying spa treatments and palm trees that dot the waterfront. You will see craftsmen practicing the traditional artisan crafts of the area, and you can visit the lovely palace of the former ruler.

When you engage in Saudi Arabia travel, you will not want to miss visiting the Gold and Antique Souks, which are near the ancient city of Jeddah, the Khalil International Museum, and the Gateway to Makkah Al Mukaramah. Saudi Arabia hotels near these attractions include the Crowne Plaza Jeddah. Featuring a swimming pool, currency exchange, as well as several delightful ethnic restaurants that offer Arabic, Japanese and Chinese foods, you will bask in the luxury that places you so close to so many local attractions.

Saudi Arabia Travel is a great way to see a country rich in culture and history. During your stay there you will want to spend time exploring the Grand Mosque of Makkah and Kabah Musharrafah, as well as Jabal Al Noor and the Jannat Al Moaalah Graveyard. At the end of your busy day, retire to the Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhi Hotel, and enjoy the restaurants, non-smoking rooms, and even a florist to make your time at your Middle East hotel beautiful.

Dubai embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area. In a single day, the tourist can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages and ancient houses with wind towers to luxurious residential districts and from the colorful souks (markets) to ultra-modern shopping malls.

You get a fantastic introduction to Dubai, as your City Tour takes you through the historic sites, starting with a photo stop at the famous Burj Al Arab. Proceed to Jumeirah, home to the famous Jumeirah Mosque. Continue to Al Bastakiya, to reach the museum located in Al Fahidi Fort. Cross the waterways by Abra (Water Taxi), and then wander through the glorious Spice and Gold souk.

Enjoy a romantic dinner aboard a traditional Arabic Dhow that glides silently along the creek of Dubai under a starry and moonlit sky. Admire the architecture of places such as the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the spectacular Chamber of Commerce building and also Sheikh Saeed’s house, the birthplace of Sheikh Rashid.

Spend a wondrous evening exploring the finer nuances of the desert. Enjoy a safari to explore the desert. Dip low in the deep trenches and rise high on the pinnacle of the dunes. Enjoy a camel ride and get beautiful henna designs or try out traditional Arabic dresses. Feel like a sheikh as you watch the belly dancers while smoking a flavored shisha and relishing a delicious barbecue.

And yes, don’t forget to shop… One of Dubai’s greatest visitor attractions is its superb shopping. The month-long Dubai Shopping Festival as always has on offer deep discounts across a vast range of must-haves, from jewelery to fashion wear, electrical goods and carpets. All this against a lively backdrop of cultural events.

There are many reasons of why you would want to visit Dubai. The breathtaking architectures, sparkling beaches, tax-free shopping and high-profile events all amounts to a bizarre and enthralling foray into tourism life of Dubai. For starters, here are 4 reasons that would make you contemplate booking a ticket on Dubai flights.

Shopping

Dubai is a shopper’s haven like an undiscovered pirate’s trunk of gold and diamonds. Shopping in Dubai is also about flowing rivers of gold at various souks, malls at drop dead discounted prices. Duty free prices on jewelry, electronic products, handicrafts, spices and international brands lures tourists from around the world who are able to buy products they may have considered out of their reach. The shopping malls in Dubai are extravagant in offering an unforgettable experience but also a variety of unimaginable entertainment options. Shop until you drop at The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Gold & Spice Souk, Deira City Centre.

Eating Out

Dubai is the hub of multicultural lifestyles where people from various countries and cultures mingle to form a single world. Diverse cultures have affected the cuisine of Dubai because of which international restaurants and bars have made a mark. Other than local Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine, tourists can get to savor American, Asian, European, Mediterranean and Oceanic flavors. There are restaurants to suit all budgets but remember public consumption of alcohol is banned. Alcohol is available only in pubs and bars of 5 star hotels and at the homes of people who have the license to own alcohol. However, nightlife is good despite a ban on alcohol.

Good Hotels

Dubai has a fantastic range of hotels to suit every taste and budget. The star hotels offer high quality and luxurious services while the budget hotels promise a comfortable stay, though not many amenities. The beach properties always running high occupancy given that they offer a magnificent view of the Arabian Gulf plus access to their very own private beaches. The amenities at these hotels are top-notch to make the most of your vacation. Remember to book hotels in Dubai well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Fabulous Attractions

There is so much to see and do in Dubai, right from Arabic architecture to ice-skating. Under the blazing sun, Dubai has constructed its own little heaven where all four seasons meet irrespective of what the outside weather is. Bastakiya Quarter, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Museum, Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum House and Dubai Heritage and Diving Village are places that revel in the history and culture of UAE, tracing the roots of Dubai’s origin. Then again, extreme modernism is visible at sites such as Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai, and landmark towers. Outdoor activities also have an upper hand in increasing Dubai’s tourist scores with activities such as camel riding, sand skiing, and dune bashing and barbecue dinner in the desert.