It'll be nice when the finish it... 2

There are some stunning and original buildings in Dubai - and many more are planned. Unlike the concept cars we see in the press and at motor shows that never make it into production, these buildings actually stand a good chance of being built.

But one of the side effects of building a city the size of Dubai in a couple of decades (see It'll be nice when the finish it... 1) is that most of the buildings come from the same architectural era. This is very apparent in Dubai.

The patch of sand in the foreground is destined to be more of the same.

It is  true to say that there is considerable variety, but what is more noticeable is what the buildings have in common. The majority  look as thought the 'designers' (one hesitates to call them architects) were given a Lego catalogue with a limited colour palette, a tour of Docklands circa 1996 and just allowed to get on with it.

Can we do it? Well, yes, after a fashion.

Most of these are buildings surrounding my hotel.

Any colour you like as long as it's mostly blue and kind of sandy

The exception actually is my hotel, a modest prize is offered for using your skill and judgement to guess which one.

(Serving suggestion)

Tomorrow (or when I get round to it): Don't do it here.