Back in late December when I had dinner at their house (thanks again, Carole and Roger for the hospitality) I mentioned the possibility of snowboarding in Dubai and Alec dtold me Dubai was also home to the tallest building in the world. It is. You can read about it here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa
Just like the sign says. Ironically, I had the taxi drop me off here only to find out I had to buy the ticket to enter from... inside the Dubai Mall. I'm kinda mall'd out at this point.
I’m never going to see any of these people again so I had no qualms about asking a stranger to take my photo (and instructing him on HOW to do it. “I’m gonna need you to kind of lay on the ground and shoot up towards the sky… thaaaaaanks. No, down a bit more. Can you see the top of the tower? Uh, ok. There you go.”)
Hardly a flattering shot but you get the picture.
I’d heard someone mention buying tickets in advance but didn’t pay it any mind. Until I arrived and the sign said ‘sold out.’
Of course they're sold out. Lets see what the "limited immediate entry" tickets cost.
I grimaced as I paid four times the price of the NORMAL entry ticket (purchased in advance, of course) so I could ride to the top of the tower. When I entered the queue the sign said ‘Wednesday tickets on sale.’ When I reached the counter they were selling tickets for Friday. I asked her if the trip was worth the inflated cost of an ‘immediate entry’ ticket. Her response? ”It’s cheaper than a return flight to Dubai…”
Thank you. Here are my 400 Dhs. This makes my trip to ‘the top’ the single mot expensive thing (dental aside) I did while I was in Dubai. Hence the numerous photos…
Must say, they made the line for the elevator to the top very interesting and informative.
This hologram kept me engaged for a few minutes while I tried to grab the photo I wanted. Grrr… point and shoot camera. Pfffft!
Click on the picture. The timeline on the left details the construction of the tower.
This shot has NOTHING to do with the tower. Except that it was a picture INSIDE the tower.
I only took a picture of this picture to say the falcon in MY picture the other day was prettier.
This is the line for the elevator ride to the observation deck on the 124th floor.
Ah, yes. Tourism is alive and well in Dubai.
The ride to the top was unbelievably fast. I was deep in conversation with a fellow passenger when she pointed out we’d gone 100 floors and her ears hadn’t popped. Nice! Mine either.
There's the city. Those towers all look huge from the street.
More of the view. Brrr... the wind came up. And I didn't remember until I got into the taxi that I had a jacket in my bag.
The view was astounding. It was prettier as the sun faded and the buildings lit up.
See?
So much different with lights.
See the lights on the fountain? Yeah, I hardly could either. It was getting too cold to hang out up top though...
For a pint sized tourist this kid had a LOT of camera...
I was in awe of the floor. Cedar planks, well oiled and it smelled like cedar. I realize that's redundant but they actually smelled. like. cedar. The whole place (observation tower and Dubai in general) was remarkably clean.
Other than the view I did a bit of people watching. I’m struck, as is often the case, how remarkably similar we all are despite the cultural differences.
This baby started crying as soon as her mama handed her to daddy. Poor guy walked in circles rocking and singing while Jr. seemed to take advantage of the free moments.
She stopped crying when I started talking to her. She looks scared, though. Beautiful eyes.
This is 'At the Top." No, seriously. The sign says, "At the Top."
Please don’t any of you hold your breath… I DID NOT plug $50-$1,000 into this tourist trap to buy a souvenir piece of gold. Shoes for a two year old, maybe. Camels for everyone I know under the age of 12? Sure. But a piece of gold from an ATM? Hunh uh…
Sorry, Dubai. That's over the top. Even for me.
There you have it. I spent my last afternoon/evening in Dubai being a tourist. Dentist is done and I’m headed back to Kabul tomorrow. Insha’Allah, the flight is on time and all goes well.
Thought I'd close with my shoes. Have I mentioned they're awesome?
It’s 0200 here and I’m packed and going to catch a few hours sleep while most of you prep to watch the Superbowl. I hope you eat too much, have a great time with friends and family, stay warm and may the best Pack win! (That’s for you, AnitaRae!)
~jh~
Loved the parting shot