My last post on this, yet again, amazing holiday!

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Every second car around me seems to be a Porsche, Lamborghini, Maserati, or  Jag. Tourist city and home for the richest Emiratis.  A significant percentage of Emiratis can’t afford to live in Dubai – they travel 30kms into work from Sharjah each day.

And the “Malls”where everyone socialises, seriously test your walking capacity. Dubai Mall for example, is the world’s largest- equivalent in size to 50 football pitches; has 14,000 car parks; 1,200 shops and a waterfall feature (right).

You walk through it to get to the Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, that dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline.   Awesome view of Dubai in the evening from the top.

At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. Incredible spectacle from the top and bottom.

 

 

 

Mall of the Emirates has a ski slope and snow adventure playground.

The lovely Miu Singapore restaurant entrance in the Mall of the Emirates.(left).

Heaps of construction happening in the downtown area partly funded by Govt and partly privately, a property development company Emaar dominates the skyline.

Burj Al Arab is set on an island in a striking sail-shaped building, this luxury hotel has opulent suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with gulf or city views. All have 24-carat gold iPads, offer Egyptian linens, designer toiletries, whirlpool baths and butler service.  Upgraded suites include snooker tables, libraries, cinemas and private elevators. I went for lunch to the restaurant which has an awesome aquarium. A bit squirmy to watch their relatives swim by as you are chomping into a turbot….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel complements the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab! 

 

 

 

On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks. 

 

 

 

The 52 floor of the Marriott Hotel offers lovely views of the Dubai marina and palm Jumeirah area.