Dubai

Having had a stopover in Dubai in 2008 and concluding that it was a building site in progress, it was interesting to go back and see the progress that has happened in 4 years. Although some of the major construction has stalled due to the GFC, there were quite a few projects that were finished such as the metro train network around the town.
 Also completed was the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest skyscraper in the world at 829 m high. The observation deck is on the 124th floor and on a clear day gives great views over Dubai. We went up at night and the lights of Dubai were impressive as was the fountain light show in the area surrounding the Burj Khalifa.
The area surrounding the Burj Khalifa contains the Dubai Mall that is also the worlds largest shopping centre with over 1200 shops. As it was approaching Christmas the shops had very festive displays.

We also ventured out on to the Palm Island which is a man-made island in the shape of a palm. The island has many hotels and also residential buildings. The main hotel is the Atlantis and we were lucky enough to bypass security to visit the foyer which is over- the- top to say the least. The hotel has a huge aquarium in which you can go diving in.

The Burj Khalifa

 View from the observation deck at the Burj Khalifa 

The Burj Khalifa made out of Ferrero Rocher chocolates

The Burj Khalifa at sunset

Fountain show at the Burj Khalifa

Easy way to buy gold at a shopping centre

Waterfall in the Dubai Mall

Atlantis Hotel

The aquarium at the Atlantis Hotel

Murals on the ceilings at the Atlantis Hotel