A little bit of moderation in Dubai.

[markis10]

It was soon time to head to the Atlantis on the Palm hotel, for the Gala dinner. We had all been reminded on the bus coming back from the mall that is was business attire, obviously Qantas were not impressed with some given it was business attire for the whole trip up until that point . The Palm is an interesting area of reclaimed land with block after block of apartments that all look the same, and where the speedhump salesperson had done well!

The Atlantis looked impressive, this is as close as we got, as we were dining at the Asateer Tent adjacent to the main complex.

Atlantis The Palm Hotel & Resort, Dubai | Book Rooms & Suites Direct



We were met after getting off the bus by assistants with iPads who kindly advised us of the table numbers we were to be seated at if any, luckily LW and I were given free range at the back of the tent! So it was off to pre dinner drinks and canapes, both with excellent service.

LW mixing it with the photographers on the "red carpet":

 

[markis10]

Pre dinner drinks and canapes - swish!

 

[Major]

I have been reading AFF for some time now, but this is my first post!

Great trip report, love the pics! Really wish I had more leave to visit Dubai this year.

Welcome to AFF Lisa...I hope you make time to visit Dubai. It's a fascinating part of the World

 

[markis10]

After about 30 minutes we were ushered inside for the night to begin, hosted my a familiar MC to many - Eddie Maguire.

 

[markis10]

Performances for the night were by Jessica Mauboy and Gloria Gaynor after the mains who got the dance floor going!

 

[markis10]

Post dinner:

 

[markis10]

Some of the food:

 

[markis10]

After dinner (and for some - dancing), there was quite a bit of networking going on:



On the way out each person was given a QF/EK bag with a beautiful coffee table book in it:

 

[markis10]

Time to head home in the bus, and get some shuteye as it was now close to Midnight, and we had a dawn date with a large building!

But not before we read the paper.

 

[ellen10]

Loving the pics and the trip reports!
Thanks guys!

 

[whatmeworry]

I did not try any of the food, but the wine came in an individual bottle and plastic cup.

Oh the humanity...

 

[markis10]

Day 2 in Dubai, one that promised to be a lot of fun given the tours on offer and the most anticipated dinner in the desert to finish the day.

First up was the Burj Kalifa for the dawn rising tour. One of the reasons I picked this was the fact that its not always open for such events, was not due to be open when we were there which meant a premium experience of what is the most popular tourist attraction of recent times.

Friday and Saturday (the local weekend ) is the only time its open at 4.30AM, and you need to book before you leave home, it was booked out until Friday from Monday night for all tours/times, got money they will still let you join the line, for AED $400, which is over AUD$100! Of the 200 odd floors (160 inhabitable), the observation area sits on the 124th floor, and has an outdoor platform.

As there is usually a long line of waiting guests, a lot of thought has been put into keeping your mind busy, including a model with facts and figures (not the Miranda Kerr type), and a travelator that passes through murals depicting the history of Dubai.

 

[markis10]

Facts and figures and the odd mural:

 

[markis10]

More murals!





Are we there yet?

 

[markis10]

We are there! Our lunch venue from 124 stories.


Part of the city, there is a power station in this shot, can you see it?

 

[markis10]

As previously mentioned the observation deck has a very neat electronic telescope that gives you a clear day view, clear night view, actual view and a historic view (-20 years), very clever!

 

[markis10]

Lindsay pondering the Dubai's need for more financial planners


NYE 2012

 

[markis10]

Tour costs:

 

[markis10]

Time to head back for Breakfast (which was fantastic) and then to begin the walking tour of Old Dubai, and what a tour it was! We were joined on tour by some of the celebs on the trip, and it was the start of us getting to know them as human beings just like us, it was very refreshing to say the least.

First stop was a traditional old home

 

[Pushka]

Still reading this excellent thread. Who were the other celebs involved markis10?