Lighting up Burj Khalifa on New Year's Eve

[Pushka]

And check out these rings that encompass the finger.


Ok. Shopping cough over. At 12.30 I lined up for the fountain display here, which is timed to music


I'll post the youtube later. It was lovely while it lasted.

Then onto the Green line bus to take me to Jumeirah, Al Arab and Atlantis.

For those of you who might be worried about MrP who didn't join me, this was his activity.

Sigh.

 

[Pushka]

This trip on the bus was a tad boring for the first hour.
We then arrived at Jumeirah Public beach which looked nice.

It is right next to Jumeirah beach hotel (we had dinner there last time) and Al Arab and Wild Wadi water park.


TBC. Blame time zone changes.

 

[Pushka]

The Fountains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjIB2dMdwb0

 

[kermatu]

I see what you mean by "while it lasted"!
I never saw the fountains in operation. I assume the evening shows are quite spectacular.

 

[Pushka]

Continuing the bus trip my final destination is here:

Atlantis on the top of the Palm.
This area is also where the beach club is. Located on a Frond of course, because Palms don't have streets, do they.
There is an aquarium, water park and obviously a hotel.

Well, the plan was good but execution not so much. There was a traffic jam trying to get in. Seems I wasn't the only one wanting to check it out.
Nice views along the trunk.

On the seaward side - an impressive view indeed.


But the crowds awful. My plan was to grab a taxi from here rather than get the laborious hoho bus back to downtown Dubai as we were staying close by. Looked at the taxi queue - awful and no movement as the only taxis there were the black limos and they were three times as expensive.

 

[love_the_life]

Time for Plan B. What, you don't have a Plan B? Looks like it's going to be the HOHO again.

 

[Pushka]

I scooted into the Aquarium to check it out. Very dark and crowded but not too bad. Along the way were several designer label stores. And at the very end - a Nobu Restaurant!



I was getting a bit worried about getting a taxi in time for dinner so ended the trip and joined the queue. No taxis in sight so people started taking the limos. Not so bad for four people but expensive just for one. Finally after 30 minutes my turn for a taxi but he was reluctant for a short trip. He negotiated a price which was ridiculous as it was the end of his shift. Sure. Anyway no choice so I got in. At least it was cheaper than what the limo guys wanted.

 

[Pushka]

Time for Plan B. What, you don't have a Plan B? Looks like it's going to be the HOHO again.

Oh no. That would take an extra 2 hours. Plan B was hand over the $$$. Or should that be Dirham?

 

[Pushka]

Dinner last night was at the Hotel Chor restaurant which was Indian. We had read great things about it. We needed to stay up past 9pm to make sure we would make NYE.
It was excellent. We had Thali which was prawns, chicken and lamb with different curries. Each was served on a skewer having been cooked in the tandoor.

 

[Pushka]

We lasted until 10.30pm.

This morning they are setting up for NYE. It looks spectacular.

 

[love_the_life]

We lasted until 10.30pm.

This morning they are setting up for NYE. It looks spectacular.
View attachment 61267
View attachment 61268

But you're off to a different hotel for tonight aren't you? Hope those fireworks are spectacular - Dubai had a write-up in the paper here about being one of the best places in the world for NYE (actually it was listed as No 1).

 

[Pushka]

But you're off to a different hotel for tonight aren't you? Hope those fireworks are spectacular - Dubai had a write-up in the paper here about being one of the best places in the world for NYE (actually it was listed as No 1).

Yep. We are off to Ritz Carlton Financial District this afternoon. Sounds swanky hey? And kept this room here too so no checking out required. I booked a cancellable room ages ago for 1 night. Checked rates the other day and bookings now need to be 2 nights and $1200 a night!

But we are not having dinner there either. Originally we were just going to walk the 20 minutes to get to Khalifa Park at around 6pm. And wait. But after the events of this month I knew that would be a bust for us and we probably wouldn't last the distance so decided to book at the Sheraton Bar on level 43 that overlooks the Burj Khalifa. Very happy now that we did that. Rave reviews about the views on a normal night so tonight should be impressive.

 

[Pushka]

Posting those pics again with a bit of brightness.


Everything is so precisely laid out.

 

[Julesmac]

Loving this TR. All the best for 2016 - not too many of us will be able to top your NYE experience! Looking forward to the photos

 

[Pushka]

Loving this TR. All the best for 2016 - not too many of us will be able to top your NYE experience! Looking forward to the photos

Thanks JMac. December 2015 has been a month of extremes for us.

This will be our first NYE (paid for) party in around 15 years. Costing a bomb (can I say that? ) but will be worth it as a once in a lifetime.

Currently chilling by the pool. When they bring out the free water here, it comes in an ice bucket. Class Act indeed.




Almost 11am here now and family in Australia are about to do their own party. One son about to board a luxury catamaran on the Sydney Harbour for their fireworks and the other one in Adelaide about to retreat to cool Victor Harbour for a NYE beach party.

 

[Pushka]

Actually speaking of security, unlike our recent trip to Paris, we have not seen anything like the security measures there. In fact, we have seen none at all. We had to screen our hand luggage as we entered the airport in Dubai on arrival and after that - nothing. Yet I have never felt as safe as I do here, even from petty crime.

People are dressing respectfully and most women are wearing scarves or pashminas. I love seeing Arabic national dress. It makes the place special. I like to see what women in hijab are wearing on their feet - they wear fabulous bling shoes. Their eye make-up is stunning.

 

[Pushka]

Is that cranky pants in the beige?

Just saw this BB. Yep. Bit like she had been sucking on a lemon. And her husband is the happy Chappy not sitting next to her. They were in transit in Dubai so he's probably working out how to swing a separate seat again.

 

[Pushka]

Hmmm. Its 12.30pm here. Is it too early for Champers on NYE?

View attachment 61286

 

[JessicaTam]

Hmmm. Its 12.30pm here. Is it too early for Champers on NYE?
View attachment 61285

It's never too early on NYE!

 

[Pushka]

JessT made me do it.
(They ran out of champagne glasses. )

I am so baad. Shhhh. Don't tell MrP. He is at the beach.