Lighting up Burj Khalifa on New Year's Eve

[Pushka]

I took a sneak peek at the gallery at our current hotel where it looks beautiful.





They have 500 people booked in and are having a '70's theme which would be right up our alley.

They will install a large screen so people can watch the fireworks.

The fireworks display lasts around 40 minutes starting at Khalifa and then works it way down to Jumeirah Beach, then Burj al Arab and then down to Atlantis on the Palm. Much like the way the Fireworks for Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing ceremony worked its way down from Olympic Park to the Harbour.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Enjoy the festivities. Hope the authorities remain moderate throughout the festive season

 

[kermatu]

While I am looking forward to your pics of the fireworks tonight - don't worry too much about them - just enjoy!

 

[Pushka]

Ritz Carlton is rather nice



I wont have internet access during the evening so will share tomorrow.

 

[Pushka]

Excellent spa. Women's entry is separate to men's.

Gorgeous lobby.



That spire on top is Khalifa.

 

[Pushka]

Other rooftop views.


The pyramid is Raffles

 

[Pushka]

We can see The Address on fire from our bar. It is a five star Hotel right next to Khalifa. It started from one of these:

Traffic is at a standstill and smoke haze.

 

[Pushka]

Hope all were evacuated safely.

 

[RooFlyer]

Dramatic photo, pushka!

ABC News reports:

The police chief said all residents had been evacuated safely, and the general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, told Al Arabiya: "There are no injuries, thank God."

He said the festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."

 

[Major]

Alarming stuff .. I hope you are all OK

 

[Pushka]

I have better photos on my superzoom and will post tomorrow. Currently 1.45am.

 

[JessicaTam]

I have better photos on my superzoom and will post tomorrow. Currently 1.45am.

I have started a new thread to save detracting from your sumptuous trip report:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ws/fire-in-dubai-hotel-73046.html#post1370403

 

[love_the_life]

I like your description as 'sumptuous' TR, JT. It is very much so. I am quite overcome as they say with all the gold and bling and such great photos. I'm green green green!

 

[JessicaTam]

I like your description as 'sumptuous' TR, JT. It is very much so. I am quite overcome as they say with all the gold and bling and such great photos. I'm green green green!

It was either that or opulent, but I figured sumptuous more befitting of the OP.

 

[Julesmac]

Seems incongruous to see such all-out Christmas decorations in Dubai when the overdose of political correctness here says kids can't do Christmas concerts or KK (gratitude gift I think was the alternative suggestion) for fear that Christian celebrations may offend some people.

 

[Pushka]

Oh what a night. Where to start?
Still in central Dubai so I haven't been able to transfer over the Fire pix yet.

Just heard that several hours later the fire is not yet controlled.

First The Ritz Carlton. A beautiful hotel. As you can see from the pictures.

To get to our dinner venue we simply had to cross Sheik Zayed Freeway. It is the core transport road through Dubai and goes from Sharjah in the north to Abu Dhabi in the south (two other Emirates). It is a four lane freeway each way. So we need to use the subway crossing to get across so this takes around 20 minutes.

Up to level 43. Fantastic location.



Traffic coming into central Dubai

 

[Pushka]

The buffet spread was good

 

[Pushka]

The desert buffet lovely




BBQ in the balcony cooking prawns, lobster, crab, chicken, lamb.

 

[Pushka]

Everything was constantly replenished.

It was cold on the 43 level and we had duvets and these:

Which kept us toasty.
And party stuff

Around 9pm the crew started running around frantically turning off all the heaters. As they were keeping us toasty warm we were a little peeved. They told us The Address was on fire and it had started from a gas heater. Yeah right. The Address is the hotel of Dubai and that was simply impossible.

Oh well back to drinks. Suddenly everyone started yelling and we could see the Fire. Took some photos with the better camera as we were all in disbelief. It subdued the proceedings. Twitter went beserk.

We presumed that would be the end of the Fireworks. Back to our seats as it seemed to quieten down. Everyone subdued.

Around 11.45 the crew handed out Laurent Perrier champagne for the toast. We lined up to see what was going to happen. Then thick black smoke enveloped the buildings including ours - and the flames roared back again.

But at midnight the fireworks at Khalifa started. While they were good, when they finished we sensed that they had been limited. No other building was lit up. The display was shortened (currently loading a youtube clip).

Then we could see the fireworks light up the sky down the coast. It looked amazing and lasted much much longer.

 

[Pushka]

Youtube flaky. Trying again.