Lighting up Burj Khalifa on New Year's Eve

[Pushka]

http://youtu.be/UztTOr6D4Qo

MrP has some good stills.

 

[kermatu]

Still looks pretty impressive!

 

[Pushka]

Still looks pretty impressive!

Indeed - but what was missing were other areas close by that would normally be lit up.

Here is a long distance one of Burj al Arab

http://youtu.be/EVkgV6tbaJM

 

[Pushka]

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.

Indeed. We are just being too PC or too lazy.
Just watching local TV this morning and three men in Arab national dress are wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and season's greetings. Clearly three wise men.

Most of the people staying here are in Arab national dress and are taking photos of the Christmas trees in the lobby.

 

[Pushka]

At 12.45 we decided we needed to hit the streets to get home. Oh my god. Humanity.
We walked to the metro overpass we had used on the way over. It was closed. Police said go to the next station. Retraced our steps with the thronging mass around 1 km and that station was also closed. For the next 3 hours.

We couldn't cross the road even though the traffic was gridlocked - all 8 lanes - because 10 foot cyclone fences prevented people from doing that. But we could see people trying. Police sirens later and a few arrests.

Finally I just asked the Police how to get across the road and not use the sub. Bear in mind I am 'yelling' this across a mob of locals! He took pity on me and said to use the Crowne Plaza underpass about 1k further down.

Finally found that and got across the road. The subway passes on this side didnt seem to have any police presence and boy were the locals mad. This station was supposed to be open. We could see it getting nasty so turned down a backstreet. It seemed that locals just decided to camp on the streets for the night. Thousands of them.

Arrived back to the Hotel after an hours work and sleep warmly welcomed. Except for the shower tap that kept dripping.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
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.

<snip>

Great report, thanks.

You can imagine the 'interesting' conversation that was probably had between the Fire Chief and whoever was 'running' the fireworks display in the 30-60mins before midnight . Poor old Fire Chief was never going to win that one.

 

[love_the_life]

The fireworks looked pretty impressive even if they were curtailed somewhat.

I'm not going to get involved but a lot of the reports about non-Christmas activities are incorrect - hyped up by those who have an axe to grind and some of the articles I have seen shared on FB are actually hoaxes from 10+yrs back. I know some of the KK issues were to do with giving inappropriate gifts, just pure bad taste.

Anyway enough, hope you are back in the relative calm of your hotel. The fire at the Address must have been huge and lucky it seems that only a few injuries and no deaths. No wonder your waiters were frantically turning off your heaters!

That was sure one heck of a walk back - especially as you chose the dinner venue specially to cut down on the melee to get back to the hotel. The best laid plans....

 

[Pushka]

Love the architecture here.
Star wars fan maybe?

And this an apartment complex. There is no functionality to the top - it is pure design and is stunning.

 

[Pushka]

Great report, thanks.

You can imagine the 'interesting' conversation that was probably had between the Fire Chief and whoever was 'running' the fireworks display in the 30-60mins before midnight . Poor old Fire Chief was never going to win that one.

Oh yeah. The balance between safety, fighting the fire, world spotlight whatever they decide, a coupla million people thronging the scene and so on. There are a few 'dead' spaces in the display which is where other buildings were to come into play.

 

[Pushka]

No wonder your waiters were frantically turning off your heaters!

That was sure one heck of a walk back - especially as you chose the dinner venue specially to cut down on the melee to get back to the hotel. The best laid plans....

They moved very quickly to snuff them out. We so did not believe them about the fire.

Our hotel is literally just across the road - looking at it here - the foreground building.

Just a lazy 8 lanes of traffic and high fence in the way.

 

[Pushka]

And from our hotel room we look (up) over where we were last night.

And a waterfall running down the wall opposite

 

[Pushka]

Back at Ibn Battuta and happy to find that breakfast is still being served. Yay. A bit hungry.
Still smoking this morning though. (Taken from taxi so not best quality)

Another favourite building - very twisted I am.

 

[Pushka]

Just finding photos that didn't transfer the other day.
Nobu at The Palm

A diver in the Aquarium. He just seemed to be floating around not doing much of note. But hey, I'm a tourist so I will take your photo.

That building I really like

More street scapes from last night.

 

[Pushka]

And better res pictures of the fire





The latest update seems to be the balcony heater.

 

[Pushka]

They sure know how to banquet here.

Friday lunch time is brunch time. Its the first day of their weekend and the hotels and restaurants have brunches to celebrate. Today is a special one being a PH and New Years Day.
Today's brunch just starting.





Cost is around $150pp for premium drinks included. We are not participating.

 

[Pushka]

Some stills from last night

 

[Pushka]

DSF.
Dubai shopping festival. Guess where I am headed shortly.

This afternoon we have booked a desert safari with Platinum heritage tours. No dune bashing on this tour as it takes place in a conservation park owned by a Prince. Taken there in '50's jeeps and will see a falconry show at sunset and then to a bedouin camp for Emirati food (camel and other assorted delicacies). Will be my first try at Shisha and looking forward to that. Henna tattoo. Everyone has warned about how cold it will be and while I have a jumper, the F Emirates top will be a rather apt layer to wear. They are quite stylish and super soft.

Tomorrow - weather forecast is for storms and rain - it actually rains in Dubai!

 

[drron]

Pushka there I was thinking how you always warm up a place and now you are telling me that it is cold and the storms expected aren't composed of dust.

 

[Pushka]

Pushka there I was thinking how you always warm up a place and now you are telling me that it is cold and the storms expected aren't composed of dust.

I know! Ein confusen also!

 

[Pushka]

Well today is hot anyway before the change.
Back to last nights dinner. MrP struggled to contain himself when I wanted a photo of this big sucker, as did the women on the table nearby but I was oblivious of the ruckus I was causing. (Maybe George in the Club had been excessively generous with the sparkling just prior)

And dinner was pizza which was excellent but way too much


I ate less than half but the trouble here is that if you leave any food they think you dont like it and start worrying.
But I managed to turn four pieces into this through compression

But they still asked if there was something wrong with it. Sigh.