What's Up?

In all the excitement of the last month or so of living in Dubai, working and trying to beat the heat, I collected a few photos of various goings-on that I thought I would post just for fun.

Click on each of the photos to see a larger version.

The main sites in this blog can be seen in the map. The Burj is just out of to the top of the map. Scroll in to see details.

I went to the Burj Khalifa residences the other day to pick up a patio lounge set we had bought. While waiting for the moving truck, I snapped off a few photos of the Burj Khalifa. I had to take two and photoshop them together - I couldn't fit the full height of the tower in my mobile camera lens.

I think it is more spectacular to live NEAR the Burj than to live IN it.

A few weeks ago, we decided to celebrate our 15th anniversary by going to NOBU at the Atlantis Hotel. The hotel is located at the 'top' of the Palm Island. The arch of the hotel makes a spectacular silhouette.

On the Palm heading for the Atlantis

As you approach the hotel, the last part of the drive takes you through a tunnel and out on to the outer fringe of the Palm. Then, once around the last corner, the arch comes into view.

Arch over the main entrance to the hotel

The grand entrance to the hotel was rather subdued compared to the lavish interior.

Annette hates to have her photo taken

From the main foyer of the hotel, you are rewarded with a view of the 'new' Dubai growing around the base of the palm.

Dubai Media City and the Dubai Marina off in the distance

The original Atlantis sank beneath the sea. With a three-story high aquarium looming over you, you really get a sense of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Just a small viewing area - moments before, several scuba divers swam past

Before we left, we realized we were out of gold ingots. The machne only takes cash so we had to find an ATM first.

They use the metric system here but gold is quoted by the ounce, so we couldn't quite tell if the 10 gram bar was a good deal or not.

We have been going to the beach regularly (again). This is along the Dubai Marina, part of which you saw from the Atlantis lobby.

Along the street are dozens of cafes and restaurants - a lovely place to start your beach day

Looking the other way - if you squint (or open the larger photo), you can see the Atlantis off in the distance. We are just a kilometer or so from the base of the Palm.

The water is crystal clear and surprisingly full of fish despite the environmental issues raised by the building of the Palm.

In other news, we had two street parties, organized by our neighbours and held in front of our next-door neighbour's villa.

Our lovely street, just as the party was getting underway

The weather is really heating up now that it is June. We are leaving for holidays just in time to avoid looking like this from too much sun.

Ouch
This is a buzzard I photographed at the Al Ain Zoo. It has not be harmed in the making of this blog.