There were no vomit bags distributed before we boarded the elevator that travels at more than 400 meters per minute. We reached the observation deck at the 124th floor in less than a minute. It was a breeze except that I have to tell you that it will hurt your little ears. Bring a gum, chew it, swallow your saliva many times, drink water or cover your nose, mouth and blow to relieve your ear of air pressure. If you haven’t been in an airplane – I guess that a Burj Khalifa elevator ride is the nearest similar experience.

I sound like an ultimate Scrooge on Christmas when I say the elevator experience wasn’t pleasant at all but it’s the truth. More than 10 people share the same enclosed darkened space (cue horror music), climbing up with an insane speed, with possibility of getting stuck in the middle. Like what happened to 14 people earlier this week. They got stuck at 430 meters on their way to the observation deck. For one full hour!!

How will we cope? I did not bring emergency food that night and Pristine’s with me. I sure can bear without food but I don’t think she can and toilet would be a huge factor.

Sorry for all the negativity (what’s gotten over me? must be PMS). We arrive at the observation deck and I’ll let this video do the talking since it’s Friday and a weekend for most of you so I’ll spare you of further crap talk (but there’s my crap talk in the video). The end.

Not totally the end.

Dubai looks really beautiful at night. I love it. My husband: “We’ll come again during daytime!”

Earlier this week, M got a phone call from a radio station in Japan asking him for a phone patch interview. The radio station in Nagoya features Japanese expats living in different parts of the globe. We have no idea how they got his number but most probably from string of people who he worked with/for while in the travel industry last year.

Anyway, they sent him a couple of questions and there was one involving asking his opinion of the newly opened tallest building in the world in Dubai. The phone interview is short so he could just say “well, duh, it’s huge and tall and intimidating to look at” but that wouldn’t be his style. He researches every single detail and won’t sleep until his curious brain is fed.

M: “Guess where I am now.”

** I was so busy yesterday that I’ve been pounding on the keyboard while taking phone calls. Good thing I’m a woman and I can multi-task. Don’t react – that’s not a sexist statement but the TRUTH. (insert evil laugh)**

Me: “Uhmm, I don’t know. You tell me.”

M: “Burj Khalifa!”

Me: Silence.

M: “Hello? Are you still there? There are so many people lining up to go up the observation deck at the 124th floor (450 meters above the ground) you know!”

Me: “So, are you going up?”

M: “Yeah. I HAVE to know what’s inside that building!”

There goes my sleuthy husband, marching to that huge building not feeling queasy at all. 450 meters above the ground! Will they distribute vomit bags up there?

After like, 30 minutes I got a call again. The man just wants me to know every single step he takes.

M: “Unbelievable, immediate visit to the observation deck costs 400 dhs! (US$108)!”

Me: “WTF, don’t tell me you bought. That’s like what, enough money to buy rice for a family of 4 for a month!!”

M: “No, no, no. ”

Me: Breathing a sigh of relief.

M: “The normal entrace fee is 100 dhs (US$27) but needs advance booking…so I booked for tonight, 8:30 pm. You, me, Pristine. Two adults + 1 child is 275 dhs (US$74), better than the 400 dhs right?”

I stopped smacking my keyboard and tried to digest what he just said.

Him, Pristine, ME going up the Burj Khalifa.

450 meters above the ground.

8:30 pm. TONIGHT.

Me: “^*%&$*^%##&(*^*$#. WHAAT!!? How am I suddenly involved in this? It’s school day tomorrow, what time will we be home? 8:30 pm is Pristine’s bedtime, I have to wake up at 5:00 am everyday!”

M: “You’re…you’re not haaaa—-pppy? We’re going to see what’s inside the tallest building in the world!!”

How can I be haaaa—-pppy??

• I don’t like heights (ok, I can manage a little)
• I don’t like to go out at night on work/school days
• I was severely interrupted from my work just to listen to this phone call – if it were him, he wouldn’t even take phone calls when he’s busy!
• I don’t like the idea of climbing up that tall building this early as new buildings in Dubai still need some serious checks (don’t want to get stuck in an elevator midway like the 14 people earlier this week!!)
• He didn’t ask my opinion whatsoever if I like to go or not, the perfect timing, etc

Then he was upset that I was upset.

But I ended up bringing Pristine to Dubai Mall that night and because this post is too long already, I’m going to update all of you tomorrow – there’s even a video I took from up.

*****

While you’re here, please enter my two contests: one to win a cutesy Cotton Tail necklace from Emily Elizabeth Jewelry and the other, place for guesses at the apartment game. I’m loving the guesses submitted so far – I’m posting the answer on Monday next week! Keep them coming!

I haven’t gotten over the awesomeness so here’s another look at how the tallest building looked like during the opening ceremony.

OMG I’ve got to add this. This must be the BEST Burj Khalifa opening video OF ALL TIME.

Photo credit: Gulf News

Yesterday was a historic day for the UAE, especially for Dubai. The world’s tallest building Burj Dubai* was officially opened with an inauguration ceremony that could surpass all inauguration ceremonies for a long time. Thousands of fireworks lit up the cool desert night, witnessed by thousands of people from the UAE and abroad.

It was not a special holiday yesterday although it would have been great if it was. In my opinion, every Dubai resident would have loved to get out there and witness that piece of history in the making. I had work until 6 pm and by the time I got out of the office, all roads leading to The Dubai Mall (the huge mall beside Burj Dubai*) already looked like a huge parking space. A part of the main arterial road Sheikh Zayed Road was closed. Crowds have gathered near the promenade as early as 2 or 3 pm!

Image Credit: Oliver Clarke/Gulf News

We always watch the beautiful Dubai Fountain show from this side but yesterday, there was no way we could get near: the parking areas were full and there could never be a foot space for us who come late (damn work!!). One of us would eventually carry Pristine (she’s 20 kgs heavy) so she could see.

M appeased me by trying to find a place where the tower can be seen, a little bit far but still a good view. We ended up watching it from Ras Al Khor. So many people parked their cars on the side of the road, even police cars! We couldn’t see the special fountain show from where we were or but the firework display was grandiose.

Pristine was so excited that she kept shouting “Happy New Year!! Happy New Year!!” and jumping up and down. Oh well, even if it wasn’t New Year’s Eve, it’s still the 4th of January and the new year just rolled in. In a sense, I feel that 2010 will be a new year for the UAE and for Dubai, after the much talked about credit crisis last year that paved way for Dubai bashers to celebrate, with more bashing than ever before.

I didn’t take photos because it would not look good from where I stood but I took a video. I’m still uploading it and while we wait for that, here’s some awesome photos of the big event courtesy of Gulf News:

I am not from this country but I feel proud. I love the UAE – I’ve never been to a place where people of more than 200 nationalities live and work together in harmony. People of different religions and sect who respect each other and love their adoptive country like their own. I love Dubai, the city with all possibilities of growth no matter how others view or criticize it.

*****

* I logged in to Twitter as soon as I came home and surprised to know that the newly opened tallest tower in the world, known as Burj Dubai had been RENAMED to “BURJ KHALIFA”, in honor of the UAE’s president and Abu Dhabi Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

WHAT!?

Burj Dubai —–>>> Burj Khalifa.

It just doesn’t sound right! JUST. DOESN’T.

It should be as is, “Burj Dubai” because it IS located in Dubai. When hearing the words “Burj Khalifa”, I bet people will go like, “Burj what? Where is that!?”

Is this what Dubai has to pay for Richie Rich Abu Dhabi’s redemption of Dubai’s massive debt last year (and in the coming years)? And just the start of Abu Dhabi showing control over the Emirate?

UPDATE: Here’s a video I took that won’t give even a fraction of  judgment to the real thing. If there’s going to be another inauguration of any Dubai feat in the future, I’ll skip work and be there early.

** I apologise to everyone trying to watch the video I posted here yesterday – I didn’t know the owner suddenly disabled public viewing. Here’s another video, still queasy! **

For those not in Dubai – that means, MOST of the readers in my blog: here’s a video taken from the top of the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai standing at more than 800 meters above the ground.

The Burj Dubai is set to open for the public tomorrow, January 4th, timed to coincide with the celebrations of the fourth anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad’s accession as Ruler of Dubai in 2006. There will be a grandiose fireworks display tomorrow. I hope to be there!!

Meanwhile, back to the vid, I don’t know if I can stomach standing on top of that skyscraper without getting sick (I don’t like heights) so this is as close as I can imagine of how the world down looks like.

All together now: Queasy!!

As the mighty Burj Dubai nears completion, the establishments, residents and tourists are getting ready for it.

The developer has been hurrying up with another milestone – the completion of the world’s largest fountain. Remember about that huge (supposedly bigger than the one at Bellagio in Las Vegas), spectacular fountain I posted before? Well, there had been a rumor circulating that it will be unveiled on Valentine’s Day.

So we went in the morning to see what has become of the Burj Dubai development and the surrounding areas and we came upon this:

The surrounding area of the Burj Dubai was filled of emerald green, clean water! They sure were ready to show off the fountain.

The Address Hotel looked like a huge boat with all the water below it.

So on Valentine’s Day night, we all went, anticipating the fountain display. There was water under the bridge connecting Souk Al Bahar and Dubai Mall.

Strangely when we arrived there was no rush, no traffic on the way and certainly nothing like something big is going to happen that night. Everything was peaceful around the area, except for couples having Valentine dinner or strolling near the lake.

The Address hotel looks amazing at night.

I asked around and got shrugs. “No, madam, not yet ready!”

~ Look closely. There’s someone submerged in the water and working on the fountain! ~

In true Dubai fashion, the fountain show opening was cancelled.  We will be on the lookout and will definitely blog about it when it spurts out and do a show.

Almost all of the glass panels are in place, the monster is nearing completion.

For more WW, visit 5 Minutes for Mom and the WW Hub.

I like to call the world’s tallest building in the making, “monster” because it’s huge, tall and intimidating. Intimidating to other world record holder wannabes, that is.

The  Burj Dubai, standing tall some couple of weeks ago. I won’t mention the stats of the monster here – there’s no point as it is growing so many meters in a single day!

The first weekend after the grand opening of the Dubai Mall was overwhelming. The crowd, the mall itself and of course, Dubai traffic! It was like there was a pilgrimage of sorts going on and all roads leading to the mall were packed.

We went there just in time for the opening at 10 am. We always wake up early even during our day off (Friday) so we were lucky to avoid the traffic on the roads later that morning. As reported in the papers, drivers had to endure as long as two hours just to get to the car park from the nearby road. Some families abandoned their cars on the side of the roads and walked to the mall, creating severe traffic problems. 

Anyway, back to the mall.

In one word: ENORMOUS. Think 50 football stadiums. Think 1,200 retail stores, an olympic size skating rink and a VERY big aquarium inside it.

Here are some photos I took while on our visit there.

A view of the aquarium inside Dubai Mall – the world’s largest indoor marine mammal pavilion. The 50m long aquarium is flanked by two glass tunnels at varying levels offering windows into the incredible diversity of marine life.

Just part of the aquarium. I didn’t have the right lens or enough distance to fit the whole aquarium and capture it.

From the 2nd level, we can see the crowd in awe. Pristine couldn’t get enough of the fishes. She was too excited to see the marine life inside, it looks like she could stare at it for HOURS. I wouldn’t be surprised, I tend to forget about the time when looking at aquariums. There’s just something THERAPEUTIC in them.

We came face to face with the mean residents:

A look at marine life (compare the size of the aquarium to the heads/extended hands partly seen below the photo!).

Other parts of the mall:

Display of the UAE flag!

The Gold Souk (Gold Market) – which will be the largest gold retail market in the world.

Ceiling of the gold souk, near the entrance. The small dots glitter, as if you are looking at the stars in the night sky. Beautiful!

Exquisite ceiling lamps inside the Gold Souk.

Traditional Arabian style hallways.

Outside, the tall Burj Dubai (world’s tallest building when completed) is standing in its glory:

I am only able to take 3/4 of the whole building height. My neck hurts.

Other photos (not mine, just came in the forwarded mails from friends):

Front of Dubai Mall with the Burj Dubai in the background. 

The aquarium is opened to the media (I think).

The skating rink. If you stand near it, better put on your jacket!

The beautiful ceiling of the Gold Souk.

This is Pristine’s favorite fish. She loves the way this fish moves his eyes! The eyes look like those button eyes found in stuffed toys.

*****

I can’t believe Dubai Mall was really able to get its act and finally open. One week before the grand opening, it was all endless construction mess and incompleteness all around.

On the opening day, the flyover leading to the mall was even completed. I am impressed. The laborers they hired really knows some magic.

In a desperate attempt to open its doors on time, Dubai Mall gets really rough. Initial opening date was December 2007 then August 2008 and then moved to October 30, 2008.

We visited the area a day before the supposed opening and found this:

One lane road going to the entrance! It was packed with cars already – I don’t know what the others were doing there but maybe same with us, surveying the area before the big opening to plan ahead how to arrive in one piece battling the traffic. Traffic was as expected, a mess – one day before the opening. I couldn’t imagine what would happen on the actual opening day!

Below are just some of the workers in one small area. Look at those sand hills!

I have never seen so many workers concentrated in one project site.

The basement parking nowhere near “ready”.

Hazards were everywhere. Even the fine dust from construction was irritating my nose. I worry about the workers not wearing any protective mask.

A worker stops his busy work to pose for me.

Outside, workers are trying to fix hoses in the garden (I think so).

While the front side of the mall is taking shape and these signs are everywhere:

Ambitious, hey.

However, the back side was less than glamorous.

One week has passed since we visited. Knowing how the speed of construction is here in Dubai, I am sure so many things have changed. After all, they treat workers like elves – you know, those friendly little elves who can make a pair of shoes in one night?

By the way, the opening didn’t push through last October 30 (as expected again). The huge mall opened its doors to the public only after a week later – on Novermber 4th. We have yet to go see it.