Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or shortened to “the Emirates” is a country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf.
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each governed by a hereditary emir, with a single national president. These emirates are: Abu-Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. The capital of UAE is Abu-Dhabi.
The emirate Dubai (with its capital Dubai) has the largest population of 2.2 millions with the second large land territory by area of all emirates after Abu-Dhabi.
This destination was on my wish list since a couple of years. The city Dubai is known as a fast developing one with huge unimaginable projects already realized. Swiss Air had a special offer on direct flights, we decided to take this opportunity to visit Dubai on March 9-11, 2012.
Day 1.
So, we started our discovery of Dubai by visiting Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs), a luxury hotel built on the artificial island 280 meters from the coast. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. Sometimes described as "the world's only seven-Star hotel".
Some random pictures
There are a lot of taxi in Dubai and it is very cheap. One litter of petrol (benzine) is 1.75 Dirham or ONLY about 0.45 $US !
Second visited place was the Burj Khalifa - the world’s tallest building with its 828 meters. When you look to the top only one you can think - WOW! You can read in detail here: www.burjkhalifa.ae
Some picture around Burj Khalifa
In the Dubai Mall, situated by Burj Khalifa, there is very beautiful waterfall - this is a peace of art
Day 2
On the second day we visited Abu-Dhabi, the capital of UAE. Our first stop was at Sheikh Zayed Mosque initiated by the late President of UAE Sheikh bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Very beautiful place
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many special and unique elements. The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). It took approximately two years to complete it.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovsky crystals The largest chandelier (on the photo) is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.
Decorated floor
Decorated wall
View on downtown of Abu-Dhabi
On the road between Dubai and Abu-Dhabi
Day 3
We began our third day visiting The Palm Jumeirah - an artificial archipelago creating isung land reclamation. At the end (or top) of this “Palm” - Atlantis, the Palm hotel resort is located. But what a human being has built here is incredible!
View to Atlantis from the see
Atlantis from monorail
Private hoses on the "leafs" of the Palm
Appartments buildings on the Palm
About Dubai metro. This is a driverless, fully automated metro network. In the city centre it runs underground and on elevated viaducts elsewhere.
Metro station
Metro station inside
To eat and drink is not allowed in metro - penalty about 25 $US
View from metro to the town
And at the end some pictures of another Dubai. But this contrast we can see at any city of the world.
So, my friends, I hope you enjoyed photos and discovered also a new city :-)