Tags

, , , , , , ,

According to Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, bigger is better.  No apologies.

Today we visited the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and the world’s largest mall, Dubai Mall.

From Nathan:  Standing 828 meters tall, the Burj Khalifa is pushing architecture and engineering to new heights, literally. You can get great views from the observation deck – 124 floors up.  Dubai has lots of skyscrapers. They are clustered in groups throughout the city.  I found it surprising that just 10 years ago, there were no skyscrapers, just low-standing buildings.  Dubai has really grown fast with all the tourist places, hotel, shops, transportation, and skyscrapers. It has secured a future after the oil money runs out.

Using an app called AutoStitch, I combined 58 photos shot from the Burj Khalifa observation deck to create this panoramic image.

Using an app called AutoStitch, I combined 58 photos shot from the Burj Khalifa observation deck to create this panoramic image.

Burj Khalifa, stitched together

Burj Khalifa, stitched together

Here you see Dubai Mall to the left and the fountain area in front of the Burj Khalifa.
From the nearest Metro station to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, there’s a series of indoor, air-conditioned corridors with moving sidewalks. It’s probably about a quarter-mile long.
This sign is at the entrance of the Burj Khalifa.
These observation cameras were cool, showing Day – Live – Night – and Historical views.
One of the views from the Burj Khalifa
Nathan atop the Burj Khalifa
The man on the left of this building billboard is Sheik Mohammed, Dubai’s ruler and visionary.
They thought of everything. Here you see the opening on the observation deck for picture taking.
Aerial view of one of the Metro stations. They’re designed to resemble clam shells, harkening back to Dubai’s pearl harvesting past.
Hard to tell from the photo, but the man-made islands at the top are called The World. From an aerial vantage point, you’d see that they’ve been created in the shape of the continents.
Aidan, Nathan, and Shellie atop Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, at 828 meters
Aidan and Shellie on observation deck of Burj Khalifa
Aidan, Shellie, and Nathan in front of Burj Khalifa
Just kidding…

From Nathan:  We also went to the world’s biggest mall, right under the Burj Khalifa.  It has many brand names from the U.S. that I recognized.  It also had a whole section of top exclusive brands like Dior, Gucci, and Chanel.  One baby sweater costs around $300!

Did I mention the mall had an aquarium, ice rink, and taxis inside?!

Love this! Select the store you want, and the interactive directory plots a course for you – shopping GPS.
Every mall should have two 3-story waterfalls.
Traditional dress
One of several Starbucks inside Dubai Mall
Iced coffee in Dubai… check.
Some people shop at Dubai Mall for Chanel. We… get our hair cut. The boys were due.
Happy to have less hair!
Aidan digs his new look.
Who needs a stroller when you’ve got one of these.
Seriously?! Baby Dior and Baby Gucci!
I can’t make this stuff up. There’s taxis in the mall!
No desert mall is complete without an ice rink.
Every mall needs a world-class aquarium specializing in sharks: Dubai Aquarium.
Why pay to go into the aquarium when you can see so much from the mall?
Huge sting ray at the Dubai Aquarium
Fish and rays in the mall aquarium
So many sharks… and Aidan could identify every one.
Shark… I’ll have to ask Aidan what kind.