Entries about skylines

Day 3... 1/06/2016
Decided to brave the heat and take the stroll this morning to view Burj Khalifa & surrounds..Awesome & unique piece of architectural engineering to say the least.!!.For the statisticians out there, my research tells me it's built on an 11 hectare park & rising to a height of 828 meters with 124 floors, (at which is the public observatory) this building still claims to be the world's tallest at present with commanding views of the Arabian Gulf. The local Islamic culture has inspired much of the interior design with thousands of Middle Eastern pieces of artwork throughout..
For the shoppers out there, your paradise is just next door.!!..The Dubai Mall..Yet another of Dubai's claim to fame by being the world's largest shopping mall..Over 1200 stores & brand names and still increasing.. it's a retail heavan or nightmare, however you look at it.!!!..There's even an aquarium & ice rink with the obvious cinema to keep you occupied while your other half is spending up.!!. Typically, with current exchange rates regularly on the move it's always best to have your calculators at the ready.!!..
Knowing I had a big feed to look forward to in the evening it was a quick light snack with a healthy iced tea before catching a 16 dirham taxi ride back to the hotel for my 4:30pm pick up by Arabian Adventures on my Sundowner Desert Safari & Dinner.."Woohooo.!!'
As organised tours go, well not my cup of tea but you can see the advantages for families & groups alike..A falcon display/4wd dune bashing and watching a belly dancer while having dinner may please some.. though, I was happy to come away with a handful of acceptable pics of the sunsets & sand dunes from this unique and one off experience in the "Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve"..Established in 2002 and covering an area of 225 sq. kms. it takes in 5% of Dubai's land mass and was created with the aim to preserve some of Dubai's threatened & endangered species of fauna & flora..My kinda place.!!!
Well, in short..A day that was full on.!!!!..

31/05/2016..

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I had read and heard that the "Four Points By Sheraton" hotel has some amazing views around Dubai both by day & night, so after checking in at reception my first mission was to check out the 43rd Floor at the top of the building..Probably not the best time for the keen photographer through the almost 40deg. after noon heat haze, so I decided I'd return with the camera after sunset. The hotel it's self is situated in an ideal spot, with awesome views from almost any angle and also within close proximity to most local sights & attractions...No rush.!. I'm on holiday, so we shall see what tomorrow morning brings..maybe a walk across to the world's tallest building the "Burj Khalifa" & then check out the so called world's largest shopping mall " Dubai Mall" without getting lost.. 'cos I've gotta be back in time for my 4:30pm pick up by the guys at Arabian Adventures, for a uniquely named Sundowner Dune Dinner Safari..Ah well.!!.when in Dubai.!?!?..Some of us do get talked into these things I guess.!!..Sand & cameras.??..Not a good combination me thinks.!!!