Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Tallest Building in the World

The Burj Khalifa is a towering monument soaring high above Dubai.  It is a magnificent building that truly stands out in an already amazing skyline. Just attempting to fit into a photo is a chore.
It is located outside the Dubai Mall, which is a spectacle in its own right.  Bigger than the Mall of the Emirates (as if that is even possible), the Dubai Mall is an air conditioned wonder.  Whether you come for the Ice Rink or just to shop, there is something for everyone.  Kidszania is daycare with a twist.  The kids, while being watched by professional childcare workers, actually get to do the jobs of their choice in a little kid world created inside the mall.
As for the mall itself, it stretches on in a seemingly endless pattern and each section has a high ceilinged pedestrian square; a people roundabout with an amazing structure to highlight that part of the mall.  At one section, there is a multi-colored hot air balloon structure hanging from the ceiling that changes color.
The girls enjoyed the color shifts and lounging on the comfortable furniture that adorns the mall for those tired shoppers who need to sit and take a break from all the sales and window shopping.  Spending Mom and Dad's money really wore Bella out.
Further into the mall, not far from the Sega Republic which has video game thrill seeking for the whole family, there is an indoor water fall complete with statue divers.
If waterfalls don't do it for you, you can return to the first floor to the Dubai Aquarium, which not only has a dark glass tunnel you can walk through and be surrounded by thousands of fish including many types of sharks; you can also see penguins and scuba dive with sharks!  Right in the mall.
For no charge, you can sit for hours in front of what may be the world's largest fish tank.  The aquarium is something to behold and definitely on our list of things to do.  The underground zoo is renowned for its spectacular collection of fish from all over the globe.  Much like the people of Dubai itself, the fish are from all over and living in one big, artificial habitat.
Rosie and Bella really liked the hanging stars and moons rotunda.  Silver and gold dangling from the ceiling, twirling gently in the air conditioned breeze.  When you wish upon a rising star....
I am almost as tall as the world's tallest building!  The gift shop has every possible variety of replica.  Seriously.  From lego to 18 karat gold; you name it they have it.  So popular is going to the top, you have to buy your ticket in advance for a set time.  Near sunset was a popular time but we decided to wait until winter and the summer heat's haze has abated.  The visibility should be better then but it sure seems there can be no bad day to be up there.
We went back outside to enjoy the fountains and the camera lens fogged up due to the temperature change.  This is common as the air temps indoors are chilly and the outside is still the desert summer heat.  The fog effect added to Bella's Beastie Boy rap and dance in front of the Burj Khalifa.  The fountains were amazing to watch.  Each song is a choreographed dance of color and water. 
All in all, we enjoyed the mall.

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