Atlantis Dubai - Finally Open

Much ado about nothing? Well, see for yourself...


The Grand Opening of Atlantis (DUBAI) - The best video clips are right here

Kylie Minogue performed last night for the opening of this much talked about hotel in the middle of the Palm Village. Charlize Theron was also there to grace the ocassion. Samantha Ronson, the famous other half of Lindsay Lohan rocked the party for 2,000 VIPs only. It was so exclusive that even the residents of the Palm Village had to show proof that they live there.

Well, in fairness, I have been in the Palm Village and I have seen the structure of this hotel. It's not bad I tell you. I just hope they used the money instead to help the indigent children of the world or supported charitable institutions. Enough said...

Sky Bridge Hotel in Abu Dhabi

This is really amazing. What you're about to see is nothing we have seen so far in great infrastructure developments happening in this part of the world - Middle East, specifically in Abu Dhabi which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai has been hogging the limelight for a while with its so many firsts like The Palm Village, The World, The Burj al Arab, The Burj Dubai and the now becoming famous Atlantis.

Well, with this new project of Abu Dhabi, Dubai will have to take a back seat for a while. See the pictures below and you're looking at the future of mega-infrastructure. I see it like a big blimp!

This hotel will be built between the Abu Dhabi corniche and Lulu Island. It will have 264 rooms and 40 suites with roof garden, restaurants and commercial areas just like any other hotels.

(photos from: Kaufman Design and Development)

The Palm and it's vicinity

I promised my blog pal - Heidi - that I'd post more pics on the surrounding areas of the great Palm Village at Jumeirah.

Here they are. Hope everyone likes the shots. They are amateur photos because I have no photography background. I just snap, snap and snap away! (some photos were taken by my sis-in-law. Thanks sis for letting me use your pics!)




On my previous post, I mentioned something about rows and rows of similar looking building. Here's another one! (see top photo)


The hut at the backyard. Beyond this point is the spectacular beach with a breath-taking view of the Burj Al Arab (the only 7* hotel in the world). I was "feeling" the luxurious texture of the curtain of the hut in the picture above. I just want to wrap myself with it!!! Wonderful =)

Rows of beautiful houses. This street has identical looking houses on one side and different models on the other side.

The tallest building in the world - The Burj Dubai. The construction is in full swing and we hope to see this majestic structure finished by next year!

The Westin Hotel

A view of the 2 iconic buildings in Dubai - The Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel (wave-like looking structure) from the backyard of one of the residence in The Palm.

The Palm

I have seen many changes in this place since I came here 8 years ago. There was very few construction going on and very few high-rise buildings along Sheikh Zayed Road. Everything is changing right before my eyes in lightning speed! One major construction that has still left me in awe is the wonderful Palm Village in Jumeirah. This is a man-made village, and probably the biggest “palm” in the world. It was built via reclamation of parts in the peninsula using modern technology in dredging. Construction started around 2002 and is still ongoing on the inner part of the island community. We just went there this morning and mind you, we had to have an appointment before we can enter the premise. You need to know somebody there at least to be able to pass the residential areas.

Here are "some" of the pictures I took of the marvellous community by the sea.

The signage going to The Palm Jumeirah


One of the residential buildings on the main entrance. Actually, the main road is lined up with similar looking buildings like the one below.


Cruising along the "trunk" of the palm tree. Far ahead is a hotel. Not sure of the property but it's going to be a grand, luxury hotel.


A view from the backyard... how spectacular! I love the place. It's so quiet and relaxing.


I have more shots of the place but won't be able to show them for privacy reasons. I will feature more photos of the surrounding areas next time after I organize my stills. Until then!!! Tah-tah for now!


(satellite photo of the Palm Jumeirah is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands)