Sunday, May 5, 2013

Burj Al Arab


Night Lights, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



It was not long ago when Bedouin tribes were enduring a hard scrabble existence among the dunes and oases of the
Arabian Peninsula. But the discovery of oil around 1960 and the birth of a federation of emirates in 1971 suddenly changed all.

Thanks to visionary leadership, the United Arab Emirates has aggressively invested its oil wealth in a western-style pro-consumer and tourist based economy. In a span of just a few decades the UAE has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. 

Yet it has not forgotten its roots, its heritage. A prime example is the iconic Burj Al Arab, the world's only "seven star hotel". Designed in the shape of a billowing sail, it is a homage to the dhow, the traditional sailing vessel used for centuries for fishing and trading in the Persian Gulf.

This luxury hotel sits on an man made island which took three years to build. The building itself stands 60 floors high making it currently the fourth tallest hotel in the world. At top right one can see the Skyview Bar perched high over the water, which offers remarkable views of Dubai and the Gulf. 

The genie of Aladdin's Lamp could not conjure up a more astonishing hotel!



24 comments:

  1. It's a lovely hotel. I asked the Hotel Manager of Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, who is also our good friend, how many stars his hotel was. He said Hotel Majestic is 5 star, 6 star, 7 star, as many stars as you want to call it! Looking around, it truly is a grand palace :)

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  2. It's pretty magical even without rubbing this lamp.

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  3. Fantastic photo and building. Is already considered as an architectural icon.
    With money, everything is possible.

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  4. Excellent night shot picture. We visited the hotel and considered dining there but the prices were very high and the review on tripadvisor poor. So we went to other top places.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  5. a beautiful night image of this iconic place ... but - golden door knobs? golden faucets? a personal butler for every suite? i don't know if this is really necessary in a world where so many have so little ... :-(

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  6. Doug, it looks like a space ship crash landed! I hope you'll be posting some photos from the inside; I'd love to see that too.

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  7. Magnificent tower, so beautifully captured!It really reminds me the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth!
    Léia

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  8. What an amazing image of an amazing architectural work of art. Funny, I was having a conversation about this building with a coworker this morning.

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  9. Great low light work, Doug!
    What a majestic, imposing structure – and a questionable monument to the power of excessive wealth.

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  10. Did you go to their aquarium restaurant?
    Dining with mermaids?

    Hey, we have Spinnaker Tower in England too.
    It must be the sister tower of Burj Al Arab. :)

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  11. You really surpassed yourself with this one Doug. A superb interpretation of a new, but iconic landmark. Stars, lake, reflections, flood-lights all with perfect exposure.

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  12. must be really awesome seeing this in person.. :)

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  13. Beautiful building, and great night shot. Nicely done.
    Have a nice day.

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  14. Very nice picture, very nice shot , Thanks for sharing......

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  15. Wonderful shot.

    Burj al Arab is really a beauty...

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  16. Wow, the way you create this blog is very nice i visited burj arab when i booked my dubai city tour in 2017 with my whole family. burj arab is very beautiful place

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  17. Nice and informative post, thank you such a nice sharing, we can hope find more from you on this thank you.
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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. Nice post. Half day dhow cruise is a wonderful trip to explore the Historical Telegraph and Seebi Islands.

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  20. Full day dhow cruise is a best trip to explore the beauty of sea
    Khasab Musandam packages

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