Saturday, April 27, 2013

Zenith

View from Observation Deck, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This view from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) shows the downtown district of Dubai with the desert stretching far beyond. Immediately below you can see dots in the water that represent crews who are cleaning the fountain pools of sand from a recent sand storm.

The Burj Khalifa defies explanation... it is impossibly high in the sky, the stunning views make even the surrounding skyscrapers look like toys, and it is as solid as a rock. At 2,717 feet tall and 160 stories, it is simply an amazing work of human engineering! So if mankind can make this, why can't my local Pizza Hut make a decent pizza!?

Visiting the observation deck, on the 124th floor, was literally the zenith of our trip to the UAE. By the way, the word zenith is derived loosely from the Arabic samt arras, translated as "path over one's head."


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18 comments:

  1. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerApril 27, 2013 at 1:08 AM

    Amazing photo, and I love the word zenith too. We enjoy going to The Zenith Hotel here in Kuantan!

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  2. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"April 27, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    Anything can be achieved with sufficient money, Doug, even a decent pizza!

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  3. Cezar and LéiaApril 27, 2013 at 3:18 AM

    Breathtaking view, the water is so green!I would like to visit there someday, everything looks a dream there! :)
    Thanks for sharing this awesome image!
    Hugs and happy weekend,
    Léia

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  4. ChristopherApril 27, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Absolutely mind-numbing! I so want to visit this engineering marvel but your image does a beautiful job of giving me the next best thing. Fantastic Doug!

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  5. orvokkiApril 27, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    The view looks wonderful.

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  6. ArndApril 27, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    What grand, mind-blowing scenery!
    Your downward angle is somewhat vertigo-inducing but really worth the thrill. I am sure it was fascinating to look down in person.

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  7. Filip and KristelApril 27, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    Very good picture, we have also been there.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  8. Andrew Graeme GouldApril 27, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    That's a stunning view, Doug... Now you just need to find a stunning pizza to match!!!

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  9. john4jackApril 27, 2013 at 9:40 PM

    superb pov and graphics

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  10. FocalesApril 28, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Totally extraordinary this modern city built in full desert. I believe that I would not like to live because of the heat there but it must be funny to visit her for the gigantic size and its a little bit crazy architecture

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  11. London CallerApril 28, 2013 at 6:11 PM

    Absolutely stunning!
    Wealth distribution in the world is so uneven.
    How many barrels of oil do we have to buy from them to make them this wealthy?

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  12. JoeApril 29, 2013 at 3:38 AM

    How can man construct buildings so high. It still baffles me but it makes for an amazing view.

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  13. georgeApril 30, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    An amazing view from an amazing building...makes you realise the attraction of base-jumping.

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  14. franzMay 2, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    wow, i do believe you that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! this must be like flying in a balloon ...
    but it reinforces my idea of the surreal in connection with the emirates ...
    i guess i will have to go there myself and be captivated by what i see !!!

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  15. E.L.T. PhotographyMay 2, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Breath Taking... Looks fiction! Just out of this world!! Your work is exquisite...

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  16. fabrizioMay 8, 2013 at 2:21 AM

    simply breathtaking

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  17. rianMay 22, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    lol @ the pizza hut comment, but yeah.. the view from up there's really epic!

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  18. dom lorthaMay 29, 2013 at 12:58 PM

    This view gives me a huge feeling of vertigo! Spectacular!
    Have a nice day.

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