The view of the Burj we never see

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Circles in the Sand

These will be my last Dubai photos for a little while so I’m posting two from our seaplane ride, and one that, although old, has a Wimbledon twist.

Built on an artificial island, the Burj Al Arab is a shapely sight, visible on a sunny day from miles around. Brilliant white during daylight hours, the Teflon-coated hotel takes on an entirely different look at night, with spotlights creating a changing tableau of colours. But have you ever seen this iconic building from behind? (sorry the quality’s not great – iPhone, through the window, moving target, etc!)

The Burj Al Arab, one of the most expensive hotels on earth, pictured as we all know it. I love the fact that the 210 metre-high helipad has doubled as a grass tennis court

And around the back: Built to resemble the billowing sail of a dhow (an Arabian vessel), here’s a behind-the-scenes view of the vast mast

Didn’t believe me about the tennis court? Here it is, with Roger Federer and Andre Agassi having a friendly knock-about to promote the Dubai Open in 2005

Silent Sunday: Skyline

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Circles in the Sand

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, is a sight to behold on any day, but nothing beats seeing it standing tall among its architecturally impressive peers. Each building twists and turns in its own unique way, glinting in the golden sunshine and creating a modern skyline that rises from the desert like a mirage.

Taken with an iPhone from behind the window of our seaplane – through the haze!

Silent Sunday: Flying low over The World

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Circles in the Sand

You might recall that for DH’s big birthday, the piece de resistance of the celebrations was a surprise seaplane ride. I didn’t bottle out and, not only that, I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

I took this photo while swooping over The World islands, the epitomy of Dubai’s boom-time ambition. Intended to be developed with tailor-made hotel complexes and luxury villas, and sold to millionaires (didn’t Angelina Jolie buy Ethiopia?), work ground to a halt during Dubai’s financial crisis. But you’ll notice that one resort, on the isle of Lebanon, is open, offering beachfront cabanas that can be rented out for the day, brunch and an exclusive membership plan for yacht owners.

On a desert island three kilometres out to sea, in an uninhabited archipelago, with no easily available source of water or electricity: that’s no mean feat! I really want to go, even if I get there by water taxi rather than by yacht. There’s even a Friday nightclub called “Stranded”, priced around AED250 for entrance and transport.

More birds-eye photos of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks coming up – I took enough photos to fill a month of Sundays!