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Published: June 26th 2017
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Geo: 51.3214, -0.279403
Time check: 17:30......This time next week, Christmas will be over! For many, the turkey will be a wrecked and distant memory with perhaps just a few slices left in the fridge. There will have been much "zzzzing" in front of the TV. Well for some perhaps, but we will be well under way on our journey from Copenhagen to Tromso in Norway. An overland journey into to the Arctic Circle by train, boat and dog sled!
Join us for another action packed caper.............
My sincere apologies. DUBAI PROVED TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN! I left off the last blog on our last day. Just to recap:-
Monday 8th December: 0715: Up and sitting on our balcony looking out at the cityscape. The worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa (828m/2,722 ft) sits glistening in the clear morning sun. Groups of fluorescent jacketed construction workers are arriving at a nearby site whilst traffic rumbles in the distance. Most cars are white, 4X4 and expensive.
Well this is the last day before we fly home tomorrow at 0930hrs. Much needed rest is order of the morning in order to prepare for the ascent up the worlds tallest structure to see the sunset. We sit
by the Egyptian themed pool as a rather buxom oriental lady spends most of the time strutting about and adjusting herself in a bikini that is two sizes too small!
1430; we set off early so as not to be late for or 1730 ascent.........bags of time me thinks as we plod down yet another travellator in search of the "Tower" ascent reception! We spend an hour traipsing round a bloated shopping centre full of flabby armed Brits clutching more bags of shiny "stuff". A detour via a huge set piece water feature and a chat with a couple from the UK (who love Dubai for the "SHOPPIN"😉 ............good grief why fly 7 hours to go to The Bentalls Centre on steroids......
By 1630 we stumble faint and relieved into the Burj Khalifa reception. We are booked on the "special ascent" version. We are treated like royalty....lovely arabic coffee...dates......sweets. We are called and nervously make our way to the elevators that will take us to the 148th floor. Up we go to the 90th floor and then change to another elevator for the final 58 floors!!!!
All I can say is its tall........and a really great end to a fantastic trip. Dubai itself
has to be seen once and for me once only. It is a vast unplanned over bloated place with no logical reason for it's existence apart from the will and desire of it's "Lords and Masters" who are trying to prove that their culture can do things. It has no sole or centre...... no real character or depth of culture. It is a place of excess, greed and self indulgence.....a place built on the back of a third world work force and supported by droves of dutiful tourists (like us) who for some reason are lured into its "jaws". You can't enjoy it on foot and it is almost impossible to get around. However, it has established itself rightly or wrong as a desirable destination. As a travel hub, I don't get it at all. A modern Boeing 777 or Airbus A340 can fly direct to all the Asian destinations from Europe. Why land after only 7 hours in Dubai?? If you are after world class hotels.......theme parks and
shopping go.......BUT..........be warned........
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