As we drove back from the Jumeirah Walk, our host told about the new rule in Dubai. One shouldn’t drive a 10 year old car on Dubai roads. We looked out. Most of the cars on the road looked new, in total contrast to the cars I’ve seen in other places.
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| At Emirates Mall Metro Station |
We got down at the metro station. I hadn’t traveled in a metro train so far and was quite excited for the experience. The Dubai metro was getting ready for its first birthday. As we waited for the metro towards Bhurj Khaleefa, I couldn’t help feeling surprised. There is a train in every two minutes to our destination. It seems a similar service is going to be opened in Bangalore also. I can’t wait to see that day, when the garden city is freed of traffic blocks. Sreejith laughed:
In Bangalore metro, there would be a train in every half an hour that would be late for another half an hour.
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| Bhurj Khaleefa |
It was dark by the time we reached Bhurj Khaleefa station. The view of this architectural wonder was breathtaking! Full moon shined on the top of the tower like a jewel. Though it looked so close from the metro station, we had to travel about 15 minutes to reach our destination.
Bhurj Khaleefa was named Bhurj Dubai prior to its inauguration. However as an expression of gratitude to the neighboring Emirate of Abu Dhabi, its name got changed to the name of the Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It seems Abu Dhabi had helped to ease out Dubai's financial problems.
As we walked towards Bhurj Khaleefa, our plans started changing! The place was so crowded and we had to pause every now and then to move ahead. Finally we reached before Dubai Mall just in time to watch the Musical Fountain. It was a breathtaking experience!
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| The Music Fountain |
The water fairies waved their hands to bewitch the audience. Their luscious movements got colored with each movement. As they jumped up and down in smooth flows, we whistled from pavilion. At last, they bid good bye with a melodious note.
We were making our decision on whether to go above Bhurj Khaleefa, when the crowd actually took us to the Dubai Mall. I, who hate crowds, started getting irritated at this time. However as soon as we entered the mall I just saved myself at a corner for the crowd to pass. I couldn’t help noticing a note from the founder (or Chief architect? Though I shouldn’t be, I forgot the name and designation). After mentioning his experiencing in building the largest mall in the world, he writes...
....On the day of the first opening, I waited with anticipation as my family was among the first visitors. After years I can proudly tell my children and grandchildren that I built this historical mall...
Wow! I was enchanted with this idea and moved ahead to view this magnificent creation.
As soon as we reached the first floor, we saw sign boards to aqua world and underwater zoo. We were not so keen in visiting the place but gave in for a good time for little Shreya. The aquarium in the Dubai Mall is in the Guinness records as the largest single acrylic panel in the world. Still it looked so small to the Sea World that we’d visited in Indonesia.
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| Play with a Penguin |
The Underwater zoo turned to be really rewarding as we could get a good view of Penguins. Both I and Shreya got excited with them, as they started swimming according to our hand movements across the glass window. The scarcity of visitors in front of their exhibits provided us a good time too.
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| In front of Water Fountain |
We were about to return, when we saw the signboard towards the waterfall. Thanks to the picture in my cousin’s Facebook profile, I realized the beauty that the place might hold for us. It was true! The huge fountain has adorned with shapes of human figures floating downwards. We stood in silence in front of the mountain for a long time.
As we got out of the Dubai mall, we realized that we hadn’t even seen a bit of it. The time was late and we dropped our plan to go above Bhurj Khaleefa.
As we returned, the musical fountain was starting again. I just turned and looked. Here, I felt that the water fairies are dancing in praise of the wonderful creations made by human beings. These magnificent creations might be overtaken by other man made creations in the future. However, if nothing drastic happens to these architecture, I can see little Shreya and her future generation admiring the splendid view. Will she remember the time her little eyes had first set on these buildings?
Continues in Desert Safari
Continues in Desert Safari
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