Dubai: superlativism squared
Perhaps when we think of Dubai its obscene luxury comes to mind, but the truth is that it is only a specific facet of that need it has to obtain things that are within the reach of few with money. Thus, at the stroke of a checkbook and a Guinness record, the one that will host the 2020 Universal Exhibition is making the United Arab Emirates an increasingly popular destination. Because Getting to know Dubai means going through a probably unprecedented mentality for the visitor . Isn't that one of the best gifts a trip can offer?
The Burj Khalifa it's something like this as if the gods (regardless of their religion) were playing LEGO . It is impossible not to be somewhat hypnotized when you are close to this building, which reigns in the downtown of the city and also in its skyline. Are 828 meters of concrete, steel and glass that, for example, the Empire State Building in New York would only be higher if another twin skyscraper were placed on top of it. This Tower of Babel, built by workers of dozens of different nationalities, imposed the power of Dubai when in 2010 it was born as the largest building in the world to eclipse Chinese Taipei 101. Surrounded by an artificial lake, it is also the epicenter of a leisure area with restaurants and the Mall of Emirates shopping center, another of the city's great deliriums.
This is how Dubai can be seen from a few meters above the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa
mall of emirates It is the perfect example of how Dubai's taste for ostentation, which depends much less on oil than Abu Dhabi, does not necessarily go for luxury. It is a gigantic mall, the largest on the planet , to the point that it houses waterfalls, an aquarium, an ice rink and fountains (the local weakness) of considerable proportions. Although it is true that its commercial offer encompasses an impressive catalog of brands within the reach of few, it also makes room for all kinds of products with which to occupy their 111 hectares of surface and 1,200 stores available . The figures are shocking: with 52 million visitors a year, it welcomes more people than the entire city of New York receives in the same period of time.
Mall of Emirates, a gigantic shopping center
The burj al arab , a sailboat-shaped hotel over 300 meters high, is by far the most expensive hotel on the planet. To justify the prices (around 2,300 euros for a normal room and 30,000 for a suite ) and the fact of being the first 7-star that exists, has facilities such as an iPad covered in 24-carat gold as a virtual concierge, a flesh and blood butler available 24 hours a day, Rolls Royces to give and take or an underwater restaurant, among many others. The rooms of hundreds of square meters are made with Statutario marble, the one used by Michelangelo for his sculptures . In it you can also find another record: the cocktail 27,321 , whose name refers to the dirhams it costs (about 5,500 euros approximately ) .
The Burj Al Arab Hotel
The gold souk -known as Golden Souk- is the dubai jewelery area where the largest number of jewels per square meter are concentrated, another record established in a city that has appeared on the list so much that it has forced the company that certifies the Guinness to open an office in the area. The largest gold ring is here, how could it be otherwise. It is called The Good Star and weighs 64 kilos of 21-carat gold. to which are added another five of precious stones. It can be found at Kanz jewelry. It is just one more attraction of this golden theme park located in the Deira neighborhood. A pure gold Mercedes Benz is another of the stars, but the visit need not be merely contemplative, since most of the 300 small merchants who work there daily sell cufflinks, gold pacifiers, tie pins and other "trinkets" to buy as souvenirs.
Burj Al Arab's gold iPad