A weekend in Dubai

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

11-10-2011, 09:29 AM
Bobcock

A weekend in Dubai

I've just had a weekend in Dubai (Friday / Saturday of course) here are some pictures from that trip.

This buildings stood out immediately as I arrived as I worked on the design team many years ago in the UK. They are called Emirates Towers and were one of the first tall buildings in Dubai. I had my camera set to a different White Balance as I had taken some different pics in Wales and I like the look of it so I haven't set it to normal.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-01.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-02.jpg

The first shot I took of the Burj Khalifa, 828m and just spectacular.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-03.jpg
11-10-2011, 10:47 AM
Crepitus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobcock

I've just had a weekend in Dubai (Friday / Saturday of course) here are some pictures from that trip.

This buildings stood out immediately as I arrived as I worked on the design team many years ago in the UK. They are called Emirates Towers and were one of the first tall buildings in Dubai. I had my camera set to a different White Balance as I had taken some different pics in Wales and I like the look of it so I haven't set it to normal.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-01.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-02.jpg

The first shot I took of the Burg Khalifa, 828m and just spectacular.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-03.jpg

nice..my son lives there in a concrete box umpteen floors up ...gotta go visit sometime..wanna see the desert and sample the food ...maybe some day
11-10-2011, 12:02 PM
Bobcock

I arrived at 18:30 on Thursday evening to a deserted airport and was through in a flash. Other that is than being bothered by some English guy who wanted to chat and chat and chat about bugger all, struck me as one of those Financial Advisor types who just couldn't switch of no matter where he was. I lost him by getting into a different queue.

My pal Richard picked me up outside cistoms and we went off to his house via a drive through the town. On the way we stopped off at an alcohol shop. In a basement car park for a small shopping mall was an unmarked door. On the other side was cases and bottles of beer / spirits. About 28GBP for a case of Heineken and a fraction less for a case of Lebanese Beer.

That evening we went off to a local golf club for a meal, I think it was called Arabian Hills. I had a really good Lamb Biryani and a couple of pints of Heineken.

We then sat up all night catching up on stuff, and drank one of the cases before heading to bed around 5am.

Next morning I was up at 9:30 to get to the Burj Khalifa for my ticketed time of 11am. It cost 105 Dhirams. The entrance is in the Dubai Mall. They encourage you not to take your bags up, but because I had a bag full of camera gear they let me take mine in. The girl on the counter was gorgeous, if I had been socal I of course would have had her ask to 'take care' of me througout my stay.

You walk down a long corridor to go into the tower, it is lined with this panelling which was rather nice.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-04.jpg

There are a few twists and turns and even escalators in the corridor as well as some nice displays on the construction and design of the Burj.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-05.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-06.jpg

You then enter a lift that takes you up the 124 stories to the observation deck at a rather rapid 15m/s. It takes less that a minute and you really can't feel it move. This is a crap pic, but I've included it it just for the story, it's taken looking up into the lifts mirrored ceiling.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-07.jpg
11-10-2011, 12:12 PM
Cujo

Ask Socal about cheap ho's.
11-10-2011, 12:25 PM
Bobcock

I'm not sure I want a ho, cheap or expensive. Anyway the world of that young rich handsome over achiever is just so different to mine, whatever he told me just wouldn't apply would it?

Anyway..... as the ticket says....AT THE TOP - Burj Khalifa.

First up, the view looking East, the Dubai Mall on the left of the pic and the Address Hotel in the centre

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-08.jpg

Looking South

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-09.jpg

Looking North East

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-10.jpg
11-10-2011, 12:31 PM
Bobcock

The buildings of Sheikh Zayed Road.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-11.jpg

Looking West towards the Gulf

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-12.jpg
11-10-2011, 12:35 PM
Bobcock

East again looking more downwards into the pools at the base . You can see the fountains in the botton of the pools.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-13.jpg

Building Tops.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-14.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-15.jpg
11-10-2011, 12:43 PM
Butterfly

is it me or does those buildings location look strange ? it seems to be empty old streets down there and here we have those beautiful buildings,
11-10-2011, 07:40 PM
IceSpike

Awesome shots!
No traffic cause of Friday and Saturday?
The drivers Day off.
11-10-2011, 07:41 PM
IceSpike

Kinda looks like Anbar Province with buildings.
11-10-2011, 10:24 PM
Jeremia

Excellent pics..

Thinking of flying out there for some cheap beer to bring back to Norway...
11-10-2011, 10:56 PM
sunsetter

dubai was alright, but its still one huge, overpriced building site in a sandpit near the sea, nice pics bobcock, thanks for sharing
12-10-2011, 02:26 AM
natalie8

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceSpike

No traffic cause of Friday and Saturday?

Bobcock went up in the morning. Most locals and other Arabs sleep in until about noon or later on a Friday. Some work on Saturdays, so yes, Friday mornings are nice if you need to go out to do errands.

Nice shots bobcock. I've always liked The Emirates Towers. My husband and I went up to the top last May and it was only 100 dirhams each. They've upped the price by 5 dirhams. Buggers! :)

I'm going to start a thread in the next little while with some of my random shots from my phone, all from Dubai.

Thanks for the thread. Do you have any more pics?
12-10-2011, 06:01 AM
Bobcock

Loads more, we are only just started.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-16.jpg

Not sure what this is for but they are the biggest dry Air Coolers I have ever seen. I know Dubai runs on a system of District Cooling so Chilled Water is provided by the Local Authorities rather than individually generated by each building. This could be one of those stations, but as it is at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa, it could be just for this building. I'll ask my friend there, he would have access to the information.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-17.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-18.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-19.jpg
12-10-2011, 08:56 AM
Khun Custard

Great photo's and info Bobcock

A place void of entertainment, cultural and landscape that cannot be "fixed" by the phallic skyscrapers and ting tong architecture alone.

While on the subject of phallic and erections...................

CONDOM HISTORY
In 1272, the Arabs invented the condom, using a goat's lower intestine.
In 1873, the British somewhat refined the idea by taking the intestine out of the goat first.
12-10-2011, 09:03 AM
Cujo

Question for Socal, "is this how you thought Dubai would look?"
12-10-2011, 12:21 PM
Bobcock

Looking West. At the top of the pictures are the island that form 'the world'. To date I think only one island has been built on. Must be pretty lonely out there......

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-20.jpg

Looking South South West down the coast. The Burj Al Arab hotel is seen in the haze....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-21.jpg

and through a long lens........in the distance behind are the tall buildings located on the causeway out to The Palm.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-22.jpg

Twin towers being build south of the Burj Khalifa on Sheikh Zayed Road, a hint of Taipei 101 in the design, but not so tall.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-23.jpg
12-10-2011, 03:41 PM
Neo

Cheers Bob, nice pics as always ;)
12-10-2011, 03:50 PM
bsnub

I see this as a massive post zombie apocalyptic playground.
12-10-2011, 04:25 PM
Bobcock

This roundabout was almost directly below the West face of the building.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-24.jpg

The Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-25.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-26.jpg
13-10-2011, 12:32 AM
socal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koojo

Question for Socal, "is this how you thought Dubai would look?"

Yes it was. Just because I think there is reasonably priced prossys there, doesn't mean I dont know anything about the place.

I have been well aware of the debt financed property bubble in Dubai. That is part of the reason why there is not allot of traffic.

It looks spectacular though.
13-10-2011, 01:32 AM
kingwilly

Great pics Bob, thanks for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunsetter

dubai was alright, but its still one huge, overpriced building site in a sandpit near the sea,

That seems to be a pretty good description from Bob's pics.
13-10-2011, 01:44 AM
Gerbil

Nice photos.

But just reminds me of taking a load of fossilized turds, dipping them in glitter and tiny mirrored panels, then arranging them in a cats litter tray, that all you would have is a load of fancy shit in a sand pit.
13-10-2011, 10:21 AM
Bobcock

Right lets get the pics from the building finished off.... The Viewing Gallery is on the 124th floor, so there is in fact another 30+ stories above.... looking up to the very top with a long lens

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-27.jpg

and looking up with a wide angle.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-28.jpg

There is a photographer walking around offering to take pictures of people, funny, he didn't ask me.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-30.jpg

again...looking up....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-29.jpg

The final shot looking West with the reflection from the North in the glass.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-31.jpg
13-10-2011, 10:31 AM
Bobcock

Back down on terra-firma.......

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-32.jpg

The Address Hotel, looks so much bigger from down below.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-33.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-34.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-35.jpg
13-10-2011, 10:43 AM
Marmite the Dog

Those building look a bit wonky to me. I guess it's not such a good idea to build on sand...
13-10-2011, 12:15 PM
Lostandfound

Great pics, thanks for posting.

I always thought of Dubai being everything I hate about Arabs mixed with everything I dislike about New York all stuck in the middle of the desert. Perhaps it's time to stop off on the way to London and and see for myself.
13-10-2011, 12:33 PM
Bobcock

The very top.......

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-36.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-37.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-38.jpg
13-10-2011, 10:56 PM
Bobcock

The fountains at Dubai mall at the base of the Burg....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-39.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-40.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-41.jpg
13-10-2011, 10:57 PM
Bobcock

Inside Dubai Mall.......

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-42.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-43.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-44.jpg
13-10-2011, 11:21 PM
IceSpike

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-30.jpg
Where are the Kids?
13-10-2011, 11:38 PM
Bobcock

Not sure the exact rules, but my friend certainly has one.
14-10-2011, 01:11 AM
happynz

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceSpike

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-30.jpg
Where are the Kids?

Healthy lookin' women...
14-10-2011, 02:27 PM
Bobcock

Dubai Mall continued.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-45.jpg

Inside the mall is a rather large aquarium.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-46.jpg

With quite a few sharks.....

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-47.jpg
14-10-2011, 02:31 PM
Bobcock

Next we took a taxi over to the are of 'Old' Dubai which is around the mouth of the creek. The first stop was the Spice Souk. As it was a friday and not so late in the day it was reasonably quiet.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-48.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-49.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-50.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-51.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-52.jpg
14-10-2011, 02:46 PM
Bobcock

Yes, later, but I was disappointed as it was all in shops and had to be taken through windows.

Rule 1. Never photograph through windows.....
16-10-2011, 02:50 PM
IceSpike

Wow, the Souks are so clean and tidy. Man I'm impressed again.
16-10-2011, 04:15 PM
Sailing into trouble

Looks great, Did you see any very attractive and lonely hookers who want to get screwed for free for a week by a kid from Vancouver?
17-10-2011, 06:33 AM
Bobcock

Nope, to my knowledge I did not see a single prostitute whilst there.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-53.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5/Dubai-54.jpg
17-10-2011, 03:53 PM
natalie8

Nice pics of the old part of the city and the creekside. I've only been to that area a few times but I'll be going again with my friend who's coming in November.

Can we plase keep this thread on track and appreciate Bobcock's contribution rather than focusing on Socal. He has enough threads and posts to beg for attention. :rolleyes:

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page