Belated Burj Khalifa Visit + Ski Dubai

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So many things have been rapid pace since I moved to Doha, but I was lucky enough to take a quick break back in September to meet Ryan in Dubai.  He travels there quite a bit sometimes even once a week it seems and since it is only a 45 minute flight it is a nice jet-setting weekend.  The appeal of shopping at Victoria's Secret and the Birkenstock store drew me back to the UAE.  I know my bar was set pretty low but I needed new underwear people!
I hit the ground running as I met Ryan at the hotel and we headed out to Dubai Marina where I finally got to meet some of his colleagues and enjoy a $20 glass of wine.  {Dubai prices are even steeper than Doha prices.}

The following day we headed out for a Gulf Ski Adventure at Ski Dubai.  Pants, Jackets, skis, and boots were all included in the rental and we even had an Entertainer (their version of an Entertainment book) buy one get one free voucher.  Kathy Graves you would have been so proud!  The only things we needed to buy were hats and gloves.  We quickly got dressed and took the escalator up to the ski area - that was fun in ski boots.  

Entering the ski area directly past the TGIFriday's you immediately feel the temperature shift.  It was cold and the snow is real.  You have to pass through turnstiles every time you get on the lift but the runs are short and you can get a good workout.  Of course I wiped out more than once and was plowed down by a grown man, but it was a good time for a skier like me.  We did stop on the chairlift once due to a fire drill in the mall (Ski Dubai is located in the Mall of the Emirates), but that happens quite a bit I was told.






That night we hit the town at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.  We sped up the elevator quickly to Atmosphere Lounge, in a short 30 second ride.  My very first drink had an entire vanilla bean dipped in gold leaf bobbing about - if that gives you an idea of the setting.  It was a surreal experience since no other building around you anywhere close to the same height.  Since there is nothing as a height reference nearby, you actually don't feel that high up.  Here are some pictures I took from the top and then on the ground at the bottom of the building.





It was a nice getaway from the more relaxed setting of Doha and with a short flight away I am sure I will be seeing you soon Dubai!









Comments

  1. pammichaelis.52@gmail.comNovember 01, 2014

    What a fun weekend and a variety of experiences. Yes, your mom will be proud of the BOGO coupon.

    ReplyDelete

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