Dubai Day2

06-February-2015,  28degC

Early start today to get to 'Burj Khalifa' (tallest artificial structure in the world - 829.8m high(includes a 244m spire - a skyscraper on its own)).Was stalked/followed by a taxi as we walked to the metro to find that he knew what we didn't - the metro was closed that early in the morning(they seem to be late risers in Dubai). Was a hazy morning but fortunately clear up high. The buttressed core , 3 buttresses that form a Y shaped core , supports the 4000+ tonnes of steel, 100km of pipes 26,000 glass panels(it normally take 36 workers three to four months to clean the entire exterior façade - nothing 'normal' about any of it!) etc...
Lachlan reached the pinnacle of his lift operating career(seems to be his new thing to take control of ever lift we go in) when we ascended to the observation deck 'At the Top 'on the 124th floor(452m high) in one of the 57 elevators (fastest ascending and descending at 10m/s) The kids fought over the 'Tellscope' electronic telescope (a device which allows visitors to view the surrounding landscape in real-time, and to view previously saved images such as those taken at different times of day or under different weather conditions.)
I think the kids did actually find this pretty 'cool'.


 



Outside Burj Khaifia

 

 

A massive building site






Headed over to 'Aquaventure' water park  located on the 'Palm'(an artificial Island on the coast). Not sure if this was really worth it's $600NZD entry price(but everything is crazy $$ in Dubai). Ollie and Jarvis  had a great time but Lachlan 'melted-down' over his failure to reach the 1.2m minimum height requirement for the 'best' rides. There is definitely some pretty amazing stuff there (something the kids are much more enthusiastic to talk about then me!)

Popped into the Jumeriah Beach Shopping Mall to catch a look at Burj Al Arab(world's only 7 star hotel). Couldn't get very close to it - lots of 'do not enter' blocks.
Yummy Lebanese dinner near to our Hotel in Deira.