Look up! Look back! Look again! it’s…

• The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Picture the CN Tower, now picture its observatory deck reaching only half-way up the Burj Khalifa.
• The largest water fountain show, the fountains at the Mall of Dubai. Imagine Bellagio, but bigger, and better.
• Sharks, stingrays, and all that cool aquatic life in a HUGE indoor aquarium, across from an enormous candy store, in a giant mall.
• A ski hill, in the mall. At the Mall of Emirates.
• A man-made palm-shaped island with tunnels, trains, bridges and huge luxury hotels.
• A dozen Maseratis, a couple Rolls-Royces, hundreds of Porches, a bunch of Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Ferraris, and thousands of Audis, Mercedes, and BMWs.  Every day.
• Tim Hortons! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Tim Hortons is in Dubai!

I quickly noticed a trend in Dubai… there wasn’t just Canada’s favourite coffee shop in the mall, there were the world’s favourite restaurants and stores from all around the world. There’s no need to go anywhere else in the world if you want the best food and clothing, cause they all party together in Dubai! On my last day I indulged in a New York Shake Shack Burger, and shopped at my favourite European retailers, Zara and BCBG.

So that’s Dubai! Like a modern art museum, it’s a skillfully curated and carefully laid-out collection of modern architecture, fast cars, and fresh & famous food.

I also had the privilege of staying with Sachin, an incredibly nice local who showed me around town and treated me like family.  Thank you!

This adventure’s pics are on Flickr:
Amyleajacobs’ Dubai photos on Flickr.