You can't go to Dubai without visiting the malls and this one is fantastic and massive. The Dubai Mall is right in the center of the city underneath the Burj Kalifa and surrounded by more shops and hotels.
The inside looks like a palace and is decorated to the extreme. I'm just in love with camels since I had the pleasure of meeting Casanova.
Can you believe that the Texas Roadhouse is one of the more popular of the many chain restaurants in the mall? So surreal to see a group of men in Emirati dress waiting to get in. Just don't expect to have an ice cold beer, there is no alcohol served in the mall.
This places is a shopper's paradise. We're not big shoppers but we had to go see this mall.
I loved these little plush dolls in traditional dress. If you take a look at my post on the Islamic Women's Museum you can read about the traditional Gulf Burqa you see on this doll.
The mall is massive and you can easily get lost. It's a popular gathering place to escape the desert heat of the day. It's also famous for this incredible waterfall.
The fountain cascades from the very top of the mall down to the lowest level. The diving sculptures sour down the fountain in perfect formation.
You can stop at all four level to enjoy the sound and movement of the fountain. And to of course take a thousand photographs from every angle.
My favorite area of the mall was this one that is decorated with an opulent Arabic design. It's the fanciest souk you can imagine. And the smells!
Aromatics and perfumes are so important in the Middle East. The exotic smell of Oud is at times both intoxicating and overwhelming.
Did I mention that there is a skating rink...
As well as a massive aquarium? The line to get into the aquarium wasn't too bad, but I was happy to just take a few photos from the outside.
The area surrounding the mall is also beautiful with a massive lake for boat rides.
This next sight will take your breath away. I walked out of the mall and actually gasped. The tallest building in the world is something to see.
The Burj Kalifa is a soaring skyscraper that reaches almost 3,000 feet into the air. It's the tallest man-made structure in the world (for now). I'm embarassed to say that I didn't go up into the tower. But I was more than content to view it from below.
In the evening, the crowds gather outside by the lake to see the incredible light show from the Kalifa.
This is also where you can see the largest, choreographed fountain display in the world. The fountain sprays gallons of water into the air to dance. It's completely mesmerizing.
Dubai is a curious combination of the old and the new. It's a very unique destination and it seems to be growing and changing by the minute. I can't wait to get back.
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