On November 20th, the long awaited grand opening of the Palm Atlantis took place. Even in Dubai where the spectacular is almost common place, this event was really something to behold. The Atlantis Hotel sits on the very tip of the Palm Jumeriah (the massive artificial island shaped like a palm tree off the coast of Dubai). The focus of the event was a massive $20 million fireworks show lighting up the 43 kilometers of The Palm.
Arriving just in time for the event were our new friends from the US, Matt and Mary Thompson. Matt and Mary just relocated from Atlanta to Abu Dhabi and this trip up to Dubai was Mary's first to the city. Before heading off to take in the opening extravaganza, we took Matt and Mary on a brief tour of the city which by tradition has to include a stop at the Dubai museum which showcases the city's rich history. Historical exhibits date all the way back to last Tuesday.
So with background of the city complete, it was time to get ready for the main event. Luckily Vivian had gotten us dinner reservations at a hotel on the mainland ove
r looking The Palm....only problem being that dinner wasn't going to be served until 10 PM. So, in order to kill time waiting for dinner and the fireworks we thought we would have a few drinks.
Keep in mind that in the pictures below, there is no music playing....
After a dinner (that I am told was very good) word spread that the fireworks were about to begin which was surprising because that would have meant it was on time at midnight, however, in true Dubai fashion the wait began...
Finally, with the last of the Sheikhs, CEOs, Hollywood and Bollywood folks flown over our heads in their helicopters to the Atlantis Hotel, it was time to begin! While it seemed to last quite awhile, it is amazing how quickly you can burn through $20 million.
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