July 4th in Dubai

This past weekend was July 4th.  We took advantage of the three-day weekend and drove 5 hours along the coastal plain of Oman and across the desert dunes of neighboring U.A.E. to the metropolis of Dubai.  The draw was three days at Atlantis, a sprawling resort sitting on a man-made island in the shape of a palm tree that juts out into the Arabian Gulf.  We swam in the attached water park with its many towering water slides, wave pool, and river rapids.  We also visited the aquarium, filled with sharks, rays and thousands of other fish.  A highlight was going to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building.  A one-minute elevator ride (also world's fastest elevator) took us to the 124th-floor observation deck.  We had sweeping views of Dubai, albeit a bit hazy from the heat, humidity, and dust in the air.    

Front of Atlantis Hotel from our room.

Gazing at colorful fish.

Rays swimming over our shoulders.

Atlantis Hotel.

View from the Burj Khalifa.

One of the fronds of the palm-shaped man-made island. Water park in distance.

Dubai in the background.

Morning walk on the hotel grounds.

Dubai in background.  Burj Khalifa (not shown) is twice as tall as the tallest building shown here.

Neptune's chair.