NYE in Dubai

Since the time Burj Khalifa has entered our life, there is special NYE Fireworks shows at Burj Khalifa every year.

Most of you, will watch it at news while they are showing how it is celebrated in different cities. Short video from Sidney, Tokyo, Moscow, Dubai, Paris, London, New York ....

Last couple of years I was spending NYE outside Dubai, same like this year. So I am not able to show you that nice show here, I am sharing one tiny Burj Khalifa here

Happy New Year..

for Birds..

I found this place at Jumeirah..
It is always surprise me the number of birds and variety of species.

Water is important here in this region. You will see these for birds. providing water.

first Arab spaceship

UAE's new mission is sending first Arab spaceship to the Mars by 2021.
This detail of Rehlatna is showing this ambition.

you can see more details about this here

posted for Monday Mural, Please visit other contributors as well.

calmness of desert

I wish everyone has a calm and relaxing Sunday..

Ski Dubai - 2

Yesterday I showed you from the wide view from the second floor. Today, we have closer shot next at ground floor.
kids are playing with snow, I took this picture while I was waiting my coffee. Earlier I shared one picture from this cafe which had LCD fireplace :)

freezing cold in Dubai?

I took it last week, at Mall of Emirates.
Man-made ski slop is located at the end of the mall. There is huge glass wall. Mall visitors can see the inside.
the temperature at inside around -4 C deg outside, actually it is still inside of the mall is around 20 deg.

Inside the Ski Dubai, there is one cafe, ski slops for different levels, playground for small children even you can take class of ski.

Santa's list

Merry Christmas to everyone...

This year, we had the tree, decorations, dancers, animators ect at Mall of Emirates as usual.
But this year there was something different.

Between 10-20 th of December, they collected wishes for this festive season.
Everyday there was one lucky winner. MOE delivered her / his wish as gift the next day.

festive season

Today, I am going to my home city in Turkey. I will be out till 5th of Jan.
It is good to take some extra day off to have have a long break with family & friends at home.

I arranged Automatic posts during these days, I hope it will work properly. I may have limited access at blog but for sure, I will be active on Instagram 
I wish all the best..

Camel

Monday Mural- Rehlatna

Another details from the World Longest Graffiti scroll - Rehlatna.
43 is representing how old UAE union is.

posted for Monday Mural, please visit to see more graffiti.

LCD Fireplace !?

There is once cafe in the mall of emirates, it is located just next to the Ski Dubai. One side is complete wide glass so you can see ski slops, kids are playing with snow or making snowman.

From this view I assume, they called themselves as St. Moritz cafe. In the middle of the cafe there is this fireplace. don't be shocked with the fire in the mall.
It is not real. It is LCD screen, fire video is on. :))

weekend reflection

D for Dubai,

Posted for Weekend Reflection 

Kite

I took this picture at the beach. one of public beach is called as Kite Beach. I didn't take this at Kite Beach but even at that time, thanks to the strong winter wind, there were many kites above our head.

posted for weekly theme "skywatch" you can see different moments from the same sky all around the world :)

going to picnic

In winter time, one of favourite things in Dubai is having picnic on the beach.

The weather is around 20 C degrees at midnight, maybe early in the morning it can drop till 17 deg. C nice isn't it? :)

Spider Lily Crinum

couple weeks back, one of my friends asked me to take their family pictures. we did photo shooting around their house. I saw this flower at that time.

I didn't know the name, after google it, i found the name, spider lily crinum. or I found wrong name :)
according to Wikipedia, this is planted in mainly warmer regions. this is the reason I thought I found the correct one.

again in Wikipedia, it says, this plant is poisonous. it may cause skin irritation. This is the reason I am thinking it might be wrong.

if this is really dangerous community authorities would not plant it on public area.

free parking..

I really like this free parking lots between some buildings. Many people use these lands for their cars but other things also need parking space : )

Rehlatna

details from the world's longest graffiti scroll.

I posted general view of the Rehlatna last week. This week, I want to share the most photographed details. This is totally my observation based on shared details on Instagram.
It might not be the most scientific way but it is just an observation : )

posted for Monday Murals.

a film for everyone

a film for everyone,,
this is the slogan of the Dubai International Film Festival. it is pretty good and reflecting the truth.

I wish I could understand what is written on her face. I assume one of DIFF's slogan is written.
With calligraphy Arabic alphabet turns into great graphic design.  

Nearby Sky

Dubai International Film Festival has started officially on Wednesday. Starting from Thursday I am trying to attend all movies which are suit my timing.

Today,  I want to share this picture from the Q&A section of local documentary called Nearby Sky. directed by Nujoom Al Ghanem, You can see her as second left on the picture. I couldn't take better one, I didn't want to interrupt anyone during Q&A, wanted to wait till end but I couldn't wait that much :)

The movie is about Fatima Ali Al Hameli. She is UAE's first Emirati women camel owner to enter her camel in the country's camel beauty competition and participate camel auctions. in the picture she is standing in the middle, next to her son.

She has really strong personality. She knows what she wants to do, and working hard for that.
If you watch the trailer from here, You will have an idea about her character and the documentary itself.

"a daughter of men, challenges men, I am a wolf, and they are wolves, by God's will, I'll eat them" these are her words about man who rejects her participations to auctions, competitions ect. In the documentary also we could see what man thinks about her ambition.

Some of them rejects totally, Some of them accept but with conditions "OK. She can participate but it is not nice to stand here by herself among all other man, She can appoint someone on behalf of her,"

Some of them are just surprised and don't know how to response, The answer from them is like "it has never been done by women, this is the first time, of course she can do it, but why?"

Even her sons learnt that she was in one of auction from TV, after the first shock they support her and wish all the best for her. She has support from local media, she has a lot of fan from everywhere. I checked her account right now, she has around 1.2K followers on Instagram. I guess, after this documentary number of her fans will be increased.

She married on the age 15, She never went to school, can not read right now. Her assistant read for her. What she says, "we didn't have a right to go to school earlier, thanks to Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan we have rights now.. " Now, she wants to use all her rights and challenges the traditional mindset.

watch the sky

another post from 5th Dubai International Parachuting Championship.

Posted for Skywatch Friday.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, This is visible nearly everywhere in Dubai. Not just in Dubai, you will see it from far distance.

This weekend we went to another city around 2 hours drive. on the way back we start to see the burj khalifa nearly 50 km away from the city but doesn't matter, when ever you see that, you feel that you arrive Dubai.

taken from the Jumeirah Open Beach. These trees are from Jumeirah Beach Park.

DIFF - 2014

Dubai International Film Festival is starting today with the gala screening of Theory of Everything.

I was so excited about this film. I put it at the top of my "must see" list. I faced the disappointing reality at box office. "by invitation only" the tickets were not on sale.

I bought couple of tickets for the rest of the festival. I really like this festival here in Dubai. Because you can watch very different movies all around world, Indian, Iranian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Korean, American, Jordanian, Italian ect.. documentaries, drama, comedy, musical, fiction,

the best part is zero censorship, which is so precious here.

If you wonder which films will be on screen, here is the schedule,

Ps. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. I took it last year with my small compact camera.

all together

I like this variety in Dubai.
The same beach, it is a place for running, biking, swimming, sightseeing, wind surfing, or just having a picnic open for everyone.

Rehlatna

This year UAE has decided to break another world record to celebrate 43rd National Day.

Rehlana is world longest graffiti scroll with UAE map shape.
The length is 2.5454 km. 150 artists work on this scroll. First they submitted their proposed designs. The committee choose the most appropriate ones with UAE culture and its achievements. There were some details about future plans as well.

I choose this one for the first post to show the general view of the scroll. It can give an idea about how they built it. I will post details later.

posted for Monday Mural.

small mosque

I took this picture at Jumeirah 1, at parallel street to the Kite Beach. This is small mosque.
It has different style from what I used to see in Turkey. In Turkish architecture, mosques has more curves like domes, or round minarets. Here it is more straight lines and squares.

decorations are still out there

After National Day, Most of buildings have the decoration. Yesterday I went to Fujariah, I noticed decoration on the mountain as well.
posted for weekend reflection.

flying with birds..

I was planning to post about the world record thing which I mentioned yesterday, But once I opened my computer, I saw this one and changed my mind. I hope you will forgive me. :)

Yesterday there was a boy who is flying with his skate bord, Today I have another flying guy with paramotor. I took this photo last Friday during 5th Dunai International Parachuting Championship. The championship will continue till this weekend.

Before their acrobatic show, I was thinking if I can do it or not. After I saw their show... I can say, I juts scared.
Maybe one day, I can find enough courage to try this. I am sure the view from over there will be awesome.

posted for skywatch friday.

I am flying....

On Tuesday, I went to Jumeriah Open Beach to visit and photographed one of Dubai's recent World Record. I think at the end Dubai will have the record of holding so many world records.

On the way back I saw this ramp. I guess it is installed at the beach for the  National Day celebrations.

This week I heard 3 different world records in Dubai.

First one was Car Parade . After first attempt they achieved a record with 58 brands of car. I learned it from one of my colleagues who stuck in the traffic. Afterwards she learned that there was this parade.

the second one, I heard on the radio, which is tallest building in chocolate. Of course it is a replica of the tallest building, Burj Khalifa. They used 4 tonnes Belgian chocolate. It will be on display next 2 weeks at the airport. If you are planning to visit Dubai in these days, just check for this in Terminal 3. Unfortunately I will not travel next two weeks. I don't think that they will keep this more longer.

the third one; I will tell more about it later with pictures from there. :)

2nd of December National Day

Yesterday (2nd of December) was holiday due to the 43rd anniversary of UAE. 7 Emirates decided to be in a union in 1971.
There were many different activities for National Day, even one week before

I noticed these flags only yesterday morning. I learned that they were on the Kite beach last couple of days.
Many people were trying to take their pictures as a remembrance, Some kids were playing hide and seek in this field. Even some people were just sitting under the shade and enjoying the wind.
In these days, weather is windy. We may have some rain as well, not heavy rain, maybe a few drops. : )
It looks so patriotic at first but I like the Idea how people interact with this exhibit.

Dubai International Parachuting Championship

Last Saturday I went to Skydive Dubai Area to watch air show and DIPC 5 competitions. Due to the strong wind, most of jumps were cancelled. We were lucky to see small part of the show.

Every year DIPC starts just before the National Day. I believe it is considered as one of event of Celebrations.
Today 2nd of December is the 43rd anniversary of the UAE. There will be many fireworks and other activities. I will try to catch some shows from the celebration.

Glass cleaner in Dubai Mall

Here we are starting new month and this month's theme is "people in their workplace"

Taken at Dubai Mall, world's biggest mall. I assume also number of employee of this mall has another world record.

you can see other bloggers' contributions on the theme from here.

sunset at DIPC 5

Between 26th of November till 7th of December there is 5th Dubai International Parachuting Championship. I went on Saturday to watch skydivers. the wind was strong some of jumps were cancelled. But at least I managed to catch these paramotors against sunset.
I will post couple of more pictures from this championship.

today, DDPB is completed first year.

UAE flag is everywhere

Yesterday I tried to catch fire dancers at Jbr but no success. On the way back home I saw this rose with uae colours.
Some people may say it is cute, but I don't.

I know after you cut the rose it is not alive anymore but still I found little bit cruel to dye it with artificial colors. 

UAE flag is everywhere

Yesterday evening I went to Abu Dhabi for a concert called Bach Reloaded with percussion by Ukrainian pianist Alexey Botvinov and Turkish percussionist Burhan Ocal. I knew Burhan Ocal from Turkey, he is great on the stage. Also I had one CD of Bach with oriental touch That's why I had an idea how it would be. The concert was great, like how I was expected. But yesterday the decoration all around Abu Dhabi was really unexpected for me. this was my first Abu Dhabi visit just before National Day.

Here in Dubai we have also decoration everywhere, like this small fountain at our neighbourhood but comparing to the Capital city, this is nothing. Unfortunately I was driving in a hurry to catch the timing so I couldn't have a chance to take any pictures of all those lightened high-rise buildings.
I am planning to go to the Beach Mall tonight to see fire dancers and other activities for the celebration of National Day.
I heard many strange world record attempts for 43rd National Day in Dubai on the radio. I hope I can find some of those activities in these days.

Are you ready for National Day?

2nd of December is National Day of UAE. This year it will be 43rd anniversary. Nearly mid of November you will see all decorations everywhere and different activities for the celebration of the National Day.

Many flags will be seen everywhere, many cars are getting special stickers on them.

I will try to share some decorations and celebration activities before and after national day as much as I can.

Normally I do not carry my DSLR everyday but my small compact camera always with me.
Last couple of days my compact camera has strange problem. I missed couple of nice moments I hope I can fix it not to miss more moments.

shuttle service at Global Villiage

Global village is really huge.. Not only the village also the parking area as well.
If you already tired of walking in the global village you can take this service to reach your car.
Each of them is going only dedicated parking area.

going to metro

Blue Hour

All sunsets has their own beauty but some sunsets are better than others. Even I posted this view earlier, I wanted to share this one as well.
Panorama from 7 pictures..

Wild Desert flower

I shared close picture of its flowers last week. Today I realized I didn't show the plant itself.

First I saw this in the middle of desert at one of safari tour. I thought it is just overthere not here in the city. But I forget one fact that this city was also desert like that.. All those fancy buildings, parks, hotels and highways there was sand and wild plants like this. I am not sure if this one will survive after they completely done Jumeirah Cornish project. 

weekend reflection

Even the population is not big in Dubai, its getting more crowded day by day..
We experiencing traffic jam un expected places.
This photo taken at one of those traffic jam.

posted for weekend reflection.

sunrise at desert

In these days, again I am extra busy. It is quite difficult to take new pictures and share something fresh with you.

Thanks to my archive, I have still unseen and still valid pictures. like this one. : )

It was taken during sunrise at desert.

If you have 4 x 4 car and friends with 4x4 as well, you can go desert for camping by yourself and enjoy sunset, night and sunrise all together.  It is not safe to go only one car or even two cars. Generally people advise to go off road with min 3 4X4 vehicles.

This option doesn't work for me, so I am telling you the easiest way.. go like a tourist.. :))

There are many companies providing safari tours. Most of the package is starting with sand dune ride, quick stop at falcon village and following stop will be for sunset, The tours end with barbecue dinner plus 5 mins stargaze. There are also one option in some safari tour companies. you can combine safari tour with overnight stay at desert. After stargaze instead of returning to the city, you will go to your tent at desert, If you do that, you should wake up very early to enjoy the beauty of sunrise and the calmness at desert.

When ever I have visitors outside from Dubai, I advise them to experience desert safari at least. Plus if they have enough time, overnight stay at desert.

I prefer to go with Arabian Adventures. There are plenty of companies but Arabian adventure is the most professional and the safe one. You can pay extra for the security and their professionalism. You will not regret for that.

PS: posted for Skywatch Friday. you can other contributors from here..

Camel

global village-2

Today I would like to another picture from Global Village.

Global Villiage

Global Village  is located in Dubailand in Dubai. It is claimed that the world's largest tourism, entertainment project. It is the region's first festive area. Every year it has 6 million visitors according to the information on Wikipedia.

In this village there are different countries pavilion. In each Pavilion, there are some unique things to be displayed or on sale for visitors. some pavilions can also add event like traditional dance / show.

In different part of the park there are some concerts, entertainment shows. mostly is it opened beginning of November and will continue to open till end of March. It is open area so the weather has big say on visiting schedule.
It is very attractive for many local residents and also some tourists. I go there once in a year or once in every two years. :)

this picture is from my archive. This year I haven't visit the global village yet.

Fire at high-rise buildings..

This picture is from my  archive. It was 18th of November 2012. nearly 2 years back.
This fire start in the middle of the nigh. All residents evacuated without any harm. This building is still empty and carry all the signs of that fire.

This is quite terrific. my office is on the 27th floor and when ever we had a fire drill it took nearly min 7-8 minutes to go down.
Fire at high -rise buildings are quite rare because of all precautions but economical impact after it happened is severe.

ready to board??

Taken at the Creek.
I really like to spent some time and take pictures at this area. It gives the idea of old days of Dubai. Still authentic, and all these goods will export very traditional way even today.

texting time

I took this picture at spice souq at Deira. This area is very busy business area. Many shops are working as wholesale also very tourist area to feel the old city spirit

.

Bicycle Parking Stand

This weekend again I am out of country. I arranged posts from the archive while my absence.
I took this picture at the end of September.
Taken at the Deira, Parking stand at the entrance of underpass.

some of them are not even locked. Maybe they thought those bicycles are not new and no one would bother to steal it.
: )

Slow down

Taken at Jumeirah beach Cornish..

At the beach

I would like to continue to post from last Saturday's photo walk.
Here we have boat on the sand.  It doesn't seem that the boat spend some time at the see recently.
The style is quite traditional.