Wataniya Airways No More
The two years old newest Kuwaiti Airlines, Wataniya Airways, have announced the cease of their operations immediately yesterday. The accumulating financial troubles have forced the airlines to shrink-down it’s operation earlies this year, focusing on the hot destinations only, but apparently that was not enough to save it from going down under. The company future will be determined after discussions with the shareholders the company says.
The sudden shut down of the airlines have left travelers stuck outside, feeling like refugees according to one tweeter.
Wataniya Airways is advising it’s travelers to proceed to Kuwait or Jazeera Airways counter and present their ticket for an alternative seat upon availability. Not a nice move for sure, leaving people stranded in wait for an open seat. Who will pay for their accommodation meanwhile you have to wonder.
This leaves Kuwait with the old and struggling Kuwait Airways, under the discussion to be privatized, and the low cost Jazeera Airways.
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Kuwait’s Desert in Spring
Nice short documentary about Kuwaiti desert in spring. We really don’t have such content in the middle-east so it’s nice to see such a decent effort.
Kuwait’s Desert in Spring الربيع في صحراء الكويت from Ali Younis on Vimeo.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Capital Gate Abu Dhabi down plays the Pisa
(via People Daily)
The new (inclining) hotel in Abu Dhabi, Capital Gate, has entered the Guinness Book of Records being the world’s most inclined tower with a height of 160 meters that leans westward at 18 degrees, 14 degrees more than the 4 only Pisa in Italy. Ofcourse the beauty of the Pisa remains in it’s original uninteded incline, but this will definitely turn heads to UAE once more now. The project is expected to complete by end 2010.
Official Hotel Page: http://www.capitalgate.ae
Find Hotels in Abu Dhabi starting at $53/night.
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Companies bidding for world tallest, 1 KM, Jeddah Kingdom Tower
Tallest man-built construction in the world, Burj Khalifa, has not yet celebrated it’s first birthday, and haven’t even yet recovered from the public observation deck shutdown, and Jeddah is already expecting bids on it’s 1 KM tallest Kingdom Tower in the world project on April 14th. When completed, this will be more than 400 m taller than the Makkah Clock Tower opening this August, and over 150 m taller than the tallest Burj Khalifa building.
It’s the war of skyscrapers, and it’s costing a fortune.
[via MEED]
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Burj Khalifa – Dubai, tallest structure in the world
When it comes to Guinness records in construction, very often you’re being chased, and will get left only second best, by Dubai. Their latest Burj Khalifa skycraper which opened in the 4th of January this year, is just another perfect example, setting up 14 world records, mostly related to heights. The construction which took 5 years to complete now resembles the tallest man-made structure ever built, rising up 828 m high, leaving Warsaw radio mast second with 646.38 m, and that’s not even for residential use.
The cost of this project alone is $1.5 billions, part of the $20 billion Downtown Dubai. Only in Dubai in such down time worldwide economic crisis would you see these spendings. Spendings that in March 2009 made office space of 1 sq ft cost $4,000, that’s $43,000 per square meter. Now when the project was still in construction, I used to ask my self how comfortable would I be living in a never tried before heights, how convenient would it be if I reach 800 m high, only to realize I forgot my laptop in the car. That’s a long ride isn’t it?
But that’s just me, and they probably have it figured out. And it’s not like I’ll be able to afford it anyhow. But with such prices, who can? How many would be able to, and how many would agree to make such an investment. Is there really a payback period for this project? Or is it meant as another symbol for Dubai like Burj Al-Arab? Remember we’re not adding up the maintenance cost here. Can you imagine the cost of just cleaning up these windows?
Apparently, it would take 36 workers three to four months to wash up the 24,348 windows of the building. Mind you these aren’t regular window washers, but rather ones with exceptional bravery for heights and strong winds.
The Observation Deck:
On January 5th, At The Top, third highest observation deck in the world, opened on the 124th floor, at a hight of 442 m, only to be closed to the public 3 days later, after a power supply failure locked tourists in the elevator for 45 minutes. Rumors spread about the reopening of the deck on February 14th, but apparently they are just that, rumors. So tourists don’t raise your hopes in getting anything more than a close look at the building from outside right now, or else you’ll end up like others.
Outside Burj Khalifa:
Outside the skycraper lays the the $217 million record fountain system called Dubai Fountain. The fountain is a masterpiece by it self (see video below). Also, Burj Khalifa park surrounds the building spreading across 27-acre, mimicing the core design concepts of the building it self, which is based on the desert flower, Hymenocallis.
Videos:
Something that beautiful can’t be described in words, and no, not even a picture would do. Enjoy these video collections.
Did you see the writings on the wall?
First day of observation deck opening.
Window cleaning has never been more difficult.
Dubai Fountain
World record base jumping off Burj Khalifa
References:
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Makkah Clock Royal Tower
World’s largest clock tower, which is also a hotel, is going to be built and launched in the Islamic holy city of Makkah. 43 meters in diameter, compared to the 7 meters London Big Ben clock, and rising 577 meters above the ground, making it only second tallest building in the world.
The clock as announced holds extreme amount of engineering and challenges that is worth being admired. reports say this project will open in mid 2010, but I can’t tell for sure yet.
Related Links:
http://www.sceneadvisor.com/hotels/riyadh/makkah-clock-royal-tower-2275
http://www.propgoluxury.com/EN/PropertyNews/Saudi-Arabia/700-Makkah-Clock-Royal-Tower.html
Popularity: 5% [?]
Dubai’s Shark Aquarium leaks and gets evacuated
One of the largest aquariums in the world, and one that is full of sharks, Dubai Mall’s Aquarium suffered minor water leakage that caused evacuation and chaos. A visitor it seems caught this short video for us to watch.
Apparently, the incident was caused by a silicon joint failure, and was quickly put under control.
Related Stories:
- TreeHugger
- Gizmodo
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Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai
Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai
Brief:
This hotel in Dubai is situated near the crescent of The Palm, conveniently located near a variety of attractions and conveniences. The Village Center is located only five minutes from the Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai, while the center of Dubai is only 20 minutes away.
The Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai is situated only 30 minutes from the Dubai International Airport
Rooms at the hotel feature mini-bars, satellite television, Internet service and bathrobes. Suites at the Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai feature dressing areas, walk-in wardrobes and jetted tubs.
The Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai offers a wealth of amenities and conveniences, including no less than 17 restaurants, and lounges. The hotel also offers a spa and fitness center, three lagoons complete with dolphins, on-site shopping center, two swimming pools and concierge service. Guests can enjoy a range of water sports at Atlantis beach. In addition, deep sea fishing excursions can also be arranged through the hotel. The hotel offers a total of 1,373 rooms and 166 suites. The hotel is designed with two towers that are spanned by a Bridge Suite.
Amenities
- 24 Hour Reception
- Air Conditioned
- Babysitting / Child Services
- Bath / Hot Tub
- Business Center
- Cable / Satellite TV
- Coffee / Tea Maker
- Concierge
- Conference Room(s)
- Disabled Access
- Elevator / Lift
- Fitness Room
- Gymnasium
- Hair Dryer
- High-speed Internet
- Laundry service
- Massage / Beauty Centre
- Meeting Rooms
- Mini Bar
- Non-Smoking Rooms
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Sauna
- Swimming pool
- TV
More Photos:
Short & Sweet: Atlantis The Palm Hotel is one of the brand new and most luxurious hotels in Dubai, built over the sea, opened in September 2008 in a ceremony that cost, despite of the crisis, $16M, with total of 100,000 fireworks, around seven times that of Beijing 2008 opening. I’m not sure whether it’s wise to thank the crisis, but a night for two in such a luxurious hotel can be reached for approximately $400 in this January. Not bad at all. And you’ll get to try out the leap of faith water slide, rising along 200 ft at an incline of 84 degrees.
If you’re interested, you can see more photos, and check the latest hotel rate here.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Anara Tower in Dubai
Anara Tower, the 125 stories building, where art and culture meet. A mixed-use residential tower with world-class art gallery, celebrated public art, five-star boutique hotel built around principles of modern Islam. Raising over 600m in height, and located at the entrance to Dubai Media City on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new bizarre uniquely designed building is destined to be probably the new face of Dubai.
Find Hotels In Dubai…
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New Non-Stop Destinations from Jazeera Airways
Jazeera Airways is announcing six new non-stop destinations, two of which are to Iran, namely Shiraz and Isfahan, which are two popular destinations for lovely nature, and the latter is full of historic attractions, and being a relatively low cost country, this makes it in our current times an even much better target. The other four destinations are Aleppo or حلب in Syria, Larnaca at the southern coast of Cyprus, Antalya in Turkey, and Hurghada at the Red Sea coast in Egypt.
Hotel Deals:
- Hotels in Aleppo, Syria.
- Hotels in Antalya, Turkey.
- Hotels in Hurghada, Egypt.
- Hotels in Larnaca, Cyprus.
- Hotels in Shiraz, Iran.
- Hotels in Isfahan, Iran.
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