Where can you ski, sand board, shop till you drop, visit a man made island in the shape of a palm tree - all the while in the middle of the desert? All of this can be accomplished in a single day in Dubai - where in a relatively short amount of time this city has become a gleaming oasis in this part of the Middle East. I last visited the city several years ago - the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa had been renamed and it's … [Read more...]
Sheiks on the Plane, International Airspace
John M. Edwards flies into the wild blue yonder from London Heathrow to New York JFK, wedged in between two suspicious-looking suspected terrorists supposedly from the United Arab Emirates. . “Goddammit, there are snakes on the plane!” I couldn’t help but laugh at the drunken comment attributed to Samuel Jackson several aisles behind, followed by the lame “Don’t call me Shirley” from Airplane. While my two outlandishly dressed seatmates … [Read more...]
8-year-old triplet boys, with parents, look up, down and all around
CHICAGO — On our first afternoon in Chicago, my wife, my triplet sons and I set out in the face of a biting wind down Michigan Avenue. These eight-year-olds have never been to a city much bigger than Louisville, Kentucky, where we live. I worry that Chicago will scare or overwhelm them. If this trip goes badly, will Gabrielle and I have to reassure them that no, big cities aren't all bad? What version or vision of Chicago can I show these … [Read more...]
10 Things You Don’t Want to Miss in New York
New York really is the city of dreams; with so much to do all day and all night, this city never sleeps and neither will you and your itinerary if you’re after a jam-packed schedule full of things to do and activities to keep you on your feet! The Big Apple has a lot to offer when it comes to attractions but the most thrilling element of it all is the electric atmosphere, the hustle and bustle and the interesting people you meet along the … [Read more...]
Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong – September 2012
The Symphony of Lights is a must visit free attraction that involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbor (buildings on Kowloon as well as Hong Kong Island). The tallest building in Hong Kong, the Two International Finance Centre, at 415 m (1,360 ft) also plays a role in this light show. According to the Guinness book of world records, it is the world's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show". There are excellent views from the … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Athletic Club
We recently stayed at the Los Angeles Athletic Club (a private membership only club but with hotel rooms available to the general public - the first private club in Los Angeles, founded 1880). We stay in a fair amount of National mid to higher end chain hotels and it is very refreshing to find a hotel such as this one with its uniqueness, elegance and history. As soon as we arrived we shot up to the rooftop for some relaxation with a cold one … [Read more...]
Empire State Building – October 2010
The Empire State Building is definitely one of New York's most visited attractions. It was completed in 1931 and was the world's tallest building for many years. It still towers above the New York City skyline and from either of its two observation decks you will have stellar views in all 360 degrees. It is now New York's 3rd highest building, behind the Freedom Tower and 432 Park Avenue. You might see several ticket vendors outside the … [Read more...]
Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai), UAE – September 2009
Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai) UAE - This is the world's tallest building...by far! It towers above its closest rivals which are the Makkah Clock Royal Tower and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia. When you stand close to its base and look up it is hard to believe humans can create something so tall. It is overwhelming. The building stands more than 800 meters tall over 2600 feet! It topped out at 160+ stories, and well you can do … [Read more...]
Dubai – A Piece of The Pie
The following is taken from Dave's Journal regarding a long weekend spent in Dubai I took a quick trip up to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates 3 weeks ago in the midst of the annual Shopping Festival. Thirty years ago this was a local regional city. Today its an international nightmare, depending on your perspective. Perhaps it is a city that will cause you to have a strong visceral reaction. Lots of craziness with the terrible traffic, … [Read more...]
World’s Tallest Buildings – March 2004
World's Tallest Buildings. Currently the tallest building in the world is the Burj Dubai topping out at 818 meters or 2,684 ft. We are still waiting for the first building to top out at 1,000 meters or over, or 3,000 feet or higher! 2. The Shanghai Tower (632 meters) 3. Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (601 meters) 4. Ping in Shenzhen China (599 meters) 5. Lotte World Tower in Seoul (555 meters) 6. One World Trade Center in … [Read more...]