Muse: Dubai - Burj Khalifa

Dubai has built up its reputation as a city which boasts some of the most beautiful, innovative and modern architecture in the world. New York City might have the Empire State Building, Paris the Eiffel Tower, but the two pale in comparison to Dubai's claim to fame. The Burj Khalifa, known as the "tallest of the tall," stands at a towering 828 meters, or 2,716 feet, and proudly holds the title of the world's tallest building. My ears popped probably 20 times in the elevator, as it soared up to the 124th floor (out of 160) to the observation deck.

The Burj Khalifa breaks all kinds of world records--from highest number of stories to elevator with the longest travel distance--but even with the facts written around every corner, I still couldn't fathom just how tall this building was! Keep in mind I'm a city girl who grew up with skyscrapers on every block when I say this, but this was the first time in my life I looked down from the window and felt butterflies in my stomach. Finally I understood why people fear heights. Putting my hands up against the cool glass, peering down at the rooftops of neighboring, dwarfed skyscrapers and the tiny, toy-like cars moving at a seemingly glacial pace below, I felt shivers race up my arms. I couldn't help but think of my fate if somehow this glass just suddenly disappeared, sending me flying more than 2,000 feet to my death! Well, of course that's what was running through my head at least.

The View from the Top of the Tallest Building in the World

The Burj Khalifa

Max, Kelia, TC, Eric and I on the observation deck (which is also the highest observation deck in the world..they had to break one more record)

The World Archipelago, or the artificial islands of Dubai built in the shape of the globe

Maha and I

Gold anyone?

Dubai Mall

Aquarium

The Emirati girls told us that you can dive into the tank at the Dubai Mall Aquarium and swim with the fish and sharks if you want! The animals are well-fed and shouldn't attack, but the girls admitted the sharks have been known to bite a human every once in a while. Won't be diving in this aquarium!

I thought this was so pretty...they were hanging from the ceiling in the mall. It looked like it was raining butterflies

The Burj Khalifa at night all lit up

Burj Al Arab

Fountain Show Outside the Dubai Mall

The architects developed this fountain show to the likes of a similar show in Las Vegas, but made it bigger, longer and more extravagant, keeping in tune with typical Emirati lifestyle.