The wonders
of the UAE: Dubai Miracle Garden and Ski Dubai
Photo:
Dubai Marina skyline by Stefano
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
As
most people know, there is nothing small or insignificant about Dubai in
the United Arab Emirates. The city is always coming up with something new
and unique. However, while most people immediately think of the 830m-tall
Burj Khalifa – towering over the modern city’s skyline – or the Palm Jumeirah
– the artificial archipelago of islands off the coastline of the city,
there are yet more fascinating aspects of the UAE capital.
With
a range of excellent hotels and other accommodation, Dubai is an original
and upcoming holiday
destination, offering its many theme parks and shopping malls, and
the following, rather more unusual, locations are also worth a visit.
Dubai
Miracle Garden
The latest
project undertaken by the city is Dubai Miracle Garden, which is believed
to be the largest – and probably the most unique – flower garden in the
world.
Photo:
Dubai Miracle Garden by Tim
Adams CC BY 2.0
The
incredibly colourful garden is planted on more than 775,000 square feet
of land, with an amazing 45 million separate flowers of 70 different plant
varieties, growing in incredible shapes and designs, and at varying angles.
Using a combination of relatively normal garden beds, with trellises built
up in different shapes and sizes, and even flower covered buildings, the
effect is startlingly beautiful.
Photo:
Dubai Miracle Garden by Fauziah
Shariff / CC BY-NC 2.0
Considering
Dubai’s harsh and dry desert climate, this is no mean feat and reportedly
the garden’s caretakers say irrigation using a drip, rather than spray,
method, plus the careful re-use of wastewater, makes it all possible. Apparently
the Dubai Miracle Garden is an ongoing project and is only in its first
phase, as the city has plans to include a shopping mall and a full-scale
plant nursery.
While
definitely worth a visit, bear in mind that the gardens are closed during
the excessively hot summer days. The video included below takes you on
a tour of the Dubai Miracle Garden in all its colour and splendour.
Ski
Dubai – the indoor skiing resort
If Dubai
can grow millions of flowers in a harsh and hot desert environment, it
only makes sense that people can go skiing too, despite the up to 120 degree
Fahrenheit weather. While this may sound a little crazy, developers in
the city have built their very own snowy 279-foot mountain inside of the
equally huge Mall of the Emirates. And yes, there are even ski lifts.
This
amazing feature offers multiple ski runs, including the first indoor black
diamond-rated course in the world. For those who don’t want to ski or snowboard,
tobogganing is an alternative option, you can roll down a slope in a huge
plastic ball, or simply enjoy a visit with the local penguins. There are
lots of fun options for the kids, too, in their own special area.
Naturally
with such a hot environment, most visitors aren’t equipped with cold weather
clothing, so the centre includes the rental of snow gear and coats in the
entrance fee.