Inside the Spectacular Burj Al Arab, Dubai. (14 pics)
Architect Tom Wright said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country."
The hotel cost $650 million to build. It has 202 bedroom suites that range in size from 1,819 sq ft to 8,396 sq ft. It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world costing between $1,000 to $28,000 per night.
The Burj Al Arab is dressed in vibrant colours and lavish materials. Chairs and sofas are upholstered in flame-reds and yellows while white Tuscan columns, spiral staircase covered in marble and wrought-iron gold leaf railing give the hotel a lavish feel.
I love how Sam Wollaston of The Guardian described the Burj, as "...fabulous, hideous, and the very pinnacle of tackiness - like Vegas after a serious, no-expense-spared, sheik-over." A place we just have to see to believe.
Photos courtesy of yohanes budiyanto and EfromG on Flickr
World’s Most Luxurious Hotel: The Atlantis Palm in Dubai
The following hotel seems to be a fairy-tale building and not a hotel at all. The 113-acre Atlantis hotel in Dubai is situated right in the middle of the Palm island (known as the 8th Wonder of the World) and it was opened in September 2008. The hotel is already named the The Palm Jumeirah’s heart.
The hotel offers more attractions than even the most experienced traveller can imagine ))) First of all, it is themed around the lost ruins of Atlantis and then the hotel features
- “Aquaventure” – a 42-acre waterpark;
- “The Lost Chambers” – a special magnificent labyrinth of chambers where everybody concerned can enjoy fantastic underwater world with over 65,000 fish;
- “Dolphin Bay” with numerous dolphins;
- “Ambassador Lagoon” with the most unusual species of marine life.
Related Tags: Victoria Beckham Dubai United Arab Emirates David Beckham Middle East Dubai Palm Britain's best-loved cruiseliner, the QE2, is to end her days as a floating hotel at one of the world's most luxurious developments. The 70,000-tonne ship, launched by the Queen in 1967, has been sold by Cunard for £50million to a Dubai firm. From 2009 the Queen Elizabeth 2 – to give her full title – will be berthed at a specially constructed pier at the exclusive Palm Jumeirah development in the city in the United Arab Emirates. The man-made island is built in the shape of a palm on land reclaimed from the sea. Among the famous who own luxury properties in the development – dubbed the Middle East's most desirable address – are David and Victoria Beckham and Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher. QEII QEII parked at the Palm in Dubai, U.A.E The buyers, Dubai World, already own shipping company P&O. The new owners hope to recreate the QE2's original decor and fittings. 'Passengers' will be able to book in on a night-by-night basis. Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: 'QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. 'Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished.' Built at the John Brown Shipyard on the Clyde in Scotland, the QE2 came into service in 1969 and is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history. The ship, named after the Queen Mother, replaced Cunard's cruiseship the Queen Elizabeth – hence the '2' in the title. She was the company's flagship until the 150,000-tonne Queen Mary 2 (QM2) replaced her in 2004, although the QE2 has carried on cruising. Since 1969, the QE2 has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5million passengers. In 1982, the vessel was requisitioned for the Falklands War as a troop ship. [rhsPanel] Sponsored links ads by Google Agoda - Hotels worldwide - Agoda.com/Hotels Last minute offers (even same day!) lowest rates, check availability Jobs Canada - ca.jobrapido.com/Canada Everyday 4,000 new Jobs. Find a Job in Canada! Promo Paket Star Cruise - www.yuktravel.com/cruise Early Bird Promo Star Cruise Virgo Harga Mulai USD 330/orang Hotel TV - WOW your guest - www.at-visions.com/Hotel-TV The future of In-room entertainment - ONEvision Hotel TV by at-visions! Villa Maintenance Dubai - www.homesafe.ae A/C annual maintenance specialists For lower energy costs call today 0 inShare 0 What would you like to say? To add a YouTube video, insert its web address here Send to Metro and share on: Top stories Costa Concordia's captain arrested after three die in cruise accidentCosta Concordia's captain arrested after three die in cruise accident Man arrested in connection with Avtar and Carole Kolar double-murderMan arrested in connection with Avtar and Carole Kolar double-murder Thieves dig 100ft tunnel under shopping centre to rob cash machineThieves dig 100ft tunnel under shopping centre to rob cash machine France loses AAA credit rating with Standard & Poor'sFrance loses AAA credit rating with Standard & Poor's Alex Salmond ready to discuss Scottish independence with David CameronAlex Salmond ready to discuss Scottish independence with David Cameron Rock the week files Modern Warfare 3Modern Warfare 3: Rock the week More The opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. (Picture: Getty)Rugby World Cup: Rock the Week More Celebrity Big Brother 2011 Celebrity Big Brother 2011: Rock The Week More The Clapham broom armyClapham's broom army: Rock the Week More Cesc Fabregas don't be sad, our music playlist will ease your worriesCesc Fabregas transfer saga: Rock the Week More Reading Festival 2011Reading and Leeds Festival 2011: Rock The Week More 5 day forecast | Local Weather Click here for more Metro iPad app front pageFor your iPad: Metro tablet edition launchedMetro has launched its first interactive version of the newspaper designed especially for the iPad - and it's free... Our choice Most read Costa Concordia Why evacuation drills must improve M&S workers pose nude for calendar Dwarf demands Tindall apology In their words: Scottish debate Roald Dahl celebrated with stamps Click here for more Click here for more Click here for more Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/53617-palm-island-farewell-for-qe2#ixzz1jVd4hH8t
The 70,000-tonne ship, launched by the Queen in 1967, has been sold by Cunard for £50million to a Dubai firm.
From 2009 the Queen Elizabeth 2 – to give her full title – will be berthed at a specially constructed pier at the exclusive Palm Jumeirah development in the city in the United Arab Emirates.
The man-made island is built in the shape of a palm on land reclaimed from the sea.
Among the famous who own luxury properties in the development – dubbed the Middle East's most desirable address – are David and Victoria Beckham and Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher.
QEII parked at the Palm in Dubai, U.A.E The buyers, Dubai World, already own shipping company P&O.
The new owners hope to recreate the QE2's original decor and fittings.
'Passengers' will be able to book in on a night-by-night basis.
Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: 'QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today.
'Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished.'
Built at the John Brown Shipyard on the Clyde in Scotland, the QE2 came into service in 1969 and is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history.
The ship, named after the Queen Mother, replaced Cunard's cruiseship the Queen Elizabeth – hence the '2' in the title.
She was the company's flagship until the 150,000-tonne Queen Mary 2 (QM2) replaced her in 2004, although the QE2 has carried on cruising.
Since 1969, the QE2 has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5million passengers.
Kapal terbesar di Dunia
Inilah raja dari segala supertanker, dan mungkin jika dilihat dari dimensinya merupakan kapal terbesar yang pernah dibuat (lihat juga supertanker kompetitor lainnya di bagian 1). Yang jelas untuk yang masih beroperasi, memang kapal inilah yang terbesar. Cerita perjalanan karirnya-pun cukup menarik.
Pertama-tama kapal ini punya banyak nama sebutan:
- "Seawise Giant"
- "Porthos"
- "Happy Giant"
- "Jahre Viking"
- "Knock Nevis"
Dibuat di Jepang tahun 1979 atas pesanan tokoh terkemuka perkapalan Yunani, yang kemudian bangkrut, dan menjual kapal raksasa ini ke penguasa Hong Kong, yang kemudian bahkan menambah panjangnya. Tahun 1981 adalah tahun kelahiran kapal ini, kapal terbesar diantara kapal-kapal lainnya.
Sebagai gambaran, lihat perbandingan skalanya dengan menara Eiffel dan Empire State Building:
Awalnya dioperasikan antara Timur Tengah dan USA tapi kira-kira sejak 1986 kapal ini digunakan sebagai gudang penyimpanan terapung dan terminal antar kargo di Iran selama perang Iran-Irak. Pada bulan Mei 1988, kapal ini diserang dan rusak berat oleh bom-bom dari jet-jet Irak ketika parkirdi terminal Iranian Hormuz di selat Hormuz. Lihat gambar-gambar kebakaran dan kerusakannya di sini. Rusak berat dan tenggelam di perairan dangkal di situ.
Tapi ceritanya tidak berakhir disitu saja. Sebuah mukjizat membuat kapal ini mendapatkan kehidupan keduanya dengan diperbaiki secara total. "The Sea Wise Giant" ini dibeli oleh oleh perusahaan asal Norwegia, dan ditarik ke galangan kapal Keppel, Singapura. Setelah diperbaiki lagi kapal ini diluncurkan lagi tahun 1991 dan sebutannya berubah awalnya menjadi "Happy Giant" dan akhirnya "TT Jahre Viking". Di bawah ini foto saat perbaikannya.
Di bulan Maret 2004, kapal ini dijual lagi dan dikirim ke pemilik barunya di Dubai untuk difungsikan sebagai gudang penyimpanan terapung dan offloading unit (FSO). Di sanalah namanya berubah lagi menjadi "Knoc Nevis". Foto-foto di bawah ini adalah saat merapat di dermaga - pelayaran terakhir dari kapal raksasa legendaris ini.
Jeroan Sang Raksasa
Perhatikan mesinnya yang merupakan mesin diesel terbesar di dunia; suatu pencapaian luar biasa teknologi manusia yang dibutuhkan untuk mentenagai kapal-kapal raksasa seperti Knock Nevis, atau Emma Maersk.
5. Kapal-kapal Kontainer Raksasa
Mari kita lihat dulu apa yang bikin kapal-kapal kontainer raksasa itu keliatan gendut. Mesin-mesin kapal raksasa adalah mesin-mesin diesel yang ukuran dan tenaga yang disemburkannya sangat luarbiasa.
Mesin seri Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C (turbocharged diesel engine):
-Memiliki 14 silinder
-Output Power 80.080 kW atau 108.920 bhp.
-memiliki dimensi selebar 26,7 meter dan tinggi 13,2 meter (kira-kira segede bangunan apartemen kecil)
Saat ini pabriknya mempertimbangkan versi dengan 18-silinder. Perhatikan ukuran piston-pistonnya ini:
Versi-versi yang lebih kecil dari mesin-mesin ini dipasang pada berbagai supertanker dan kapal-kapal kargo raksasa sebelumnya:
Belum lama, pada September 2006, mesin diesel raksasa 14 silinder dipasang pada "Emma Maersk"
Inilah "EMMA MAERSK" - Kapal Kontainer Terbesar di Dunia
Kontainer yang Sedikit Lebih Kecil:
