Dubai Taj Mahal Delayed Until 2015!

Have you always dreamt of seeing the Taj Mahal but don’t think you could manage such a long haul flight? Then you may be able to cut the journey time considerably by visiting the Taj Mahal replica in Dubai when it is built.

The Taj Arabia
Sadly however thanks to delays this will not be a possibility until at least 2015. The developer in charge of this colossal build has announced thanks to delays it will be built up to a year later than scheduled. (The project is being built by Link Global.)
(image: Pixabay) 



When built the Taj Arabia will be 4 times the size of the Agra mausoleum and be included as part of the Falconcity of Wonders – a much delayed mixed-use site that will include other monument replicas such as the Eiffel Tower and the Great Pyramids. The Taj Arabia will hold a 5 star hotel with 400 rooms managed by Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts of India.

This isn’t the first time the project has suffered delays. In 2013 the project was criticised by cultural officials in India as they believe copying the UNESC world heritage site will steal attention from the real deal. Former legislator Satish Chandra Gupta has said “It is patently wrong and absurd,” he continues “This kind of distortion and in principle duplication of history artificially makes no sense.”

The Falconcity of Wonders project was first announced in 2005 and was set to hold replicas of 7 of the world’s most famous monuments, a theme park and many retail outlets. So far however little of this has been achieved. To date 300 villas, a sewage plant and an electricity substation has been built and the latest reports state that the whole tourist attraction may take 7 to 10 years to complete.

Other Attractions

Lucky for you however if you are heading over to the United Arab Emirates sometime soon to stay in one of the many luxurious self-catering apartments in Dubai then there is still plenty to see and do. Here are a few of our favs:

Desert Safari – Whether day or night in an SUV or on camel back this is an experience unlike any other. You could even enjoy an evening meal and sheesha under the stars from a sand dune while enjoying a belly dancing show and henna painting. This is a real taste of the exotic.

Dhow Cruise – Get to see the city from another angle by cruising down Dubai’s rivers on a traditional dhow sailing vessel. Enjoy a marvellous dinner with music and Tanura dance while on a romantic adult visit.

Dubai Fountains – Located on the 30 acre Burj Khalifa Lake these fountains shoot up to 500ft and are  amazingly 900ft long with carrying arcs and circular shapes. Light shows and performances are daily and set to music making the fountains great night time entertainment. If these fountains remind you of Las Vegas then you’d be right! The same creators, WET, also made the Bellagio fountains.

Dolphin Bay – Always dreamt of swimming with dolphins? Then this is the place where dreams come true. This is one of the most sophisticated Dolphin habitats in the world which allows you to feed the dolphins as well as swim or scuba dive with these elegant creatures.

Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa – When in Dubai you should really pay a visit to see the world’s tallest building and the world’s only 7 star hotel. The Burj Al Arab which is shaped like a sail is also the 4th tallest hotel in the world and is located on an artificial private island. Even if you don’t go inside these buildings they are simply a marvel just to look at from the outside.

Want to learn more about Dubai and the United Arab Emirates? Then read our other blog posts!

Designer Dubai: Shopping at its Best!

Drool over Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and let’s not forget Escada in the shopping capital of the Middle East for a girl’s weekend away with style.

Dubai is the shopping capital of the Middle East and is the perfect location for you to visit with your girlfriends for a girl’s week away. From Emilio Pucci to Forever 21 there is something for everyone and any budget so read on to learn more about this shopping paradise.  

Shops in Dubai

Whether you are looking to splash the cash, bag a bargain or simply do some window shopping, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Dubai has more than 70 shopping centres, the biggest and best being Dubai Mall.

If you are looking for something more traditional then head to one of the many souks in the districts which line either side of the stream. Near to the docks, this is where cargo from the nearby ships would have been bargained over and even today is a location where you, if you are a little cheeky, may get yourself a bargain. Bargaining is part of the fun of shopping in Dubai.  

Dubai Attractions: The Sensational Sea Lion Experience

Did you know that Dubai is now home to a troupe of exotic sea lions? If you're travelling to the UAE and are looking for Dubai attractions that are slightly out of the ordinary, you'll find there's little better than going face to face with these funny, slippery sea animals.

You can meet, kiss and cuddle the playful, inquisitive cute creatures, also known as fur seals, and watch them perform in skits, dance moves and tricks under supervision of sea-life specialists. What's more, you'll even be able to wade into the water and hug, kiss and cuddle them too.
   

Where can I meet sea lions in Dubai?

Skyscrapers of Dubai

Unbelievable.

That’s what you can’t help but say when you visit Dubai.

Tucked away between latitude 25°North and longitude 55° East, Dubai is the largest city of the United Arab Emirates and is also home to some of the largest buildings in the entire world.

This article will look at four of them. And whilst they may not be one of your places to stay in Dubai due to the huge cost and waiting lists, you can at least make a note to visit them when you’re next in Dubai.

So without further ado, here are the skyscrapers of Dubai.

Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Building in the World

Image: danheap77

At 2,772 feet,the Burj Khalifa – also known as Khalifa Towers – is the tallest man-made structure in the world.

Its construction was started in September 2004 and completed in October 2009. And it became symbolic of the UAE government’s decision to diversify from an oil based economy to a service and tourism based economy. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE, wanted to put Dubai on the map with ‘something sensational’.