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| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
An image of a turquoise door popped-up on my computer screen, [Incoming video from 1740 Tsavorite Lane]. Magically, his front door opened and Hercule Peridot appeared on my monitor. As always, he was impeccably dressed; a fine silk vest, and dashing gold necktie. His lean, congenial, smiling face radiating from my screen.
Sensationnel, how in the world does he do it? I thought. He is always dressed to the T.
“Adamas Bontemps, how are you my boy?”
“I’m better than ever Peridot, and you?”
“Fine, absolutely splendid. Have you considered the trip to Dubai?”
“Yes, I’ve been reminiscing about my last adventure there.”
“Your thoughts?” asked Peridot.
“You mentioned visiting a Pearl dealer but . . . ” I hesitated a moment, “I’m wondering?”
“Yes?”
“Have you made plans for our accommodations yet? I asked.”
“Well, interesting that you ask.” said Peridot. “I’ve narrowed it down to three possible hotels; The Emirates Tower, The Burg Khalifa, or The Burj Al Arab. Do you have a preference?”
“That’s quite a sophisticated range of choices.” I said.
“Only the best - retirement suits me well,” said Peridot.
I could see Peridot pour a glass of wine from a small carafe his desk. Settling into his luxurious leather office chair, he took a sip of wine, dabbed his mustache with a napkin, cleared his throat and began; “Are you aware of the provenance of these particular hotels?”
Short on time, I quickly responded before Peridot could launch into one of his extended lectures.
“As a matter of fact I’ve visited two of your three choices; The Burj Al Arab, and The Emirates Tower. They are magnificent!”
It was early evening, the conversation with my colleague about visiting Dubai to examine Pearls had piqued my interest. My last trip to the Emirates of Dubai had been over eight years ago.
While tapping my chin, I wondered just how much Dubai had changed?
Instinctively I grabbed my phone and engaged Siri, “What is the Burj Khalifa?” I asked.
“Let me think about that.” was her response.
“This is what I found.” said Siri. Within seconds my iPhone displayed the following;
Burj Khalifa (2,717 feet)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
163 floors
Construction cost $4 billion (U.S. Dollars)
Completion Date, January 2010.
With a quick motion, my office chair rolled to the bookshelf behind me. Scanning the titles I pulled the book Emirates Towers. My last trip to Dubai I was invited to visit a dear friend who worked for a diamond consortium. His office was in the Emirates Towers, completed in 2000. Decidedly one of the most stunning architectural highlights of the Dubai skyline. At that time it was the tenth tallest hotel in the world at 1,0000 feet; now ranked 61st.
To provide some perspective; One World Trade Center in New York stands 1,792 feet tall. The Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower is 1,450 feet. The Empire State Building at 1,250 feet. Wow, the Burj Khalifa is over twice the height of the Empire State Building.
With a melancholy expression on my face I smiled as I examined the souvenir Emirates Tower shaped key that sat on my desk.
“How things have changed.”
Peridot’s voice brought me back to the present. “Splendid, that settles it then, we will stay in what is now the Worlds Tallest Tower - The Burg Khalifa. Pack your things my boy, next week we leave for Dubai!”
To be continued . . .
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