A Night At the Burj

Although I had passed by and taken numerous photos of the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, I had never had the opportunity to set foot inside - until now. My boss, Marian, was having a birthday celebration and invited a few of her colleagues to join her for drinks at the Burj.

The first 7 star hotel that I'd ever set foot in, wasn't as over the top as I'd heard. Arriving a few minutes early, we were escorted to the lounge, which was beautifully decorated with a lovely , and gigantic Christmas tree with all of the trimmings. Pretending as though we were amongst the noveau rich, we took turns posing and hamming it up for the camera.

After what seemed like and eternity, finally, it was our turn to embark upon the much anticipated elevator ride to the infamous 14th floor, were we would enjoy delicious, albeit expensive, adult beverages. A couple of my drinking buddies - unable to decide what they wanted to order from the menu - decided to have the bartender - a prim, proper and meticulous German from Munich - create his own concoction of drinks, which they were asked to create names for. Helanie, who hails from South Africa, chose to call her drink, "Helanie Berry." Marie, who hails from Canada, named her drink, 'Allie's Surprise," after her 18 year-old daughter Allie.

Laughing and giggling like teenage school girls, we gorged ourselves both on the free snacks, and savored the stunning panoramic evening view of the Dubai skyline that stretched out all around us from our seats as sparking city lights twinkled and glimmered like dancing ballerinas in the distance below.

Around 9 p.m., high on alcohol and good company, we stumbled out of the bar, back down the 14 flight elevator ride, and out into the pleasantly warm Dubai night air. Some of us, including myself, paired off in groups and went out to a local restaurant for a late night meal, while the rest headed off for home and a nice warm bed.

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams......