Sarah planned a memorable birthday treat for me this year. She booked us in to the Burj Al Arab for afternoon tea. That may not sound so incredible, but anyone who knows about the Burj Al Arab will understand. It is a 7 star hotel shaped like a huge sail and stands on its own little island about 100 m off the coast. Afternoon tea here consists of 7 courses and costs in the order of $80 per head. (D250) We gave our reference number to the gate man and proceeded to the front door where half a dozen liveried doorman awaited. We took photos near the sign, then stepped in through the revolving gold and glass doors to the lobby. WOW!! Just does not capture it. It appeared to be all gold, red and royal blue. The first thing I really noticed after the initial flash of colour was the grey granite water wall in front of me, reaching up to the next level. Water was shooting out in arches making pretty patterns. Above that the magnificent interior of the hotel reached up to the sky, 80 stories, in royal blue, gold, green and white. Very attractive. We went up the escalator to the first floor level and here was a huge fountain with water making amazing shapes and patterns and then shooting up very high in a final burst. Lights flashed on and Benji was stamping his feet and squealing with excitement. It was a tremendous display and we watched for a whole cycle then took the lift to the restaurant.
The entrance to the restaurant was through a mirrored, silver, jewelled corridor with mini fountains and hanging lights like crystals. Obviously the interior decorators have been given free reign to dream up whatever they could with money being no object. We were seated by 2 waiters and shown the menu. Papadams were immediately placed on the table and a silver container with 4 different sauces. Sarah selected some wine and it was poured into our 12” high glasses. Tea choices were green, jasmine or English. Then the real courses started – fruit salad in edible cups, sushi, Chinese delicacies, soup, chicken satays, dessert of petit fours and interesting individual things such as a lychee in a tiny basket. How did we get through all that? Well you may ask. I have no idea but we waddled out of there like a family of ducks and didn’t eat until the next day.
The entrance to the restaurant was through a mirrored, silver, jewelled corridor with mini fountains and hanging lights like crystals. Obviously the interior decorators have been given free reign to dream up whatever they could with money being no object. We were seated by 2 waiters and shown the menu. Papadams were immediately placed on the table and a silver container with 4 different sauces. Sarah selected some wine and it was poured into our 12” high glasses. Tea choices were green, jasmine or English. Then the real courses started – fruit salad in edible cups, sushi, Chinese delicacies, soup, chicken satays, dessert of petit fours and interesting individual things such as a lychee in a tiny basket. How did we get through all that? Well you may ask. I have no idea but we waddled out of there like a family of ducks and didn’t eat until the next day.
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