R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 16

Random Photo Series — 4 November 2024

Bermuda

Having authored a minimum of three blog articles a week for the past thirteen years, I’ve decided to take a bit of a sabbatical. But not to worry. That doesn’t mean this blog is going away, or even going into coast mode. What that means is that over the next thirteen weeks I will be presenting my favorite digital images stretching from 2004 into 2011. So, beginning today and finishing up on Friday, 31 January 2025, I will present three images on Mondays and Wednesday, and four on Fun ...

Fun Photo (Video) Friday — Burj Khalifa Light Show; The Extended Version

Last week I presented a short video of the Burj Khalifa light show. Today I’m going to show you and extended video showing much more of what you can expect. Today’s video contains three clips stitched together in the sequence in which they were recorded:

Dubai — Gold Souk

Royal Portraits; Rulers of the United Arab Emirates

If it’s Wednesday, it must be time to shop. And Ursula loves shopping for precious stones and gold. We hit souks (marketplaces) in Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and now it was time to hit Dubai’s Gold Souk. Continuing north from Burj Khalifa Metro Station, exit the light rail at Al Ras Metro Station. From there it’s about a seven-minute walk.

Al Ras Metro Station to Dubai Gold Souk

Prepare to be amazed when you arrive. The shops selling gold, ex...

Dubai — Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future

Burj Khalifa — The tallest manmade structure on the planet

Today I’m going to show photos of the Burj Khalifa and it’s surrounding areas, as well as exterior shots of Dubai’s Museam of the Future. And while I cited these Burj Khalifa stats last week, I’m going to repeat them for today’s article:

Completed: 1 October 2009Opened: 4 January 2010Height (top of spire): 2,717 feet/828 meters: Height (antenna): 2,722 feet/829.8 metersRoof: 2,426 feet/739.4 metersTop Floor: 1,...

Fun Photo Friday — Dubai Favorites

Reflecting on the Burj Khalifa, Dubai

There will only be one Fun Photo Friday featuring Dubai favorites, as next week’s “Fun Photo Friday” will be another video of the Burj Khalifa nightly light show. But that video will be an extended version of the one you saw on Wednesday.

Cruising the Dubai Fountain Lake Burj Khalifa After Sunset Museum of the Future and Passing Train The View Heading to the Dubai Mall

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Dubai — Burj Khalifa Light Show (Short Video)

This week and next I will present images and videos of Dubai. Today will feature a short version of the nightly spectacular Burj Khalifa light show (next week’s Fun Photo Friday will feature the extended version). The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest structure. It towers over a half-mile in height. Today we’re concerned with the nightly light show. As one would expect of the world’s tallest structure, the light show is the world’s largest displayed upon a single structure.

Some fun stats o...

Dubai — Dubai Fountain Show at Burj Khalifa Lake (Video)

This week and next I will present images and videos of Dubai. Today will feature a short version of the daily magical, music-synchronized Dubai Fountain show on the manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, which is situated beneath the Burj Khalifa. The Burj Khalifa has the distinction of being the tallest structure in the world, but more on that Wednesday.

Some fun stats on the Dubai Fountain situated in the 30-acre/12-hectare artificial Burj Khalifa Lake:

Length: 902 feet/275 metersHeight: Shoots...

This Week’s Mystery Destination Revealed

The Fountain where Rover debuted

Congratuations to those who solved this week’s Mystery Destination. Unless you’re a fan of 1960s classic cult television, you probably had some difficulty with it. There were also a lot of red herrings in this week’s Mystery Destination Quiz, especially on the automotive front, but there were many subtle clues there as well. For instance, there were multiple references to James Bond, which most of you probably think were designed to confuse you. But the star o...

Random Photo Week — Clouds, Cactii, Cars, and Clues… to the Mystery Destination

Triumph TR6

Back for another try at this week’s Mystery Destination Quiz? I’ll be revealing the answer tomorrow, but if you’ve figured it out beforehand just leave a comment. Before we get to today’s clues and destination photos (there will be four for you today), let’s continue with this week’s other random subjects: Dramatic Skies, Automobiles, and Desert Color. We’ll start with some cactus color:

El Paso Desert Flora

And transition an El Paso desert sunset:

I Love My Backyard View...

Random Photo Week — Desert Flowers, Sunsets, and the Mystery Destination

A Recent El Paso Sunset as Seen from my Backyard

Figured out this week’s Mystery Destination yet? I’ll present some more hints and photos at the end of today’s article in case you haven’t. In the meantime, here are more random photos of this week’s other subjects: Dramatic Skies, Desert Flowers, and Automobiles. If you think you’ve guessed this week’s Mystery Destination, leave me a comment. Otherwise, look for the answer on Saturday. Let’s begin with a car which may or may not be a clue to t...