Posted by Kanga.
The mall window displays never cease to amaze.
I’m not sure what Louis Vuitton is selling, but I found this off-putting.
Archive for the ‘malls’ Category
Singapore: Day 10
July 3, 2012Posted by Kanga.
We opted for an uncharacteristically touristy activity – riding the site seeing bus. Let’s face it, we’re getting old and walking everywhere in humid heat is a bit exhausting. This way, we got to sit in air conditioning, see the sights, and learn some details from the canned tour commentary that we wouldn’t have known otherwise.
We started on the Heritage route which took us through Little India, Chinatown, and other older parts of the city.
There is a lot of high density housing here. At least they try to make it attractive.
We hopped off at Suntec City Mall for lunch.
DaddyBird had the “white carrot cake” which is a big, spicy omelette with white radish and shrimp in it. I had char siew and roast duck.
In the absence of lime juice, I tried the delicious celery juice.
Our ticket also included rides on water taxis, so we took another ride on the river on one of these.
We got off at the Marina Bay Sands complex. The complex includes hotel, shopping mall, conference center, casino, and probably more.
There is even a canal with boat rides.
We were headed to the Art and Science Museum for the Harry Potter Exhibition. No photography was allowed, so you will have to imagine what we saw. I stood three feet from Snape’s costume, unfortunately Alan Rickman was not in it. It was a well designed exhibit, although it was aimed at a younger demographic than DaddyBird and I. The Sorting Hat sorted us – I am Ravenclaw and DaddyBird is Griffyndor.
By the time we finished the sun was down and we were exhausted from a long day of tourism, so it was off to Brewerkz again for dinner. Above is potato skins appetizer with cheese, bacon bits and dip.
DaddyBird opted for the Cowboy Burger – bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce. I had the Bangers and Mash. I am certain that the sausages were good, but they were overshadowed by the cheesy mash potatoes and sauerkraut. I very nearly asked for additional sauerkraut. Yummy!
Below is the sign that is posted in the area where the brewery vats are visible. We found it amusing.
I think they mean business.
Emirati Song
June 20, 2012Posted by Kanga.
On the occasion of Isra ad Mi’raj, there were demonstrations of traditional activities at Dubai Mall including drumming and singing.
New Cinema
May 18, 2012Posted by Kanga.
The Century Mall in Fujairah opened with just a couple of stores, adding a few more along the way. As you can see above, the food court is all set, except that there isn’t a single restaurant, yet.
The cinema opened recently. This is the massive and spectacularly lit lobby. We’ve been to this theatre twice now. The admission price is a little higher than that of the old cinema which is still operating. We think this might be why the talkative teenagers are still frequenting the old cinema. That is fine with us. We prefer to watch movies without listening to the drone of teens who CAN’T SHUT UP, even being told to be quiet. Don’t get me started… It also helps to go during the Middle Eastern dinnertime 8-10pm.
Student Sculptures
November 13, 2011Posted by Kanga.
Last week we were in Dubai doing some shopping and errands. We visited Mirdif City Center Mall for the second time, ever. We saw banners indicating that there was a display of student sculptures somewhere in the mall (which is massive). Luckily, we found the sculpture display around the central information desk. The theme includes recycling and UAE symbols.
The Emirates Towers
Arabian Horse
We were particularly impressed with the falcon. The artist(s) even included the hood. Very creative.
If you are in the Mirdif City Centre Mall soon, look for the display. In order to vote, you must present mall store receipts for a minimum of 200 AED to the information desk.
Is No One Else Apalled?
March 27, 2011Posted by Kanga.
These banners are stretched across the Emirates Mall passageways over apparently oblivious shoppers.
These distorted images are wrong in so many ways. Added to ugly clothing, the images are distorted so that the head and feet are enlarged, Bratz doll style. That’s bad enough, but the faces appear to be about 6 or 7 years old, while the bodies are clearly adult. The hyper-sexualization of children is offensive, or at least, should be.
I’ve never heard of the Steve Madden store before. Clearly, I am not in their target demographic. Even if I were, I would not shop there.
Rainslicker
September 2, 2009We were at Dubai Festival City shopping mall this week. These window displays amused me. A rainslicker is the last thing one needs here. When it rains, ain’t no slicker gonna help you or keep you dry.
Modesh
June 16, 2009We saw Modesh when we first arrived here back in August. We didn’t know who or what he was, but he was everywhere. He disappeared shortly thereafter, but he has returned. Modesh is the mascot of Dubai Summer Surprises, which is a ten week long shopping promotion. Each week has it’s own theme and there will be lots of activities for children in the malls. Like this:
And this:
Where does Modesh come from? Watch this video posted on YouTube by someone else.
Where do all those Modeshes (Modi? Modeshi?) go?
When we first heard him called by name, it was by an East Indian who referred to Modesh as evil. Being ignorant of most world religions, I thought maybe this evil Modesh was part of a pantheon of gods, like Kali or Ganesh. Therefore, we lovingly refer to Modesh as the god of destruction.
(There’s another book I should add to my summer reading list – Introduction to Hinduism.)
Ibn Battuta Mall
April 10, 2009We finally went to Ibn Battuta Mall, which is a lengthy drive from our side of town, so that is why it has taken us so long. It is very beautiful and a revisit is certainly on our list of things to do. Perhaps on a day and time when there will be few other people there, so that we can take our time and look at everything and read the informational plaques. Ibn Battuta was a scholar and world traveler. This mall is designed to illustrate some of his travels and serves as an educational museum exhibit as well as a shopping opportunity.
So, here’s our first picture of Daddybird posing with a camel and it is an almost life sized stuffed toy camel. We didn’t find a price tag on it. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. Notice there are two baby camels also. And that lens louse Bert is poking his head in just to get into the picture! This store was pretty amazing. They had life sized giraffes, a buffalo, a moose, etc. The koala bear, however, was gigantic and not at all life sized. Unfortunately, my pictures did not turn out, so will have to try again on our next visit.
The parts of the mall represent some of the countries that Ibn Battuta traveled to – China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia. In each section is a large rotunda/courtyard area with some pretty amazing decorations. I think this is Andalusia with a beautiful fountain with water spitting lions.
In the China courtyard is a lifesize boat. Quite amazing.
Judging from the lifesize elephant, I’m going to guess this was India. Like I said, we need to go back when we have time to stop and read the information and learn a little something.
I’m sad that my pictures of the Eqypt section didn’t come out. I did take some video which I will upload in a few days that will give you a larger view of things.
This wasn’t Mecca, but it seems like it to me. A Borders bookstore…ahhhh.
Living the Travel Channel 