The Most Beautiful Hotel in the World

They say, Burj al-Arab was the dream of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, which turned out to be a physical reality years later in Dubai. I was shown around by a friend who works in that magnificent building during my business trip to UAE.

Check out some High quality photos of Burj Al Arab Urf Burj Al Srab Dubai Urf Burj Al Arab Hotel pictures!

Some Facts about this Hotel :
The Burj al-Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury hotel in Dubai, the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates, and was briefly marketed as "the world's first seven-star hotel". It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. It stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the shape of an Arab dhow

The marketing technique of self-declaring the 7 star title has worked very well. Burj al-Arab became one of the most wanted destinations, and not only in the United Arab Emirates. To keep objectivity, the hotel is officially 5 star deluxe. The service and the unseen luxury definitely makes it stand out of the other 5 star hotels. The service includes private chauffeur with Rolls Royce or BMW 7, private reception desk every floor, helicopter pad (helicopter trips to the center of Dubai or to the Dubai International Airport), restaurant located 200m above the sea level, with amezing view on the city. The hotel offers free entry to the Wild-Wadi Water Park as well

Burj al-Arab has the most luxurious interior imaginable. Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International was responsible for the interior design. The most expensive materials were used throughout the building. There is no exact data about the cost of the hotel, but rumours say that the return of investment could be 100 years, although the nights at Burj al-Arab start at $1000. The Royal Suite costs $28000 per night.

There are 202 duplex suites in the hotel, the smallest suite starts at 169 m², and the largest is 780 m². Each suite has floor to the ceiling windows with spectacular views on the Persian Gulf. Every suite has sumptuous living and dining area, and office facilities. They are equipped with 42 inch Plasma screen TV, and everything is automated and can be controlled via remote. The list goes on, like 13 pillows to choose from and similar thoughtful care for the guests.

There is huge variety of brilliant, elegant restaurants that offer much more than the average. Al Mahara (The Oyster) let you enjoy your meal next to a large circle aquarium. The Skyview Bar leaves you with an unforgettable experience drinking coctails -made by Rikard Lindqvist (mixologist) from Sweden- 200 m above the sea-level. If that is not enough, there are 8 more restaurants to choose from.

Trick to get in for free: There is an entry fee to the hotel if you just want to see it from the inside, which is about ~50 euros. Although there is a trick that might help you get in without payment. Make a reservation on the phone for any restaurant in Burj al-Arab, you will get a reservation number which you have to show at the front gate. When you get inside to the hotel, just avoid the restaurant. Make sure you dont give your real phone number to them.

The Tower of the Arabs from an exact angle (sailing into the city of Dubai) can be viewed as a Christian symbol, the cross. It is still widely disputed, wether the British architects made it intentionally, or this is only a harmless coincidence. As United Arab Emirates is an Islamic country, such symbol would not make the locals happy, as Burj al-Arab is the iconic tower of their country, that represents their dream of the modern Dubai.

Burj al-Arab was the first hotel to self-declare the 7-star title, but soon another hotel appeared in the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. While Burj al-Arab lies on a small artificial island, Emirates Palace is surrounded by a spectacular garden with multiple swimming pools and amezing fountains. The hotel kept the traditional arabic architectural style.

The tower that resembles the sail of dhow, became the world's tallest hotel with the height of 321m in 1999, and the iconic tower of Dubai. The construction took 6 years (1994-1999).

Judge Komathy a Hero by doing her job right

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today walked out of a court on RM20, 000 personal bond without surety after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code which under ordinary circumstances, an accused will not be allowed bail.

Sessions Court Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah said that it was an elementary provision in criminal justice that a man was innocent until proven guilty and that bail was given to secure a man's attendance.

However, she said: "I don't think there is any likehood of Anwar absconding. Therefore, I am granting that you be released on personal bond of RM20, 000 with no surety."

Earlier, Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun who was leading the prosecution team, told the court that they would not object if Anwar was to be allowed bail but asked the amount to be set at RM20, 000 with one surety and Anwar's international passport to be impounded.

He said the charge faced by Anwar was serious and that it was non-bailable but under the law, the court could exercise its discretion to allow bail.

Lead defence counsel Sulaiman Abdullah said the judge could use her discretion under Section 388(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to release his client on personal bond without imposing any fixed sum.

It was totally inconceivable that Anwar would not turn up in court and tamper with the witnesses, he said.

Moreover, Anwar would also contest in the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election where there was a strong possibility that he be elected Member of Parliament, he said.

"With his long service to the country and his public standing in the government and also his cooperation with the police and authorities during the investigation of the current sodomy allegation, there was no likelihood of him absconding," Sulaiman said and urged the court to strongly exercise her discretion to eliminate any traces of a political trial.

"Really, there is no reason in law why the court should not exercise its discretion, although it may be rare, but of course, the second and third time, it was an ideal case to grant personal bond," he said.

He also said Anwar did not have any problem to surrender his passport to the court but he would request for the travel document to be given back to him temporarily if Anwar was required to go overseas.

In support of the request for the court not to impose any fixed sum of bail, he said it was a needlessly an insult to Anwar as there was no evidence of the possibility of Anwar failing to answer to the charge.

Before delivering her decision on bail, Komathy asked Brickfields district police CID chief DSP Jude Pereira whether Anwar gave full cooperation to the police during the investigation. The police officer replied: "Yes, he has".

Anwar who turns 61 on Sunday and is expected to stand in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26, was charged with sodomising Saiful, 23, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26 at Unit 11-5-1 Desa Damansara Condominium, Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here.

The offence of carnal intercourse against the order of nature under Section 377B of the Penal Code carries up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping on conviction.

After the court interpreter read out the charge to him and asked for his plea, Anwar said: "This is malicious and treacherous defamation. I am not guilty."

Idrus was assisted by Prosecution Unit Head Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and deputy public prosecutors Mohamed Hanafiah Zakaria and Shamsul Sulaiman.

Anwar was represented by nine lawyers -- Sulaiman, R. Sivarasa, Leela Jeyamani Jesuthasan, S.N. Nair, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Saiful Izham Ramli, Amer Hamzah Arshad, Latheefa Beebi Koya and Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin.

Counsel acting for Bar Council were Rajpal Singh and George Varughese while Zamri Idrus held the watching brief for Saiful the victim.

Also present were lawyers representing International Federation for Human Rights, Forum Asia and Human Rights Watch -- A. Sahadeva, Chan Weng Keng, Ann Chuah Siew Fan and Seira Sache.

The 24-minute proceedings went on smoothly despite many supporters gathering at the court compound to wait for Anwar's arrival 25 minutes before the court convened at 10.11am.

Anwar was accompanied by PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who vacated her parliamentary seat so that her husband could contest in the by-election and their daughter Nurul Izzah who is Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai.

Present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, PKR information chief Tian Chua, PKR Youth head Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akil, DAP chairman Karpal Singh, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali and Pas vice president Datuk Husam Musa.

Speaking to reporters later, Anwar said he had signed the bond.

"It doesn't involve monetary sources or funds and my passport is still with me," he said before leaving the court complex on Jalan Duta at 11.37am.

Nair said judge Komathy had exercised her discretion fairly and without fear when she freed Anwar on personal bond.

Police began investigating the case after Saiful lodged a police report on June 28 claiming that Anwar had sodomised him.

Anwar had vehemently denied the accusation and considered it a political conspiracy. He was picked up by police on July 16 in front of his house in Bukit Segambut and released on police bail a day later.

Yesterday, he was subpoenaed to attend today's court proceedings.

This is not the first time Anwar is facing a sodomy charge. In 1998, he was alleged to have sodomised Dr Wan Azizah's driver, Azizan Abu Bakar, for which the High Court in 2000 found him guilty and sentenced him to nine years in jail.

Anwar was freed on Sept 2004 after spending almost six years behind bars following the Federal Court's 2-1 decision to set aside the sodomy conviction and jail term.

In summarising their judgment to overturn that sodomy conviction, the Federal Court judges said: "eventhough reading the appeal record, we find evidence to confirm that the appellants were involved in homosexual activities and we are more inclined to believe that the alleged incident at Tivoli Villa did happen, sometime, this court, as a court of law, may only convict the appellants if the prosecution has successfully proved that the alleged offences as stated in the charges, beyond reasonable doubt, on admissible evidence and in accordance with established principles of law".

-- BERNAMA

I can feel that Malaysian are uniting against the Evil Forces, Judge Komathy action of granting DSAI bail was extraordinary action in an ordinary way.

When We Rakyat feel justices are becoming the playground of UMNO, Judge Komathy give us glimpse of hope. I believe everyone can become a hero by doing their job properly! Not forgetting Our Lost Hero, PI Bala & Dr. Osman!

Not everyone have the courage of RPK...

We can make a difference by just doing the right thing!

The Most Stupid Reason I ever Heard!

Thursday August 7, 2008 MYT 8:06:45 PM
Syed Hamid on why Saiful wasn't charged

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan is not being charged because he is the key witness in the sodomy case against PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said that in a criminal justice system, when a person comes forward to report on a matter, the person would be protected.

"Usually, the victim would be given protection," said Syed Hamid who spoke to reporters after the MoU signing ceremony between Malaysian and Australian Governments on immigration cooperation at a hotel here on Thursday.

He also said that Anwar is innocent until proven guilty by the court.

"However, it doesn't mean that we can't take action against him just because he is a VIP," he said.

He also advised the public not to jump into any conclusion before the court decides the case.

In the police report he lodged on June 28, Saiful had claimed he was forcibly sodomised. Anwar is however being charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code, which implies consensual sodomy.

“If it is “suka sama suka” (consensual), why was I the only one being charged? If it is consensual, both should be charged,” Anwar said after coming out of the courtroom in Jalan Duta on Thursday.

I simply cant wait till the day UMNO fall because these UMNO leaders are treating us Rakyat as teranjat akal children! Wtf! Syed Hamid Albar... Brainless Ba8tard!

What about Chua Soi Lek? He always have unnatural sex! Why never change him with even video evidence?

Calling all dog lovers out there!

I just took up a job which required me to travel regularly so I’m sadly giving away my Golden Retriever, Golden, 2 years old, male, very active and obedient. Please let me know if you or anyone you know would be interested in adopting him and shower him with LOADS OF LOVE!

Thank you!

Warm Regards,

Suara Tausug

A new tabloid calling itself The New Sulu Times (Suara Tausug) is being published in compliance with its purported permit. The 12-page newspaper being sold at RM1.80 per copy was Written in the Tausug language and Bahasa Malaysia, the newspaper printed the Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) permit number-1-20-Julai-KDN: PQ/PP1506(307).

Why is a Sulu paper permitted to be published and sold openly in Sabah?

The content of the paper is about the Sulu Sultan, IMM13, and the street children issue, etc. Is it true that it has obtained the permit from the KDN?

More important is whether it is following the guidelines stated in the permit?

If the format of the newspaper is as it is being printed now, the general reaction of the public is that it should not be allowed to be published at all.

The Home Affairs Minister need to explain the reason the publication permit was issued as well as the conditions for the permit.

The sale of the said publication had raised deep concern among the general public, especially with the revival of the ‘Sabah Claim’ issue by certain quarters, as recent as last month.

The general reaction of the public toward the sale of Suara Tausug was that it could pose a threat to our sovereignty and security and so it should not be allowed to be published in Sabah, let alone selling it in the public.

High Heel Race in Moscow 19 July 2008

The event at Red Square in Moscow started at Saturday, July 19, 2008. Participants of the high heel run were challenged to race in stilettos of at least 9 cm (3.54 inches).

Anwar: I'll be charged tomorrow

i am off to Dsai's Press Conference @ 3pm

Anwar: I'll be charged tomorrow

Aug 6, 08 12:38pm

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he had been informed he would be formally charged with sodomy tomorrow - a crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.

"They are charging me tomorrow. It's for sodomy," Anwar told AFP, adding that the authorities had informed him of the move in a letter.

Anwar, a former deputy premier who was jailed a decade ago on sodomy charges that were later overturned, faces new allegations by a 23-year-old aide, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Anwar has rejected the accusations which he says have been fabricated to prevent him from toppling the government, after landmark March elections that handed the opposition an unprecedented one-third of parliamentary seats.

He announced last week he would contest a by-election for a seat vacated by his wife and earlier today the Election Commission announced the vote would be held on Aug 26.

The commission's chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said parties must nominate their candidates on Aug 16.

"During the by-election, it is important for all parties to follow the orders given by the security authorities and ensure peace and stability," he told reporters.

Polling day on Tuesday

Anwar, the figurehead of PKR which heads the three-member opposition alliance, has said he is bracing for "massive" vote-rigging by the government to block him from winning the key ballot.

PKR information chief Tian Chua condemned the authorities' decision to hold the vote on a Tuesday, instead of on the weekend which is usual practice.

"I think the reason they are having it on a weekday is to reduce the turnout," he said.

"This is a deliberate action to inconvenience the voters. We condemn the Election Commission for their decision."

"We fear there could be rigging. We urge our supporters not to be complacent, it is going to be a tough battle but we are confident of victory," he said.

Earlier today, the police visited Anwar at his home in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur at 12.10pm and is learnt to have served him with a notice to appear in court tomorrow.

The police team was led by ASP Jude Pereira, who refused to speak to the waiting horde of reporters as he left Anwar's house.

Visit by police

The police visited the home of PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur at 12.10pm today and it is learnt that they have served him with a notice to appear in court tomorrow.

The police team was led by DSP Jude Pereira (left) - who refused to speak to the waiting horde of reporters as he left Anwar's house.

The notice requires Anwar to be present at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court at 10am tomorrow.

Anwar meanwhile has called for a press conference at the PKR headquarters at 3pm today.

At present he is believed to be having a meeting with his lawyers and party leaders.

The sodomy charge preferred against Anwar is not expected to have a bearing in the by-election as only convicted persons are barred from contesting or forced to step down from being an elected representative.