Dubai: A handful of Dubai residents and visitors braved last night's chilly weather to watch the fireworks display at the opening of the Burj Khalifa.
They picnicked and barbequed with their families at Al Safa Park while mere metres away commuters were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic trying to navigate the disruption caused by the festivities.
Watch a video of the Burj Khalifa opening ceremony
Early in the evening families and groups of friends from various nationalities had already laid out their picnic blankets and food to secure a good vantage point to watch the pyrotechnics.
"We're at Al Safa Park to avoid the traffic because we knew thousands of people were going to be near Burj Khalifa for the opening," German national Jens Winkelmann said.
Winkelmann arrived with his wife, children and visitors from his home country. Like most visitors, he was armed with a camera and video recording equipment to capture the historic occasion.
"We actually read about Safa Park being a good location to watch the fireworks in Gulf News," Winkelmann said.
Night to remember
Ibtisam Zaghab came with her fold-up chairs and tables to eat sandwiches and drink hot tea with her husband while watching Burj Khalifa from afar. "I want the kids to see the fireworks and also witness this historic moment," she said.
Emirates airline cabin crew trainees Kruno Cordas and Nikola Ilic from Croatia and Serbia respectively were among a large group of friends eating shawarmas and chocolates.
"To see this opening is…wow," said Cordas who arrived in Dubai only three weeks ago.
Ilic said: "The Burj Khalifa is a new world wonder that everyone will recognise. When I approach Dubai by plane I see the building and know that I am home."
People were still straggling into the park well after the scheduled time of the fireworks display.
