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Nine-year old Markus Ezekiel Caidoy opted to skip class to be among the first visitors of the first LEGO-themed park in the Middle East and the seventh in the world. His parents and four-year-old sister were also there.
"It (being absent) was worth it and I was really amazed," he happily told Khaleej Times as he was gazing at a 17-metre high Burj Khalifa replica built from 439,000 LEGO bricks.
As in real life, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest tower among Dubai's and some of the world's skyscrapers at the Miniland section of Legoland.
UAE's main attractions have been built (LEGO) brick by brick: A complete scale model of Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque was built using 536,292 pieces and after spending more than 6,300 man hours.
Burj Al Arab also stands tall, weighing 680kg and made from 268,176 bricks which took workers 767 hours to build.
An entire section of Shaikh Zayed Road also grabbed visitors' attention. Labouring for 1,520 hours and made of 190,920 LEGO bricks, a working Metro rail from Etihad Towers to the Mall Emirates is a sight to behold.
Then there is Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina and Dubai International Airport, complete with a "flying" Emirates Airline.
From the ancient work, the Ancient City of Petra made of 19,092 bricks was recreated as well as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The majestic Taj Mahal was also recreated as well as Kuwait Towers, another landmark in the region.
"This LEGOLAND inspires our wildest imagination. When I get home I will also build my own tower," Caidoy beamed.
Four-year old British kid Eleanor who came with her mum all the way from Abu Dhabi said her favourite is the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque. She said she has been to the real mosque many times, but she is more impressed with the LEGO replica because "it's more cute for her age."
Students from Gems Bradenton Prep were also mesmerised by the structures and their elementary assistant principal said: "Bringing the kids to LEGOLAND is a big educational experience."
- angel@khaleejtimes.com
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