Night-long party on last day of 2018 in UAE

At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, people were focusing their smart phones at the Dubai Fountain and taking pictures for posterity.

DOWNTOWN DUBAI
(Angel Tesorero)
Hundreds of thousands of people came to ring in the New Year with great joy and excitement in the shadow of the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. The expected count of revellers here was two million.
At 5pm, when people started coming in droves, Downtown Dubai was a bristling and lively town. All roads were closed to traffic to allow people to walk on the streets. Restaurant staff were busy setting up the tables and prepping up the menu for the guests.
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, people were focusing their smart phones at the Dubai Fountain and taking pictures for posterity. Several residents and tourists had reserved seats at the Downtown area restaurants to get unimpeded views of the fireworks and laser display.
Those who came early were able to get to the front rows around the fountain, while over at the Burj Park, people sat, stood, and reclined on the grass. Restless kids were running around, while the grown-ups were busy updating their social media accounts with photos and videos of the Burj Khalifa.
Security was tight. Only those with passes were allowed to enter the restaurants at Souk Al Bahar and around the Dubai Fountain. Some 4,000 police officers and 2,000 police patrols were at hand to provide security for the revellers and everything was monitored by around 12,000 security cameras set up across the area.
A security coordinator told Khaleej Times that they had kept the Souk Al Bahar bridge off limits to the public for safety reasons. "We have to control the crowd to avoid any stampede. Those who were not able to get a place near the Dubai Fountain and around Souk Al Bahar can watch the fireworks at the Burj Park and giant screens across Dubai Downtown," he said.
This tourist is celebrating birthday 6,000km away from home
New Year's Eve revellers came from all parts of the world. Chinese tourist Min Yang Zu traveled 6,000km and flew around eight hours to celebrate her 25^th birthday in Dubai.
Min was with her parents, Xing Ge Xu and Yang Ling Zheng, visiting Dubai for the first time. She said: "We always wanted to have a very memorable celebration for my 25^th birthday. That's why we chose to be here in Dubai, at the foot of the world's tallest tower to be exact."
Min and family had NYE dinner at a restaurant in Souk Al Bahar and they will go on a desert safari and visit other Dubai attractions in the next couple of days.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
Calm, not crowd, takes over Kite Beach
KITE BEACH DUBAI
(Kelly Clarke)
Kite Beach in Dubai, though a prime spot to witness the iconic Burj Al Arab fireworks, looked like any other day on Monday afternoon, despite it being New Year's Eve.
The expected rush of traffic, people and road blocks were nowhere in sight as residents trickled onto the beach in small numbers throughout the day, creating a peaceful atmosphere and a perfect transition into the New Year.
As families set up camp-style sites on the golden sand - with big metal pots filled with homemade rice and stews in tow - the mood remained optimistic as they prepared to bid adieu to 2018.
Celebrating for the first time on the beach, "eating lots of palitaw" is how the Tamaraa family will be ringing in the New Year.
Don't know what a palitaw is? Well, neither did Khaleej Times, until we caught up with the family early afternoon.
"It's sticky, glutenous rice shaped in discs, coated in coconut and dipped in a mix of sugar and roasted sesame seeds. It's traditional to eat it at the stroke of midnight as it makes the luck stick to you for the coming year," Jorie Palad said. For them, the day is all about experiencing an old tradition in a new spot.
Surrounded by large beach blankets, comfy chairs and food and drink all around, the Tamaraa family set up camp on the beach nice and early, about 3pm, to get a front-row seat ahead of the fireworks. At midnight tonight against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea, thousands here would watch as all the colours of the rainbow illuminate the hotel's distinct architecture.
Fully equipped with over 10 litres of water and lots of food to get them through, the family said that although tonight is all about New Year's resolutions, it's not something they tend to do.
"I always break them, so I just stopped making them. Maybe I'll try a new one for this year, though, but right now I don't know what it will be," Lovely April said.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
It's business as usual for Sharjah students
Al Majaz, Sharjah
(Sherouk Zakaria)
Students already started turning their New Year resolutions of self-improvement into reality when they chose to spend the eve of 2019 working on their own food kiosk.
The festive mood began at Al Majaz Waterfront at 5pm. Families gathered around 20 small kiosks lined up at the centre of the plaza to get their share of snacks as they await the gigantic fireworks by the lake. Emirati and expat students offered the waterfront visitors a variety of snacks, toys and even birds.
The Business Stars Initiative, organised by Rowad Foundation in collaboration with Sharjah Education Council, supports small homegrown businesses of students.
For students, standing by their food kiosks was the best way to celebrate New Year's Eve, bringing joy to the public while improving their social, time management and entrepreneurship skills with their families around.
Emirati sisters Alia and Hour Al Raeesi, aged 18 and 15, were offering mojitos, cotton candy, noodles and pancakes to visitors through their kiosk.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Hopping islands to catch show
BLUEWATERS ISLAND, DUBAI
(Saman Haziq)
Till last year, Dubai resident Mary thought that her dream of being on an island on New Year's Eve wouldn't come true any time soon due to the exorbitant prices. However, on Monday, as she stepped on the pedestrian bridge connecting Jumeirah Beach Residence and Bluewaters Island - Dubai's latest tourist destination - she went towards her island for a free night out.
As the clock struck 8, the crowds started trickling in to the island, which is connected to The Beach, JBR, by a 265-metre pedestrian bridge, The Wharf Link.
Dubai resident Inmeet had come to JBR just to see the last sunset with her kids and their friends. She had plans to take the kids to the Kite beach, but when she learnt there would be two sets of fireworks simultaneously - one at Bluewaters Island and the other at The Beach - she decided to come. She headed to the pedestrian bridge to get a better view of both the fireworks.
Adding a word of gratitude while seeing the last sunset of the year, Inmeet said: "I want to end this year with a word of gratitude."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
Over 30k to watch world's longest fireworks display
MARJAN ISLAND, RAS AL KHAIMAH
(Ahmed Shaaban)
Over 30,000 people from across the country flocked to Al Marjan Island and welcomed 2019 with the world's longest firework spectacle.
The emirate clinched its new Guinness World Record with flying colours - its NYE showcase on the island was declared the 'longest straight-line fireworks display'. Marjan and fireworks company Grucci's hard work paid off as the burst of colours lit up the sky for 12 minutes. They broke the existing record of an 11.83-kilometre-long fireworks display.
To secure the Guinness title, the fireworks stations were placed not more than two kilometres apart, and at least 300kg of fireworks were set off from each of them.
With the new record, Ras Al Khaimah is defining its position as a 'go-to' destination for New Year's Eve celebrations, spectators said.
Esam Mohammed, an Egyptian resident based in Ras Al Khaimah, said he had been watching NYE fireworks over the last 10 years and Al Marjan's has always been his favourite.
"I always accompany my family here to enjoy the spectacular fireworks," he told Khaleej Times. "This year's display is expected to be incredible as we have seen long preparations for this."
Ahmed Elbehiry, a professional fitness trainer, said: "We have been waiting for this moment, though it is so cold." He drove all the way from Ajman with his friends.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
Ringing in the new with 7 fireworks
GLOBAL VILLAGE, DUBAI
(Lujein Farhat)
With 2019 declared the Year of Tolerance, Global Village was the place to be for New Year's Eve. Seven fireworks shows were lined up for the night and thousands of people made their way to the venue that presents cultures and products from around the world in one village.
One family came all the way from India to celebrate the New Year in Dubai. Eleven-year-old Madura from Maharashtra came to the Global Village along with her grandparents. They came with a big group to watch the fireworks, first scheduled to take place at 8pm.
KT also met a quirky installation of street performers, who spoke of their passion for the UAE. Ashley Hodgkiss, erstwhile resident and team leader of the Street Team of the Street Theatre, promised a "wonderful show" with beatbox drum accompanying DJ Josh at the children's theatre.
lujein@khaleejtimes.com
 

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