…is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Think sapphires, diamonds, strings of pearls and other precious stones hanging in the huge 43 foot tree in the hotel lobby amounting to a staggering $11 million.
The Emirates Palace Hotel, already home to the world’s first gold ATM machine is enjoying the non-stop attention this tree has brought them.
According to the hotel’s general manager, Hans Olbertz,
The tree is artificial, but the jewelries on the branches, those are not artificial.
The hotel is trying to get recognition from Guiness World Records.
More on BBC.
Christmas trees displayed around town is a common scene in Dubai and in the Emirates. In a country where majority of the population are Muslims, it’s a rare thing, even peculiar but who are we to question. This Islamic country doesn’t really mind what’s ‘politically correct’ or not and we Christians are thankful to be able to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the scene and that Christmas feel away from home.
But this tree is outrageous.
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Thanks for visiting my little blog, Googlers. I have written a follow-up post about this here.
Finding Backroads 
Oh my! Words fail to come to me right now. I just can not see doing something like that, for a record or not. It is beautiful, but wow.
.-= TheAngelForever´s last blog ..Outtakes with Woody and Buzz Lightyear =-.
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Fantastic Christmas tree, right in the middle of the desert.
.-= Pedometer´s last blog ..Marathon and Running Training Programs =-.
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Great, good for them, they have money and want to show it.
Now, can I stay near that tree on this Christmas night ? 😀
.-= Alex@Jocuri´s last blog ..Barbie fotomodel pe podium =-.
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My goodness!!! Beautiful, but kinda sad. I can’t imagine how many other things that money could’ve been used for. At Christmas time, there are so many people and groups in need. The opulence is staggering.
BTW, I’m back! I started a new blog, about my relationship/love with a prisoner. Life throws many odd things at us! I just buckle up for the ride.
Hope all is well!
~Maria
.-= Maria´s last blog ..April 23- 2010 – Alan part 2 =-.
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So funny! I saw this on the news tonight and immediately thought of you. Then I get on here and find that you’d already posted about it! I would love to see it! My sis-in-law and her hubby were in that hotel this summer (only for tea, not staying!). They checked out the gold ATM machine!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..WW Advent Week 3- Hope =-.
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I barely believe this. Is there a Christmas holiday in such place? I don’t think they?re going to have such decor in such nation yet I’m glad to hear it. Okay, the decorations are fabulous, and the tree – perfect! It complements the interior of such hotel harmonically. It really has the spirit of Christmas there. Well, I hope for this initiative to continue every Christmas, and get this as a tradition.
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While it’s a beautiful tree, something about all that wealth hanging on a tree when kids are starving bothers me. They must have 24 hour security!
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While the tree is worth millions, it’s a PR stunt for the sponsoring Jewelry company – and all jewels will be returned after Guiness give them the recognition they want. 🙂
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I have to agree with Bakery Mama. I see that you answered her saying it is all for publicity and to get into the Guiness Book, but I still find it obscene.
I am very glad that there is so much religious tolerence in the UAE – so much more so than the USA even – but to be so flagrant with the wealth is in poor taste given what the Christmas holiday is truly about. Just my opinion.
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Christmas Post of the Day December 16th =-.
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My Christmas tree at home definitely wont be dripping with jewels and gold…maybe next year lol.
.-= Ross´s last blog ..Garmin 410 Review =-.
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That’s what i call extravaganza!
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I like my tree better. 🙂 Paid all of $5 for the permit from the Forest Service, hiked up in the snowy mountains with my family and cut it down. Beautiful 12 foot fir tree.
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Nothing says ?Merry Christmas!? like a Christmas tree. Every few years, it seems, the world?s most expensive Christmas tree is outdecked, outjingled and outpriced by the most expensive Christmas tree in the world.
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I saw this tree and, frankly, was not impressed. The security railing around the tree prevents you from getting close enough to view the expensive necklaces that tend to blend into the branches. Without a zoom lens on your camera, you really can’t see them. And what’s the fuss about the price tag? It’s not like they SPENT that much on the tree. 99% of the cost of the tree goes back in the display cases of the donating jewellry store after the holidys. There are more beautiful trees on display such as the tree at the Beach Rotana hotel.
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I wish I could see it personally and have one of the jewelry hanging on it. It is sooo expensive that it must have a strict security from keep the thief away from it and even let them stay close to it.
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