Heaven on Earth?

... well, this seems pretty close!

The highly anticipated Dubai Mall opens today, unveiling the first phase of a new retail, fashion and entertainment mecca. Click here to check it out!
At 5.6 million square feet of retail space, the mall is considered the largest in the world. There are 1,200 stores plus 160 food and beverage outlets, and the mall is expected to attract 30 million visitors in its first year. The mall houses 10 mini-malls within the massive structure. These include a Gold Souk, designed to recreate a traditional Middle Eastern gold bazaar, and a designer-focused Fashion Avenue. Bloomingdale’s and Galeries Lafayette will anchor the 440,000-square-foot section dedicated to high street brands. Fashion Avenue has over 70 flagships, including Chanel, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Dior, Armani, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss, Loewe, Galliano, Givenchy, Cerruti, Missoni, Tom Ford, Escada, Ermenegildo Zegna, Pucci, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Adding to the exclusivity of Fashion Avenue is a dedicated VIP valet entrance with onyx cladding, white marble flooring and an intricately designed glass ceiling. A special event facility is also part of the area.
Besides an array of shopping, the mall has a number of entertainment options. It hosts the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; an indoor waterfall that drops four levels; KidZania, a children’s “edu-tainment” center; a SEGA Republic theme park, and a 22-screen cineplex, the largest in the region.

One of the mall’s most complex attractions is the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre. Set in the center of the mall, visitors can enter a 270-degree walk-through tunnel to view over 33,000 aquatic creatures, including 400 sharks, the largest single school of sharks on earth. The aquarium holds 2.6 million gallons of salt water. A team of aquatic experts from Australia is managing the project.

The Dubai Mall, which also has an adjoining five-star hotel, The Address, is part of the Downtown Burj Dubai development.

All I can say is WTF!?
If I hate walking around little old Kings Plaza then you know I would be mad as hell having to walk this big ass mall. It seems uber cool though; plenty of retail options and entertainment. I guess Dubai is now on my list of places to travel, but they better have a mall trolley at least!
Check it out here!