Ahh, the Atlantis Resort in Dubai. The name alone brings back good memories from a very fun day.

One of my Dubai splurges is a day-long visit to this water park, located at the very top of The Palm Jumeirah, the island formation in the shape of a giant palm tree just off the Persian Gulf in Dubai. There’s a long road leading up the trunk of the palm, with ‘branches’ on either side dotted with million-dollar mansions.

(image via)

There’s a tram that runs the entire distance of the Palm, which is the easiest way for visitors to reach the Atlantis Resort at the very end:

And here’s a view of the Burj al Arab, the world’s only seven star hotel. I investigate going there for a meal just so I can take photos of the opulent interior, but the cheapest option is around $150 for brunch buffet, which I can’t justify. A few years ago my friends Kelley & Irving ate dinner there and enjoyed views of Palm Jumeirah, but now the dinner minimums are too pricey. If anyone knows of a cheaper way to get in, please post it in the comments!

And here’s a shot of the twin Chrystler buildings, modeled after their New York counterpart. Dubai has to one-up everything.

On our tram journeys towards Atlantis, we pass by some expensive-looking hotels and condos. I think these are managed by Trump, if memory serves correct.

But much of Palm Jumeirah has yet to be developed, as evidenced by giant construction pits. I think this is the future site of yet another massive Dubai mall.

This waterway is space between ‘palm leaves’ on the island:

This shows the curvature of the palm leaf more clearly:

And some of the palm leaves are open for further development, like the one below.

After about ten minutes, we reach the impressive Atlantis Resort.

That bridge suite at the very top rents for tens of thousands of dollars per night.

Here’s a view of the water park off to the side, my destination for the day:

The anticipation is killing me — as soon as I see it, I can’t wait to jump in the water. I pick up my ticket and wristband (which electronically controls a locker so I can store my belongings) and walk around for a brief tour with my camera before diving in.

A lazy river floats around the whole park; you can hop on and off using any of the inner tubes, which are available all over the park to take and leave as needed.

And beachfront swimming is available along the top ‘palm branch’ in the Persian Gulf:

A view of the tramway we arrived on:

I go for a dip in the Gulf with the Burj Al Arab behind me.

I stash away my camera and dry clothes in my locker and spend the next few hours floating on an inner tube with my waterproof camera dangling from my wrist.

I go on every ride possible. Even the Leap of Faith…

Here’s a view from the top of the giant plunge:

Now I’m in line… it’s almost my turn…

View just before I took the plunge:

Down below, the steep water slide passes through an aquarium with sharks. A few years ago the Leap of Faith was a challenge on The Amazing Race, and one of the contestants lost because she was too freaked out to go down the slide. Not me!

Here’s a view from my trip through the aquarium, following my plunge:

A few more shots from the water park. They also have a zip line, as seen in the photo below-right.

This is one of the few rides I didn’t make it on:

Around sunset, I reluctantly change back into dry clothes and head back to the Gulf for photos. (The park closes around 6pm.)

This splurge was the perfect way to celebrate my time in Dubai. I think a day-pass costs around $70 and it was so worth it.