On Golden Frond

All of Dubai is buzzing with celebrity jitters! Tonight is the long awaited and much planned Atlantis Resort Grand Opening with an A-List of stars - John Travolta (allegedly demanding his own private "swim with dolphins" lagoon - I have that from Atlantis insiders), Oprah, Michael Jordan, Lindsey Lohan, Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson, some said Michael Jackson would also be here but since he is busy being sued by one Middle East crown prince already, he is not likely to enter another royal sandbox I'm certain.

People magazine is sure to have a pictorial spread next week but your correspondent on the ground here has all the gossip you won't read about elsewhere. The residents on the Palm are super annoyed because they were told two weeks ago that they have to make it home by 4pm to be allowed on, they have to carry their tenancy agreement or title to home, as well as a special sticker on the car. At 4pm this afternoon the line on the exit on to the Palm was a mile long already so this will be a cluster as usual. Residents were also instructed to stay inside the whole night (for their own safety!!) as well as no canooing, sailing, swimming off the shores and no walking on the beach or streets. Just who they are trying to protect is beyond me...surely Oprah and Co. do not care about what homeowners do in their own back yard. We have a few friends who rent homes on the Palm and they are livid! This is not a party or hotel "for the people - by the people" - rather, Atlantis can dictate what they want - it was built by Nakheel, which is owned by Dubai World, which is owned by the Sheikh, so there is no democratic flexibility here baby!

Aric and I haven't gotten our invitations yet - they must sbe tuck in the mail, but since Dubai has no postal delivery system or mail persons - looks like we will have to watch the fireworks from somewhere else. Apparently the fireworks will be bigger than the Beijing OL show, I can't wait!

We made reservations at the Observatory Bar on 52nd floor in our building, just for drinks and views. Then the hotel manager called us and said nobody would be allowed to have drinks in the bar without having dinner - at 500 Dirham per person. So for 3 days we have raised hell with the general manager (who is obviously just trying to cash in on another hotel event) but to no avail. In the end we are going for dinner with friends somewhere else and will view the fireworks from the beach. And the only stars we are sure to see will be the ones in the sky :)