How the Dubai's New Year party picked up pace

Thousands flocked the Dubai Mall Metro Station to reach the Downtown area to catch a glimpse of New Year's spectacular fireworks at the Burj Khalifa.

They came in from across the world and were united in spirit to welcome the New Year in Dubai style!
Millions converged in Downtown Dubai, JBR beach, Jumeriah beach, Creek side and Global Village, hours before the world's largest fireworks ushered in 2016.
The Dubai Mall and the Burj Plaza were the centre of #MyDubaiNewYear as they recorded the largest footfalls to watch the incomparable Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Crowd started crawling in to the Dubai Mall in the afternoon. By 2pm, the mall began to fill up and the footfall towards the fireworks area started going up. A huge convoy of ambulances, the first aid teams and the lost and found booths were ready well in advance.
Sharjah resident Riyas said it was his first visit to Dubai to see the fireworks. And he left home very early to beat the traffic.
"I've been watching on the news for the last four years. I left home in Sharjah at 12pm. I parked my car at Rashidiya Metro station. I'm hoping to get home by 3.3am."
The metro stations were jam-packed and the Burj Plaza viewing was almost full by 4:30pm. People were then asked to move to other entrances.
As the sun set for the last time in 2015, people started to camp out at the Burj Park. The Dubai Fountain started shooting the water jets to the cheers of the crowd.
Many tourists and residents were spotted with New Year headgears and hats on and taking selfies with the fountain and the Burj Khalifa in the background.
Amit Rasul said he got a reservation at Red Lobster for Dh950 to get a nice view of the fireworks for the first time.
At the refreshments stands, prices of eatables and beverages were hiked by one to two dirhams.
Rami Kandel from Palestine had been watching the Dubai New Year bash on TV for years. This year, he took a flight to experience it. "It's very tough to get around. I hope to get home soon," said Kandel who uses crutches to move around. Being a bachelor meant he had to walk more to reach the fireworks viewing areas.
The segregation of families and bachelor seemingly caused a lot of inconvenience to singletons visiting the Downtown. Bachelors who tried to sneak in through the families area were caught red-handed and expelled by the security personnel.
At The Walk, JBR, the party spirit slowly picked up pace from 5pm. Music from the DJ booth (sponsored by dU) was audible for the most parts thanks to the giant speakers. Families and infants in prams made up a large part of the beach crowd. People had come in from GCC countries and elsewhere. But residents of Dubai were too seen snapping selfies against the last sunset of 2015.
kymberlee@khaleejtimes.com
nivriti@khaleejtimes.com