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World's most expensive Christmas tree

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the richest city in the world. The Emirate's citizens sit on one-tenth of the planet's oil and have almost $1 trillion invested abroad, worth about $17 million apiece.

A rich guest walks past the Christmas tree Pic: AFP

Therefore, when someone asks you where the world's most expensive Christmas tree is from, it would not be a hard guess. In a city surrounded by such wealth, Abu Dhabi is probably the only place where millions of dollars worth Christmas tree might be found. To be exact, this tree is worth 11 million dollars. Recently the glitzy Emirates Palace Hotel unveiled the 40ft extravaganza.

Decorated with traditional silver and gold bows, baubles and white lights, the tree is also decked out in necklaces, earrings and other jewellery giving it its record value.

It holds a total of 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones according to Khalifa Khouri, owner of Style Gallery, which provided the jewellery.

Hans Olbertz, general manager of the hotel, said: 'The tree itself is about $10,000. The jewellery has a value of over $ 11 million'. He added that the hotel would apply to the Guinness Book of World Records to find out if its tree is the most expensive ever.

Although in the United Arab Emirates, the vast majority of the population is Muslim, this Christmas tree has given the city a very liberal outlook. The hotel has had Christmas trees up in previous years, but this year they wanted to do something different and the hotel's marketing team came up with the idea.

You will not be surprised to hear that this hotel itself is an extravagant place, being a massive, dome-topped hotel surrounded by manicured lawns and fountains, known to be a seven-star hotel.

The hotel recently introduced a seven-day stay, costing $1 million. So, you could imagine the type of guests it attracts.

The guests who take up this one million offer have a private butler and a chauffeur-driven luxury car during their stay, as well as a private jet available for trips to other countries in the region.

- Chamari Senanayake

 

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