Fireworks for New Year's Eve

The over-the-top city of Dubai snuck in the back door and jumped onto the world stage again last week when she set the Guinness World Record for the largest firework display. It all went down on the joyous occasion of New Year's Eve.

Back in the States, I used to work in one of those obnoxious tents on the side of highways that sold over-priced fountain fireworks to kids on the Fourth of July. Yes, not only was that just a little tidbit of information which should help you rest easy at night but it also proves that I know what I'm talking about.

Fireworks are cool. New Year's Eve is cool. Why not combine the two?

Thanks to the good people at The National, you can see video footage of all the firework action from Dubai. And of course, the tallest building in the world, the Burg Khalifa, got in on the party.

Miranda and I had plans to usher in the New Year by going to Dubai for the celebration. There were so many things to choose from: Vanilla Ice was in town while DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince had an on-stage reunion in front of Dubai revelers.

Memo to all washed-up entertainers from the 1990's: I know, it's been more than 20 years. Sure, money is thin these days. But you know where a solid payday is always waiting for you? You guessed it.

At the very last second, we hit the brakes on our Dubai aspirations because of vague precautions and 'been there, done that' advice from some of our closest colleagues.

During past NYE celebrations in Dubai, it was told to us that roads completely shut down but the streets were still packed ... with human traffic. Getting around the city is next to impossible as everything crawls to a halt.

"Can't handle the influx -- it's been that way for years," one seasoned co-worker told me.

"Read my lips," said another. "Do not go to Dubai on New Year's. I don't have to explain myself."

Harsh criticism from some good people. We took their words to heart and then added in the whole Guinness World Record factor. For the first time in a while, we thought with our heads and did not give in to our shared appetite for destruction.

It turned out to be the right call. Check out this video of the shenanigans as The Sandance concert with Paul Oakenfold was a disaster because people could not get to the actual show. Plenty of other logistical horror stories were reported. In Dubai, frustration ran high that night for a lot of people.

As for us, we started our makeshift evening back in Abu Dhabi by crashing a NYE party at our favorite restaurant, Le Beaujolais. Just because the center table had a 'Reserved' sign on it did not stop us as a quick wink to our favorite restaurant host sealed the deal.

"We can't say no to you," said Buddy, Le Beaujolais wait staff manager, who participated in an impromptu conga line with us during our last visit to his establishment.

Yes, that is a beautiful lady next to me. And in case you were wondering, yes, that is a scarf around my neck. No one ever questions a man wearing a scarf about his dinner reservation.

We feasted like kings and then made our way to the Yacht Club at the InterContinental Hotel. For a minimal fee paid in advance, we sipped champagne for the rest of the evening and danced as a few shots of tequila were snuck in there somehow.

It was a splendid way to bring in the New Year. Plenty of good times, no stress and I almost forgot, Abu Dhabi managed to shoot off a few fireworks, too.

Sure they were a little more subdued and did not gain international headlines. But unlike the action-packed amusement park that is Dubai, the festivities in Abu Dhabi were quaint and lovely. Which is how I would compare the two cities on many fronts.