His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of Nakheel, with Heather and Sol Kerzner.

Dubai - The story of Atlantis has been a myth for ages, captivating the imagination of historians, relic hunters, and romantics over the ages who dream about finding this lost city and all its treasures lying somewhere in the depths of the vast oceans. Now it seems this mythical island has risen from the depths of the Arabian Gulf in Dubai.

In Dubai cultures co-exist in harmony providing a welcoming and multi-national environment in this region. Benefiting from excellent year-round weather, Dubai marries a rich heritage with a forward-thinking modernity. From its unspoiled camel filled deserts to lush parks and pristine beaches it is one of the most talked about cities in the world. So when Sol Kerzner, whose reputation for providing some of the world's most renowned hotels and resorts as Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, partnered with His Excellency Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel, they built the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah.

Sitting on the blue Arabian Gulf The Palm Jumeira has cranes at every single turn that have erected a simply jaw-dropping playground from the sea upward that embodies the pioneering spirit of Dubai that is bold and driven by a vision of success.

The centerpiece of the vast lobby is a massive glass sculpture by artist Dale Chiluhy.

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai was celebrated by three days of magical bliss atop Royal Pool decks, in Lost Chambers and under Arabian skies complete with a King's Feast, live performances, A-list celebrities and sports figures and a new world record in the category of fireworks display by the legendary Grucci family of Long Island which illuminated the entire Palm Jumeirah (reportedly six times larger than the number of fireworks used at the opening of the Beijing Olympics and totaling a cost of close to $10 million).

With 1,539 guest rooms and suites, complete with 3,000 staff members, and the largest water park in Arabia, the 17 restaurants, bars and lounges, the Dolphin Bay, a shark filled Lagoon, 65,000 representatives of marine animals and The Lost Chambers are only the beginning of this magnificent resort.

Attending the Atlantis opening were star-studded celebrities including Mischa Barton, Charlize Theron, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Robert DeNiro, Michael Jordan, Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas, Bob Johnson, legendary Arabic performer Nawal Al Zoghbi, Mary Kate Olson, DJ Samantha Ronson, Hugh Jackman, Janet Jackson, Petra Nemcova, Jermaine Dupree, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, Lindsay Lohan, former Miss World Priyanka Chopra as "The Goddess of Atlantis," and Kylie Minogue offered an electric performance in her first Middle East appearance that was so electrifying it was performed twice in two days within the region.

Kylie Minogue performed two shows during the weekend.

Sports figures, billionaires, millionaires, Sheikhs', and members of the Royal Family gathered for one glamorous event after another on three consecutive magical nights, and with the attendance of every major world news network, the opening celebrations planned by Colin Cowie were well documented as guests mingled, made new friends, sipped Veuve Clicquot Champagne and enjoyed signature feasts from master chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Santi Santamaria, French chef Michel Rostang, and Giorgio Locatelli.

A new level in nightlife fun was enjoyed by those who stopped by Sanctuary, the state-of-the-art Atlantis dance club. Sanctuary has an outdoor terrace and bar, a huge velvet room, and an enormous main dance floor where DJ Samantha Ronson kept everyone rocking to her beats while girlfriend Lindsay Lohan sat adoringly by (in-between their very public quarrels). Also the queen of dancehall DJ Donna Cruz, a New York beauty and India native took us all into the early morning hours.

Jermain Dupri, Janet Jackson, and Sir Richard Branson attended the opening night festivities.

Obviously fashion duds and designs were crucial, and aside from traditional Arabic dress and black tie garb designs from Alexander McQueen, Ungaro, Giambattista Valli, Naeem Khan, Versace, Christian LaCroix, Lanvin, Emilio Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel and Carolina Herrera to name just a few all surfaced. Also local Arab regional designers were represented including Wallid Atallah and Manish Malhotra of India. This eclectic crowd also wore sparkling Graff, Harry Winston and Tiffany & Co. diamonds and watches, along with pearls of every imaginable color were worn including those cultured by Paspaley.

It has been said, "Build it and they will come." And come they did from around the world by land, air and yachts. Many friends and supporters of Dubai, Kertzner International and partner Naheel were on hand to support this new wonder called Atlantis, The Palm.

So if the opportunity arises and for those seeking high-octane excitement consider Dubai. Nothing competes with the vast playground in and specifically for impact and impression; few places in the world compare to Atlantis, The Palm where water meets wonder and where through the vision of two great partnerships a legacy has been created to be enjoyed for generations to come.

The Palm, Dubai - one of many man-made islands on the coast of Dubai.