What do you do when you are time pressed for a vacation but still need some summer time to soak in the sun! And yearning to ditch the monotonous routines the only escape was a quick getaway to Dubai! The city of glitz and glamor, rich culture and awe-inspiring skyscrapers was a very momentous trip planned.
With it’s audacious architecture, spectacular skylines, fashion and nightlife, flourishing contemporary art scene and of course, amazing weather and beaches I was all ready to explore this Arabic land.
Contrary to rumours, Dubai has more to offer than concrete. Yes, it doesn’t have Versailles or the Colosseum of Rome, but it has the biggest skyscraper on the planet (an innovative piece of architecture must say) and that’s pretty amazing too!
On the very first day I was all ready to explore the tallest building in the world. When in Dubai You can´t miss the tallest structure on the planet. This wonder of modern technology and design with 829.8 m has an observation deck on the 134th floor with stunning views, basically to everywhere! The elevator journey to the top itself is very exhilarating since it makes you reach on the top height within seconds.
I made my trip during the evening here only to catch the amazon view of sunset from the deck which was quite incredible and also the best time to take pictures during sunset.
Having a lot of leisure time in the day considering the weather outside stepping inside one of the malls in Dubai is a great option. There are dozens of shopping malls, markets and souks in Dubai. My favorite is Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world with more than 1,000 stores and a giant Aquarium with an underwater zoo.
More than just a mall you would want to go there just to marvel at the startling architecture and interiors. Just make sure you use comfortable shoes… if you get tired you can also get a golf car taxi, how fabulous is that?
Another fascinating Mall is the Ibn-battuta mall, located a bit far from the main city center but worth a visit.
It is the world’s largest themed mall covering the extraordinary adventurer and traveler Ibn-Battuta’s journey spanned across 24 years and six different lands – Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, China and Andalusia. How could I have missed visiting this mall.
Right next to Dubai Mall you will find the Dubai Fountain. It has shows every evening starting at 6 p.m (every half an hour). I was lucky to catch a table outside from one of the many restaurants bordering the fountain. Not just enjoying the fountain show you can enjoy the night light view of the Burj Khalifa too.
Passing by the Palm Jumeirah, the most talked about of all of Dubai’s megaprojects is the world largest man-made island increasing Dubai’s shoreline to a total of 520 kilometers is a must visit when here.
Palm Jumeirah, which looks like a stylized palm tree from above, was the first offshore development of its kind, and was originally billed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and along the Great wall of China, and is the only structure created by the man that you can see from space. There you will find the famous The Atlantis Resort too.
Next day was all about enjoying some beach time at the famous Jumeirah Beach soaking in the sun. There are hotels strung out all along the length, with excellent facilities with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants and water-sport operators offering jet skiing.
The view of the famous Dubai Landmark, the 7 starts hotel Burj Al Arab from the beach was the highlight here. You can actually go inside for an afternoon tea, the cost is “only” 155.
Skipping the formal high-tea experience I was exultant enjoying the view and changing colors of this structure at sun downer. Not really a view you would get from inside the hotel.
Having spent the day at the beach if you looking for some evening glitz and glamour Dubai Marina is the place to be.
Also known as The Walk by the locals it’s a great place to take a walk and a drink at night. Surrounded by incredible skyscrapers, the Marina Dubai offers hundred of restaurants, shops, etc… If you are lucky enough as a car fanatic you get to see all the amazing sports cars and automobiles driving past this street until wee hours.
I was great to be in this Arabic land during it’s most known festival the Global Village. It combines cultures of 90 countries across the world at one place. The only place where you can discover different cultures in just few hours.
The pavilions are designed in the image of iconic structures or local architecture, inviting all to meander from London’s Big Ben to the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy, or take selfies against the romantic backdrop of the Taj Mahal or travel back in time to Ancient Egypt.
Also one of their recent additions to the amazing structures they keep building is the Dubai Miracle Garden. It had launched recently since we visited Dubai on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
Excited to be among the first few to witness this Arabic marvel, the excitement couldn’t be tamed. Once you are here, it’s like the biggest flower show you must have ever come across.
The garden occupies over 72,000 square metres, making it the world’s largest natural flower garden featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants.
Last but not the least I saved the adventure for the end. If you love desert and sand as much as I do, you will love the Arabian desert safari. We had our four- wheeler pick us up from the hotel driving us straight into the Arabian sand dunes.
This ride consists of utmost thrill and adventure going up and down the dunes in a way you have never imagined before. What’s best is, it is followed by a wonderful Arabic safari set up in middle of the desert with great music and dance show awaiting you.
You can take camel rides or just enjoy the Arabic sheesha while enjoying the sun- downer.
It was the perfect way to end the trip at this oasis between the heart of desert.
It’s incredible how fast time flies when you in Dubai just like how this city has grown in the past few years. … 40 years ago, there was nothing here, and now you have one of the biggest metropolises on earth! Dubai, known as the entertainment capital of the Middle East, is a city full of greatness: galleries showcasing contemporary Arabic art, crowded souks filled with gold, spices and fine Emirati cuisine, a sleek metro that zips through the sky like, man-made islands, desert, luxury hotels, fountain shows… well there’s a thousand things to do in Dubai.
And the best thing about visiting Dubai any time round the year is the weather… it’s always summer!
Cannot Miss:
- Visit the viewing deck at the top of Burj Khalifa
- Explore the various pavilions at Ibn-Battuta Mall
- Enjoy the sunset and dip in the sea at the Dubai beach
- Must experience the Desert Safari in the sand dunes
GlobeTrotting365Days: Dubai March 10th 2013.