Destination Dubai

Thanks to Facebook, it is my 5 year anniversary of my Dubai trip. The nostalgia kicked in when I realized we are still NOT going on anymore trips this year. 2015 was the year that everyone was able to get cheap flights to Dubai and it became a popular location due to website glitches. Unfortunately, my bestie, Colleen and I missed the website glitch and we went anyways. Lol

Dubai is the home for ultramodern architecture such as the Burj Khalifa Tower, Burj Al Arab, and several extravagant malls. One of the world’s largest shopping centre resides here and contains an amazing aquarium inside the Dubai Mall. It is known as the city that offers the opportunity to witness life through a lens, which can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world. Dubai is and has been a titan of trade for centuries. To get a sense of what commerce was like back in the day, take a stroll through one of the city's traditional souks, or bazaars. The Gold Souk, located on Dubai Creek's south bank in the Deira, specializes in glitz and glamour. You can also check out Dubai Marina during the day or at night. I went out night to take pictures of the lit buildings. The Dubai Marina Mall is packed with chain and luxury fashion brands. Upscale yachts cruise through the large man-made marina, where activities range from jet-skiing to skydiving.

The currency in Dubai is the dirham, which is shortened to AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham). One US dollar is worth AED3.67 – and the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, meaning the exchange rate never changes.

I must say, the culture is very different from what we are used to here in the U.S. Our layover in Saudi Arabia was an eye opener. Please make sure you are covered from head to toe if you plan on going to that side of the world. You will get some stares, but no need to worry. I think at first we were nervous, but once we got on our next flight to Dubai, then we felt a little more comfortable. Just make sure you follow their guidelines at the airport and you won’t have any issues.

Due to COVID, you should find out their travel guidelines. The experience is surreal, Dubai is truly a wonder. Below are some videos and photos of our trip.

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area. The park maintains a temperature of -1 degree to 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year. It is a part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. If you go, then I would pack layers because it gets extremely cold there.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, is the world’s tallest structure at an astounding 2,716 feet (828 meters). Visit At the Top, the highest observation deck in the world, for panoramic views of Dubai, the ocean, and the surrounding desert. Downtown Dubai is the city’s busy tourism hub, home to the towering Burj Khalifa skyscraper, with its observation deck, and the dancing Dubai Fountain, where crowds gather to watch music and light shows. The sprawling Dubai Mall offers global fashion brands and casual eateries, while Emaar Boulevard has a chic cafe scene.

The Yellow Boats Tour: You have to go to the Dubai Marina to get on the boats. You can cruise around the amazing Palm Jumeirah and pause for a perfect photo opportunity at Atlantis and Burj Al Arab. Then, the boat heads back along the coast with the spectacles of the Royal Palaces, Palm Lagoon and on to the marina. I recommend doing this tour at night because the city is beautifully lit.

Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach is a white sand beach that is located and named after the Jumeirah district of Dubai, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Entry is completely free of charge, and there are showers and changing rooms for those looking for a dip in the sea. You can see the Burj Al Arab in the background. It is a five star hotel located in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Managed by Jumeirah hotel group, it is one of the tallest hotels in the world.

Desert Safari Tour: This is what our tour included: Bedouin Desert Camp, where you can partake in interactive cultural activities and feast on a delicious BBQ buffet. Drive out of the city and into the peaceful desert aboard a 4x4 Land Cruiser. When you arrive, enjoy a relaxing rest stop and go on an optional quad bike ride while other convoys catch up. Next, sit back and strap in for a dune bashing ride across the red dunes of the Lehbab Desert. Continue to the Al Khayma Camp and be welcomed with Arabic coffee, sweets, and dates. Say hello to the camp’s resident camels and, if you’d like, go on a 10-minute camel ride across the sand. During your time at the camp, you can smoke Shisha (hookah) and get Henna tattoos. The buffet barbecue begins at sunset. While you eat, be entertained by traditional dances performed in the center stage. Finish your dinner on a high note with a tasting of various local desserts.