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Dubai
- Jan 2, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Dubai is a dazzling gem in the heart of the United Arab Emirates. This vibrant city has transformed from a humble fishing village into a global metropolis, renowned for its stunning skyline, gorgeous resorts, and extravagant shopping experiences. Today, Dubai offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity that captivates millions of visitors each year.
December 2024 - January 2025
Desert Days
About an hour drive from Dubai were desert adventures. This unique experience included
Driving through the desert (practically on a 45 degree angle on some sand hills)
ATV and Buggy rides
Camel Rides
Shopping Opportunities for Scarves and Souvenirs
Sand-boarding - standing and sitting
Additions: evening dinner and performances
My sister and I enjoyed driving ATVs in the sand. Besides the instance where she got her ATV stuck in a sand hill, it was a great experience. We met many camels along the way, gaining the opportunity to ride them for a bit. It is much higher than it looks. Sand-boarding was a unique opportunity as well, my family's wipe-outs made me laugh a lot. The evening dinner was an exciting time to engage in culture cuisines, activities, and shows.
Abu Dhabi
About 2-3 hours from Dubai is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi is renowned for its architecture, including the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is an architectural marvel and a symbol of the cultural heritage of the UAE. The city boasts numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The coastal location of Abu Dhabi offers picturesque views of the Arabian Gulf, complemented by beautiful parks and waterfront promenades. High-quality restaurants line this coast. With its modern infrastructure and commitment to sustainability, Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a significant player on the global stage.
We first visited the UAE Presidential Palace. This magnificent structure is not only the official residence of the President of the United Arab Emirates but also serves as a cultural landmark that showcases the rich history and traditions of the Emirates. As we approached the palace, the grandeur of its white marble, adorned with golden intricate Islamic designs and stunning domes, left us in awe. The expansive gardens surrounding the palace provided a serene atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the opulence of the building itself. Inside, we were greeted by lavish interiors that featured high ceilings, exquisite chandeliers, and detailed carvings that reflect the artistry of Emirati craftsmanship. Here, we learned about the various functions of the palace, including its role in hosting state events, diplomatic meetings, and cultural exhibitions. The palace also houses a museum that offers insights into the UAE's history, governance, and the vision of its leaders, making it a place of learning and reflection. It is important to be mindful of the modest dress code, covering your legs in this area.
Lunch was enjoyed at an Eastern European restaurant located by the Arabian Gulf. At sunset, we made our way to the magnificent Grand Mosque (photographed in the first two photos above), a stunning architectural masterpiece that stands as a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance. Regarding the dress code, women must be fully covered and wearing a head scarf. There was about an hour long wait due to the timing and busy season, however, it was a beautiful place to visit nonetheless.
An unexpected remark was that much of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have expansive empty areas that are undergoing construction. Besides the main downtown area of Dubai, there are an incredible amount of buildings in the making.
The UAE appears to have large plans for the future.
The Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world, stands at about 830 metres tall. This gorgeous building complements the fountain show that occurs every 30 mins, beginning at 6:00pm and finalizing at 11:00pm. This iconic structure not only dominates the skyline but also serves as a symbol of progress and ambition in urban development. Many people gather around the fountain area to witness this captivating event, making it a popular social gathering spot in the evening.
We did the "At the Top of the Burj Khalifa" excursion as well. During the busy season (December-January) I would not quite recommend this activity. An unlimited amount of tickets are sold, equaling to an unexpected 3+hour line. I found the building to be much more appreciable from the outside.
Yacht Day
This day featured an Extended Sunset Yacht tour from the Dubai Marina. The 60ft yacht was equipped with an indoor dining and living area, an upper deck, and two bedrooms with their own washrooms and walk-in closets. We were served drinks and dinner onboard. I enjoyed touring the boat itself while taking in the beautiful views of the water and city skyline.
It was lovely seeing the water and buildings lit up with the glowing sun, all pictured down below. From the music to the ambience of being over the water, it was a lovely time. The company we booked with was called Sky Walker.
Dubai Mall
The vast Dubai Mall was home to any store you could imagine. Not only were the contents of the store abundant, but the customized architecture and design with each store is what amazed me. Each store was designed with their unique identity, making the space their own little world.
The mall was home to exceptional restaurants, a skating rink, a Chinatown, a cinema, an aquarium, and so much more.
For the car lovers, the valet by the Rolex store also showcased incredible cars.
The Palm
Palm Jumeirah is an artificial group of islands located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is known for its distinctive palm tree shape. Located on the Palm are exclusive villas and beautiful views. At the top of the island lies the Atlantis at the Palm resort (top middle image under Yacht Day), with an incredible waterpark and dining areas like Nobu. Cool vehicles can be spotted here as well.
Renting Cars
Joining the gorgeous car atmosphere adds a little bonus to the adventure. On days with many stops, going in and out of transportation, I would recommend renting a car. Though it can be quite confusing on new roads, it adds some excitement to the journey. My family thought it would be a good chance to play with sporty and luxury. For sporty, a convertible Mustang with bright orange interior and decals proved to serve some fun. For luxury, a dark green Rolls Royce with white cream interior was rented. From not knowing a thing about cars, I developed quite an interest in their variety.
Miracle Gardens
Discovering the Miracle Gardens through online videos is what first allowed me to discover "Dubai". I absolutely adore flowers and gardens. The creation of art was incredibly admirable, as they transformed plants into any imaginable statue. The smell of flowers fill the air as you walk through and admire the area. Mini shops and mini games are scattered throughout the space as well. From twirling princesses to a life-sized Emirates airplane, there is so much to see.
Global Village
This enormous space brings unity in cultures across the globe. Many countries had their own massive area in which spices, foods, clothing and other products provide a taste of what the country is like. There is a greater focus on the Middle East and Asian countries, which was fascinating for me as, at the time, I've only been to two countries from those areas. It helped expand my global perspective with a touch of their cultures. Aside from the markets, there is an amusement park filled with all sorts of rides and games.
New Years 2025
To celebrate the New Year, we admired the fireworks from the Burj Khalifa.
Since this is one of the top firework celebrations in the world, it gets extremely busy in the entire surrounding area. Fortunately, we booked a Yacht celebration experience. This allowed us to avoid bustling crowds and traffic as we had a perfect view from the water. Our family made lots of friends on this ship, as it was filled with people from all cultures celebrating as well.
We were provided dinner and dessert. The firework show and Burj Khalifa graphics were marvellous.
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