Dubai is a city that effortlessly blends traditional Arabian charm with breathtaking modernity, and our trip there offered a perfect taste of both worlds.
Our evenings in Dubai often began with the enchanting sight of the Marina, where the water banks are beautifully lined with traditional Dhow boats. These wooden vessels, historically used by Arabs for trading across the seas, are now often adorned with strings of light illuminating their sterns and bodies, creating a magical, glowing spectacle on the water. We embarked on a Dhow cruise, enjoying the comfort of a boat that came with both an upper and lower deck, well-furnished and air-conditioned – a welcome respite from the Dubai warmth. A refreshing welcome drink was served as the boat gently unanchored and began sailing away from the banks, offering stunning views of the illuminated skyscrapers of the Marina rising around us. Dinner was a highlight, with a generous buffet spread offering a good variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, fresh salads, and tempting desserts. The ambiance was enhanced by traditional Arabic Music played throughout the cruise, creating an authentic and relaxing atmosphere. As soon as dinner concluded, a makeshift stage was set up near the buffet counter for the entertainment program. We were treated to captivating performances of traditional Arabic dances and a particularly mesmerizing skirt dance where the dancer's elaborate costume lit up, adding a modern, visual twist to the traditional form. This Dhow cruise is an absolute 'must-do' for anyone visiting Dubai, especially for families, offering a delightful evening of dining, entertainment, and stunning views from the water.
The next day was dedicated to exploring Dubai's past and its glittering present. We started at the Dubai Museum, the main museum in the UAE, housed within the historic Al Fahidi Fort. Built in 1787, the fort is a significant landmark as the oldest existing building in Dubai, offering a glimpse into the emirate's architectural heritage. The museum was opened in 1971 by the ruler of Dubai with the clear aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai. Do not be put off by the seemingly small appearance of the fort from the outside, as it cleverly conceals huge underground facilities that are home to the main exhibits. This underground section is where you truly step back in time to the founding of this amazing city. The museum's collection includes local antiquities and artifacts from the African and Asian countries that historically traded with Dubai, highlighting its past as a bustling trading port. Several incredibly detailed dioramas vividly showcase life in the emirate before the advent of oil, depicting scenes of pearl diving, Bedouin life, and traditional souks, bringing history to life. The exhibits also include artifacts from recent archaeological discoveries dating back as old as 3000 B.C., revealing the deep roots of human habitation in this region. The museum truly transports you back hundreds, if not thousands, of years to its foundation, showing its remarkable growth from a tiny fishing village on the creek to the mega-city it is today. It's a wonderful, insightful experience and at a very low cost, making it 2-3 hours very well spent.
From the historical insights of the museum, we moved to the dazzling spectacle of the Gold Souk. As you enter this famous market, you are immediately struck by the sheer magnitude of gold hanging in the windows of the shops. It is an impressive and almost overwhelming site, with intricate necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments glittering everywhere you look. The sheer scale is perhaps best exemplified by the famous display of a 58-kilo gold ring in one window. While it is undoubtedly an impressive site and a major tourist attraction, it's also a very touristic street, and you will encounter many men trying to sell you imitation goods like fake watches and purses, which can be a bit persistent.
Dubai is also synonymous with luxury and architectural marvels. We visited the iconic Burj Al-Arab hotel, instantly recognizable for its distinctive shape. Located on the sands of Jumeirah Beach, it stands on its own artificial island, adding to its sense of exclusivity. This luxury hotel is one of the tallest in the world, standing at roughly 1,053 feet (321 meters). The striking shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a traditional Dhow boat, a beautiful nod to Dubai's maritime heritage. Often referred to as "the world's only 7-Star hotel" (though officially rated as five-star deluxe), it embodies unparalleled luxury and opulence.
While Dubai offers incredible urban experiences, the highlight for our tour proved to be the exhilarating Desert Safari. The adventure begins with a 4x4 ride in the desert, an experience that is arguably the most exhilarating roller coaster ride you can ever take. Skilled drivers navigate the sand dunes, providing thrilling ups, downs, and slides that are both heart-pounding and incredibly fun. This exhilarating drive takes you across the seemingly endless desert plains to a traditional campsite nestled amongst the dunes. Upon arrival at the camp, we had the classic desert experience of a camel ride, gently swaying atop these magnificent creatures as we took in the vastness of the desert landscape. As the day drew to a close, the atmosphere became truly magical. The cool dusk winds provided a welcome relief, and we witnessed a spectacular sunset over the dunes, the changing colors of the sand from golden hues to deep oranges and purples bringing a sense of immense pleasure and tranquility.
The evening at the desert camp was filled with cultural experiences and delicious food. We watched the captivating Tanoura folk dance, a Sufi-inspired performance where dancers spin in a mesmerizing display of colorful skirts. This was followed by a delicious barbecue dinner, a feast under the stars in the desert ambiance. The entertainment continued after dinner with a live belly-dance performance around the campfire, adding to the exotic and entertaining atmosphere of the evening. The Desert Safari is truly an entertaining and a great day out, offering adventure, cultural immersion, and a memorable evening under the desert sky.
No visit to Dubai is complete without seeing the Burj Khalifa, the undisputed tallest man-made structure in the world. Soaring to a height of 829.8 meters (2,722 ft), its scale is simply astounding. Construction began on September 21, 2004, with the exterior completed on October 1, 2009, and the building officially opened on January 4, 2010. It is the centerpiece of the new 2 km² (490-acre) development called Downtown Dubai, situated at the 'First Interchange' along Sheikh Zayed Road. The main highlight of the whole experience of visiting the Burj Khalifa is undoubtedly the elevator ride that whisks you up through 104 floors in just 8 seconds. The speed of the ascent is incredible, with your ears popping as you rapidly gain altitude. The best time to visit for unparalleled views is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. This timing allows you to experience the breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai during both the daytime, seeing the city spread out beneath you, and then witness the magical transition as the sun sets and the city lights begin to twinkle below, offering a completely different and equally spectacular perspective at night.
Right next to the Burj Khalifa is the enormous Dubai Mall, a destination in itself. Within the mall is the impressive Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. A key feature here is the world's largest Acrylic Panel, a massive viewing window measuring 32.88 meters wide, 8.3 meters high, and a remarkable 750 mm thick, weighing in at a staggering 245,614 kg. This colossal panel provides unparalleled, crystal-clear views into the main tank. Its size is impressive, being larger than the acrylic panel at Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (which is 22.5 m wide, 8.2 m high, and 600 mm thick), though it is smaller than the panel at Singapore's S.E.A Aquarium (36 m wide, 8.3 m high). Its transparency allows visitors to see over 33,000 living animals on display, including a significant population of 400 sharks and rays, swimming gracefully in the immersive environment. Beyond the main tank, the Underwater Zoo on the level above offers further exhibits showcasing a variety of aquatic life.
In front of the Dubai Mall, on the large 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, lies the mesmerizing Dubai Fountain. Designed by WET Design, the renowned California-based company also responsible for the iconic fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, this is the world's largest choreographed fountain system. Illuminated by a dazzling array of 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, the fountain spans 902 feet in length and is capable of shooting water jets up to an incredible 500 feet into the air. The water dances and sways in perfect synchronization to a diverse range of music, from classical pieces to contemporary Arabic and world music, creating a truly spectacular and emotional performance that draws large crowds throughout the evening.
Dubai offers an incredible range of experiences, from stepping back in time at the museum and enjoying traditional evenings on a Dhow cruise or in the desert, to marveling at the heights of the Burj Khalifa and the wonders within the Dubai Mall. It's a city that constantly aims to impress and entertain.
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