My stay in Dubai is usually characterized by short visits of no more than 36 hours as a stopover between Australia and Europe. Earlier this year, I was invited to explore Dubai for a week longer. As someone who has a huge respect for Moroccan pastries and their ability to overwhelm you with sweetness yet keep you coming back for more, this opportunity was too good to pass up.
These are my memories.
It looks like I just arrived in Dubai, but this is the last photo I took. I’m somewhere between amazed at humanity’s ability to build structures and create cities in the middle of the desert, and bewildered by it all.
This was actually the first photo I took in Dubai (or rather, my brother who was traveling with me took it for me). My brother and I have a really strong bond and even though he is 11 years younger than me, we are having the best time abroad. I took my first trip abroad when I was 13 years old and it had such a positive impact on my own life that I try to take him on trips every few years to have the same impact on him.
Inside the world’s only 7-star hotel – it’s actually just a 5-star hotel with a nickname. Anyway, the tiling is quite appropriate.
Tile overload.
These are the Arabian oryx, a type of antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula.
I got a lot of flak for riding a camel in the Arabian desert, but I decided not to save myself online (into a dark hole in the abyss), but I did do a fair amount of research on the company I chose to experience the desert and the care of the camels. For this reason, I stand by my decision to immerse myself in Emirati culture. The Bedouin lifestyle was a big part of their culture, and their dependence on these animals was essential to their survival. For the record, these are some of the happiest camels in the world. If you’re interested, read more here.
It’s the only day spa I’ve ever been to that has a lifeguard on duty.
The only time a 4 a.m. wake-up call is OK is for a sunrise mission. This morning we woke up to watch the sun rise over the desert from a hot air balloon. It’s these moments, far removed from the reality you know to be true, that bring the magic to travel and keep travelers engaged for a lifetime.
The souk has spices, nuts and all kinds of things.
The world’s tallest tower.
A Lebanese banquet hosted by Ayamuna’s friends.
Morning in a Bedouin village in the desert. The way the sun feels at this time of day is beyond me.
Flying around the dunes in a rover. We tried to give her a little try but couldn’t even get it started. Not shown in the photo: the actual driver.
This always made me laugh. Cocktails are $20 each and do not include alcohol.
It’s somewhere in the mission where you run around the desert on your own before you get caught. I was able to start the engine, but was unable to keep it running.
I asked a question once, Twitter: Sunrise or sunset? In my case, I choose both. Sunrise is how I set my day with intention. That is, what I am trying to achieve and a logical plan to achieve it. Sunset gives you the feeling of a weight being lifted off your shoulders as you put what’s done behind you, put what’s not done behind you, and set your sights on the day ahead. I find great beauty in living with daily goals and not getting too caught up in planning ahead (I usually only know what I’m doing a few days in advance, and I’ve never been very good at planning).
I would like to thank my brother (Linbob) for joining me on this trip to Dubai. Without him, this wouldn’t have been the same. Even though it was my third or fourth visit, I saw everything with fresh eyes and was excited about the place again. Solo travel is always where it all starts for me, but sharing these experiences is invaluable.