Two Girls in UAE – Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The UAE comprises the seven emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain.

My third international expedition led me to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As the year drew to a close and the holiday season beckoned, my wanderlust urged me for one more escapade. My colleague and friend, Nandini, shared the same sentiment and proposed Dubai. Naturally, my response was an enthusiastic “Let’s Do This Thing..!”

Choosing the right travel companion is crucial—sometimes, even the closest of friends aren’t the best travel buddies (trust me on this). There are countless scenarios where things can go awry if your travel partner isn’t the right fit. For instance, you may crave adventure sports and exploration, while your companion may prefer lazing on the beach. Since you’ll be spending copious amounts of time together—airports, buses, metros, meals, hikes, and more—it’s essential to be with someone you can converse with comfortably, someone you can tolerate! Fortunately, Nandini and I had already embarked on a trip together in June 2016 to Thailand (I plan to document that journey soon), and I knew she was an excellent travel companion. We can sit by a river or atop a hill, saying nothing for hours, and still be at ease. We both travel light, eschew sleeping during travel, relish city exploration and local cuisine, and refrain from judgment.

Once we settled on Dubai as our destination, we collaborated on crafting the itinerary, ensuring it catered to both our interests. The Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque were must-visit attractions for both of us. Nandini has a penchant for theme parks, while I adore exhilarating rides, so we agreed to visit Ferrari World and IMG World of Adventure. D’Pauls, the travel company, facilitated additional add-ons to the itinerary, such as the Dubai city tour and the Abu Dhabi city tour. Although we were thrilled about skydiving in Dubai, all the tickets were sold out due to our impromptu travel plans. Nevertheless, we vowed to soar through the clear blue skies someday.

For the present, we were all geared up to revel in the holiday spirit as we jetted off to Dubai on the 24th of December. After a rejuvenating shower, we dolled up for a visit to the Burj Khalifa—a quintessential Dubai experience. We ascended to the 124th floor of the world’s tallest structure, standing a staggering 829.8 meters (2,722 feet) tall.

The Dubai Fountain – the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, is another attraction that delights thousands of visitors every day. It shoots water up to 500 ft into the air accompanied by a range of music that fills the air. The show airs every half an hour between 6pm and 11pm – make sure you hold the perfect spot and don’t miss the view!

The following day, our itinerary included a Dubai city tour. Dubai is renowned for birthing the world’s tallest building, an island fashioned in the shape of a palm tree, a colossal indoor ski paradise, the world’s largest indoor butterfly garden housing over 15,000 butterflies from 26 species, the fastest roller coaster globally, and with several other monumental projects in the works, it also secured the bid to host EXPO 2020! Exploring Dubai feels akin to embarking on a journey into the future, given its impeccable infrastructure.

Our first stop was Jumeirah Beach, where the azure waters captivate your gaze, and the imposing silhouette of the Burj al-Arab—the world’s fourth tallest hotel—graces the skyline.

Palm Jumeirah – an artificial archipelago in the Persian Gulf shaped in the form of a palm tree was billed the 8th wonder of the world. You can sail around Palm Jumeirah in a yacht or a speedboat, take a stroll or just sit on the rocks and listen to the waves.

For a touch of touristy fun, we opted for the Desert Safari—an ideal choice for an unforgettable evening. Venturing through the undulating dunes, we arrived at a traditional Bedouin-style camp, setting the stage for a night filled with authentic entertainment. Whether you fancy a camel ride, dabble in mini sandboarding, adorn yourself with intricate henna tattoos, immerse in the local attire, or simply unwind on the plush carpets and cushions with an aromatic sheesha (hookah/water pipe), there’s something for everyone. Positioned near the central stage—the hub of performances—we marveled at a mesmerizing belly dance showcase by two graceful performers. For a fleeting moment, the urge to replicate those moves at home crept in! Experiencing the Desert Safari under the glittering Arabian stars is truly an unforgettable adventure.

We savored a delightful dining experience at Barasti Beach Bar, renowned for its fantastic music, delectable cuisine, and refreshing beverages against the backdrop of a stunning beachfront setting. While it’s optimal to visit during the day for a leisurely sun-soaked experience with drinks served to you, our nighttime excursion was equally enchanting. We reveled in live band performances, embraced the cool evening breeze, and indulged in mouthwatering dishes that tantalized our taste buds.

The following morning, we embarked on our journey to Abu Dhabi. After a brief city tour, we made a stop at the iconic and exquisitely crafted Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Initially serving as a Quran study school, the mosque also serves as the final resting place of the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Adorned with delicate floral designs and constructed from Greek marble, the mosque’s architecture left me in awe. Observing proper etiquette, we ensured that our attire fully covered our bodies, opting for the abayas provided by our tour guide. It was a singular experience I had quietly yearned for since childhood.

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Next, we went to the Ferrari World

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The highlight of my Dubai trip? Roller coaster rides.

When we decided to visit Ferrari World (@ferrariworldabudhabi), I knew I had to experience the thrill of the roller coasters. It was my first time trying one, so it’s funny that I went straight for the Formula Rossa – the world’s fastest roller coaster. 240km/h in 4.9 seconds! This photo was taken by my friend, Nandini, from the observation area. She’s afraid of these rides – I wished she’d given it a try because it was incredible!

Next up was ‘Flying Aces’ – another roller coaster ride. After conquering the world’s fastest, I was ready for anything. I found myself in a long queue, and my turn seemed like it would take ages. I almost backed out, but then a German man in the line assured me that Flying Aces was even better than Formula Rossa. I had to seize the opportunity! I politely asked a family in front of me if I could go ahead, and they happily agreed (the power of a smile!).

I sat in the front row for both rides, and it was absolutely exhilarating!

Flying Aces definitely surpassed the Rossa, and I regretted not having a video of the ride. But here’s a link to a YouTube video of the Rossa – everyone should experience it at least once in their life!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nhoCTK2fDoo

There are many other rides that you can try here and if rides is not your thing then you can learn the history of Ferrari, try go karting or 4D adventures or visit the interactive exhibition of cars from 1947 to the present day.

After an eventful day we were all set to explore the nightlife of Dubai. We headed to The Backyard by Swim & Tonic for drinks – a garden style pub with picnic tables and reclining sofas that look out over to the Dubai Canal.

Our next stop for the night was the Rodeo Drive pub – the Wild West cowboy world. You can play beer pong or ride the mechanical bull or dance your way through the night.

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We chose to visit the IMG Worlds of Adventure the next day, an indoor theme/amusement park. There are various rides to choose from. You can also meet your favorite characters in the Meet and Greet zone including Spider-Man, Thor and the Powerpuff Girls.

While Nandini was here to relive her childhood watching her favorite cartoon characters come alive and to meet Santa Claus in person, I was game for the Velociraptor roller coaster – this one is not for the faint hearted, an absolutely thrilling ride!

Since this was our last night in the UAE, we decided to go to the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) where 40 sandy colored towers light up the marina skyline at night. The sandy shores of Jumeirah beach offer al fresco dining – we chose to sit at ‘Shake Shack’  and this is my personal favorite for the best beef burgers I’ve had till date.

We also tried the catch sticks at Catch 22 – you can choose from a variety of them – I liked the Teriyaki Salmon the most.

JBR is also known for its stylish boutiques, handicraft shops, community events, supercars and a leisure walk along the waterfront. We noticed the ‘Turkish Ice cream’ stall here that is famous for its vendors playing tricks with the ice cream cone before finally serving it to the customer. People gather around the stall to watch his pranks and make videos that go viral on social media – I’m guilty of one myself 🙂

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOlNuMGlKWD/?taken-by=himadrieee

We were fortunate to be in JBR at 8:30pm as it was time for the fireworks and boy was it amazing! The sky was illuminated with beautiful lights and sparkle – a night full of stars.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOklwHLAK4v/?taken-by=himadrieee

Lock Stock & Barrel bar was next on our list. A party place that hosts live music bands. This was a perfect place to let your feet tap and groove on their music. A must visit for sure 🙂

After dancing away the night, we were starving so we headed to the famous Lebanese eatery – Zaatar w Zeit. We started with ‘Hummus & Crackers’ which is mashed chickpeas blended with tahini sauce, served with chopped grilled vegetables and toasted multicereal crackers on the side.

The ‘Pepperoni Pizza’ was made of beef slices and fresh mushroom with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Back home in India, I am known to always order Pepperoni which is made of pork but this one with beef was something else. I am definitely going back for more!

If you’re here, you should definitely try the ‘Manakeesh’, it is a popular Levantine food which consists of dough topped with thyme, cheese or meat. Very similar to a pizza, it can be sliced or folded.

The ‘Turkey and Cheese Wrap’ was my favorite – a classic combination of melted cheese topped with slices of smoked turkey, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo mustard. I had two of those on a full stomach and wished I could pack more for the flight back home…

As the morning approached, we reluctantly made our way back to the hotel, filled with a mixture of emotions and a treasure trove of memories.

From rooftop pubs and vibrant beach clubs to elegant cocktail lounges and outdoor concerts under the stars, Dubai offers a diverse and exciting nightlife scene that caters to every taste, budget, and age group.

If you’re considering a trip to Dubai, I hope this blog proves helpful. And if you’ve already explored the city, please share your suggestions and recommendations in the comments below for our next visit.

Thanks for stopping by 🙂