Four months ago I became a mom, but the fact that I have a little baby now, does not mean that I will stop travelling. I just need to choose the destinations a bit more carefully now.
We decided to spend the end of the year in Dubai, which is relatively close to Europe, perfect for a short holiday, clean, with a good infrastructure and medical care.
We decided to spend the end of the year in Dubai, which is relatively close to Europe, perfect for a short holiday, clean, with a good infrastructure and medical care.
The city of Dubai is one of the fastest developing cities in the World, and the most populous city of United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. It's hard to believe that fifty years earlier there was nothing in here! Oil reserves certainly helped Dubai in its beginnings, but its current shape and image of a very dynamic and prosperious place, it owes to the vision and initiative of its rulers.
In order to make this trip even more comfortable for a baby, we decided to fly with Emirates, which has a direct flight from Brussels. Unfortunately we left Brussels with a delay. On top of that we were flying over Dubai for one hour as we couldn't land because of a fogg. Therefore we arrived nearly three hours later than planned. Passport control was quite quick and smooth - especially because the airport staff directed us to the special counter for families with children - however we still had to wait for a very long time for our luggages. We concluded that the easiest way to get to our hotel will be by Uber, and finally, at nearly 4AM we made it to the Landmark Hotel Riqqa - located in the Deira district, very close from the airport.
DAY 1 - or how to enjoy Dubai when it's dark
On the first day we woke up in the early afternoon - not only because we came to Dubai very late, but also because there is a three hours time difference between UAE and Europe. Since it wasn't very early anymore, and thus the sun would soon go down, we started our Dubai sightseeing from the place where no sunlight was required to enjoy it - the Dubai Mall :) It was easily accessible from Deira, as there was the direct metro line stopping at the Mall.
Calling it a huge shopping centre (with one thousand two hundred retail outlets it is one of the biggest, if not the biggest shopping centre in the World ) would not be enough, as it's also a huge dining, leisure and entertaining centre (including ice rink). We were totally amazed by the number of shops in the mall, I think at least a few days are needed to visit all of them. I was of course the most interested in kids' shops, which were all located on the third floor ;-)
Part of the Mall - called The Souk - looks like an old Arab bazaar and several shops are selling traditional Arab items. I was very much tempted by carpets, but in the end my temptation remained temptation only.
One of the biggest attractions of the Dubai Mall is also the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. With 33 thousands of aquatic animals it is one of the world's largest aquariums. One wall of the aquarium is actually visible and accessible to everyone.
The Mall is indeed very impressive, but after some time you are done with watching shops. We left it as we wanted to watch the Dubai Fountain. Located at one of the Mall's exits, this combination of several fountains gives a magnificent dance show of water accompanied by syncing lights and music. The place was full of people, so we couldn't see the show properly, but since every half an hour there's a new show (with different music though) we decided to wait for the next one. And indeed, after the first show was over, most people left, and we had very good places to see the second one.
This evening was also our first meeting with the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the World, which is standing just next to the fountains. It was beautifully illuminated, and changed colours with every second. We cannot wait to go to the top!
DAY 2 or how to get lost in Dubai.
On the following day we had a plan to sit down on the beach with a drink and to admire the Burj Al Arab - a famous hotel in the shape of a sale. Well, the plan was in principle easy. I found the beach which we were planning to hit - Jumeirah Beach Hotel, as well as the information how to get there. We were just supposed to take a metro until the Mall of the Emirates, and then take a bus. The plan sounded easy, but it's execution was a bit more complicated. Well, we indeed took the metro until the Mall (but since the distances are quite big in Dubai, it took us some time to arrive there), and then... we got lost!! We were looking for an exit where the bus stop was, but we couldn't find it! We were walking all around the Mall, but we completely couldn't find the right exit. After half an hour we finally found it, just to realize that there were no more buses... Anyway, even if there were, it started to be late and there was no point of going to the beach anymore..
We then decided to go to the Dubai Marina - a district built around an artificial canal - which was just a few metro stops from the Mall. We walked along the canal of Dubai Marina, which - like everything else in Dubai - was very impressive. Residential skyscrappers in the background, and modern yachts on the first plan. The promenade is apparently seven kilometers long, but we certainly walked a bit less. It was also possible to make a cruise, but we didn't do it. The way along the canal was beautiful - we came to the Marina at that time of the day a bit randomly, but I think that it's actually the best time of the day with all these lights on. There were several restaurants on the promenade, on that evening we chose seafood. What else in this place?
DAY 3 or chillout with THE view!
The next day I didn't want to risk to get lost, waste time and loose a day, thus we ordered an Uber in order to (finally) get to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It was a great decision as we paid less than 20 euros for a 25 km drive. And it took us only 23 minutes to get there. As all other Ubers in Dubai, this was also a white Lexus driven by a very nice Pakistani.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is also one of the symbols of Dubai and its shape reminds of a wave. We were thinking of going to the roof-top bar, or the beach bar, but unfortunately both these places were full and our only option was restaurant La Veranda. We booked the entry at the reception, and we were allowed to go further. It not only gave us a possibility of staying in a beautiful location, but also to have a view on the Burj al-Arab - a luxury hotel in the shape of a sail of a ship, which is one of the most recognizable Dubai's symbols. The prices were not very low, but the place was certainly worth its price. The service was very professional, and Marijn had his beer :)
After our drinks we walked a bit on the hotel's promenade, hoping that one day we could come back here as the hotel's guests.
Since it was also New Year's Eve, we were considering of waiting for the New Year here - as there was some party being organized - but we concluded it's much too expensive (as I couldn't drink alcohol), and a bit too far from our hotel. We then decided just to buy champagne, so we could celebrate the New Year in our room. We knew that Dubai is an Arab city, and thus buying alcohol is not easy, however we were convinced that in such an international city, it is nevertheless possible to buy alcohol. Well, it turned out it isn't. We first went to a big Carefour, where after our question for champagne we were shown a "champagne" - or more precisely a sparkling grape juice "Charlemagne" made in Belgium :). Well, since we didn't know whether it will be possible to get anything else, we took it ;) we visited a few more shops, but there was no alcohol. We then understood that it's not easy to buy it in Dubai, and after we checked it on internet, we understood it's actually not possible for random tourists at all to officially buy alcohol - apart from some bars and hotels who have a license. Well, our hotel hadn't, so we found a five star Carlton Palace in the neighbourhood, where we decided to welcome the New Year. On its roof-top bar, with a glass of wine, we could also admire the spectacular fireworks at the Burj Khalifa far on the horizon.
Part of the Mall - called The Souk - looks like an old Arab bazaar and several shops are selling traditional Arab items. I was very much tempted by carpets, but in the end my temptation remained temptation only.
One of the biggest attractions of the Dubai Mall is also the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. With 33 thousands of aquatic animals it is one of the world's largest aquariums. One wall of the aquarium is actually visible and accessible to everyone.
The Mall is indeed very impressive, but after some time you are done with watching shops. We left it as we wanted to watch the Dubai Fountain. Located at one of the Mall's exits, this combination of several fountains gives a magnificent dance show of water accompanied by syncing lights and music. The place was full of people, so we couldn't see the show properly, but since every half an hour there's a new show (with different music though) we decided to wait for the next one. And indeed, after the first show was over, most people left, and we had very good places to see the second one.
On the following day we had a plan to sit down on the beach with a drink and to admire the Burj Al Arab - a famous hotel in the shape of a sale. Well, the plan was in principle easy. I found the beach which we were planning to hit - Jumeirah Beach Hotel, as well as the information how to get there. We were just supposed to take a metro until the Mall of the Emirates, and then take a bus. The plan sounded easy, but it's execution was a bit more complicated. Well, we indeed took the metro until the Mall (but since the distances are quite big in Dubai, it took us some time to arrive there), and then... we got lost!! We were looking for an exit where the bus stop was, but we couldn't find it! We were walking all around the Mall, but we completely couldn't find the right exit. After half an hour we finally found it, just to realize that there were no more buses... Anyway, even if there were, it started to be late and there was no point of going to the beach anymore..
We then decided to go to the Dubai Marina - a district built around an artificial canal - which was just a few metro stops from the Mall. We walked along the canal of Dubai Marina, which - like everything else in Dubai - was very impressive. Residential skyscrappers in the background, and modern yachts on the first plan. The promenade is apparently seven kilometers long, but we certainly walked a bit less. It was also possible to make a cruise, but we didn't do it. The way along the canal was beautiful - we came to the Marina at that time of the day a bit randomly, but I think that it's actually the best time of the day with all these lights on. There were several restaurants on the promenade, on that evening we chose seafood. What else in this place?
DAY 3 or chillout with THE view!
The next day I didn't want to risk to get lost, waste time and loose a day, thus we ordered an Uber in order to (finally) get to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It was a great decision as we paid less than 20 euros for a 25 km drive. And it took us only 23 minutes to get there. As all other Ubers in Dubai, this was also a white Lexus driven by a very nice Pakistani.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is also one of the symbols of Dubai and its shape reminds of a wave. We were thinking of going to the roof-top bar, or the beach bar, but unfortunately both these places were full and our only option was restaurant La Veranda. We booked the entry at the reception, and we were allowed to go further. It not only gave us a possibility of staying in a beautiful location, but also to have a view on the Burj al-Arab - a luxury hotel in the shape of a sail of a ship, which is one of the most recognizable Dubai's symbols. The prices were not very low, but the place was certainly worth its price. The service was very professional, and Marijn had his beer :)
Since it was also New Year's Eve, we were considering of waiting for the New Year here - as there was some party being organized - but we concluded it's much too expensive (as I couldn't drink alcohol), and a bit too far from our hotel. We then decided just to buy champagne, so we could celebrate the New Year in our room. We knew that Dubai is an Arab city, and thus buying alcohol is not easy, however we were convinced that in such an international city, it is nevertheless possible to buy alcohol. Well, it turned out it isn't. We first went to a big Carefour, where after our question for champagne we were shown a "champagne" - or more precisely a sparkling grape juice "Charlemagne" made in Belgium :). Well, since we didn't know whether it will be possible to get anything else, we took it ;) we visited a few more shops, but there was no alcohol. We then understood that it's not easy to buy it in Dubai, and after we checked it on internet, we understood it's actually not possible for random tourists at all to officially buy alcohol - apart from some bars and hotels who have a license. Well, our hotel hadn't, so we found a five star Carlton Palace in the neighbourhood, where we decided to welcome the New Year. On its roof-top bar, with a glass of wine, we could also admire the spectacular fireworks at the Burj Khalifa far on the horizon.
DAY 4 or why so early?
Day 4 was a bit challenging... Early in the morning - at 8:30 we had our slot for going up the Burj Khalifa, which is the World's tallest building. In normal circumstances it would be feasible, however this time the circumstances were not really normal as it was New Year, and the previous night we celebrated its arrival. Well, we didn't really have a choice - we bought our tickets a week ago, and while buying them we didn't have a choice either - it was the only remaining slot for the 124th floor. There were still several slots for the 148th floor, however the price was much higher (124th floor's tickets cost between 35 and 50 euros, while tickets for the 148th floor cost between 95 and 135 euro).
In order not to lose time and precious sleep, we arrived there by Uber. The entrance to the Burj Khalifa's observation decks is from the Dubai Mall, which was completely empty at that time. However while approaching the entrance to the Burj, several people were already waiting. On spot it turned out that... we came one hour too early. Apparently our spot was one hour later, but luckily we were allowed to enter... 8:30 is actually the first slot, it was relatively ok to take photos of the surroundings and of ourselves with the surroundings. I can imagine that later it has to be a bit more challenging.
The views were indeed spectacular - the 124th floor is located at 452m! It made me realize not only how huge Dubai is, but also that it is a lonely island among the sandy landscape of Emirates.
Straight after the Burj, we went to the Aquarium. Also relatively quiet and empty at that time, it really amazed me. It reminded me of my big passion which is diving... For the first time I could see sharks from so close! I could spend hours on watching the underwater life. The ticket (100 dirham) comprised also the entrance to the Underwater Zoo, which main attraction is the King Croc - a crocodile brought to Dubai from Australia, living faithfully with one old wife, and not accepting any other, younger female crocodiles. In the zoo there are also other water animals, such as fish, penguins, beavers etc.
The morning was very busy and we were about to keep this pace, as it was not yet the end of the attractions for today. At 2pm we had to be back in the hotel, as the driver was picking us up and bringing us to the desert for the safari experience... I wasn't very enthousiastic, as I somehow thought that a safari in Dubai bought in promotion on Groupon will not be very authentic, but Marijn very much wanted to do it, so I agreed. Once we arrived there I knew I was right. It started with the duna bashing - what was a very stupid idea to do with little baby. Then - it turned out it will not be a small oasis with three tents and bedouins (as I somehow was in my naivety imagining it), but a big village full of people, full of sellers, where almost no service was for free. I really started to laugh when I saw a queue full of people waiting for their ride on camel (15 euros). They rode like 20 meters and all this lasted not more than 3 minutes... In the end we went on dunes, and took some photos of our little family, and after that we were waiting for the meal (and I was waiting for the end and return to Dubai!!).
DAY 5 or let's take is slowly
On the last day we didn't have big plans. We first went to the Dubai Mall, as I didn't want to leave Dubai with empty hands ;-) The occasion seemed to be perfect as we were in the middle of sales aka Dubai Shopping Festival. I entered a few shops where I thought I could buy something, and I have to admit that the choice was so so. Or at least smaller than in Brussels. Maybe the fact that although it's the biggest shopping centre, it has also the highest number of clients, thus most of the stuff is sold out? We also walked through the Fashion Avenue - a place in the Mall with luxurious brands, but there we didn't find either anything that would draw our attention.
The very last place which we visited in Dubai was Dubai Miracle Garden. We went there also by Uber, as it turned out the most comfortable and relatively cheap mean of transport.
This flower garden is featuring various objects - such as hearts, buildings or even the Emirates' plane -which are made of over 109 million flowers. As my my dream job would be the gardener, I could not miss the this place ;-)
All in all, Dubai turned out to be a very good idea for a short holiday with a baby. Our baby girl was very patient and relatively well behaving. Of course we took it very slowly, we didn't visit everything what was to be visited in Dubai. We saw though the most important places, and we hope to see the rest next time :)
Day 4 was a bit challenging... Early in the morning - at 8:30 we had our slot for going up the Burj Khalifa, which is the World's tallest building. In normal circumstances it would be feasible, however this time the circumstances were not really normal as it was New Year, and the previous night we celebrated its arrival. Well, we didn't really have a choice - we bought our tickets a week ago, and while buying them we didn't have a choice either - it was the only remaining slot for the 124th floor. There were still several slots for the 148th floor, however the price was much higher (124th floor's tickets cost between 35 and 50 euros, while tickets for the 148th floor cost between 95 and 135 euro).
In order not to lose time and precious sleep, we arrived there by Uber. The entrance to the Burj Khalifa's observation decks is from the Dubai Mall, which was completely empty at that time. However while approaching the entrance to the Burj, several people were already waiting. On spot it turned out that... we came one hour too early. Apparently our spot was one hour later, but luckily we were allowed to enter... 8:30 is actually the first slot, it was relatively ok to take photos of the surroundings and of ourselves with the surroundings. I can imagine that later it has to be a bit more challenging.
The views were indeed spectacular - the 124th floor is located at 452m! It made me realize not only how huge Dubai is, but also that it is a lonely island among the sandy landscape of Emirates.
DAY 5 or let's take is slowly
On the last day we didn't have big plans. We first went to the Dubai Mall, as I didn't want to leave Dubai with empty hands ;-) The occasion seemed to be perfect as we were in the middle of sales aka Dubai Shopping Festival. I entered a few shops where I thought I could buy something, and I have to admit that the choice was so so. Or at least smaller than in Brussels. Maybe the fact that although it's the biggest shopping centre, it has also the highest number of clients, thus most of the stuff is sold out? We also walked through the Fashion Avenue - a place in the Mall with luxurious brands, but there we didn't find either anything that would draw our attention.
The very last place which we visited in Dubai was Dubai Miracle Garden. We went there also by Uber, as it turned out the most comfortable and relatively cheap mean of transport.
This flower garden is featuring various objects - such as hearts, buildings or even the Emirates' plane -which are made of over 109 million flowers. As my my dream job would be the gardener, I could not miss the this place ;-)
