Over these past two weeks I have had a chance to
go through some of the photos I took whilst I was in Dubai. Now when I say some of the photos, I actually mean all
1634 photos I took.
No bull.
Talk about a snap happy tourist.
Whilst we were only actually in Dubai for 7
days, we sure as hell packed in a lot. Like anywhere major city I guess, there
is so much to see and do in Dubai and it could be hard to know where to start.
Fortunately for us we had the most incredible guide in Xavier from 1001
Events who together with the fabulous gals from Dubai tourism, had our week
totally mapped out for us.
I’ve
already shared with you, the Sheikh MohammedCentre for Cultural Understanding and Al Bastakiya, the Desert Safari and the hot air ballooning. I even took you on a tour of where I stayed at the Shangri-La. But there was so much more that we did and saw during our week in Dubai, so I thought I
would take you on a bit of a photo tour of a few more of the places we
explored.
If you ever make it to Dubai for a holiday, or
manage to wangle a couple of days for a stopover on route somewhere else, I
highly suggest you go to these places, maybe even consider booking a guide to
show you around.
First stop (in no particular order) is the
stunning Boardwalk Restaurant at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
at the Dubai Marina.
This marina moors some mighty spectacular
yachts, some of which we ogled as we feasted on the most beautifully cooked
Mediterranean style seafood I have ever
tasted… including sea snails.
Holy moly I ate snails… and damn they were good.
Technically we didn't go to the iconic Burj Al Arab, but I did stand on the beach in front of
it whilst I dipped my toes in the Arabian Sea.
Would you just listen to me… oh I just dipped my
toes in the Arabian Sea. La de da da lady!
Honestly though, that little dip with the
majestic Burj Al Arab rising all 321 metres above the sea as my incredible
backdrop… this was one of the highlights of the whole trip for me.
Just look at the colour of the sand and the
water.
It is heavenly.
High Tea at Raffles was a total surprise as I had
no idea we were doing this until we were on the bus and on our way there.
I once sipped on a Singapore Sling at the
magnificent Raffles Singapore, so I was keen to see how this opulent hotel
would live up to its Asian counterpart.
It sure held its own, that’s for sure.
The miniature sandwiches, scones and treats were
to die for and …mmmm I can still
taste that divine foie gras.
Towering 828 metres above the city, the Burj Khalifa
holds the crown as the tallest building in the world.
We travelled up the elevator to the 148th floor for
the ‘At the Top Experience’ which saw us going out onto the world’s highest outdoor observation deck.
The views were both breathtakingly beautiful and terrifying and probably not for the
fainthearted.
Speaking of world’s largest structures, right next door to the Burj Khalifa is the world’s largest shopping centre - The Dubai Mall.
Set over 1,114,000 sqm metres, this place not
only boasts over 1000 stores, it is also home to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater
Zoo, Kid-Zania an award winning educational theme park AND Sega Republic, an
indoor amusement park.
Seriously this place was beyond mind-blowing and
I was completely knackered before we had even made it a third of the way
around.
Plan a whole day for this place… if not a couple of days.
No for reals… you can go skiing and build a snowman, ski tube, bob sled and have a hot chocolate or a feast fit for a king in a real chalet… all whilst in Dubai.
I kid you not.
Mall of The Emirates is as far as you need to go to
experience all of this at Ski Dubai indoor Ski Park. At 3000sqm you guessed
it, this place is also the largest indoor snow park in the world and plays host
to King penguins that you can totally interact with.
Cute factor of the penguins?
Off the scales people!
Located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is a luxury resort overlooking the Arabian Sea. It is also where
the Talis Ottoman Spa is, which is …
oh only the most freaking luxurious spa I have ever
seen in my life.
We had breakfast at this beautiful hotel before
we visited the spa and believe me when I say this was no ordinary breakfast
because I had pure gold on my brioche.
NO BULL!!!!
I officially pooped gold!
Finally one of my favourite Sex and The City
moments was wandering through the Gold and Spice Souks and textile souks.
Lord knows how, but on my very first day,
totally jet lagged and completely overwhelmed, I somehow managed to negotiate
myself an awesome deal on a couple of metres of emerald green silk my mum had
requested me to hunt down for her.
OK so I had a little (read a lot) of help from
our fabulous guide Xavier but still…
I did good right mum?
OK so I guess by now you have worked out that
being bored in Dubai is pretty much impossible. We saw so much, and yet there
was so much we didn't have time to see.
I have one last post I am putting together for
you for next week, which answers all of the questions you guys have asked me and
gives you a run down on the dos and don’ts of going to Dubai.
If you have any more questions about travelling
to Dubai, feel free to ask them in the comments below or flick me an email and
I will do my best to answer them for you.
Righty Oh, I have to go and back up all of these
photos now as they are taking up way too much space on my poor laptop.
I’ll
leave you with one more photo of this incredible place which I took when we
were lunching at the VIDA Downtown.
Oh Dubai, you sure do know how to do luxury.
