This Xmas I was holidaying with family in Dubai. This is my first visit to Dubai, so I had to rely on my travel agent and suggestions from friends who have gone there to do the itinerary. Planning & Managing a group of 14 (family including kids) was not easy, everyone has a different idea of a holiday and interest.
On the day of our arrival, we went for Dhow Cruise Dinner which meant sailing along the Dubai Creek. The buffet was average with limited spreads & there was not much to see other than buildings, but the ride was smooth.
Dubai Dhow Cruise Scene
Dubai Dhow Cruise
The next day we went for half day Dubai City tour. Stopping at Jumeirah Beach, we went for a photo in front of Burj Al Arab and a drive through Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis. We visited Dubai Museum, Dubai Marina and old Dubai.
Jumeirah Mosque, Al Jumeira Road, Dubai
In front of Burj Al Arab
Jumeirah Beach
Kid against the Bright sunlight opposite to Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Dubai Museum had old artefacts, dresses, utensils used by the tribes living in the area in olden days.
Dubai Museum
The Dubai Marina area had a European Town appearance with its paved roads and buildings. Its lined with restaurants offering multi cuisines from around the world.
Dubai Marina
The next day evening we went for Desert Safari. This was in a Desert enclosure, exclusive for Tourists and rides up and down the Sand Dunes, quite fun. The dinner after that at a campsite and the entertainment were disappointing. Probably I didn’t choose the right agency or the campsite, the buffet was of long queues and poor setup. We left the city soon after the Entertainment started and went for our Dinner at Saravana Bhavan in Al Karama.
In the sand dunes
Wheel of Land Cruiser in Sands of Dubai Desert Safari
Power poles in area near Dubai Desert Safari
Shoes of Kids in Dubai Desert Safari
The next day morning some of us went to Dubai Mall on our own. The mall is impressive and quite large. We had an experience of our life, the Taxi I was travelling with my son who was sitting next to me, suddenly stopped while going on an underpass and the car coming behind hit our car – luckily I had the presence of mind to hold tight my son with one arm and on the other hold the front seat. We escaped any injury or accident.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall has a small Aquarium in it offering usual attractions like a walk-through Tunnel, Glass Bottom Boat ride on the water, mini zoo of reptiles & insects.
Chameleon at the Aquarium Zoo in The Dubai Mall
Aquarium inside Dubai Mall
Night lights in front of The Dubai Mall
The biggest attraction for Kids in Dubai Mall was Kidzania. This is a heaven for Kids, where you have many major professions in a Do It Yourself setup. For example, Kids can prepare and read a News Broadcast, Bake a Pizza, Bottle a Coke, Cook a Donut, Run a simulated Bank and so on. If you visiting this budget at least 5-6 Hours, Kids will not want to come out of the place.
Kidzania – Dubai Mall
The Same day late evening we went up to the 124th Floor of Burj Khalifa Tower, the world’s tallest tower.
View of Dubai Roads from top of Burj Khalifa Tower, Dubai
The ride up & view from the top was great, but the queue organization was bad – though we had confirmed time ticket it took us nearly 1:30 Hours up and 45 minutes down in the queue.
Burj Khalifa Tower – Night view
Burj Khalifa Tower (behind) – a night view
One of the days morning we went to Mall of Emirates.
Mall of Emirates
Mall of Emirates houses Ski Dubai, an artificial iced enclosure where you can Ski and play in Ice.
Mall of Emirates houses Ski Dubai
That day evening we went to Souk Madinat Jumeirah, this is old Dubai styled rows of shops inside the five star Jumeirah Resort.
Madinat Jumeirah – Souk Madinat Jumeirah
I am fine with any cuisine as long as I get Vegetarian selection in them, but rest of the family insisted on going to Saravana Bhavan every day and below a photo acknowledging their quality food offered.
Saravana Bhavan, Dubai
I am looking forward to my next trip to Dubai – I loved it.