Marhabaa Dubai !!!

An oasis in the desert !! An often heard phrase, Dubai is the one city that truly encompasses this phrase in it's totality. My first visit to Dubai was in January 2005. I spent 14 days there at the Dubai Docks while our ship was under repair and maintenance. At the time, I didn't find Dubai all that impressive. Yes the regular structures were there - the Burj-Al-Arab, which is my favorite landmark in Dubai till date. The pristine white-blue building, stands calm in the blue-green waters of the Arabian Sea. 

Back in 2004, there was crazy construction happening in Dubai. The Burj Khalifa was under construction at a phenomenal pace. Every few days we could see it getting a little taller. There was reclamation of the sea's happening, dust everywhere. Public transport was limited to cabs. The largest mall at the time was the Mall of the Emirates - with the huge Ski Dubai and the largest ever Jumbo Electronics store I have ever seen till date.

For the first time, I ventured in the dhows, and saw the souks of Dubai - the Gold Souk is so novel to Dubai. The glitter literally blinded my eyes- all that glittered there was and still is gold ! Quite against the old English proverb. 

Fast forward to June 2016 and 12 years later I was back in Dubai this time with kids in tow. And the Oasis blew me away. Dubai had changed and how ! The change, and the new was all so visible. The Burj Khalifa stood tall - visible from almost every corner of Dubai. The Palm Jumeriah had taken final shape and wowed us when we viewed it from the 125th floor of the Burj-Al-Arab. The Atlantis hotel stood tall against the Arabian Sea. Jumeriah Beach Road, extended beyond what I had seen in 2004. The Dubai Marina had been developed into this amazing promenade, with apartments, walkways and boat rides- almost like a little Venice in Dubai.

The Mall of the Emirates, was no longer the largest mall in Dubai. The Dubai Mall had left it behind,by the many miles. The Dubai Mall is so huge, that during my six day stay there, I always managed a new exit. I don't think I ever manged to see the mall in it's entirety. The Aquarium at the mall was a hit with the kids and they were always excited to see the fishes, whales and sharks, swimming by every time we crossed the Aquarium.

The Dubai Mall seems to have become like a center of Dubai. With the Ho-Ho buses starting or stopping there, the musical fountains and the access to the Burj Khalifa also from within the mall, Dubai mall was the epicenter for almost every activity. 

Dubai also came across as a very child friendly destination. With so much to do ( and most of it expensive and not free !! ) the kids had a blast. The Aquarium, the Desert Safari, 125th floor at the Burj Khalifa, one the largest and longest book stores I have seen in my life, Atlantis, the Wild Wadi water park or simply a walk on Jumeirah Beach, we had lots to do and see there. The place is so safe, there was no fear of any thing happening or even them getting lost in the crowd. Dubai is a great change for any parent wanting to take their family on a kid-friendly vacation.

night in the middle of the desert

With food not a problem at all, and public transport sorted out there with their metro, along with the quaint Dhow's and the regular taxi's, Dubai should be visited. It an example of wealth and money, power and tall, taller, tallest. 

My favorite place in Dubai- The Irish Village , just behind the Jumeriah Creekside Hotel. A lively place every evening, the place has a very Irish feel, with many pubs, open air seating and original Guinness Beer, the place is great for an evening out. 

Burj-Al-Arab

All that glitters is gold @ the Gold Souk

Dubai- The city has changed, the skyline is ever changing. In all this change, there have only remained two constants. The sail shaped white-blue Burj-Al-Arab and the ever so glittering Gold Souk.