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Monday 10 August 2015

Wanderlust: Dubai Page

I love travelling; well who doesn't? There are many like me who are full of wanderlust. We return from a trip and instantly start planning the next one. We can't help it, you can blame our stars. There are so many places on this planet that we haven't been to and they all seem to beckon us.
Well, let's put people like us, who are gypsies at heart aside for the time being and talk about all you normal folk. Even the most staunch homebody and the worst kind of workaholic does need a break and does step out of his comfort zone at some point or the other.
   Now that the seeds of a holiday plan have been planted in our heads, the first question that arises is - Where does one head to? What is a perfect trip? Everyone has certain criteria in mind when it comes to holidaying. Topping the list is of course destination. Some like the scenic hill stations while others prefer sunny beaches and still others like wild party places and shopping havens.
   One of my favorite destinations is Dubai. From pristine beaches to opulent shopping malls, breathtaking architecture to wild parties, Dubai has it all. However, if you are the lonely traveler who prefers solitude, Dubai is not the place for you. This is the land of the wealthy sheikhs and happening parties.

 I went to Dubai this April and was a little skeptical about my choice of a holiday. What would I do in a place which is known mostly for its shopping malls? I am not a shopaholic myself and actually go on shopping trips a couple of times a year where I buy everything I require at one go. It wasn't the normal sun, sea and sand kind of holiday that I favour. However, at the insistence of some friends who live in Dubai, we started planning our trip.
  The day prior to our departure, the house was a flurry of activity. The usual packing, trying to find lost clothes and finishing last minute paper work.  Our kids are very small but they carry their own strolleys and backpacks. They have minds of their own and know which clothes, shoes, toys and story books they want to carry. To the average onlooker, it would seem like a very bad idea to allow kids to carry their own luggage as it increases the number of baggage items. However, take it from us that its the best travelling idea we ever had. Our kids carry  their own luggage everywhere and we never have to help them. From the airports to the cabs, from the cabs to the hotels and then again all the way back home, the kids are responsible for their own luggage. Apart from making them more responsible, this also allows us the convenience of shopping a little more at the duty free shops because our last minute shopping can be easily accommodated in their strolleys which go as cabin baggage. Another plus point is convenience. We have always booked two separate rooms at every hotel we ever stayed at and the kids' luggage goes to their room; they don't need to ruffle through
ours.

     We took  a flight from Delhi to Dubai. For those considering Dubai as their next destination, there are many options available in most parts of the world. DXB is one of the world's busiest airports and for good reason. It has a constant influx of tourists, immigrants and business people.
Taking a morning flight is always a good idea as you have had a good night's rest and still have the whole day ahead of you. We reached Dubai at around 11 a.m., it was a convenient two hour flight.      My love for new places and people caught up with me on landing. I wanted to get the feel of the city and unravel its secrets. I looked in wonder at the good looking Arabic men and women in their traditional flowing robes talking in fluent English. There are so many notions we have about a certain place or a certain people and they normally turn out to be false when you actually visit the place and experience its culture. We had thought Dubai was a place with stringent Arabic laws, traditional and narrow-minded natives and not much to do besides shopping. We were in for a pleasant surprise. The native people of Dubai are mostly well read and very courteous and there are so many activities for families and even solo travelers. The laws are definitely stringent especially those prohibiting drinking, drugs and eve-teasing but that's what makes it a safe place and crimes almost non-existent. I could pick up a cab from anywhere in the city, party till 4 am in the morning with my girlfriends and come back home safe. The cab drivers are honest, upright and very polite. Most of the cab drivers are from Pakistan and India and are very friendly and helpful folk.


  My first impression of Dubai was that it was a city of skyscrapers and six-lane highways and gleaming Ferraris, Maseratis and other fancy cars.  However, there is so much more to the place. Apart from its impressive architecture and first-class multi-lane highways, Dubai is a child's paradise. Every mall had numerous kids' centric activities. My kids loved the Wild Wadi Water Park, Ski Dubai, Bounce (a place full of trampolines), The Aquarium and under water zoo, Sega Republic, Kidzania, Ferrari World (Abu Dhabi) and a huge inflatable bouncy that has been put in  the water at Jumeirah beach. These entertainment parks are fun for adults too.

  We also enjoyed the magnificent sites like the Burj Khalifa (one of the tallest buildings in the world), the Burj Al Arab, the picturesque Palm Jumeirah (the artificially planned island), the Atlantis Dubai (themed on the myth of Atlantis) amongst others. The Atlantis has attractions like Aquaventure water park, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dolphinarium, a long stretch of spotlessly clean beaches and numerous restaurants.

  The Jumeirah beach is a wonderful place to hang out with friends and family. Clear waters and clean sands add to the allure. The beach is dotted with numerous eating joints offering every cuisine possible. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach and in most public places and you need a license to keep alcohol at home. Only five star hotels and pubs with a license can serve alcohol. However, hookahs are freely available everywhere and come in numerous tempting flavours.
  Dune bashing is another must while in Dubai. For those who are in the dark, it is a term used for desert safari. A visit to the UAE is incomplete if you don't experience this. We booked an evening safari and were picked up from our place at around 4 pm. We were driven across the deserts and were taken on thrilling rides up and down various sand dunes. There were several photo stops to ensure we captured the beauty of the place and had memories to share with our folks back home. We were taken to a camel farm and we watched the breathtaking sunset before proceeding  to our campsite in the middle of a desert. The campsite had been done up in Arabic style and the red carpet had been rolled out for all the guests. There were 'mashaals' (flaming wooden sticks like the torches used in ancient times) along the way and everywhere inside and they added to the ethnic flavour of the place. We went on camel rides there and tried our hand at sand boarding. Women of all nationalities flocked to the Henna stalls and got traditional motiffs and patterns painted on their hands and feet. There were mattresses and cushions on the ground so that visitors could laze around in the colourful tents in true Arabic style and enjoy 'hookahs in every flavour possible. There was a delicious buffet spread for dinner and consisted of many Emirati delicacies'. I loved the traditional bread pudding. Post dinner all the guests gathered around the centre stage where lovely belly dancers and native dancers with costumes full of lights entertained and enthralled the audience. We got back home by 11 pm, tired but totally satisfied with our experience.

 For those with a penchant for eating out, Dubai offers a plethora of options. From the quaint cafes to street foods, beach side shacks to five star restaurants, there is something to suit every palate. One of our favourites was Kaleidoscope in Atlantis. We went with our friends for lunch and were treated to a buffet which consisted of five hundred and fifty dishes and desserts. The spread set everyone's taste buds tingling.
  The best way to get a feel of Dubai is to probably do the 'marina Walk'. The Marina is home to some of the newest and most awe-inspiring buildings which look even more mesmerising when illuminated at night. The walk along the marina to the Marina mall with the twinkling lights reflected in the water and a view of the numerous sleek yachts moored there, is a very refreshing experience. The walk is lined with hundreds of family friendly restaurants, boutiques, cafes and super markets. Lively carousels playing nursery rhymes, quad bike rides and many other such rides ensure that your little ones are thoroughly entertained.
 My account would not be complete without a mention of the night life in Dubai. Dubai has a rocking night life and its a party paradise especially for ladies as you are sure to find ladies' nights at the top pubs on all days of the week. We went to rocking places like The Address, Ndulge, Studio one and Velocity. However, my favourite party place was Barasti, a beach bar. They have bands playing and bars on different levels but most of the action can be found on their dance floor right on the beach where huge television screens and DJs play the trendiest and topmost songs. There are loungers and Divans on the beach where you can relax and enjoy a cocktail or a flavoured hookah. But who wants to sit down when the place is pulsating with energy? The best thing to do is to kick of your sandals so that they don't get stuck in the sand and to dance the night away. The drinks are reasonably priced and the ambiance very quirky and fun. The crowd includes the hip and happening expats from every possible country.

Once you have entered the giant melting pot where every culture in the world is mixed, it is difficult to leave. A trip to Dubai is a must for every traveller. It has activities to suit every budget and the tag, 'playground of the rich and famous' is just a myth. So what are you tourists waiting for? Its a tailor-made package for one and all.