A Delightful Surprise In Dubai

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Truth be told, I was hesitant on my decision to visit Dubai. I knew it as an ultra modern metropolis from my friends who had been gushing about its impeccable organization and avante-garde facilities.

Other than this description of a city right out of my sci-fi books back in the day (sans flying cars), I was dubious whether this much heralded city in the Middle East has more to offer.

Dubai proved to be one of the many delightful surprises in my travel experience. It is not the sterile metro I expected but a rich cultural melting point of different races and nationalities. It has many varied attractions that any traveler will find appealing.

If you are expecting to find many traditional Arabian settlers in this part of the United Arab Emirates, you are in for a big disappointment. Less than 25% of the population is composed of the original ethnic settlers. All the rest are foreigners who comprise Dubai’s large work force. This means that you don’t have to worry about not speaking a word of Arabic because English is widely spoken.

It is true that Dubai is a good prototype of a modern metropolitan structure. The locations of its towering skyscrapers are well-thought out and the  advanced transport system makes it a haven of efficiency for easy movement around the city. Its real estate development is also some of the most progressive in the world. It boasts the " islands" of “The Palm” where  very expensive  property projects are being developed on artificially created islands.  The enormity of this project has to be seen to be believed!

The beaches of Dubai are one of my most favorite surprises. Dubai may be associated with desert landscapes however it is also located in the Arabian Gulf which means Dubai has its share of golden sand beaches and turquoise blue waters.

The waters are warm for swimming  and you can enjoy a myriad of water sports activities available at Jumeirah beach. Premier hotels and resort facilities can be found in the area as well. If you like theme parks,don’t miss the exciting Wild Wadi Water Park in Jumeirah. It is considered as one of the best in the world.

I love the challenge and the exhilaration of a good adventure so I went out to try a desert safari on a 4x4 vehicle. It was indeed a wild ride that can rival any theme park’s roller coaster.

Of course, I did not pass up on the opportunity to take my first ride on a camel. I have to admit that it was uncomfortable and in fact borders on being painful. But the discomfort was a small price to pay for the novelty and thrill of the experience. Don’t forget to have your photo taken. You’ll be surprised at how majestic you’ll look from up there.

The desert safari concluded with a nice al fresco dinner under a starry sky with a beautifully attired dancer entertaining us to the tune of traditional music. With the magical ambiance, I was almost anticipating the appearance of Alladin with the genie in tow.

Of course, like any other tourist in Dubai the temptation of the Gold Souk was too strong a force for me to ward off. Never in my life have I seen that much gold in all forms and sizes. Even if you don’t have plans of shopping for gold, drop in for a short visit and you will surely be astounded.

Overall, my Dubai experience was definitely a delightful one albeit a little expensive. Fair warning to all who are planning a Dubai trip: be a little generous on your travel budget because it can be an expensive destination. Don’t worry though because the experience is going to be worth every dirham you’re going to pay for it.

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