United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
Located in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal elective monarchy made up of seven emirates ~ Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the official language is Arabic. The UAE is dependent on oil revenues with free trade, a low tax rate and zero income tax. It is very safe for tourists and the crime rate is very low. As a solo female traveller, I have never felt safer by myself. There are local laws and customs that may differ from your home country ~ know these laws beforehand and be a respectful visitor.
Dubai
I arrived in Dubai International Airport after an amazing flight! Dubai was full of bucket list items for me. When booking my flight to Mongolia I included a 3-day stopover in Dubai. See Airline Stopovers for more info on stopovers. My 3 days were long enough to get a feel for everything and relax. Many return trips will happen ~ I loved it here even though it was very, very hot.
Burj Al Arab ~ Dubai’s Most Iconic Hotel
The most fabulous hotel with the friendliest staff who anticipated every need before I did and some needs that I didn’t know I needed.
Burj Al Arab ~ Is This Dubai’s Most Iconic Hotel?
Helicopter Tour
While I was en route to Dubai and STILL in Canada, Helicopter Tour Dubai emailed me and asked when I would be there and said they were waiting for me. We had a mixup ~ reading back through the emails I asked for the prepay booking link for July 31. Somehow when it was sent it was for July 30 and I didn’t notice the date typo. I agreed and paid for July 30. I got added to a different tour the following day,
I booked and paid for the Grand Tour / 30 minutes / 1770 AED 482 USD with Helicopter Tour Dubai. I ended up with the Vision Tour / 22 minutes / 1299 AED 354 USD.
They were located about 2 km from the Burj Al Arab and I walked over. Big mistake. It was so hot I could barely breathe when I arrived and desperately needed water.
The tour was great ~ there is so much to see from the sky!
Burj Khalifa ~ Bucket List Item!
Burj Khalifa ~ The World’s Tallest Building
Dubai Mall
Well hello there Dubai Mall I saw that you have a Christian Louboutin store and had to pop in. Sigh … There are over 1,200 stores and many things to entertain everyone.
The Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system at the center of Downtown Dubai. It is currently undergoing renovation so I didn’t get to see it.
Love Me
Created by artist Richard Hudson, “Love Me” is a giant 3D sculpture of a heart in mirrored steel.
I didn’t do everything I wanted to do in Dubai. There is so much and I was just too hot.
Happy Travels!
A Journey Off The Beaten Path
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!
All being well, I will be there next May. Have been to Qatar and Doha, so looking forward to Dubai.