Dubai Trip Report – A rainy few days in the Desert!

Dubai Trip Report

Dubai Trip Report

Hello All, and welcome to my Dubai Trip Report, over my many years of travelling to Asia and Oceania, I’ve been to Dubai (airport) several times and only cleared customs once, when I had a long transit between flights, I took the opportunity to have a quick lunch with a friend based in Dubai. This time round between my Sri Lanka trip and work trip to Delhi, I thought Dubai would be a great place to spend a few days before the havoc Delhi brings. Dubai Trip Report

Climate
I’m someone that loves the heat; November to March tend to be the cooler months in Dubai averaging around the mid-20’s, April to October are the hot months with July/August being described as unbearably hot by everyone I know who has been. During my visit in late February temperatures were due to be around 26-27 degrees most days, but it did rain for a few days.

Day 1

We arrived into Dubai on a morning flight from Colombo, and proceeded through the usual immigration/customs checks. We then took a taxi to our hotel; Sofitel Dubai JBR (Review link below). After settling into our rooms, and refreshing a little we decided to grab a spot of early lunch at one of the little Cafes on ‘The Walk,’ Dubai’s most popular promenade, it was great to people watch; both tourists and locals but my eye was constantly on this little beauty…. Dubai Trip report

Dubai Trip Report
A gorgeous VW Camper near my hotel
Dubai Trip Report
Dubai is known for it’s outrageous cars

Dubai is known for it’s supercars,, truth be told I’m a big sucker for a classic VW and would love to own a VW Camper, a Beetle and an early edition MK1 Golf,…. Moving on from all the car talk. After lunch my sisters decided to relax at the hotel, and I spent some time exploring the local area walking down towards the marina, and a short walk along the beachfront.

Dubai Trip Report
Dubai Marina
Dubai Trip Report
Dubai Marina
Dubai Trip Report
One of the easiest ways around town, costing only 22AED per day

In the early evening, we took the metro to The Dubai Mall, which really does put the Westfield malls in London to shame, it was massive with every shop you could think of under one roof. Truth be told, I spent most of my time in Sephora purchasing the long list of items my friends had given me alongside trying out a few fragrances for myself…. Dubai Trip report

After all the shopping we headed outside for a quick few snaps of the Burj Khalifa and a chance to watch the infamous fountain show. After all this it was time to eat, we had a quick bite at one of the many restaurants in the mall.

Dubai Trip Report
Aquarium at Dubai Mall
Dubai Trip Report
Tim enjoying a little sweet treat at Angelina
Dubai Trip Report
Dubai Mall
Dubai Trip Report
Beautiful Hummus

Day 2

The second day started off with a trip into the dessert for an opportunity at dune bashing in a 4×4 vehicle, it certainly was worth heading an hour outside of Dubai to do – but a word of advice do ensure you pick a reputable supplier for this experience as many tend to take advantage of tourists! Dubai Trip Report

Dubai Trip Report
Tim ahead of dune bashing

When we arrived back at the hotel, we opted to grab a quick bite to eat at Shake Shack, as a Hindu the all-beef menu in the UK means all I can have is the fries, here I could try Shake Shack’s Chick’n Burger, alongside some fries (to share of course) and a peanut butter shake – was it worth the wait to try it? I’m not so sure…. But the peanut butter shake was spot on as usual!

Dubai Trip Report
Shake Shack

After the heavy lunch, it was time to walk it off, we headed towards the Souk’s in Dubai, starting off with the Gold Souk (akin to Mr T’s wardrobe), followed by the spice, textile and perfume souks.

Dubai Trip Report
Gold Souks

In the evening after dinner, I headed solo to 360, to meet up with a friend who had recently moved to Dubai, it was great to catch up for a few drinks there whilst admiring the view of Dubai. We then moved onto Barasti beach bar, where it was pretty much an outdoor rave with great music – we stayed here for a few more drinks before heading home in the early hours. I can’t do the late nights anymore! Dubai trip report

Sri Lanka Trip Report
Burj Al Arab view from 360 Bar

Day 3

Dubai’s weekend falls Friday/Saturday, and the big thing to do on a Friday are the brunches! We booked a few weeks in advance for brunch at Saffron, inside the infamous Atlantis hotel we seem to see on most holiday brochures and promotional videos of Dubai. Despite the boozy brunch being quite a blur, I do remember enough to give this £120 a head brunch it’s own review…. It deserves it, if my memory serves me correctly…

After the brunch, I met up with my uncle and great aunt who happened to be at Atlantis at the same time as us, we don’t meet in the Midlands but do on the other side of the world. It shows how busy life can be!

After brunch, we relaxed around the hotel and headed out for a late dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, don’t judge me it was a short walk from the hotel and the alcohol was wearing off! We didn’t manage to finish a single thing we ordered, not down to the vast amount we ate at brunch, the portions were just as they are in the USA. Oversized!

 

Dubai Trip Report
The Cheesecake Factory

Day 4

My final full day in Dubai started off with a leisurely stroll around the marina after a few hours of catching up on work emails (it’s never ending right?), we then headed back towards The Dubai Mall, to do a bit more shopping followed by a dinner/shisha and watching the fountains again. It was a calm and enjoyable end to my Dubai trip.

Dubai Trip Report
When in Rome, as they say right?
Dubai Trip Report
A chicken skewer dish

Day 5

It started off with a quiet breakfast, followed by a few hours of milling around before heading to Dubai airport for the next part of my trip….. a few days in a city I find most uncomfortable Delhi….

Dubai

I hope you enjoyed my Dubai Trip Report, I’ll admit I was sceptical on visiting Dubai as I’m someone that prefers to go somewhere with some cultural aspect to it. I still stick by that view, but Dubai is an ideal location to stop off at if you are going to the Far East or the Oceana countries. It’s a place with some good respite ahead of the final leg home to London, and that’s probably one of the reasons I’d return.

Sofitel JBR Review