Splendour and wealth thrive in the United Arab Emirates. So I thought I’d see what it’s like being uber-wealthy and take a trip to the UAE…
I’m never one to pass up an opportunity to explore a new place. Even when that opportunity is not really practical or logical. Therefore, my unhealthy passion for travel led me to Abu Dhabi’s airport in early February of this year. I’d already planned to visit my friend in South Africa (hear about my trip here). Therefore, I knew that this would be a short stop on my journey. Honestly, I probably spent the same amount of time flying as I did enjoying the country. Lucky for me, my trip to the UAE was well worth all the flights.
On my brief three-day stint, I spent the majority of my time in Abu Dhabi. Although, I still found time to take a little day trip to Dubai (I couldn’t resist). I liked seeing the different moods of these cities and now I’m eager to see how the other emirates differ. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here are the highlights and lowlights of my trip to the UAE.
Highlights
Lots to do
It’s no understatement that the UAE is a rich man’s playground. Knowing that Dubai was home to a literal market of gold, I was prepared to be wowed by the affluence of the country. But nothing prepared me for just how many activities you could take part in while in the UAE. The country makes use of its natural features, namely the dunes, offering experiences like desert safari tours and sandboarding. But if you’re like me and you find sand in your shoes very aggravating, the country’s major cities also have a whole host of things to try inside.
You could head to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi (yes, it’s not just in Paris). You could zipline your way across Dubai. If you want to beat the heat, you could head to Yas Island for the waterpark. You could even visit the indoor ski resort in Dubai.
The UAE is a great place for solo travel, a visit with friends or a family trip. Sadly, I really only got to achieve one big activity while I was there…but, boy, did I make it count. On my one full day in the country, I journeyed right to the top of the tallest skyscraper in the world: The Burj Khalifa. The views were sensational and the first-class treatment at the top added to the experience. And I was lucky enough to get my hands on a VIP ticket. This pass meant I got to enjoy dried dates and Arabic coffee on floor 125 as well as stunning views. I also skipped the queue (score!). If you’re pressed for time like I was, this is the number one activity you should try. Nowhere is better for laying out the grandeur of the UAE than the Burj Khalifa.
Cityscape
Everything was so tall! I hurt my neck from craning my head up to look at all the buildings that towered around me. I loved the cityscape in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The breathtaking quality of the city reminded me of the awe that I felt when I first arrived in Seoul. But while Seoul stunned me with its brightly lit buildings nestled on uneven mountains, Abu Dhabi and Dubai captivated me with their straight-cut skyscrapers that dazzled in the bright sun.
My favourite view of the Abu Dhabi cityscape can be seen from Corniche Beach. I visited this area in the evening and the reflection of the sunset on the buildings behind me was stunning. I loved strolling down the waterfront with sand and water on one side and colossal constructions on the other.
In Dubai, the best view of the cityscape was at the top of the Burj Khalifa. This viewpoint allowed me to see the true size of the city. It also proved to me just how tall this building was in comparison to the other constructions around. But don’t fret if you’re scared of heights! The cityscape is equally as stunning from the ground. Head to the Dubai fountain where you can enjoy the beautiful water in the shade of the Burj Khalifa. If you love urban areas and city breaks, the UAE is a great place for you.
Feeling like a VIP
I felt like an absolute star for the entirety of my trip to the UAE. As a price-conscious traveller, I’ve experienced my fair share of hostels and small motels while jumping around cities and countries. However, this bargain traveller was nowhere to be seen in the UAE. I enjoyed luxury at every point of my journey. My accommodation afforded beautiful views of the city and I slept like a queen.
My eating experiences also felt opulent with great service and beautiful views wherever I sat to dine. I enjoyed being able to eat outside on multiple occasions. In fact, my favourite meal took place next to the Dubai fountain. I loved eating delicious food while watching the water show as the stars came out. Even a pigeon pooping on me couldn’t dampen the grandeur of the meal. Plus, the people working at the restaurant were quick to help me out after noticing my issue.
If you want to experience a life of wealth and comfort – even if this is just for a few days – the UAE will see to your needs. However, if you’re looking for a budget holiday, you can find the VIP quality in an inclusive resort in another country. I had the same feeling of grandeur when I visited Thailand. Still, if you’re savvy with your eating choices and the activities you choose to do, you can feel like a celebrity in the UAE without breaking the bank.
Lowlights
Not enough time
Consider how many activities are open to you in Dubai alone. I think you’d need years in the country to make at least a dent in your bucket list. Three days was nowhere near long enough to enjoy the country to its fullest. Truthfully, I think a week is the minimum amount of time you could spend in this country. Even then you’d barely be scraping the surface. I left feeling like I’d need a second visit in the future.
I was particularly sad to miss out on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (see how amazing it looks on their website) as I saw it a number of times on my drive to the airport and was stunned by its beauty (even from such a distance). As such a culturally significant monument in the country, I was aware that it was a real shame to miss out. I also thought it was a pity to not visit the site when I was staying near it in Abu Dhabi.
On top of not having enough time to do everything that I wanted, trying to experience everything that the UAE has to offer can amount to a pretty penny. Therefore, my recommendation would be to stay at least a week but be economical with the activities you choose to do. Blend free activities with must-see experiences. You can visit the Dubai Marina for free one day and take an expensive helicopter tour over the landscape the next. Be smart and plan ahead.
Colder than expected
This lowlight comes from my own stupidity. I visited the country in early February, which is wintertime in the UAE. Although being told repeatedly that this would mean a colder climate, I just couldn’t see how temperatures between 16°C to 24°C could be counted as cold. Especially when these numbers are a typical holiday in Wales for me. I also knew I’d be venturing from UAE’s winter to South Africa’s summertime so I packed with this heat in mind. I brought flowy clothes and pretty dresses. On reflection, I wish I’d brought a light jacket or windbreaker along with me, but I only had a heavier coat to face the brisk South Korean cold when I returned.
During the daytime, in the UAE I didn’t have a complaint and the weather was glorious. But once the evening hit and the sun began to set I found myself getting chilly. Additionally, I found the temperature inside icy with the aircon blasting at me. Any time I stepped into a restaurant for dinner or the department store for a browse, I’d want to leave quickly so I could get back to the sunny pavements outside. Furthermore, a few days after I left the country, it rained heavily in Abu Dhabi (it must have been the effect of my Britishness). I was lucky to miss it as I would have been very ill-prepared for a thunderstorm. This just goes to show that there’s no harm in chucking some warmer clothes in your suitcase, especially when you’re taking a trip to the UAE in its winter months.
Scary roads
I should probably preface this complaint by saying that I can’t drive. So, this lowlight comes from the perspective of a passenger princess. But as an inexperienced driver, I would not like to be put to the test on the roads of Dubai. There are hefty fines for speeding or driving recklessly in the UAE; however, I witnessed several instances of drivers overtaking us and cutting in front of us while cruising along. There were also just so many lanes. I’m sure I would have been very overwhelmed if I had been driving myself. If you are planning to drive while in the UAE, I’d suggest making sure you plan out all your routes well in advance so that you’ll know what lane you’ll need to be in for any turns.
Stay aware and don’t be afraid to slow down a little if you get nervous. Driving is definitely the most convenient way to explore the country at the moment, particularly if you’re thinking of going to different emirates like I did. However, if you give it a few years you might be able to make use of the planned railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This scheduled 50-minute journey will add even more comfort to a trip to the UAE and will make the country more accessible for non-drivers.
Luxurious lifestyle…
It was interesting going from teaching a cultural lesson about the United Arab Emirates in my English class to having the opportunity to visit the country myself. The fun activities I’d included on my lesson slideshows were now mine for the choosing – if only I’d had a little more time to do them all. If you’re planning a trip to the UAE you definitely need longer than three days, although it’s true that this can get quite expensive when you’re living the VIP lifestyle in the country. Perhaps you should spend some time saving up your pocket money and head to the UAE in a few years when you have a comfortable amount of money to enjoy the country. Plus, by this time the railroad between Abu Dhabi and Dubai should be open so you can avoid driving yourself around.
Whenever you go, make sure you pack fully so that you’re not forced to spend your money buying clothes in one of the stunning malls. Save your money for food and activities instead. That being said, these malls are just one part of the awesome cityscape, which even nature lovers are sure to be impressed by. Remember, there are seven emirates to enjoy in this country, each with its own personality and rules, so I’m sure you’ll find a favourite city among all of those to explore.
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