As the crisp winter breeze danced through my hair, I gazed, awestruck, at the mesmerizing vista unfolding before me, - a tapestry of glittering skyscrapers and a resplendent Ferris wheel. Its lights infused the sombre sky with a warm, ethereal glow. It was our first night in Dubai, and I could think of no better way to set sail on our Emirati odyssey than on an enchanting cruise across the Dubai marina, taking in the symphony of light, sound and scent, welcoming us to Dubai in unforgettable style. Looking around, we eagerly anticipated experiencing these incredible feats of human ingenuity first-hand the following day.
THE NEXT DAY
After a quick breakfast at RAVIZ centre point hotel, we set out for the first event of our trip, the Dubai city tour!
First, we were to visit the iconic Dubai frame, located at the heart of the city, a huge frame which connects the Emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. From a distance, we could see the sunlight bouncing of its shiny, sunlit, golden exterior. As the bus took a turn to towards it, we came to realize the actual stature of the golden rectangle. It constituted two rhomboidal towers connected by a sky bridge. Its façade was clad with gold-coloured stainless steel in a honeycomb-like pattern, depicting the prosperity, history, and culture of UAE. After making valiant attempts at trying to fit a superstructure of such soaring height into the meagre frames which our phones offered, we departed to our next destination; the Zabeel palace, the abode and administrative headquarters of the sheikhs (the ruling family of Dubai).
The fore court of the palace, a pristine carpet of grass, showcasing a smooth, unblemished expanse of green, furnished by a linear arrangement of lofty high mast light towers, created a grand entrance to the palace. Crowning the arch of the entrance was a rather huge effigy of 5 steeds frozen mid gallop, their noble form etched in eternity, serving as a testament to the power of the monarchy. From our little stroll in the courtyard, we were presented with a panoramic view of Dubai, from the Burj Khalifa, to the Dubai frame, seamlessly boasting of the extraordinary transformation of the city, transitioning from a once barren desert landscape into a vibrant and thriving metropolis. On the way out, we were encountered with an opulent stretched limo, presenting itself in a sleek, sophisticated appearance with a deep, rich black paint job, reflecting light smoothly across its gleaming exterior. Elegantly creating an aura of power and understated luxury. After a small pretentious photoshoot next to the black beast, we got back in the bus.
At around noon we arrived at Jumeirah beach, the midday sun spread across the wide, pale yellow sandy beach almost making it look white. The sea looked at peace in its clear jade green gown, waves gently lapping onto the sandy shore, creating foamy white crests while fizzling into the chalky sand. From the beach we could get a magnificent view of the “Burj Al Arab’ one of Dubai’s most iconic hotels and one of the very few 7-star hotels. It was located on a small solitary island, its exteriors were clad in sleek glass and shaped like a sail, fittingly dominating the serene, vibrant skyline, speckled with soaring seagulls.
It was not yet lunch time when we were dropped off at ‘Dubai mall’, only the second largest mall in the world. Thankfully the sprawling complex was well armed with digital maps to navigate through its labyrinthine network of branded stores ranging from Louis Vuitton to Tiffany and co. We were to spend the next couple of hours here till we were allowed to wait in line to visit the Burj Khalifa. Although, considering the limitless options for leisure activities, 6 hours didn’t seem like a stretch. We visited the famous Dubai aquarium and roamed around the mall whilst licking at a Turkish ice cream, occasionally clicking a couple hundred pics of the Burj Khalifa, invariably enthralled by the tremendous sky scraper every time we gape at it. As I looked up at the towering skyscraper, its sleek glass exterior mirrored the bright afternoon sun, creating a blinding spectacle against the backdrop of the city. It seemed to stretch endlessly, breaking through the clouds and shattering the heavens. Its sharp vertical lines cut through the air, making even the surrounding high-rises appear insignificant in comparison. The upper floors almost blended into the hazy horizon, giving the structure a sense of otherworldly grandeur. After gawking at the Burj Khalifa for what felt like hours, we went to have lunch. The maps led us to this fancy Lebanese restaurant which offered pretty authentic Arabic food. Since we hadn’t tried anything regional yet, we were excited to dig into a couple of crispy, savoury Falafels along with some rich and velvety hummus. After feasting on some biriyani, we went outside to watch the beautiful sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the water transformed into a shimmering canvas, mirroring the fiery palette of the sky - streaks of orange, pink, and deep purple, with the city skyline etched against this vibrant backdrop, its buildings seemingly painted with the same ethereal glow, created a breath taking scene.
At 6PM, the first fountain show began. The water rose to the music and its movements gracefully synchronized with the music's rhythm, pitch, and volume. The lights breathed a sense of vibrant vitality into the exuberant jets of water that danced their way up to 500 feet and cheerfully dropped creating a jazzy overtone against the duskiness of the evening. The show would happen every half hour, and as we were so highly impressed with the first of the evening, it was only natural to stay put and save good spots to savour the next.
Eagerly, albeit reluctantly, we left the fountain show to go wait in line to visit the world’s tallest building. Contrary to my presumptions, the wait wasn’t that long and we were quickly scurried into a wide lift. The elevator only took a staggering 60 second duration to carry us to higher than a hundred floors. It was a very casual and seamless ride and we only began to apprehend the height when our ears started to pop. The gates of the lift opened to a roomy observation deck of a series of balconies fenced with tall glass railings to safely drink in the majestic scenery. The city below unfolded like a shimmering constellation, with each building a twinkling star. The main avenues pulsed with a steady stream of headlights, creating a vibrant river of light cutting through the urban landscape. We watched as the lights in the Burj lake faded into swirling spirals owing to the ongoing fountain show.
From this lofty vantage point, the daily hurdles that once seemed insurmountable now appeared remarkably insignificant. I felt humbled by the realization of our own infinitesimal existence, and how our minds, with their boundless capacity for worry, can magnify even the most mundane concerns into existential threats. Regardless, this enlightening realization almost entirely vanished the next morning.
