Quick Visit to Dubai

Last week a friend in LA had a surprise birthday party.  I called a mutual friend on the phone so I could be a small part of the surprise from over here.  The phone got passed around and I heard, “It’s Molly from Dubai”, “How’s Abu Dhabi?”, “Are you still in Saudi Arabia?”  Before signing my contract I barely knew where Kuwait was and I pictured it to be a lot like Dubai.  After nine months abroad I finally made it to that other part of the Middle East that people actually know about!

Dubai is much more tuned into tourists that Kuwait (rightfully so).  Public transportation was clean, affordable, and efficient.  We stayed at an apartment we booked through Airbnb in a high rise building in the Marina.  When I landed I met up with one of my best friends/college roommate and we visited the Burj Al Arab, then had a quick dinner.  As we drove through town I noticed that the skyline seems much more expansive than Kuwait’s and Dubai seems to just be less dirty and dusty in general.

Slideshow of the Burj Al Arab:

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The next morning we made our way to the Mall of the Emirates (that famous mall with the ski slope inside).

Mall of the Emirates

Two doors for a car that was women and children only. There’s a fine for people who get on this car if they don’t belong!

New, clean public transit…had some strange smells though

Ski Dubai (In the Mall of the Emirates)

People getting geared up for skiing (it was 100 degrees outside)

In the afternoon we made our way to the Dubai Mall for the NTC (Nike Training Club) tour.  This is the mall that is at the base of the Burj Al Arab.  Quite big and overwhelming even as we buzzed right through.  Finally we made it to the NTC tour.  NTC is genrally a free weekly workout held at local Nike stores.  I used to participate weekly in Santa Monica but the tour is something special with free give-aways, extended workouts, and a variety of instructors.  We had quite the view too!

Ice skating in Dubai Mall

Interesting fountain in Dubai Mall

Burj Khalifa by day

…and by night (the lights sparkle, it’s beautiful!)

Fountain show below the Burj Khalifa

The streets outside the mall are lined with palm trees that are lit up

Sweating some more at NTC tour Dubai

Before flying out Saturday evening we made our way out to Palm Jumeirah (never knew there are two palms in Dubai).  We visited Aquaventure water park that is part of the Atlantis resort.  It was the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors without overheating.  Highlight of the day was definitely when I reached the top of a ride and realized that it was a floor dropping water slide!  I ended up going three times before we left!

The Atlantis, Dubai Palm

That’s the water park in the distance!

The view from the monorail of the homes on the palm (can you say “cookie cutter?”