the getaway in Dubai

Dubai was a stop over during our last trip to the U.S via Emirates. My best friend is a staff so she was kind enough to give us a good deal using her employee benefits. To be honest, if it wasn't for her we wouldn't be thinking about stopping by for a few nights (not this soon at least) or consider flying with Emirates because it is not the cheapest flight you can get. But since it's my husband's dream to visit Dubai, we decided to give it a go.

At the time, it was a perfect time to go because we needed a breather after the last busy weeks we had. The trip was a good pause for both of us before we arrive in the U.S. It felt like a real getaway for three days. The flight to Dubai from Kuala Lumpur took us about 7 hours. It was a tiring journey but flying with Emirates was a pleasant experience.

Exploring Dubai made me realize how similar it is to Singapore. These two cities are known to be very developed and both the governments have that same vision to make their city as a tourist spot and a business hub for its respective region.

I must say that Dubai is the richest place I've been to even though it's the only part of the middle east that I've visited. It feels like a kingdom. The new Dubai (as how they like to call it) is very different from the old Dubai but the best thing is that the old Dubai remains untouched to preserve its history. This is probably one of the reasons why Dubai is listed as one of the best places for tourists. It's not just the cosmetic; how the city is designed to look pretty and classy for tourists and residents, it also protects the authenticity of what Dubai once was. And with everything that is going on in Dubai, I believe will create more job opportunities for individuals and business.

Some guide based on our stay:
Hotel: Hyatt Place (Al Rigga) - We purposely chose a hotel that is near the airport and easy to get to. This hotel is only 5 minutes walk from the Al Rigga train station and it is one stop away from the Old City which is very near the traditional souks and Dubai museum.

What to do:
1. You haven't really been to Dubai if you did not visit Burj Khalifa. Seeing the tallest building in the world makes me wonder; how can anything else be taller than that? It's magnificent. You can also buy ticket to go up to the deck to see the view of the city. It's not cheap but watching the view from above was well worth the money.
2. Walk along Jumeirah beach to get a better view of Burj Al-Arab. In case you didn't know yet, it is known as the world's 7 star luxurious hotel and stands amongst the world's tallest hotels.
3. Desert Safari. There are a lot of desert activities line up in Dubai but be sure to book one from reputable companies. Some companies can offer you a good price but with terrible service so it might leave you feeling unsatisfied.
4. Dubai museum is great place to visit to learn about the history of Dubai.
5. Spice and gold souk offer loads of goodies. Located in the middle of the old city and near the creek.
6. The Palm island is a beautifully done man-made island and this feature is one of the best attractions in Dubai.

You must see Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab with your own eyes! 

That's the priceless view from 124th floor of Burj Khalifa

We walked around Jumeira beach and saw this mosque. We like the intricacy of the design. 

This henna tattoo was 'supposed' to be complimentary when you book a desert safari tour. Of course it's complimentary when it's tiny. Lesson: when they ask "how big do want?", you ask them "how much?". Well lesson learned. 

You get entertained by belly dancers trying to balance a cane on her torso

Walking around a rather quiet Bastakiya quarter. We also spotted this man serving tea with style when we visited the Global Village. I believe this is adopted from a Turkish culture. 

The spice souk is a nice place to walk around too. You can find all kinds of spices, tea, scarfs and souvenirs.