I was able to find a lot of answers to some prolonged questions on my last trip to Dubai in November 2019. Not just that, but I learned several wow facts that blew my mind!
Keep reading. I have a lot to tell you.
Did you know that the literal meaning of Dubai is money? And that, Dubai was mostly a small desert 50 years ago, but now it is ranked as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world?
I would love to see that shock on your face when you read this. Because, when I first learnt this, I went crazy!
Then, I started to wonder what more about Dubai, don’t I know?
However, I was able to overcome this dubiousness! (Find the pun). It was, as I started visiting some of the best tourist attractions in the country.
1 – I visited the Dubai Frame
You may wonder why I visited the Dubai Frame first, out of all tourist attractions. Well, it was because of the hype.
My brother has been in Dubai for almost fifteen years now. And, this frame has always been a hot topic for him.
I was a little bland at first, though. Like you are right now. But can you see this giant, glistening Gold frame in the picture below?
Yeah, I couldn’t let my curiosity kill me.
What is so special about it?
The wow factor is, this giant frame has a symbolic connection between the old and new city of Dubai! It is also the most massive frame in the world.
Is the visit free of charge?
Although this frame stands there like an adornment, you cannot just visit it. You need to purchase tickets. We purchased it online (because it is easier than staying under the hot sun at the venue to buy). There were four of us as adults, so we had to pay around 11 Euros each. They did allow the kids in for free.
The fun part about the Dubai Frame?
The panoramic glass lifts, of course!
Once you are on one of these lifts, it shuttles you to the top.
I have a fear of heights, so this was even fun. I know I should say ‘terrified’, but it was fun! Because, once you are at the top, you can walk on a clear glass walkway along the entire 313-foot width of the frame.
Pictures taken from here are so Instagram worthy (mostly if you use your selfie-stick or GoPro). Oh, and it was almost sunset when we visited the frame, so the view was breath-taking! Now you know what the best time is for you to visit the Dubai Frame on your next trip to Dubai.
2 – I had Dinner in the sky!
If this is not in your ‘things to do in Dubai’ list, add it right now!
I can’t tell you that I signed up for this with no hesitations. I kept throwing tantrums for nearly ten minutes.
My brother had pre-purchased the tickets to ‘Dinner in the Sky Dubai’ online It was because they allowed only 22 pax during a single slot! Do you think saying ‘no’ after that would have been a good thing to do?
I don’t think so.
Tip: If you are planning to have Dinner in the Sky in Dubai, pre-purchase your tickets online. This way you can pick the day and time-frame of your choice! You can also contact the team at Travel Center UK to make an arrangement.
Okay, now to the best part!
Familiarizing with the premises
We were welcomed with a refreshing drink. After which, we had to deposit all our belongings (except mobiles & cameras) into a locker.
It was relieving to do so because we could enjoy the whole time without panicking. I mean, I am sure none of us wants to see our bags fly down from 50 m above the ground.
Once we made ourselves comfortable, they strapped us to bucket seats. Of course, with safety harnesses.
The fun part of this?
They used cranes to lift the slots. My nephew had a great time, screaming and enjoying the whole process.
As I love photography, I did not miss out on the breath-taking views of the glittering skyline. 50m above the ground, we were able to see the Dubai Marina, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa!
What about the food?
The chefs onboard were outstanding. As soon as we were in the sky, they started to make our two-course gourmet menu live! Yes, we got to see our menu prepared before our eyes.
The food was excellent, along with the peppy tunes accompanying us as we had our delightful feast.
For nearly 90 minutes, we enjoyed our meals with 360 degrees view of the splendid city!
3 – I Realized why Dubai is a Birder’s Paradise
Thanks to my little nephew, who kept crying to visit the wildlife sanctuary. I learned that there are over 320 bird species that migrate between Europe, Asia, and Africa via Dubai!
It was not some random fact thrown in the wildlife sanctuaries. It was a wow fact I heard from the guard at one of the sanctuaries there.
Another double-wow fact about the birder’s paradise is, the rare birds passing through the city. These rarities include; spotted eagles, broad-billed sandpipers, and greater herons. Usually found passing during the spring and fall.
Can they be sighted?
Yes! You will easily get this opportunity if you go on an unplanned trip to Dubai.
Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is from where I learned these wow facts. It is also where I sighted most of these rarities. The show-stealers, however, were the flamingos. They created a picture-perfect sight in the wetlands, with their beautiful pink feathers.
4 – I Tandem Skydived to see Palm Island in Dubai
Do you recall me telling you that I have a fear of heights? If you do, then you surely know this was a challenge I took.
Undeniably worth it!
What was unique about tandem skydiving in Dubai?
There is a wow fact about tandem skydiving in Dubai! The types of jumps are, of course, similar to any other countries (in general). But here we could explore the world’s largest artificial archipelago!
We were also able to see the Atlantis Hotel, Burj Al Arab, The World Islands, and Dubai Marina! An all-in-one sight-seeing experiences.
What were the charges like to skydive in Dubai?
The Palm Drop Zone that we chose was quite expensive compared to the other spots. However, it gave us a spectacular view and best skydiving experience (as first-timers).
If you are on a budget and still want to try skydiving in Dubai, then you can take the Desert Campus Drop Zone. If you are more afraid of heights than I am, then you should try Indoor skydiving. Best way to take that first step to overcome your fear of heights. It’s wallet-friendly too! (Thank me later!)
5 – I travelled on the longest driverless metro line in the world!
Wow! I could not wait to boast about it.
I have given you the wow fact already, but not the double-wow facts yet.
The city’s Red Line (32.37 miles), runs through the heart of Dubai like an artery. I am not exaggerating, but the experience of taking the Red Line was completely futuristic!
The Red Line cuts through the centre of Dubai and flies past the city’s many newly built skyscrapers and landmarks.
What is so special about this metro line?
The Red Line experience includes cheap fares, air-conditioned cabins, on-time service, and multiple ticket classes! It’s like a Do-It-Yourself tour of Dubai when you take the metro.
The double-wow fact here is, the Red Line consists of more than twenty tourist spots and restaurants!
What are these tourist spots and restaurants?
- iFly Dubai
- Dubai Festival City
- Deira City Centre
- Dubai Creek
- Xiao Wei Yang
- The Noodle House
- Red Shrimp
- ADCB (formerly Karama Souk)
- Zabeel Park
- World Trade Centre
- The Emirates Towers
- Applebee’s
- Tim Hortons
- Rose Rayhaan by Rotana
- Burj Khalifa
- Dubai Fountain
- Dubai Mall
- Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
- Dubai Marina
- Jumeirah Lake Towers
- Ibn Battuta shopping mall
Did the Red Line metro tickets cost a lot?
I had the same concern as you. But luckily, it was significantly cheaper than I thought.
For tourists and occasional visitors, they offer ‘red tickets’. And they cost only 0.46 Euros!
It’s interesting as it sounds. Because the Red tickets are worth for ten trips or five daily passes!!
6 – I lost myself in the most extensive natural flower garden in the world
Miracle Garden was one of my favourite places to visit in Dubai. The garden was like a total animation. My trip to Dubai would have definitely not been complete without having visited this garden.
The wow fact about the miracle garden could go on as a list.
Starting from, the fact that it displays almost 50 million flowers at its premises!
Then, the responsible use of water through drip irrigation! I mean, don’t we know they could have spent millions on bringing freshwater for the garden if they wished? But they didn’t!
What were the best things to do in the Miracle Garden?
The garden included so many entertainment facilities and attractions. Some of them that we did not miss out were;
- Floral Parades
- Street performances
- Zumba sessions
- Trampoline Park
- Disney Avenue
- Mickey Mouse
- Life-size Emirates A380
- Lost Paradise
- Cabanas for relaxation
- Butterfly Passage
- Hearts Passage
- Umbrella Passage
- Giant Tortoise
- Floral Clock
- Floral Castle
- Giant Teddy Bear
- Lake Park
- Hill Top
How much did the visit to Miracle Gardens cost?
The entrance fee for us (adults) was nearly 9.16 Euro per head. For my seven-year-old nephew, we paid 6.53 Euro, and the baby nephew was allowed in for free.
Additional costs? Definitely, for all the snacks, we whacked at all the restaurants, kiosks, cafes and sweet bars!
#ThisIsNotTheEnd
So, I’ve spoken about the six best encounters and wow facts already. I hope you all had a good time taking notes. That means, now you know some of the must-do on your next trip to Dubai!
But trust me, these aren’t everything that Dubai has for you. I have only spoken about a few. There is so much more I could talk about, but if you wish to read. So, let me know in the comments if you are interested to know more about my trip to Dubai!
You can also read this e-book from Travel Center.
Oh, and there is something important about my trip to Dubai that I should not forget to mention!
Although my brother escorted us in Dubai, we did need a Travel agent! I mean, how else could we have got some of the best Dubai deals? It is where Travel Center came in functional!
If you are planning on your trip to Dubai, then you must talk to one of the travel experts at Travel Center. They not only provide you with the best travel solutions but also give you a list of customized and affordable deals to choose from!
Now, that makes my seventh wow fact for you. (Chuckles)
Share
