Dubai & Abu Dhabi - City of Skyscrapers
Dubai, the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates, is a city that defies expectations and pushes the boundaries of what's possible. Rising from the desert sands, this ultramodern metropolis is known for its futuristic architecture, luxury shopping, vibrant nightlife, and a skyline dominated by the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
As a tourist destination, Dubai offers an incredible mix of experiences. You can shop in some of the world's largest malls, relax on pristine beaches, explore traditional souks, or venture into the desert for thrilling safari adventures. The city seamlessly blends Middle Eastern tradition with cutting-edge innovation, creating a unique cultural experience that attracts millions of visitors each year.
Dubai's commitment to breaking records and creating spectacular attractions means there's always something new to discover. From artificial islands shaped like palm trees to indoor ski slopes in the desert, the city constantly reinvents itself to maintain its status as a premier global tourist destination.
This is just my personal travel log which I write so that few years down the line I remember it as vividly as I do it right now. For tips and other stuff please follow professional bloggers. Also, all the images/videos are clicked by me.
Our Journey
We started our journey in Dubai. After spending few days in Dubai, we went to Abu Dhabi.
Dubai
Dolphin Show
My morning in Dubai started with watching the dolphin show at Dubai Dolphinarium. It was my first time seeing these intelligent marine mammals perform live, and I was completely captivated by their graceful movements and incredible tricks. The trainers had such amazing rapport with the dolphins, who jumped, danced, and even seemed to smile for the audience.
The show featured dolphins performing synchronized swimming routines, jumping through hoops, playing with balls, and interacting with the trainers in ways that showcased their intelligence. What impressed me most was how the dolphins seemed to genuinely enjoy performing, leaping high into the air and splashing water onto delighted spectators in the front rows. Apart from dolphins there were seals and penguins too.
Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame was definitely one of the coolest attractions we visited! This massive golden picture frame structure stands 150 meters tall and offers amazing views of both old and new Dubai. It's literally designed to "frame" the city - stand on one side and you see the historic neighborhoods, then walk to the other side and boom! - there's the modern skyline with all those futuristic skyscrapers.
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The massive golden frame structure
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View from the top bridge
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Walking on the glass floor - terrifying but fun!
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Dubai Frame lit up at night
The elevator ride to the top was super quick, and walking on the glass floor at the top bridge gave me a mini heart attack (but totally worth it for the photos!). They also have this interactive museum on the lower level that shows Dubai's transformation from fishing village to mega-city.
Marina Dhow Cruise Dinner
As the night approached, we went for a dinner cruise on a traditional wooden dhow boat cruising along Dubai Marina. The whole waterway was lit up with the colorful lights from all the skyscrapers - seriously jaw-dropping views! We got to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner with both Arabic and international dishes while a DJ played some chill music in the background.
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Our Ride
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The view from the boat
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Some bird
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Reaching the destination
The boat slowly glided past all these amazing architectural wonders, and I couldn't stop taking photos (though half of them came out blurry because, well, moving boat!). There were some performers on the boat who were dancing and singing. The food was okay, I mean for a vegetarian not much to choose from.
Palm Jumeirah Monorail
Dubai Mall
Burj Khalifa
Limo Ride
Desert Safari
Ski Dubai
Miracle Garden
Global Village
Motion Gate
Motion Gate was such a blast! This Hollywood-inspired theme park in Dubai Parks and Resorts totally exceeded my expectations. As a movie buff, I was in heaven walking through zones dedicated to DreamWorks, Columbia Pictures, and Lionsgate.
The Kung Fu Panda section was adorable with its Chinese-themed architecture, and I couldn't stop laughing on the Madagascar Mad Pursuit roller coaster - it's way faster than it looks! The Smurfs Village was super cute and perfect for some Instagram-worthy pics.
The real adrenaline rush came from the Capitol Bullet Train inspired by The Hunger Games - definitely not for the faint-hearted! I also loved the Ghostbusters Battle for New York ride where we got to shoot ghosts with proton packs. So cool!
The Dubai heat was pretty intense, but the park is mostly indoors, which was a lifesaver. We grabbed lunch at one of the themed restaurants, and the staff were super friendly. If you're visiting Dubai and love movies or just want a fun day out, Motion Gate is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!
Abu Dhabi
Exploring Yas Hotel
Ferrari World
YAS Water world
Grand Mosque
End Of Trip
References
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