My Amazing Dubai Trip

Known to hold the records for having the tallest man-made building in the world, world’s largest flower garden, world’s largest mall in the world and world’s only 7-star hotel, Dubai is one of the 7 emirates that make up the country United Arab Emirates. Over the last few decades, Dubai came to light as a center for business making it a ‘hot spot’ for job opportunities for people from different nationalities around the world. With its openness in creating Western-style finance, business and realty/residential infrastructures, Dubai has been rated as the best place to live in the Middle East by some foreign business firm. And not only that, Dubai holds some of the most iconic modern engineering wonders in the world making it one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

“Have you gone crazy?”

These were exactly the words most of my Western friends told me upon knowing I was flying to UAE alone for a week-long vacation. They were too concerned they literally bombarded me with tons of reminders: not to wear clothes showing too much skin, not to curse in public, not to be obnoxious and loud, not to engage in public display of affection, not to drink and get drunk, and etc. In short, not to break any of Dubai’s laws and rules (even without being told, trust me I wouldn’t dare).

Truth is, I wasn’t scared at all. I know for a fact that Dubai is an open city thus, is more lenient than most of the other Arab countries. If anything, I was more worried about getting bored being on a 17-hour flight just by myself. Well, technically speaking, I wasn’t really taking a vacation ‘alone’ – I chose Dubai to spend time with my favorite cousin and college best friends who currently work and reside there.

Dubai Trip Planning and Travel Tips

By nature, I am a spontaneous, laid-back person and go-with-the-flow kind of gal, however, in some instances like international trips, I always plan ahead of time, in a very systematic fashion and in the least expensive way. I may splurge during trips occasionally but I take pride in finding really good travel deals. So… how did I plan my trip?

Airfare

I always have good luck finding cheap flights through Cheapoair so it’s always my first go-to when it comes to airline booking next to Priceline. Strangely, in spite of the drop in the oil prices, current airfare from Dallas-Forth Worth – Dubai ranges from almost $900 and up. With my travel dates from May 19 – May 26 in 2015, I snagged a United Airline flight with a quick lay-over in Washington Dulles International Airport for $690.74. Groupon currently offers a 7-Day Dubai Trip with Airfare per person which you might think is a better idea. However, take note that an additional fee ranging from $199-$399 (depending on your travel dates) will be added plus an extra free if you will be flying from an airport not listed as part of this deal (based on my personal experience).

Hotel

I opted to stay at Ibis Al Rigga Hotel for three main reasons: reasonable price ($340/5nights), comfort (click here to view amenities), location (just 5 minutes away from the airport and short walking distance to most of the commercial centers) and convenience (located by Al Rigga 2 metro station).

Weather

I was discouraged by my cousin and friends to visit Dubai around May due to extreme heat but since I’m from Texas I thought I could tolerate it so I went against their advise. I left Texas on a beautiful 68-degree day and arrived in Dubai with temperature in the 100’s. Coming from a hot state of Texas, I’d still say that the kind of heat in Dubai is nothing like I’ve ever imagined. It was brain and energy-draining to say the least; and yes, I was a ‘little’ bit cranky almost the whole time. The weather-friendly months to visit Dubai is around October to February, or March at the latest. So please check the weather forecast people before thinking of flying to UAE.

1st Day May 20, 2015 (Boodle Fight)

 Aside from sleeping and ‘selfie-ing’, this was the first thing I did as soon as I landed in Dubai. Boodle fight! Believed to have been concocted from the Philippines, this interesting dining experience is done the ‘military way’; by forgetting the plates, spoons and fork. Food is laid on top of the banana leaves and with the use of just bare hands, grab whatever you want to eat. The faster your ‘hand techniques’ are, the sooner you get full (the slower your are the hungrier you get). So if you want to experience a boodle fight while in Dubai, visit the Asian Flavors Restaurant and pick from their 8 ‘delish’ Boodle Fight Menu. And don’t forget to try out their bubble tea too; they’re good! Have fun boodle fighting!

2nd Day May 21, 2015 (City and Mall Tours)

Known to be the largest mall in the world by land area, it is so far the only mall I’ve known to have a moving walkway. I was really amazed! And not only that, Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 shops, the largest suspended aquariums in the world, largest candy store in the world, an Olympic-sized skating rink, the tallest building in the world, and a lot more! It’s truly a world-class must-visit mall.

Named after one of the greatest travelers of all time, Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall is especially designed to depict the extensive travels of Muhammad Ibn Battuta. The mall is divided into beautifully-themed sections of countries Ibn Battuta had been to. It’s a mall full of history, tale and story. If Dubai Mall is grand and luxurious, Ibn Battuta is unique and historical.

 

3rd Day May 22, 2015 (The Cove Rotana Resort)

Located in one of the seven states that make up the country of United Arab Emirates, this paradise is approximately a little over an hour away from Dubai. The Cove Rotana Resort in Ras al-Khaimah is accessible by car hire and hotel accommodations, Bus Rak Transport Authority with fare ranges from $21-$24 and travel time of 1hr 6min, Bus Dubai RTA Bus (fare is between $4-$7 with travel time of 4hrs 40min) and taxi (fare is around $60-$70 with travel time of 1hr 4min).

Dubbed as the “Santorini of Middle East”, this gorgeous resort offers an amazing view of the Persian Gulf with 64 km of sandy coastline. During my stay, I booked for the Classic Room – Twin Bed which has a spacious living room, a kitchen, a very huge bathroom and a patio. Typically priced around 800 AED or $218, I was grateful to nab this beautiful comfy room in paradise for only 199 AED ($54) as part of their summer promotion. Yay!

Click the thumbnail gallery to see more of Cove Rotana Resort

Dining in Cove Rotana

From light snacks to different type of cuisines (Mediterranean with touch of Italian, Oriental, and International), need not to worry, coz in Cove Rotana Resort, you can have ’em all!

 

Take note: Even if you are in a resort, you are still required to dress appropriately when you dine in any of these restauranat. A nice ‘kabayan’ waitress had to provide us shawls to cover our legs. Yes, they can refuse to provide you dining services and you would be nicely asked to leave.

Party in Cove Rotana!

You have to be 21 years of age to be allowed to drink alcohol in Dubai. You can only drink alcohol in designated areas like bars and clubs. Please note that it is illegal to drink and get intoxicated in the public. It is also against the law to take public transport while under the influence of alcohol. Non-Muslim residents have to get a license to consume alcohol at home. Click here for more information on local laws and customs of UAE before drowning yourself on booze.

One of the most common past time you see people do in most bars and restaurants in Dubai is to smoke shisha or ‘sheesha’. Also known as hookah, a pipe is used in vaporizing and smoking tobacco with flavors ranging from apple, cherry, strawberry, coffee, mint, apricot, cola and a lot more. More than an activity people do for leisure, shisha smoking has become a huge part of UAE’s culture. While people in Western world converse over a cup of coffee or tea, in Dubai, friends meet up over a pipe of sisha. When you wander around the streets of Dubai and start smelling pleasant aroma and fragrances, then expect shisha bars and hookah lounges nearby. Click here to find the best places for shisha bars or hookah lounges in Dubai.

Swimming in Cove Rotana

Some of my co-workers were shocked when I posted some bikini pictures from my Dubai trip. They thought showing off skin is totally banned in UAE. Yes, it’s true that Dubai follows a certain dress code and EVERYONE residing and visiting UAE must conform to it. Especially true for women, they are expected and must dress conservatively in public places like malls and open stores. However, swimming attire is allowed to be worn but ONLY in beaches and swimming pools.

Till here – please check out the Part 2 pretty soon! Overall, I love, love my Amazing Dubai trip and I highly encourage anyone to discover the wonders of this beautiful city yourself! I will definitely be back soon!