Dreaming in Dubai

Since living in Chennai, Dubai became our oasis in the desert of muck, grime, germs, bugs, and unruly crowdedness.  We loved for the times we could hop on an Emirates jet and fly straight into the arms of clean, sparkling malls; hygienic eateries and relatively few bugs.  Since moving home to London, coming to Dubai still holds the same appeal, but not for the same reasons.  We LOVE it here, simply LOVE it!  We enjoy the peace and quiet - no horns tooting.  Wherever we stay is not on any flight path, so no jets overhead.  The occasional 'whup-whup' of helicopter blades is not irritating, merely interesting - gives me a chance to make up an imaginary billionaire or dashing Prince heading to some world changing meeting or the other!

We love the crystal clear blue sea (some of it man-made - I agree!) but still gorgeous nonetheless!  We love the feel of the breeze - warm in the summer and like today, chilly, in the winter.  We love the fountains below the Burj Khalifa.  The music and choreography enthrals us relentlessly as we sit on the balcony with a definite bird's eye view!  We love the view from 51 storeys above ground - the unique architecture all around us and I defy Nikh to find two buildings that are alike!

We love the feel of the flown-in sand beneath our toes, the divine cooling lemon ice lollies that are dished out by the pool and beach staff to cool you down as you heat yourself up!  We love the underwater music system in the pool - easy to swim laps when you are being serenaded with every stroke and splash!  We love the cool, wet face cloths offered to ease your burning skin under the scorching sun.  We love the ease with which you can move from hotel room to water park and back again when they are all part of the same resort.  We love the way the kids are treated - with smiles and understanding.

We love the food - fresh, tasty and scrumptious.  We love the Hummus, the Tabbouleh, the Labneh, the Shawarma, the breads, the meat and fish and poultry.  We love the variety and the presentation.  We love the portions and the speed with which food is prepared and served!  We love the fact that fast food, when the Ray is starving, is just that!  We love the numerous coffee shops - Caribou, Starbucks, Second Cup, Gloria Jean's and more.  We love the choice of ice-cream shops - Baskin Robbins, Haagen-Dasz, Coldstone Creameries and the rest.  The fruit and veg are crunchy, crispy, sweet and tasty.  The quality is top notch and the colours are myriad.

We love the shopping - albeit a little expensive, window style works fine!  Designers vie with high street brands.  The outlet mall is wonderful, the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and Mall on the Marina are wonderful - best part is that you can walk miles and miles and never realise it.  Even better - the toilets are constantly cleaned and can be used without fear of dirt and disease!

But above all, we love the down time.  We love the time we spend together as a family, talking, walking, laughing, sharing and enjoying.  There is negotiation, debate and conversation about where to go next, which film to watch and what to have for the next meal.  Arguments are nil, stress, frustration and anger have gone with the wind.

For my dream holiday, or the holiday when I dream all day - Dubai is the top of my pops! I LOVE IT!!