Dubai, United Arab Emirates: ChichiChic Top 10 Highlights

Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirate’s Western-style model of business drives its economy with the main revenues now coming from tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. According to Wikipedia, Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. The city has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. As of 2012, Dubai was the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East. In 2014, Dubai’s hotel rooms were rated as the second most expensive in the world, after Geneva. In 2013, U.S. global consulting firm Mercer rated Dubai the best place to live in the Middle East.

Dubai is probably the most ambitious city on the planet—plans are already being executed for a building that will be even taller than the Burj Khalifa. Dubai aims to be the Mecca of tourism—you can tell by all the MANY projects devoted to entertainment and all things luxury.  Dubai truly impressed me.

So here they are, the top 10 highlights of my trip to Dubai, UAE

1. Emirates Airbus 380: I had the opportunity to fly in the Emirates Airbus 380 from IAD (Washington DC) to DXB (Dubai). The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by European manufacturer Airbus. It is the world’s largest passenger airliner, and the airports at which it operates have upgraded facilities to accommodate it. The A380 made its first flight on 27 April 2005 and entered commercial service on 25 October 2007 with Singapore Airlines. The A380’s upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage, with a width equivalent to a wide-body aircraft. This gives the A380-800’s cabin 550 square metres (5,920 sq ft) of usable floor space, 40% more than the next largest airliner, the Boeing 747-8, and provides seating for 525 people in a typical three-class configuration or up to 853 people in an all-economy class configuration. As of February 2018, Airbus had received 331 firm orders and delivered 222 aircraft; Emirates is the biggest A380 customer with 162 ordered of which 101 have been delivered. The following US airports support Emirates’ Airbus A380 routes: Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD).                                                                The business class cabin offers seats that can turn into a flat bed, such luxurious amenities right at your seat and in a lounge at the back of the upper deck of the plain, airplane toiletries by Bvlgari, and such a scrumptiously packed menu of full course meals and snacks. Also, when you fly Emirates business or first class, you can get complimentary car service to and from the airport—so amazing!!!  Please check out this amazing article on how to take advantage of the Emirates A380 experience. Click here.
   

   Luxurious seating in the Airbus 380

   

   The Emirates Airbus 380 Upper Deck Lounge for Business and First Class

   

   

   My Breakfast prior to landing in Dubai from Washington, DC on the Emirates Airbus 380

   

   Car Service for Business Class Emirates passengers from the Dubai International Airport

2. Amazing food from a cultural melting pot: Seriously, Dubai is a Foodie’s paradise. There was literally no single meal that I did not thoroughly relish—so many international flavours, especially from all over Asia. Also, as someone who does not eat pork, I was in Heaven—so many non-swine meat options, it was so so amazing. Dubai is also known for its food festivals and pop-up eateries—it is very easy to pack on the Dubai stone as you eat your way through the city.
   

   With the crew at Tong Thai in the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel

   

   Delicious club sandwich at Angelina’s (a French Cafe) in the Dubai Mall

   

   Escape to Paris in the middle of the Dubai Mall @Angelina’s

3. Dubai Souks: Dubai Souks are colorful, noisy, busy and vibrant markets where you can literally find anything and everything you are looking for. Dubai is known for its high quality gold—which you can find at the Gold Souk. I went more to find fabrics that I will use to make some updated-traditional Nigerian outfits—there were so many quality options at fantastic prices at the Textile Souk. The sellers are eager to make a deal and are so helpful. Being as I am already used to the more challenging Nigerian open air markets and that I am well-steeped in the methods of trade by barter, I was definitely in my element at the Dubai Souks.
   

   Textile Souk Dubai

4. Dubai Mall: Shopping at the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue was so much fun. I got such amazing service in all the luxury stores I entered especially at Dior. This is the best luxe shopping experience that I have had and I didn’t even make any big purchases. A lot of stores in Europe and the US need to go to Dubai for some training. It was truly a positive experience for me.
   

   Dubai Mall: Fashion Avenue extension

   

   At the magical Manolo Blahnik store in the Dubai Mall

   

   The shoes are all eye candy because they don’t carry up to my size 🙁

   

   Aaaaahhhh, Dior Dubai!!!!

   

   Hoping to strike GOLD in Dubai

   

   The best customer service ever in Dior Dubai Mall

   

   Testing, testing 1, 2, 3

   

   Dior Book Tote Bags

5. The Burj Khalifa: The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest artificial structure standing at 829.9 metre-tall (2,722 ft). The building gained the official title of “Tallest Building in the World” and the tallest self-supported structure at its opening on January 9^th, 2010. The Burj 153 level is the highest occupied level in the world. It is an architectural masterpiece with a breathtaking observatory at Level 148. Click here to book tickets to tour the Burj Khalifa.
   

   Burj Khalifa Aerial Shot Photocredit: Groupon

   

   At Level 148–Burj Khalifa Observatory

   

   The Burj Khalifa at night

6. The Dubai Fountain: Dubai is known for putting on a great show—whether in the form of the most jaw dropping fireworks display to this breathtaking and awe-inspiring water show that I got to watch outside the Burj Khalifa. A captivating water, music and light spectacle in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest performing fountain. At over 900 ft inlength—equivalent to over two football pitches—the Dubai Fountain is situated on the 30-acre Burj lake and performs to a selectin of different songs from classical to contemporary Arabic to World Music. It is illuminated by over 6000 lights, shoots water up to 500 feet in the air, and has 22,000 gallons of water in use at any given time—all for FREE. Find out more about the fountain’s unique design by clicking here.

 7. The Jumeirah Masjid Mosque: The Jumeirah Mosque is renowned for its open doors/open minds policy. It is the only mosque in Dubai which is open to the public and dedicated to receiving non-muslims. It is a shame how we humans distort religion with our drama and fighting—the Abrahamic religions have a lot of key factors in common (ummmm…we all worship the same God–the God of Abraham). So, if we learn more about each other, then maybe there will be a chance for peace on earth? The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding hosts visits of the Grand Jumeirah Mosque 6 days a week Saturday through Thursday at 10:00am. You do not need a reservation to attend this visit, but you must arrive at the main entrance to the Jumeirah Mosque by approximately 9.45am. Each tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. The tour cost25 AED per person including water, dates, Arabic coffee, tea, and traditional pastries. Children under 12 are free. Click here for more information.

Visiting the Jumeirah Masjid Mosque

8. Desert Safari: This was an amazing tour packed with dune driving, sun set photography, a falcon show, Arabic (non-alcoholic) wine, camel ride, desert barbecue and buffet dinner, dancing and traditional entertainment. This was such a fantastic experience—I got to experience the first class hospitality that Arab Emirates are known for. Check out more information about Desert Safari tours by clicking here.

Ready for Dune Bashing: Desert Safari Dubai

Enjoying Arabic (non-alcoholic) wine during the Falcon Show

Camel Ride

9. Dubai International Airport: DXB is the primary international airportserving Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic. It is also the 3rd busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, the 6th busiest cargo airport in world, the busiest airport for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 movements, and the busiest airport in the world operating with only two runways. In 2017, DXB handled 88 million passengers, 2.65 million tonnes of cargo and registered 409,493 aircraft movements. You will never know all of this as it is organized, sparkling clean, and just so opulent—the Emirates business class lounge is such a great respite for the tired traveler and the shopping at DXB is world class.

Concourse C Dubai International Airport

Off to the Maldives from Dubai International Airport

10. The Oliver Twist Effect: I left Dubai thoroughly satisfied yet looking forward to my next visit. Next time, I will definitely explore Abu Dhabi and maybe push my luxury boundaries to explore Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (the only 7 star hotel in the world). Hey, I can dare to be as ambitious as my new favourite city right? 😉

Burj Al Arab in the distance–see you in Dubai Part II

Please share your thoughts and other Dubai faves in the comment section below.

Love,

Chichi