So my birthday present and mama time this year was a trip to Dubai. I got to spend some quality time with my two sisters, one who is a teacher and lives out in Abu Dhabi and the other who is also a working mama.
It was Good Friday and it was pouring down with rain as I got into my uber and headed for the airport. After an hour of journey I checked in and headed through security. My sister shortly followed through as her driver had decided to take the scenic route and she got there a few minutes after me. After a quick browse around duty free we headed towards our gate and boarded our Emirates plane. It was an early afternoon flight and once boarded I checked out the movie list. Lets see how many movies I can fit in seven hours of flight. I can say I managed three.
The flight was smooth with hardly any turbulence and once we landed we were supposed to be met by our limo transfer service Marhaba. But there was some confusion because my husband had booked it through the hotel and they didn’t relay our names. Once speaking to the lady at the customer service desk she quickly sorted out the issue and was swiftly taken through immigration without having to queue. A perk you get booking with them! We picked up a luggages and was met by our driver and headed to our Hotel.
We arrived at our hotel the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai at around 1.30am local time and check into our room. The room was spacious enough and the interior was very nice, the bathroom was the highlight of the room as it was spacious and elegantly decorated.
Saturday
We woke up a little later than usual as we went to bed so late. My youngest sister who lives out in Abhu Dhabi came to meet us and get ready before heading out to Zero Gravity. This is a great place to go for brunch it is located right by the beach. The beach and pool is private, the beds by the pool get taken fairly quickly so go there as early as you can if you want one. I think they open around 9.00am, we arrived at around 12.00pm. You pay at the entrance and that entails food and drinks until 5.00pm.
The food is served as a buffet and there is plenty of variety. The beach is were we headed as the pool area was very crowded as you can expect. The music was ok not to my taste but thats fine, The whole atmosphere was very chilled and relaxed. They also have impeccable changing facilities with free towels, access to hairdryers, curlers, straighteners, showers and lockers. So you can get there and get changed into your bathing suit or bikini.
Once we got back to our hotel, it was time to get changed and ready to head out again to watch the last night time light display at the Burj Kalifa. Afterwards we searched for a place to eat as we did not book anything in advance. After looking at several places we came across the Kanpai Restaurant and Lounger Bar. They serve Japanese cuisine and we were all in the mood for some sushi. Such a beautiful setting and the interior was stunning and to top it off their music was on point and the food was absolutely delicious. We ordered way too much and could not finish everything, we didn’t realise how big the portions were going to be.
We had a slight mishap at the hotel as we needed an extra bed in our room and when they finally got it the bedding was not clean. After complaining at the front desk and speaking to the duty manager they gave my sister a room of her own for the night and then moved us into that room in the morning. This room was much larger then our previous room and had enough space for us all. They also went out their way to make the rest of our stay as comfortable as possible. Also throwing in a complimentary meal at one of the restaurants at the hotel. The manager of the hotel also met us and apologised and gave us a free nights stay. I know mistakes happen and it was great to see how they rectified that.
Sunday
So after breakfast we headed out to The Dubai Mall for some retail therapy. You have all your shops here from your designer ones to your high street. There is also an aquarium and an underwater zoo, Kidzania and an ice rink too. Great for the kids to enjoy, next time I come to visit I shall check them out with my boys. It was a short one as we needed to get back to our hotel. The Desert Safari company was picking us at about 3.00pm. Another quick change and then into the tour car. There was a couple from Malta who were absolutely adorable and so wonderful who were doing the tour with us. After an hour or so of journey we got to the desert. Waited for around ten minutes before getting into another 4×4 with another driver who obviously is an expert at Dune Bashing. All strapped in for an extraordinary dune bash across the endlessly vast desert landscape.
I can tell you this was absolutely amazing one of my favourite things to do. It is like being at a ride at an amusement park but even better. It lasts about 10-15 mins long. You have to hold tight as it can get very very bumpy. Myself and my younger sister found it extra bumpy as we sat right at the back. It was so much fun, I would highly recommend you try it out as it will not fail to disappoint. Stopping for a quick break in between so we could take some pictures, stretch our feet and take in the desert sunset views. Onto some more dune bashing and then headed back to the parking are.
Now it was time to head to the second part of the desert safari the Reyna Desert Camp for some entertainment, henna tattoos, camel riding and Shisha smoking. Followed by an appetizing BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights, together with a dose of genuine traditional entertainment like intricate Tanura performances and Belly Dancing. At around 9.00 we headed back to our hotel with our driver. The journey back is around an hour or so and we were all exhausted and retired early to bed.
Part Two is coming soon
Thank you so much for stopping by to read my travel post. Have you been to Dubai before? What was your highlight from your trip to Dubai? What places did you visit in Dubai? Please do let me know by leaving a comment below.
Until next time, Safe travels everyone!
Hotel: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Desert Safari with Dune Bashing: Rayna Tours
Restaurant: Kanpie Restaurant and Lounge Bar
Beach Party: Zero Gravity
Looks like a lot of fun. I love all the photos you took.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Author
Thank you so much Courtney, it sure was a lot of fun.
xoxo
Lovely
Dubai is sooooo beautiful. I’ve never been but maybe one day. Incredible photos and it looks like you had so much fun. Xx
http://www.elegantduchess.com
Author
Yes hun Dubai is beautiful, thank you so much.
xoxo
Lovely
Welcome to Dubai!! it’s an amazing city 😀
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
Author
Thank you so much hun.
xoxo
Lovely
great post 😀
http://alafolie-toinsanity.blogspot.hr/
Author
Thank you so much and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Lovely
As usual very interesting! Thanks a lot for sharing)
Author
Thank you Vika.
xoxo
Lovely
Firstly, happy belated birthday. Such a great way to spend your special day. Sisters are such fun. I can tell from your pictures that you ladies had a blast. I love Dubai, I’ve been there once and hopefully will again in the next few years. I also flew Emirates and had a great flight experience. The Burj Kalifa was the highlight of my trip and the next trip I want to definitely ride out to the desert. I enjoyed reading about your trip and your pictures are amazing. Thank you for sharing Lovely.
Xx
Nikki
Author
Aww thank you so much Nikki, it was a blast hanging out with my sisters. The dune bashing was so much fun so when you do venture to the desert I would highly recommend you doing that! Have a fabulous week darling.
xoxo
Lovely
You look STUNNING in white! Also, this looks like a fantastic trip…I want to come!!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com/charmed-by-charleston-what-to-do-see/
Author
Thank you Kate, it was a fantastic trip.
xoxo
Lovely
You look amazing girl. Love your style and photos.
Thanks for sharing!
much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
XO
Author
Thank you so much Len.
xoxo
Lovely
Such a great trip! I would like to visit Dubai asap!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
<a
Author
You should try and visit Dubai if you can Paola. Thank you so much for stopping by.
xoxo
Lovely
I’m a regular visitor to Dubai, I’ve totally fallen for this amazing city darling. Burj Khalifa is very impressive and those fountains are awesome! I’m glad my kids love the beach too, so we’re heading down again in October. You look gorgeous in this white combo btw!
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Author
Its a great place to visit with the kids Simone, and we are going to be going to Dubai as a family fairly soon! Have a wonderful time in October with yours darling.
xoxo
Lovely
I would love to visit Dubai one day
I love your photos so much.
xx,
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com/
Author
Thank you so much Margot, I hope you do hun!
xoxo
Lovely
Wow!Amazing pictures!Dubai looks awesome:-)
http://www.lostindaydreams.com/
Author
Thank you Olga.
xoxo
Lovely
Dubai looks like an absolutely beautiful city! http://mariannyc.com/2018/04/19/japan-2018/
Author
It is hun and thank you.
xoxo
Lovely
che meraviglia
Author
It was wonderful and thank you.
xoxo
Lovely
You are such a babe! And sounds like an amazing trip, love the architecture and the desert looks incredible.
xx
Author
Thank you so much darling, it was such an amazing trip.
xoxo
Lovely
Dubai sounds really great! Been wanting to visit that country 🙂
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Author
I would highly recommend visiting, thank you hun.
xoxo
Lovely
I love dubai, is one of my favorite places in the world!
http://www.alessabernal.com/
Alessa Bernal
Author
Its become one of mine too, thank you for stopping by.
xoxo
Lovely
Dubai looks incredible, I really want to visit soon! Also, that first romper (or maybe it’s a swimsuit & shorts combo, I’m not sure) looks like it was made for you. You look SO good!
http://lambassadrice.com/
Author
Dubai is beautiful hun, I highly recommend it. It is a short and swimsuit combo, thank you so much and have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Lovely
It’s truly amazing what they’ve done in this city, how they turned it around in just a couple of decades. Dubai is easily one of the most beautiful cities on Earth; amazing engineering and architecture. Your photos are sooo adorable dear.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
I know Jessica, I am absolutely amazed by how they have built this city too and how they are still continuing to expand it and make it even more fabulous. Thank you so much hun and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Lovely
I love the pic of you and the girls jumping on the beach! So classic!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Author
That was so much fun, I think we our it on our 4th or 5th attempt. Thank you hun.
xoxo
Lovely
Thrilling article and good post .
Author
Thanks
xoxo
Lovely