The Modern Nomads

We just left the Maldives and were on our way to Africa and planned a few days in Dubai to split up our travel. We stayed in the Palms at the iconic Atlantis, The Palms. And Wow…. this hotel was amazing!

Nestled between the calm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf and the majestic Dubai skyline, Atlantis, The Palm is the crown of the world-famous Palm Island in Dubai. Literally the Crown of the Palm:

With the 5 star amenities, the aquarium inside the hotel, the water adventure park next door, an entire wing of restaurants (with Michelin stars no less), this place was really a resort destination. You didn’t even need to leave the property to enjoy your time here.

From our room we had a beautiful skyline view of the city and below we had a had a view overlooking the top of the aquarium!

Dubai – The Past, Present and Future

Brace yourself for a wild ride through time because Dubai’s story isn’t your run-of-the-mill tale—it’s a whirlwind from fishing village to futuristic wonder! Once upon a time, in the land of endless sands, Dubai began as a humble fishing and trading spot, dealing in pearls and spices. But hold up, the real game-changer hit in the 1960s when they struck black gold—oil, baby! That discovery was like hitting the jackpot, catapulting Dubai from a sleepy village into a global powerhouse of trade and wealth. But here’s the twist: Dubai didn’t stop there. Nope, they went all-in on innovation, transforming their oil riches into a mesmerizing metropolis. Today, it’s an amazing blend of ancient history and modern skyscrapers. From desert sands to towering structures, Dubai’s journey is an amazing one and honestly you have to see it in person to appreciate it.

The city is lined with some of the most amazing architecture of anywhere we have ever visited! The buildings are unique and each one seems to outdo the others!

Also, at the end of this post is a link to a YouTube video that I found that is a great illustrated time-lapse of the transformation of the city!

Dubai – A shoppers paradise!

Now of course you can explore Old Dubai and visit the bustling markets and but that wasn’t on our agenda. I wanted to see the famous Dubai Mall that I had heard so much about. And hold onto your shopping bags because the Dubai Mall isn’t your average shopping destination—it’s a retail extravaganza on steroids! Spanning an area of over 12 million square feet (equivalent to something like 50 soccer fields), this place isn’t just about shopping; it’s an entire world of entertainment, style, and endless indulgence. Think of it as a paradise for shopaholics, with over 1,200 stores showcasing the world’s top brands, from high end ready to wear, haute couture boutiques to everyday classic fashion (you know, the kind that you and I can afford). So wether you are looking for fashion, footwear, art, home furnishings, electronics, the Dubai Mall has it all. And there is more…. From an Olympic-sized ice rink, the aquarium, the theater, the mesmerizing Dubai Fountain to the VR park for you gamers, a visit to the Dubai Mall is definitely an adventure in itself. You could spend all day! And keep you phone handy and download the Dubai Mall App. We had use it more than once just to figure out where we were! HA!

We had lunch while at the mall and before I tell you where we ate, just remember we have been traveling for 10 months. Let me just say that when I saw the sign for 5 Guys Burgers I went running lol! And it was the best burger I have had all year. Well, it was only the second burger but shout out to 5 Guys, they never disappoint!

We also had a chance to pay a visit to Chadi, an old friend of Pete’s who is the manager of Entrecôte Cade de Paris. He treated us to an afternoon coffee and desert and it was great for them to catch up! This beautiful cafe is located next to the massive Dubai Waterfall. The Waterfall is one of the most impressive works of art in Dubai. This impressive water feature spans all four levels of the mall.

After you have seen the glitz and glamour of Dubai Mall, don’t forget to head out to the mall’s outdoor promenade to see the mesmerizing Dubai Fountain show.

A Birds Eye View of the City

To really understand and appreciate the beauty and the marvel of a city that is Dubai, you have to see it from a Birds Eye view and no better way than to take a trip to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa.

Travel tip: Get your tickets in advance, especially if you wanting to time your visit during sunset, because tickets can sell out quickly. We didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time but we were lucky and we were able to snag two tickets by just walking up to the counter. Now the only tickets left were for the upper decks, which of course were the more expensive ones, but look, you can’t be here and not take a trip up.

A little about the Burj Khalifa

Did you know that the Burj Khalifa isn’t just tall—it’s ridiculously tall! This skyscraper is a real-life head-turner and holds the title for the world’s tallest building, soaring way up high at a mind-boggling 828 meters (that’s around 2,717 feet!). Way back in 2004, they started putting this megastructure together, and after some serious hard work, it finally debuted in 2010, stealing the spotlight in Dubai’s skyline. Originally called Burj Dubai, they switched it up to honor Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. From cutting-edge tech to a squad of global talents, they pulled out all the stops to make this marvel happen. The architectural features of this masterpiece are amazing. The footprint, an abstraction of the Hymenocallis flower, is Y shaped base provides not only an inherently stable configuration for the structure, it also allows for a floor plan that maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf. Burj Khalifa isn’t just a building; it’s a work of art!

More than just the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, a symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East.

https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/vision/

Desert Adventures in Dubai

There are plenty of desert adventures if you choose to go that route. You can embark on a desert safari adventure. Experience dune bashing in a 4×4 vehicle, try sandboarding, and perhaps take a camel ride. You can even rent a Harley and join a group to cruise the desert (Pete did this back in 2017). Since we just left Egypt we had seen enough desert we skipped this side of Dubai but wanted to mention in case you were planning a trip and wanted to be adventurous!

Dubai was a perfect spot for a long layover or stop off for a few days. I don’t think that I would make it a single travel destination unless you were close enough that the travel wasn’t too long but worth a visit if you happen to be in this part of the world!

Below: I found this YouTube that is a great visual of Dubai’s transformation over the years. The video is an illustrated Timelapse so if you are interested you can click the link below to watch: