Love Amidst the Sand and Skyscrapers: Animesh’s Ultimate Dubai & Abu Dhabi Getaway with Thrillophilia
"Where are you?" my voice echoed through the Mirror Maze at the Dubai Dolphinarium.
"Catch me if you can!" her laugh teased me, bouncing from all directions.
As I turned listening to her voice, I bumped into my own reflection, yet again. “Nope, that’s not you!” I muttered scratching my head and utterly confused how to find her.
"Too slow!" she giggled from somewhere behind me.
“I see how it is—teaming up with the mirrors to confuse me?", he teased, laughing as he played along.
After what felt like an eternity and multiple head bumps into the mirror, I finally spotted her real silhouette. “Found you!” I exclaimed, pulling her into a playful hug.
Laughingly, she teased, “Took you long enough!”
I looked into her eyes with a cheeky grin and said, “No matter where you go, I will always find you.”
A Night of Magic and Love at Marina!
Our first evening in Dubai, we were treated to something truly special- a Marina Dhow Cruise. It was one particular activity that my wife really looked forward to.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky with vibrant shades of orange and pink, we boarded the traditional wooden dhow boat. The city’s skyline, with its twinkling lights, looked straight out of a fairy tale. It was one of the most romantic nights in Dubai, away from the city's chaos, just the two of us enjoying each other's company under the starlit sky.
Leaning against the railing, we gazed at the water, absolutely in awe of the skyline’s shimmery reflection. As we sailed along the creek, we spotted plenty of iconic attractions like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis Hotel.
Next, we were served a wholesome dinner on the cruise which included everything from Arabian cuisine to international dishes. But we picked up our desi favourites like Butter Chicken, Naan, Dal Tadka, Chicken Kebabs and Biryani– because the heart wants what it wants!
“Can you believe we are having Butter Chicken and Naan in Dubai?” I asked my wife while taking a big bite of the chicken.
“Well, I absolutely don’t mind! I will always choose Butter Chicken and Biryani over any other dish in the world.” she replied with a stuffed mouth.
A Journey Underwater!
The next day, we started our exploration with something unique- the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Inside the aquarium, we were surrounded by an incredible variety of marine life- giant sharks, stingrays, and various colourful fishes.
“Wow, look at that beauty!” I exclaimed, pointing to one of the massive sharks swimming just a few inches from the glass.
“I can’t believe we are standing this close to sharks!” I replied, equally in awe.
It was such an amazing feeling to see these unique and beautiful creatures up close. The real showstopper was the 270-degree tunnel. Walking through the tunnel with water all around us, we felt like we were part of the aquatic world.
A Taste of Culture!
Next, we visited the famous Global Village. Why is it famous?-- because it is a one-stop destination to experience the best cultures of the world in one place. It is like a mini world tour, offering a taste of varied cultures, cuisines and traditions.
The vibe here was lively and colourful, with music, dance, and food stalls from all over the world. We walked through the European, Asian, and African pavilions, sampling delicious snacks and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.
“I’ve never tasted food from so many countries in one place,” she said, handing me a small plate of Italian pizza. “You have to try this, it’s amazing!”
We tried everything from Turkish kebabs to Egyptian falafel. The live performances at every corner added to the festive vibes, and we even got to enjoy a traditional dance show from India.
“This place is like a world tour on foot,” I said, laughing.
Adventure & Romance in the Sand!
One of the most thrilling experiences on this trip was undoubtedly the Desert Safari.
“Hold on tight!” our driver shouted as we sped over the sand dunes. There were moments when our jeep would literally be in the air for a few seconds. We couldn’t stop laughing as we bounced up and down inside the jeep, holding on to each other tightly.
After the riveting dune bashing experience, we stopped for a traditional desert camping experience. At the camp, we were served traditional dishes like Shawarma, Madrouba and Chicken Salona. The dinner was finger-licking which we enjoyed while watching belly dancing and the Tanoura dance show.
“Isn’t this perfect?” I asked, looking at her across the candlelit table.
“It really is,” she replied, reaching across to hold my hand. “I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend the evening.”
The Need for Speed!
On our last day in Dubai, we headed to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi— a day dedicated to all things fast and furious.
Believe me when I say this, the rides here were next level! Being here, we had to try the Formula Rossa which is famous for being the fastest roller coaster in the world. We did try it and then screamed our lungs out throughout the journey– literally!
After such a heart-racing experience, we took a few laps around the go-kart track, pretending to be race car drivers. It was the perfect end to our action-packed trip, filled with both romance and adventure.
Back home, I couldn’t stop replaying our Dubai adventures.
“The desert safari or the Dhow Cruise—what was your favourite?” I asked.
She replied, “All of it, because I had you by my side.”
Dubai gave us thrills, romance, unforgettable experiences and everything we had hoped for. We left the city, but I am certain its magic will stay with us always.
Read More: Thrillophilia Abu Dhabi Reviews