Solo in Dubai

Liberating…I have always heard that to travel solo is one of the most liberating things a woman can do for herself. Could I do it? Would I ever be brave enough to do it? Well the answer is YES! It took me 56 years on this planet but I did it and is it liberating…Absolutely! I not only dipped my toe into solo travel, I did a swan dive into solo travel!

Solo travel is something I have wanted to experience for many years but I was scared, restrained by my fear, Making excuses why I couldn’t. What changed at 56….being 56! Getting older was the main catalyst to me finally taking that swan dive. I feel that a lot of people(including myself) put themselves in a box as they get older, the story in our head…I can’t do that…what if something happens…I can’t be that far away from my kids, what if I get sick, what if I lose my cellphone…what if, what if, what if. I now some of those excuses might seem silly, as my kids are grown, I am healthy, but that story in my head kept me in my comfortable, safe box. I had those exact thoughts and it was those exact thoughts for the last several years that made me finally take the leap. I think we tend to shrink our world in our minds as we get older, doubting ourselves. The more things we say no to or I can’t or maybe another time…the smaller our world becomes. I was determined and am determined to not put myself in the ‘safety’ box. I have always told my kids that some of life’s greatest moments will happen outside your comfort zone….always push yourself outside your box. Well it was time for me to heed my own advice.

Off to Dubai (yes, literally the other side of the world) I went. So many of my friends and family thought I was a bit crazy, they were scared for me to travel so far and go to a middle eastern country by myself. They said I was brave, and truth is I was pretty darn nervous but more than anything I was excited! I tried to talk myself out of it many times from a place of fear but I was determined to not let fear stop me.

What did I discover….confirmation that nothing makes me feel more alive than travel, the unfamiliar, meeting people from different cultures, being uncomfortable at times, exploring the nooks and grannies of the world and having the time of my life!

After a 16 hour flight I peered out my window to see the beautiful city lights of Dubai. A smile came across my face, the kind of smile that is not containable, not controllable…just organic and real. I was on the other side of the world alone and my soul was overflowing with excitement…the fear was no longer in me.

What sticks with me most when thinking back on Dubai…

*Although I was never concerned about traveling to the Middle East as I had done my research on Dubai, a lot of my family & friends were concerned for my safety…I have NEVER felt safer in any major city, including American cities, than I did in Dubai. Although many believe Dubai’s main source of income is oil it is not, that is their neighbor Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s is tourism. Dubai is very strict against violence to women and tourists. The Emirate of Dubai is a monarchy ruled by a royal family. While I am sure there are a lot of aspects of the monarchy that I would not agree with, I did experience and enjoy my perception of a cocoon of safety as I wondered about. One last thought on this topic is the thought that so many people have the misconception that women are not treated as equals in Dubai….from what I experienced and learned, that is not the case. I had a cocktail (or two) with a friend of a friend while in Dubai. Someone that had lived in Dubai for 20 years but is German. He explained that yes, as a culture they respect conservative dress, which is expressed many different ways. To perceive just because a woman chooses to wear an Abaya and Hijab that they are oppressed is a complete fallacy. He explained to me that he has on many occasions been over to families homes and more often than not the women wear the proverbial pants in the family.

*The absolute, hands down cleanest city I have ever experienced. This is not an exaggeration when I say, I did not see one piece of litter…nice to see people respect their city and home.

*I was engulfed in a kaleidoscope of people in Dubai. Women dressed in their Abaya & Hijab chatting with friends while their small children ran around and played. Men dressed in a very comfortable looking thawb while going out about their days. Women & men that looked like they just stepped off Rodeo Drive. Women and men dressed as if they were about to dance the night away in Vegas. Women & men, including myself, dressed casually conservative. Although there were a variety of styles, the one thing most of them had in common were their smiles and their openness to make eye contact with me and say hello. The majority of people I passed while out and about, or perusing their stores, or chatted with while having a bite to eat were all very welcoming and seemingly very happy. This is one of my true joys of traveling and Dubai was no different….from the old souks, to the world’s largest shopping mall, to the Arabian desert…people are the same around the world. It is fascinating to experience all the differences and similarities we share….simply as humans.

*The architecture was spectacular…from the modern to the ancient. Dubai is very proud of their city and being on the cutting edge of technology and architecture. While that pride leads to a lot of construction, it is all quite mesmerizing to witness. From the royal palace, to the world’s most expensive hotel, to the creativity of the Dubai frame, to the ancient souks it is quite the feast for the eyes. The architecture is much like my impression of the people of Dubai…diverse and special in their own unique way.

To all the women who said I was brave, who said they could never travel alone….jump in ladies, reach deep for that bravery that lives inside you and EXPLORE!

Enjoy the pictures of the mesmerizing, vibrant city that is Dubai…..

Due to Covid LAX pretty much shut down…Emirates lounge closed but they gave me a $15 voucher for food….well I chose a bottle of wine and olives for my food and had a little airport picnic in the middle of terminal.

My home for the next 16 hours.

These are not your grandparent’s compression socks….first time using and I’m sold!

Hello Dubai!

I stayed at the JW Marriott Marquis….the hotel has 82 floors and I was on the 49th. You pick the floor before you enter elevator. Great friendly hotel with a fabulous cocktail lounge on top floor with spectacular views and quite tasty cocktails. Although great location not the best walkability but very close to everything.

Just what this girl needed after a 16 hour flight. My room was beautiful….very spacious, floor to ceiling windows and a spectacular bathroom.

First breakfast in Dubai

First glimpse of the city in daytime from my room

View from room

First stop on the city tour I took the first day. Atlantis, The Palm resort located on the crescent of Dubai’s Palm Island. Dubai’s Palm Islands are the largest manmade islands in the world and the name comes from the palm tree shape you can see from high above.

The Atlantis 2 under construction. It is going to be a luxury hotel as well as VERY expensive luxury condos.

No shortage of gold everywhere….entrance to the Jumeirah Al Qasr resort.

Burj Al Arab hotel designed to resemble the sail of an Arabian dhow(a lateen-rigged ship with one or two masts, used in the Indian Ocean). Notice the round helicopter pad. Very exclusive and very expensive resort. I was told by my guide though you can go in and enjoy a fabulous brunch with a beautiful view even if you are not a guest.

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque…better known as the Blue Mosque to tourists. It is required for everyone to be covered to enter the mosque. It is one of just a handful of mosques that will open its’s doors to non-Muslim…accompanied by a guide.

The ornate tile work is just amazing on the ceiling and walls.

The Blue Mosque is one of the UAE’s largest and can accommodate up to 2000 worshipers.

I think it is wonderful that non-Muslims are allowed to enter and get a better understanding of the Islam religion. Your eyes and heart are educated and opened when you see and hear first hand vs the one-sided images and stories you see and hear on the American news. One of the many aspects of travel that ignites my desire to explore the world.

Random peacocks just wandering around town.

This is the closest I could get to the Royal Family’s home. I use the term home loosely because it could have it’s own zip code. Per my daughter’s request I was looking for a prince for her but the guard didn’t care:)

So random, and pretty silly but this is the world’s largest gold ring? Not sure what you do with it as I’m pretty sure it is too big and too heavy for any human’s fingers.

The gold souks in Old Dubai.

Rode an abra (traditional boat made of wood) across the Dubai Creek.

More of Old Dubai from the Dubai river.

On the top level of The Dubai Frame there is a glass floor. It is black at first but once stepped on the glass becomes clear and you can see below. A bit freaky at first!

First time using my new favorite toy…my selfie stick. :)

Looking down on new Dubai

Looking down at old Dubai

It is called The Dubai Frame for obvious reasons. It is quite a spectacle of modern architecture. You go up an elevator to the top of the picture frame. You learn about and see photos of old Dubai, new Dubai and then future Dubai. The architecture was created as a picture frame of Dubai….you can view from high above the old sections of Dubai and then walk to other side of the top and see all the growth in progress of new Dubai…a complete picture of Dubai, hence the frame.

Inside the worlds largest mall in Dubai…..didn’t go into too many of the stores but I did marvel at just the immenseness of it and the unique art around it. This fountain is one example that I love.

The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest(at this moment) building. It is 2,722 ft, which is a little over a 1/2 a mile….consisting of 163 floors. The highest observation deck is the 148th floor. It takes appx. one minute to get to the 124th floor observation deck and than a separate elevator to get to higher deck. I thought for sure my stomach would drop but somehow you barely feel the fact you are quickly going so high?

Love the heart sculpture with Burj Khalifa in background.

Sitting in awe & gratitude for my journey.

Went on a tour that took me about an hour outside Dubai into the middle of the Arabian Desert.

Once we hit the desert the journey started going very fast throughout the sand dunes….kinda like a roller coaster in the desert. Luckily, it was only me in my car so I was able to sit up front.

Once the sun set we headed to the camp.

Off I go….

Making friends with my camel :)

Once settled in at my table for one at the camp they came around and asked if I wanted a henna tattoo. Never have had one so of course I said sure. It was beautiful but little did I know they don’t come off for days! I thought once I washed my arm it would come off…Nope! It was with me my entire adventure in Dubai and the Maldives.

One of the performers in the show while we ate. He was spinning so fast and at one pint balancing several plates at the same time. The music was so fun and the costumes were beautiful.

The look of pure fun in the desert with my new friend.

Pictures are a bit out of order (learning curve!) The next couple are from the top of the Burj Khalifa…was hard to take with window glare at sunset (another learning curve!)

Very strict with social distancing to watch the fountain show that looks very similar to the one in front of the Bellagio in Vegas.

My last meal in Dubai at a Thai restaurant in the hotel. Food and service were amazing but I was mesmerized by the reflections of all the hanging lanterns in the window.

Yes, thank-you Dubai!

….and now a few out of order pictures…..HELP Maggie!!!

A cute little shop/restaurant in the mall where kids can pick out their cereal of choice and then get in bed to eat. Another perspective of the fountain….it was huge and wrapped around an entire section of the mall.

A lot of cereals to choose from……

As mentioned previously….on my desert safari not only did I have a wonderful guide but he had a passion for photography too. What a great bonus as I never would of captured these pictures with my selfie stick :):):)

My cute table for one at the desert camp.

And here folks is my number one reason I love to travel………She was the only other person on my city tour with me. She was from Japan. We could not understand a word of what we were saying but you learn……happy, loving, open minded, adventurers don’t always need words to communicate. Love communicating in any form with people from all around the world. It makes you realize that although the world is vast it becomes cozier when you see that we are all similar no matter where we reside on this planet.

If you find yourself in Dubai one day…….

J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel

Sheikh Zayed Rd. 971.4.414.000

Marriott.com

Thai restaurant Tong Thai

Half Day Dubai City tour w/Dubai Frame ticket booked through Viator

Sunset Desert Safari Tour booked through Arabian Adventures.

Arabian-adventures.com