We decided to break our long flight from Australia to the US in Dubai. I couldn’t imagine being cramped in the aircraft with a 4 year old for what seemed like forever. We were flying Emirates and Dubai made a logical choice.

We ensured that this trip was to rest and relax before we took the next flight unlike our previous trip to Dubai. I also took the opportunity to catch up with friends from my school and college days who live there. It was amazing. I realized I was meeting one of my friends after 18 years or so.The great part is with some friends years don’t matter. Yeah the topics we discuss vary but the fun remains the same.

I would have loved an opportunity to roam around Dubai with my camera, clicking pictures, and soaking it all in like I did in 2008 but this trip was more about being together and enjoying family time.

We stayed at the Atlantis Palm. Watched kuttyma enjoy architecture (which was a discovery – I did not know building fascinated her). We were lucky – one of our friends took us all around the beautiful high-rises pointing out its many faces at different times of the day.

The Burj Khalifa at sunrise

Kuttyma also realized different cultures exist. She realized people dress and talk differently around the world. It was amazing for me to see the world through her eyes. She had her first experience of the desert. We did a “Rise and Shine” desert safari organized by Arabian Adventures (highly recommend the morning one if you have kids under 6). The camels fascinated her a lot but her favorite part was the sand dune bashing. I was really worried how she would handle the sand dune bashing but she had “pink and purple” in her stomach when she did it. She was quite sad when the expedition was over.

Camel rides are a must if you are a tourist in Dubai

We went up the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world aka “needle building” as named by kuttyma). It was quite boring. We walked around the Dubai Mall and its aquarium.

Kuttyma fascinated by the display in Dubai Mall

We watched dawn break over Dubai and admired the colors. We relaxed and slept. It was perfect.

A view from our hotel room – Sunrise on Day 2

See how different the sunrises are? Each morning was different