Goodbye 2021, Hello Dubai!
After running the ole' Covid gauntlet (much nasal swabbage) in Ontario, we boarded a 13 hour flight to Dubai, the marvel of the United Arab Emirates. Why? Because we have family there now!
Adam, Angela and Selah Brown have called Dubai home for the past year, and we knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a guided tour from people we miss and love. From the moment we arrived bleary-eyed, the Browns showed us what true Middle Eastern hospitality is all about. As you'll see from our 22 captures, we made the most of our week there.
This is our first post from what we hope will be a 6 month adventure on the flip side of the world. We hope you enjoy it.
1. Pearson Drop
"It basically took two months to pack. We wanted to be as light as possible, so it was a process of subtraction over time. Genny took the lead; I stuffed my packing cube on the day before we left Cow Bay." - Ryan
2. The Dubai Frame
"This architectural statement piece stands between old and new Dubai. We took an elevator up for our first introduction to the city and it did not disappoint." - Ryan
3. Bird's Eye View
"It was so cool looking at the whole city from the Dubai Frame! In the frame there was see-through glass you could walk on and it felt like you were floating." - Rosalie
4. The Group of Seven
"The Browns showed us a month's worth of sights in a week. We rumbled around in their Mitsubishi Pajero every day. Adam joked about writing a children's book called Oh The Places You'll Park. I think it would sell." - Ryan
"I think we were all ready to turn the calendar over to 2022. Nothing like a Burj Khalifa water show as the welcoming backdrop to a new year." - Genny
"There was so many stray cats in Dubai, and they were all so cute! We named these ones: Linx, Mix and Garfield Jr." - Rosalie
"It was intense walking through the tight streets of Dubai's traditional 'souqs', market stalls with colourful and insistent salesmen. Each souq area has a theme: spice, linen, gold… you name it, they have it." - Ryan
"Adam took us out to the desert for this one. PCR does not stand for Pretty Cool, Right?" - Ryan
"Each and every building in Dubai is beautiful. Each one is uniquely designed and the attention to detail is unparalleled. It seems as though the space between buildings only adds to the beauty, allowing each one to be fully showcased. It is a city like no other I have seen." - Genny
"This is me and my cousin Selah. We are on a boat ride in Dubai Marina. I loved how we could tour this part of the city by boat. It is so fun spending time with Selah and it is so nice to have seen the city she lives in." - Hazel
"This is the man with the vision. The vision to plan five years into the future; the vision that taking us all out of our comfort zone is what we need; the vision to visit new places that are always unique, unexpected and impressive. I love adventuring and learning alongside you, Ryan." - Genny
"It was fun watching the girls watch everything around them. Here, a very nice vendor decided to show Hazel what his beautiful scarf would look like." - Genny
13. Aquariums
"We saw 2 huge aquariums in Dubai. One was in the Dubai Mall, and this one was in the Atlantis Hotel. It was so cool how big it was and how many fish were in one tank." - Hazel
14. World Expo 2020, Terra - Sustainability Pavilion
"One of our favourite pavilions at the Expo was Saudi Arabia. The floor was so neat, wherever you walked it changed the pattern under your feet." - Hazel
"There were many, many interesting (and different) sights and signs in Dubai. This slogan just rolls off the tongue… doesn't it???" - Genny
"This was one of many countries that we went to and it was very nice. It was one of my favourites because it is the only country in the world to have 'LOVE' in its name." - Rosalie
"To be able to spend a week with Adam and his family was so special. To be in Dubai and able to experience the World Expo 2020 took the visit to the next level! Behind us is the 'Surreal' water feature of Expo… a 360 degree waterfall! Behind that was the amazing Al Wasl Dome." - Genny
"This place was epic. We came in from the top and slowly descended a spiral walkway, sharing the air with parrots, monkeys and all kinds of other interesting creatures." - Ryan
20. Toucan Sam
21. Sweaters in Dubai!
"So we have a reputation for bringing east coast weather with us wherever we go. Dubai had seen almost zero rainfall since 2019, and then we rolled in. It didn't dampen anyone's mood though. The locals were happy to see the skies open up." - Ryan
22. Time to Fly, Goodbye Dubai
"After a week with the best hosts ever, we hit the Dubai airport to catch our 2:40 AM flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Welcome to the jungle!?" - Ryan
Sweet family!!!! Can’t wait to read more. Big love your favourite cow bay neighbours 😉 The Thomson’s
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time in Dubai. Can’t wait to follow along on the rest of your trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat a place!! Love seeing all your posts :)
ReplyDelete