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slightly astray

an honest look at life on the road

2 weeks in Dubai by the numbers

I went to Dubai for the Burj Khalifa, the desert, and to meet a person.

I booked tickets to Dubai rather a whim. It’s not exactly a place I’ve always wanted to visit. In fact, it was hardly even on my travel wishlist. I didn’t do any planning at all. I just found the most reasonably priced tickets and accommodation, booked them, and went.

I went to Dubai because Andrea lived there but was going to be leaving soon. My favorite thing about blogging is making real friendships around the world. Andrea and I had been reading each other’s blogs for over 2 years and had bonded over our similar experiences (both starting out as part of a couple and then needing to figure things out solo). She’s been an incredible support source to me over the past few months, when a failed romance left me as disoriented as ever. We’d chat for hours about relationships, travel, and life in general. It was time to finally bring those conversations to real life.

Since I had done no planning, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I ended up having an AMAZING time. I’m going to be writing a lot about Dubai in the coming weeks (I did too many cool things not to share!), but for now, I want to give you a highlight reel. So here are little snippets of my trip by the numbers:

– 13 nights total in Dubai

– 34 hours to get there from Beijing > Ürümqi > Dubai

– 1 night & day missed because of a canceled flight in Ürümqi due to snow and fog. A bit of a rocky start, but it all ended up being good.

– 125 floors up (456 meters above the ground) on the Burj Khalifa

view of the Dubai fountain from the Burj Khalifa

– 6 amazing, delicious hours of brunch with endless wine, cocktails, and good company (see full post!)

Friday brunch at Movenpick hotel – oh how I wish I could eat like this every week!

– 1 day spent doing nothing but Netflixing in bed to recover

– 1 hour on an camel during sunrise in the desert. 1 bucketlist item fulfilled (see full post!)

– 1 man who tried to kiss me at the souks in Old Dubai (read the story)

across the creek in Old Dubai

– 1 expensive cocktail at The Vault on the 70th floor of the JW Marriott Marquis, the tallest hotel in the world

view of Dubai Creek from The Vault

– 1 pair of Ray Bans lost there and then found

– 3 times to the Dubai Mall, probably a million steps walked in there, and only $47 spent shopping

– 1048 columns total in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque (in Abu Dhabi), all made of marbel and inlaid with semi-precious stones.

– 7 star hotel visit to the golden Emirates Palace

– 2 blueberry pies at Paul

– 4 meetups with Andrea. Many hours spent talking about life, heartbreaks, and the future

– 1 new friend made in my Airbnb (basically when I convinced him to go on the desert safari with me)

– 2 evening strolls along the marina and the beach walk

– 1 week of rain and 1 week of sunshine

– $6 total spent on food on the cheapest days (in order to balance out the expensive days). Who said you can’t do Dubai on a budget!

– 5 pounds gained (probably). Many (but not enough) delicious Indian food meals. Dreaming about the curries, naans, and dosas!

a southern Indian breakfast platter full of yumminess and unhealthiness! This was only $4

– $612 spent in 2 weeks (not including flights and accommodation). See entire budget breakdown!

– So many good memories to last me a lifetime

Dubai was my first real solo trip to a new destination. I was a little bit nervous about how I’d like it. But it was incredible. I walked away with great memories and a larger sense of confidence.

One of the most memorable moments was when I stood across the Dubai fountain looking at the Burj Khalifa for the first time. I felt one of those moments sweeping over me. It was gratitude and amazement and wonder and happiness. I was there, standing in the shadow of the tallest building in the world. And for the first time, I can say that I did it all by myself.

I took myself there. I hopped on a plane alone and got myself to Dubai. Not only physically, but more the fact that I created this location independent life for myself. Emotionally, I pushed through the fear of traveling alone and being alone.

I think Dubai is going to be the start of something new. I’m not sure what it is yet, but I can feel it. :)

Have you been to Dubai? What did you do and how did you like it?

Comments

  1. Wow, good for you in making the trip alone! Dubai has always seemed like one of those places with a lot of ritz and no culture, so it was never really on my bucket list, but I’m looking forward to hearing more. Stay safe!

    • That’s what i always thought about Dubai too, but I ended up having a lot of fun! Of course, it’s because I had a friend to meet there and I think just the fact it was my first real solo trip made it more exciting :). I’m glad I picked it for my first trip because it was such an easy city to travel in.

  3. These photos are beaaaaautiful, wow! I love that you got to meet a blogging friend who had supported you so much, that really is amazing and is why I love blogging so much!
    And I’m curious to hear the story about the man who tried to kiss you… I hope it isn’t too creepy!

    • Me too! Making friends is the best part and the reason why I keep on blogging. I’m still really hoping that we will meet someday :). I just know we’ll get along so well. I’m gonna be over in your half the world later on this year, so who knows!
      The story is a little creepy but nothing dangerous! It definitely made me realize that I’m now traveling as a solo female.

  4. Sound like a great trip Anna and very exciting about new beginnings. I have just discovered Andrea’s blog and I love it :)

  5. It’s so great that you had such an amazing time in Dubai! I have to admit that Dubai has never been on my travel radar, but seeing your amazing pictures (especially the one with Burj Khalifa) may have just piqued my interest. Look forward to reading more about your trip!

    • Dubai wasn’t on my radar either because seems too new, too flashy. But I really had such an amazing time, though I really do think part of it is because it was my first solo trip so it has more meaning to me. But you really can’t deny that it’s a pretty spectacular city and amazing what man built!

  8. 6 hour brunch! Wow! Thanks for sharing your experiences in Dubai, what a wonderful first solo trip! #WanderfulWednesday

  10. I’d love to visit Dubai to admire all the gorgeous architecture! I’ve been watching documentaries about the Burj Khalifa and it’s just mind-blowing! Can’t wait to read more!

    • Oh you probably know way more about the Burj than I do! I really should learn more about it too. Maybe I’ll see if I can find a documentary now! It really is an amazing building to see in person.

  11. Fantastic Anna! Now for more solo trips! Looking forward to your budget breakdown as I would like to stop there for a few days but it looks sooooo expensive! Its back on my must-visit list after looking at your photographs! Looking forward to reading your posts! #wanderfulwednesday

    • Oh I’m glad you want to visit!! I have so many more posts and pictures coming. I was really surprised that you can actually do Dubai semi on a budget. There were days where I literally spent like $6 on food (and it wasn’t McDonald’s). And so many things to do/see for free or very cheap too!

  13. What a creative post! I can’t wait to read more. And so proud of you for doing it on your own Anna! I know your New Year’s resolution was to learn to do things on your own, and it really seems like your proactively making steps to make that happen. This is BIG and you’re right, you did it on your own! Only more amazing adventures to come :D

    • Thank Lauren! I’m so proud of myself too for going there alone. And I’m definitely not so scared of the idea of solo travel now. I really do want to take myself to the places I want to go to this year, because I don’t want to regret it. I’d kick myself forever if I didn’t do stuff just because I’m scared! I’m really looking forward to what’s coming now. :)

  14. Amazing photos. I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai, so I’m looking forward to your posts on this amazing place!

  15. sounds like this was an amazing trip for you, and not just because of the location <3 happy to hear you're doing well and I'm really excited to see Dubai through your eyes! I've never really considered it a place high on my list but your instagram lately has been changing my mind :)

    • It was never on my list either, but I had such a good time time :). Yes, I think part of it is that it was because it’s my first solo trip, so probably anywhere would have been meaningful. But it definitely helped that I was able to meet a friend and that Dubai ended up being a pretty cool place to visit! :)

  16. Awww, I love this! It was so lovely to finally meet you and I’m so happy that you had such a transformative tip – you’re right, you should be proud of yourself! Hope to see you again soon ;-)

  17. Everything about this post made me smile, but the end is the best! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!! I love those moments of awe and gratitude when you realize what you’re capable of. That blueberry pie looks tasty! The sunrise camel ride looks like an incredible adventure, too! Can’t wait to see how you made your budget work!

    • Thank you Sara!! :)) I feel proud of myself too and it definitely made me realize I can do more than I realized. Yes, I am putting together a complete budget breakdown!

  18. Well done!! Sounds like an excellent trip, can’t wait to read more about it – especially the food!

  19. The last time I read Andrea, she was still in Cyprus (or Berlin?)… crap… how outdated am I…

    Anyway, you know 95% of Dubai is man made, right? And seeing how you like KL for the man made stuff too. I think you should focus on traveling to the big cities and ditch all those wild reserves kind of places heh.

    Or maybe not. That “something new” sounds like it is not related to travel, much… :P

    • Haha no I’m not moving to Dubai or anything. It is travel related… I just mean that I’m not so scared to travel alone anymore :). I was actually gonna message you soon and tell you that I think I’m finally coming to Penang!! I think I need a break from the big cities and being by the beach is sounding sooooo nice.

  20. Haha no I’m not moving to Dubai or anything. It is travel related… I just mean that I’m not so scared to travel alone anymore :). I was actually gonna message you soon and tell you that I think I’m finally coming to Penang!! I think I need a break from the big cities and being by the beach is sounding sooooo nice. :)

    • Yes! It really is such a fulfilling moment when it sinks in that you did something on all your own! I don’t think I would recommend Dubai one way or the other, but I’m really glad I came here and I had such a good time!