I am back from Dubai, and you know what that means—we’re going to yap about it! Dubai is one of the top five cities in the world, alongside Tokyo, Paris, New York, and London. If you know anything about me, you know I’m a city girl through and through.
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly keen on visiting Dubai initially, and if it weren’t for Coldplay, I might not have gone. It’s an expensive city, and I always felt that experiencing it with a lot of money would make a big difference.
But regardless, I loved Dubai! It felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie. That city is on another level. The more I explored, the more I realized how little I actually knew about it.
I had “wow” moments every few hours, which is crazy. Even in Singapore, I wasn’t half as amazed as I was here. I totally understand why people invest their hard-earned money there (zero taxes, duh!), why all the cutting-edge design conventions happen in Dubai (the most innovative buildings ever!), and why so many Indian celebrities are promoting it—it’s filled with Indians! I spoke Hindi the entire time.
Whenever I experience a city, my first question is always: “Can I live here?” And the answer for Dubai was a big, fat YES!
The best way to explore a city as a local is to use public transportation. We loved the convenience of the metro and buses in Abu Dhabi, ate at local coffee shops, and tried their traditional Lebanese za’atar.
I still can’t believe I experienced the world’s fastest roller coaster and saw the tallest tower. Dubai exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I didn’t have high ones, but still, it counts!
Getting to share this experience with my sister was the cherry on top. I can’t believe we only had one argument during the entire trip! We both cried at Coldplay, and it was such a wholesome moment. That’s probably my core memory from the entire trip. It also confirmed that we can go on more trips together without snatching each other’s heads off!
This was new for us—and our family too—because no two daughters in our bloodline had ever gone abroad alone. I’m truly grateful for how supportive our family was throughout. We are very lucky girls, indeed.
This year has started on such a high note. I don’t want to jinx it, but I wanted to share my brutally honest reviews because this space feels like a safe haven, and you all feel like family now.
A few favorite recommendations from the trip:
1. Louvre, Abu Dhabi – The stunning architecture left me in awe the entire time.
2. Ice Skating – A fun activity to balance out all the touristy stuff.
3. Al Seef Street – Such pretty and cozy vibes; it felt nothing like the rest of Dubai, with a great blend of culture and food.
4. Yacht Tour – Dubai’s skyline is breathtaking. The tour was peaceful and offered a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, making me appreciate it even more.
Dubai definitely has a lot of bling, and it felt very new to me since I’m usually drawn to nature-driven vacations. But the universe never fails to surprise me in the best ways, and I’m all in for it.
As we’re nearly a month into this year, I’m here to trust God’s plans. If things don’t work out as expected, there’s a good chance they’re just connecting pieces for the bigger picture when I look back in the future.
Sending you lots of love because my heart can’t hold it all! See you next week with wedding content!
