We had two and a half days in Dubai. But when I say Dubai, I really mean ‘Atlantis – The Palm’ because we planned to go nowhere else in Dubai. We specifically chose the Atlantis for its waterpark and the amazing reviews we had from friends over the years.
We arrived in Dubai just before 6am after a an almost entirely night flight. It was only on landing that dawn broke. One noticeable change from the last time we traveled overseas is the absence of arrival cards. Remember those? the annoying travel declarations you are forced to complete seemingly to demonstrate mental and physical agility more than anything else. The last thing anyone wants to do after a 14+ hour flight is to find your passport, remember your flight number, outline your profession and reason for your stay – and often not just for yourself but for each individual in your family, whilst trying to find enough light and space to scribe on an economy tray table. Good riddance I say!
We landed at terminal 3, exclusive to Emirates and specifically designed to accomodate the A380. It is funny who you bump into in distant places, this time it was John O’Farrell whose departments I work within during my Suncorp days.
Following a swift customs check we were greeted by a driver supplied by our hotel for a comfortable and hassle free hotel transfer.
The heat. The incredible heat. Hailing from Australia we are not unfamiliar with heat, but not like this. At 6am it is already 38 degrees. It is like living in an oven.
Driving through Dubai we are confronted with a significant amount of construction. Almost every building is either under construction or being renovated. Hosting the 2020 world expo has clearly sent the city into a(nother) construction boom.
The Dubai Frame, The museum of the future under construction, Burj Khalifa the worlds tallest structure and the Burj Al Arab the worlds first 7 star hotel are clear highlights of the 30 minute drive to our impressive hotel.
Atlantis, The Palm emerges at the crown of the Palm Jumeirah, the worlds largest artificial island constructed in the shape of a palm. The wealth is staggering. Exotic cars and private helicopters adorn the surrounds.
Checking into The Palm (Imperial Club) was hassle free and a note to others considering a visit, they allow you access to all Club facilities as soon as you arrive which includes a buffet breakfast and access to the waterpark.
The drawcard for us to Atlantis wasn’t the opulence, it was its water park and we made a bee-line to its gates for its 9:45am opening, a remarkably conservative opening time given how the day continues to turn up the heat.
After a few hours in the water park we decided it best to hold off any food until afternoon tea at the club. Fortunately everyone stuffed themselves at breakfast because the cost is astonishing – $15AUD for a can of soft drink! that heavens for the all you can eat, and drink (after 5pm) club access.
Even with an early evening we were all up early to witness the sunrise and the early queue for the 7 am breakfast start which had the added benefit of viewing the amazing aquarium that is the centrepiece of the hotel. It is a tranquil and very cool place to relax and enjoy the spectacle of aquatic aerobics.
A major milestone for all of us was swimming in the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Sea. It must have been at least 36 degrees in the water, the warmest that we have ever experienced.
We certainly extracted the most out of our club access. Not a single breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack was purchased and not because of the cost but because we did not need anything extra.
When it came to the waterpark we got the most out of the days. The biggest and scariest rides were all ridden (by papa) and our reef shoes were a thoughtful additional as the footpath warmed up to 11 on the ‘friggen hot’ scale.
We all had an amazing experience in Dubai. Maybe a visit in the cooler months would have us exploring more of the amazing city. Until next time!
Wow! 36 degrees water temperature….now that swim in the Persian Gulf is calling me!!