I’m no authority in what places are the must-dos. But I can tell you which are the ones I went to. I’ll sprinkle in some basic information along the way and tell you about my experience. Your trip will be different but I thought I’d share mine.

United Arab Emirates has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first countries I’ve visited. That was back in 2015. And a lot of people I know enjoyed their time. But a comeback is not on top of their bucket list.

Dubai comes off as modern compared to some of its neighbors (or the world to be honest). The skyscrapers tower me. The malls are huge and a popular pastime. The emirate is unapologetic about pushing the boundaries and creating breathtaking architecture. And while some prefer classic, I grew up thinking the newer and bigger, the better.

Work took me back to the region. And for that I’m grateful.

For a story from Dubai, you can visit this link.

Here are five places I visited in Dubai:

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. So most people who end up in Dubai, including myself, pay a visit. What I would say is that going all the way to the 124th floor isn’t necessary. The view from below is breathtaking, and arguably better than what I experienced from the top.

For those with a fear of heights, the experience can be traumatic. For those with little patience, the long queues will get to you. But if you can get over those two things, I’d go.

The observation deck can be quite busy. But the windows from the shop area gives the same panoramic view. There are less people and has more oxygen for people to breathe. If only I realised that earlier.

But none of that takes away from the experience. A view as high as this cannot be matched anywhere else at the moment. So I would still recommend it.

Burj al Arab

I wanted to cross off as many places from my list when I travel, especially if I have some free time on my hands. Without doing any research, I went to Burj al Arab. Later would I find out, the hotel is made of luxury, opulence, and extravagance. Those three characteristics are the opposite of every fiber of my being.

I’m no Lewis Hamilton. He booked the suite, which is now an exhibit, for 25,000 USD a night four or five years ago. And since I did a tourist visit, that required me to fork over some money. A bit too much for my taste. But I was already there and I decided to take a hit in my wallet.

Once I got over the expense, I immersed myself in the lives of celebrities. Some of the ridiculous stuff I saw – a revolving bed with a mirror on the ceiling, and regular packs of Hermes as toiletries. I witnessed a person who I could only assume was an Instagram influencer passing off her experience on social media as an actual check-in. But who cares? Good for her!

Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame stands at 150 meters… and that is still 678 meters shorter than the Burj Khalifa. Similar to the Burj Khalifa, I prefer the view from the outside. The one experience that will be worse for people with a fear of heights is that you can walk at the top and see a transparent glass floor below. That gave me the ability to question my decisions in life and test whether my courage is all manufactured.

The panoramic view is different. I got to see houses that I could only assume is the old town. There were limited skyscrapers on the horizon. And I had less people to compete with when taking shots of the city.

I don’t consider the visit as essential. Most people told me the same. But I wanted to experience and decide that for myself.

Museum of the Future

Who knows what the future will hold? I guess Dubai does. And they have a perspective on how that unfolds and are clearly helping to design it.

That may sound creepy. And a bit scary. And I didn’t know what to expect. But for anyone with a curious mind, the experience is worth having.

I cannot describe what I went through. But this is a perspective on what will happen in the fields of technology and innovation. And I’m not sure I’m interested.

But at a minimum, the city never fails to impress me with architectural marvels. And this one is no different. Apparently, the shape is an egg. I always thought it was a musical instrument.

Dubai Fountain

I have seen fountain shows from Las Vegas to Addis Ababa. But the best one I’ve witnessed has to be in Dubai. If you are in the Dubai Mall or Burj Khalifa, and you happen to be in the area at night, spare 5 minutes and witness the show.

Not so surprisingly, the water shoots up to 150 meters. The music is well coordinated (with Adele’s Skyfall being my favorite companion). And there are multiple locations to enjoy it from.

I was in Din Tai Fung with my friends and got to see the spectacle 3 times. I never lost interest. The one moment I was in the boardwalk with the entire crowd, I did feel a bit suffocated. So maybe the best approach is to view it from a distance.

All photos were taken on January and February 2023.