Hurry Up, Step Out & Go Make A Trip To Dazzling Dubai - Experience Of A Lifetime

The longer the waiting period the harder is holding yourself back from heading out and exploring the city of Dubai. The lesser chance you are giving yourself from living a dream. So in 2016 I had made a trip to the city of Dubai, UAE. I was living a dream right from the very moment I along with my family stepped out of home to board the flight for Dubai, UAE.

I was super excited right from the very moment we stepped out of our home to head to the airport. The excitement slowly, surely and strongly building up little in disbelief and more for the actual reality of what was going to happen. So, then there we were at the Indira Gandhi International Airport or IGI Airport to board our flight for Muscat. It was the flight from IGI to Muscat International airport from where we would be hopping onto the connecting flight to Dubai, our final holiday destination. I was wandering around the lobby of the IGI airport waiting as to when would we get on board our flight to Muscat, when suddenly much to my delight the announcement was made. We went ahead for the security check to get onboard the Oman Airlines to carry us to UAE from where we would take the connecting flight to Dubai.


Inside the flight, it was all so ummm…fairytale kind of atmosphere. Sitting on our seats were the four of us, listening attentively to the safety protocols being explained by the in-flight cabin crew. One, Two, Three…there we made our leap and shoved off the ground. The Sharmas have made their bon voyage for their most exciting trip in a very long time. I made a choice to surf the opera table in flight TV offering a range of channels to see. They had the Arabic shows, the English shows and many famous Indian Tele-shows. Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma also found a place there in the list of the channel offerings. I then decided to go through this magazine titled ‘ ‘ and get an insight into the Gulf country as the plane glided ahead. There was one cool feature available to use where the flight in its path could be seen in motion moving towards its destination. I still remember seeing the plane go over Pakistan & yes the school boy in me came to life again and for some nonsensical reason I felt a bit jittery in my stomach. Ha Ha Ha The plane then slowly and gradually started to make its descent for landing at the Muscat International Airport.

“ Welcome to Muscat “, was the announcement made as we got down from the flight and headed into the airport lobby. Security checks, passport validation, tickets for the hop on connecting flight confirmed and there we were all set to make our final hurray affirmed for Dubai. It is well said that waiting pinches you and more so when the wait is for something you are really looking forward to. I cannot explain it to you that how did we manage to pass that time waiting with the other passengers in the lobby for our connecting flight to be ready for boarding. I could recognize some fellow passengers who had boarded the flight from IGI to Muscat International Airport were also waiting for the Dubai flight. Anyhow the wait did not mean a thing to me, as I was about to enter into a dream world.

So, then we went past the security checks and passport checks for one final time to take that ever so delayed connecting flight for Dubai. Still a dream trip only that now it was starting to sink in with the change in the language, people and demography around us. The whole fervor, aura and the grandeour of what was about to hit us what slowly sinking in. It was just a matter of less than a hour that the in flight attendant made the announcement, “we are now marking our final descent to Dubai. Thank You for travelling with Oman Airways”. The picture I clicked of the city from the flight in its final descent.

  

Yes, so then we had finally made a touch down at the Dubai International Airport , the world’s busiest international airport and god didn’t it live up to this name. We headed out of the airport took our cab coupon to take us to our destination. My Mama had given the address to Dad. Standing in line were we along with many other international citizens making a visit to Dubai expecting a cab. Our turn came, we went ahead and gave the driver, an Asian, the bill confirming the payment made for the ride and having the destination location clearly stated there. So then when in Dubai you are ought to see some real lavish lifestyle, big & huge buildings, royal cars and tall Sheikhs in their ethnic attire. We saw a Ferrari right after we made the second exit out of the airport premise. Gosh I cannot forget that amazing feeling. It was being followed by a sparkling white Lexus. The noise the machines were making was simply out-of-this-world!!!

I could see the name ‘Rotana Towers’ on a big tall building and my Mami standing outside waiting for us. We all met like in a way to say, ‘Mission Accomplished’. The Sharmas had arrived to their dream trip location Dubai. It was a residential complex having quite a lot of floors in it. So, we took the lift to our flat on the 8^th floor, I guess. The view from the balcony was as magnificent as the noise coming from the vehicles zooming below on the road. Z-ZZ-Sh, Z-OouNG, the Hummer going past as fast as you could imagine only in your dreams. Then there were the Ferrari, the Ducati sport bikes and other big engine vehicles on the streets all night long. I thought won’t be able to share everything we did there so only the most significant ones I shall list out now.

So, the following day the four of us took our travelers bag pack and headed out on the streets of Dubai to explore the city with a brief from Mami as to which all locations to see before Mama came the same night. Then he would be taking us and showing us around the city. Anyway, so the first morning in Dubai the four of us set foot confident enough and were on our own on a foreign soil. Ha Ha Ha Ha it was and still is a big thing. One sight we visited was the Dubai Museum and I bumped into this gentleman reading an old manuscript in the museum. Ha! Ha!

Dubai Museum

                                                     

The same night my Mama came to Dubai and our trip was set to get a whole lot more spectacular. The four of us along with my cousin sat outside the residential complex entrance on the payment and were waiting for him to come down from the metro station nearby. Only a little while later we could trace him walking down the stairs of the station, all excited were we to surprise him. Aaaaaaah shouted all of us in unison to surprise him, which we managed. Our Dubai trip was just about to take a great turn for the obvious reason of the magnitude of fun we were about to embark upon.

The remaining part of my blog features the three most life enrichening, spectacular and never to forget moments we experienced in Dubai. The first one was the world-famous Dubai Sand Dunes Ride. On our big MUV we hopped onto with an Indian driver to take us along much to our liking. The Dubai Sand Dunes Ride takes place along with a package of Desert Safari . This ride happens in a fleet of cars going together ahead one after the other on the sand dunes moving up & down causing that funny feeling in your stomach. Oh man, I still can feel that tickling in my stomach. Our guide drove us at such high a speed that we were told to fasten our seat belts and hold onto the safety handle in the car during the ride at all time, to avoid falling and hurting ourselves.

Sand Dunes Ride, Desert Safari

                                                                       

On our return from the desert safari we were set for food! Oh yes, lavish amazing Arabic cuisine to consume. Rug sacks were positioned in a fine way on the desert sand for seating. A stage was in the mean time being set up in the center for the world famous Arabic spectacle, Belly Dancing . To start off things there was an ethnic Persian dance which took place to charge up and get the crowd in the mood. Then came in the Belly-Dancers, took over the lime light and gosh didn’t they steal the show. The spectacle went on for a good long duration getting in return cheers from the crowd watching in awe. As beautiful and stunning they were so was their dance with all those stunning moves with twists and turns. This stands out as the second of the tremendous-three events in the Dubai trip. The belly dancers were so elegant, beautiful & pretty in their movement. So much so that you couldn’t just take your eyes off them and look in awe.

Belly Dancing, Desert

It was the 30th of December when we took the lift to the top of the Burj Khalifa from the Dubai Mall entrance after lining up along with many other lucky ones. I would now shift directly to the most spectacular spectacle worth witnessing once in a life time.

Fortunate were we to have been able to live this. It was the celebration night, the 31^st of December New Years Eve. So there were we at the pavement of Rotana Tower near the Khalifa to witness the fireworks known around the world as a spectacle in itself. As and like the time was nearing to 12’o’clock or New Years the atmosphere was starting to turn more and more electrifying. Lights, big beam of lights went zoom past us standing up there and the count-down began like,       10,  9,  8,  7,  6,  5,  4,  3,  2,  1

Happy New Year and zoom went the fireworks from the top of the Burj Khalifa in all the different colors, patterns and direction. One after the other in a continuous twirl and pattern did the fireworks welcomed the new year. So, was a firm affirmation to this dream land where we made this trip to carry with us memories to stay for a lifetime. No matter whichever country you visit if the chance knocks on your doors then everyone must and should go to Dubai once in their lifetime. Personally one thing off the ‘Bucket List’ for me.

BURJ KHALIFA FIREWORKS, NEW YEARS

Why A Trip To Goa In The Monsoon Season Was The Best Decision

Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock! the hands of the clock went about with their routine. But I was in a hurried state of mind as it was the thirtieth of June two thousand and eighteen. The day when my family and I were to go for a short trip to Goa right when the monsoon season would set in. After having managed to finally pack our bags we were in the cab. Woof! It was a tough call leaving away things to carry to Goa. At this point I along with my sister, mom, dad, maashi elder brother, elder sister, my brother-in-law naah! more than a brother left from Delhi for the Indira Gandhi International Airport. My younger brother was to join us directly at Goa from a wedding he was attending in Kolkata.


So there we were at the airport. Now this waiting period when you are in the list of the passengers about to board the plane - in the departure cue is exciting to say the least. Yes it is! You move around the vicinity with the widest of smiles your cheeks can pull off. I had the feeling inside me of complete calmness and goody-goody. Announcement, 'Call out for Air Asia flight from New Delhi to Goa...' Hurray! This was our flight to take us till Goa.


Post check-in and getting seated in the plane is the easier thing. Oh yes, there is a tougher aspect to flight travel. The point I am hitting out to is the co-passengers. Especially the ones seated in the front. Here was a family of eight-to-nine people all of whom were loud! Also, they were constantly changing seats and moving around. Was this how my trip was to begin? No! I thought it cannot be so. There stepped in God and saved my life. The better part of my journey till Goa in the flight was the co-passenger next to me. I fail to recall her name. She was a travel blogger by profession. At present she was on her way to visit Goa from her trip in Uttarakhand hills. Yes, we both made it through that loud environment. Simply wondering what made those overly excited people go Ga-Ga.


Touch down to Dabolim Airport or Goa Airport! I was super delighted to see my brother there waiting for us. His flight from Kolkata reached before ours. The smart guy had an eventful state of affairs from his trip till Goa. We checked out from the Airport and into two vehicles pre-booked. We were on our way to our place of stay now. Our driver for the trip was Gaffar Bhai. A gem of a personality he was. One who I would like to remember for a long time.


The booking was a little different. Our stay was in a society premise through an aggregator provider. So now all of us went in and took our room keys to settle down. The hotel had a gigantic poolside. One which we all made a very good use of. All of us played swimming games. We had a big ball with us. It ensured that we, exhausted and tired Delhiets were live with energy. Up above the weather was living up to its name. The rain gods had already circled us. One incredible view under which were we circled in.


The next day we stopped over at Infantaria Cafe&Bar. Here we were welcomed to a sumptuous treat. This breakfast meal was amazing. The preparation was continental with soothing music playing in the background. The weather at this moment was the best it could offer Goa. To make the most off it we decided to see the country side. Hence all of us headed to the border of North Goa, Arombol near Mapsa. As this was the off-season, most shops remained shut. Hence we enjoyed the beaches. The same day at night we made a shirt trip to Baga Beach. Here we had some delicious sea food and enjoyed the heart pumping music.


The third day we set foot for Candolim Beach side. Today the weather was all in its most shining state. The water in this beach side was so beautiful Blue in color. The waves here were so huge and gigantic. Literally I mean this and am not exaggerating at all. Whosoever visits Goa must surely set foot here. The noise that the Arabian Sea water makes is astonishing to say the least. Here we took halt at a shack and had some more beer again. Who would want to walk with an empty stomach when in Goa? - Not me for sure!


The best place we found out for ourselves was the Fat Fish restaurant and bar. One where we made multiple halts during our trip. A friendly and welcoming manager and good food. This is the place where I for the very first time in my life tasted Crabs. Yes! I did. On the good encouragement of my family - to safeguard me if I happen to travel abroad, I shouldn't be left empty stomach. Ha Ha ! It tastes amazing. Yes provided you can make your way through the hard shell.


The date at present time was the fourth of July and we were to board our return flight to New Delhi. Post check out from the hotel we stopped over in South Goa. The section that we hadn't seen as of now. Here we bought some 'Kaju's'. Well actually a little more than some. This part of Goa is much more cleaner and organized. It is a lot more metro city like and less sea like place. As we walked around we finally came upfront with a shop. 'SK Kaju Walla' with the most authentic Goan kaju - for which the city is famous. A few minutes into our buying and it started pouring. Slowly but steadily it was picking up pace.


The trip to Goa in the monsoon season was an eventful one. One that I thoroughly enjoyed. So if you plan to travel Goa ever in the monsoon. Carry your sleeve-less T-Shirts and Shorts with you. Oh yes the swim-suits of course. I have attached at the end of this post here some glimpses from my journey.