DUBAI

Show me where there is life in the desert. Only those who can see such signs of life are able to find treasure.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

The first step in planning your travel as soon as you identify your destination, is to check on the visa rules. Dubai visas are one of the easiest visas to apply for as there are numerous agencies that provide for this service at a fee and with a quick turn around. I personally used https://www.dubaivisa.net/ and it was cheaper than using agents. This is a service offered by VFS Global Kenya and my visa was sent straight to email. The website gives you different kinds of transit and tourist visas for different lengths of time.

After i got my visa, i checked the weather in Dubai and begun shopping for weather-appropriate clothes. I flew with emirates.com and i really applaud the flight attendants who were always alert on needs of the passengers, the food was also spot on (different options that you can pre-order during online check in). The in-flight entertainment was quite decent as well as the standard seat offered on Economy class. Once i got to Dubai, i took a taxi just at the exit straight to my hotel at the Sheraton Grand Hotel where i could not check in before 3 pm but the hotel was gracious enough to offer me their spa for a quick shower and access to the rooftop swimming pool. The room was very spacious, clean and comfy with a very nice view and huge glass windows. The location was perfect as i could stroll to different eateries and a taxi to the Dubai mall was super cheaper (Next time i am using the metro).

My first days were spent going round the big malls where they had Ramadan sales and very good stuff was on offer. The mall has so many designer and drugstore retailers so you cannot lack for anything. My evenings were spent having dinner as i watched the dancing fountain. I was able to go to the gold souk, use the old boats, visit the aquarium, ski center and go up the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building.

The highlight of my trip was the desert safari. Miles and miles of sand. Our driver was kind enough to make a stop where we bought Muslim jewelry and turbans as well as ride the sand bikes and pose with a very vicious bird (eagle? owl?). The camp offered us dinner, drinks of all kinds (Champagne in the dessert) and entertainment by various artists (belly dancers, dancing with fire among others). We drove back the same day and i got to my hotel super beat, ready to pack and head out for the airport the next morning.

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I need a round 2 of Dubai.