Europe Trip 2.0: Adrenaline in Transit #1

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

When my friend mentioned that Emirates Airlines has promotion in December, I was intrigued as I have been tempted to board one. There is no direct flight from Malaysia to Iceland and we decided to transit in London. Knowing that Emirates Airline will transit in Dubai, I took this opportunity to explore the city as I never drop by any Middle East country before.

I opted for midnight flight flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to allow for more transit time (23 hours to be exact) upon my arrival in Dubai. It's been a while I have not been flying out from Malaysia via KLIA as most of my overseas trip were via low cost airline which usually was boarded at the other terminal. Wider seat, bigger screen with diverse entertainment choices, provided with blanket and small pillow; my Emirates experience has been a pleasant one. Definitely it's going to be one of my options for long haul flights now.

Exiting the departure hall

Landed at Dubai International Airport around 4am local time, I found my way out from the departure hall and thought of having a quick brekkie at the airport before my first agenda of the day. By the way, in case you don't know, for transit of 24 hours or less, check-in bag will be carried all the way to final destination, though there is option to check it out if required. The airport was rather empty as it was still early. Passed by Costa and I went in look at the menu, was really taken aback by the price and just decided to buy snacks at the convenience store to curb my hunger until lunch.

As my Apple Watch showed six o'clock, I headed towards the metro station, which is conveniently connected to Terminal 3. Bought my Nol Card/Red Ticket day pass for 22 AED and can be used on metro, bus and tram. Single trip can easily cost around 5 AED and above. Subsequently, the pass can be a good option if you intend to take more than four trips. Metro System in Dubai is not that extensive and hence, bus and tram could be required at some places which were true for my itinerary. Boarded on Metro Red Line and I switched to bus 81 upon my arrival at  Sharaf DG Station. It was chilly when I exited the station and only then I put my hoodies on.

Sharaf DG Metro Station

Language is not really a barrier as most of them can speak English. It shouldn't be a culture shock that you don't come across a lot of locals there. The populations are majorly expatriates (could be as high as 85%). Most of the signages come with English translations. I knew where my stop was and I got off the bus and started to walk towards my destination. This landmark was the first thing I know about Dubai and hence I marked it first in my list. Slowly, it appeared in front from my eyes. It's none other than Burj Al-Arab.

View of Burj Al-Arab from Public Jumeirah Beach

The design is said to be inspired by the sail of a ship. There were people in the water and I could only watch them, shivering. Burj Al-Arab is a luxury hotel and I remember the documentary mentioned it is a 7-star hotel if I don't remember it wrongly. There's a helipad on top of it and I saw a video of guests playing tennis there. Imagined the ball goes off the court and you try to catch it. It was not my intention to step into the hotel considering the time constraint for my next activity. I researched on the breakfast or high tea menu and the price is just as exorbitant as 5-star hotel rate in Malaysia. I dare not to know for the room rate there. Basically, everything in Dubai is priced above average. Easily  it can be among the most expensive place that I ever been to.

Was rather amused by this photo when I asked a visitor to take a photo me with the "sail"

Spending around half an hour enjoying the chilling morning of Dubai by beach, I hopped onto another bus and headed towards Dubai Marina. These are places are not within city centre. It took one hour from the airport to reach Jumeirah Beach. Dubai Marina is another 20 minutes bus ride. Dubai Marina is a city built next to canal with a lot of modern buildings can be seen around the area. One can have a good jog with complimentary contemporary view.

Panoramic View of Dubai Marina

There is clue in this photo for my next activity

The whole stretch of walk can be as long as 2-kilometre in which I only covered less than half of it. It was 9am and I made my way to my next station. This very agenda I would rate it as my top two things to do in Dubai. In fact, Dubai Marina wasn't even in my list at first but it happened to be nearby the location. Arrived at the place, I noticed there were few others were waiting as well.

Any idea what am I going to do next?

You guessed it right if you answered "skydive". I saw my friend posted about it on Facebook. Skydiving is in my bucket list and I was very tempted. The view of Palm Jumeirah was too awesome to resist and hence I went for it. There was some complication when I wanted to do booking online in which my booking didn't seem to go through despite that my cards have been charged, five times as I attempted to book as much. Fret not, the transactions were reverted within one week. I emailed the centre and they helped to book my slot without any deposit. Moving on, I went and checked in for my flight. Had a quick safety briefing by my instructor, Benji and there was a brief interview session by a videographer who is going to jump together with us for the session. My anxiousness only started to grow at that point as I waited for my turn. It was too late to turn back.

Boarded the plane and it took off to as high as 13,000 feet above sea level. I could see that we were above Dubai Marina. I could see Atlantis at the edge of Palm Jumeirah. As they opened the door, I looked at the world below me, I was trembling. Up to this day, the view is still vivid in my mind and  sometimes gives me chills. I was properly harnessed to my instructor and the videographer made the first jump. As we approached the door, unsure if Benji did the counting, and there we went, free fall for one minute. All I can remember was I screamed all the way until our parachute came off. Admiring the view from above especially the Palm Jumeirah, basically I have covered the whole Dubai. I didn't recall if I had a quick look at The World which is also nearby as I was focusing on the palm and to react to the videographer.

Do ignore my weird hand gestures. I couldn't hear Benji during the free fall.

I got a little dizzy as Benji brought me around as we were slowly descending for another five to six minutes, enjoying the skyline of Dubai. That was the very first time I have an aerial view, outside of the plane. My life was literally hung on a line. Upon touching down, I waited for another forty minutes for my video and photos to be ready for collection, which are stored in 8GB pendrive. It's mine to keep and it's inclusive in the package. Visit http://www.skydivedubai.ae/ for more details.

It was already past noon and my stomach called for food. I got on a tram nearby and interchanging  back to Metro Red Line getting to Dubai Mall. Arriving at Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa Station, Dubai Mall is not directly connected as I needed to walk for around ten to twenty minutes before finally entering the main building One of the largest mall in the world, that contains an aquarium and mini zoo, the scale of this mall is just humongous. I was thinking, how big a mall can get? Some of the designs kind of reminding me of Shoppes at Marina Bay, Singapore.

Finally get to see the current tallest building in the world! Dubai Mall on the right.

A selfie

Human Waterfalls 

The Aquarium

Dubai Dino

Kylo Ren and Stormtroopers were spotted on that day 

My friend mentioned about Cheesecake Factory at the mall and I decided to pick it as my lunch stop. The restaurant is located nearby the Souk, in between Dubai Dino and the aquarium. Screened through the menu and I went for Luau Salad as main course and Original Cheesecake as dessert. Bun was served for free as appetiser, in which I regretted taking because the portion was rather huge and I couldn't finish my salad. The cheesecake was thick and filling. These two meals cost above 100 AED.

Luau Salad

Original Cheesecake

Booked my slot for At The Top at 5pm. Bought my ticket online for 215 AED, I went to queue with other visitors before getting into the elevator that brought us straight to level 125. As we were ascending, there was projection showing the existing skyscrapers around the world and at the same time indicating how we were higher than these buildings at each level. The sun was yet to set and the colours of the concrete buildings were still visible. Though I have to say the view point area was rather narrow compared to other skyscrapers that I have visited. I went to level 124 via stairs to have a lookout on the famous fountain show. The first show was at 6pm. Speakers were installed at the level that played the music which was in sync with the fountain show. Sun set around 630pm and the city was started to illuminate with lights.

Dubai City during the day 

Dubai City during the night 

At the top. I mean, almost near to the top, literally.

View of the fountain from the top. The music ain't that clear

I headed back to the mall as soon as first fountain show finished. I had my dinner at McDonald and was surprised by the extra large size they have there. Had final stroll at the mall for one last time and I went out from the mall to watch the fountain show for one last time before calling it a day.

View from below, from the bridge. Khalifa in the background

Last glimpse of mighty Burj Al-Khalifa before calling it a day

Was rather worn out and found myself sleeping at the lounge chair provided near to the boarding gate after getting through the immigration and security check. The airport was rather crowded now as compared to the time I arrived in the morning. It was 3.20am of the new day and now I'm pumped up for my second pitstop.