It is almost after two months, I am writing my experiences of my first international travel, to the marvelous city of Dubai. The trip happened because my father had to attend a conference at BITS, Dubai campus.
We started from our home on a cold and sweet morning in November 2023. It was fun packing up the clothes and things. We went to Ernakulam in a car, and then got into Kochi metro and then to feeder service to the Cochin International Airport. I was very excited about the trip. After checking in, we did our immigration, and we were officially out of the country. We had to wait for some time in the nice and cozy wooden chairs at the lounge. We got into the hollow looking Air India express airplane, and I sat on the window seat which was behind the wing. I enjoyed the take-off, and could see the land below through clouds. After some time, we could see only white shiny clouds.
I felt a bit boring due to the long sitting, and the flight was landing at Dubai International Airport only after 4 hours. After 3 hours, I could see the grayish desert land, and my father told, we are seeing the Arabian land and are now crossing Oman. While landing in Dubai, I was hurt due to pain in my ears. Luckily, I got relieved after the landing. In Dubai, the roads are wide, buildings were tall, city at night is full of light, and I was super excited to see the new world. We stayed at a hotel near to BITS Dubai campus. All the rooms – home, hotel, restaurant, kitchen, even toilets, etc. were fully AC. The next day we went to the BITS Dubai, where my father had a presentation. I spent time that day roaming the corners of BITS campus, and was boring. The sports room were filled with many trophies. I met with some uncles, who were professors and scientists from many places. While taking the group photo, after the inauguration, the other uncles asked me to be at the front, and even called me the youngest scientist – it was fun.
End of the day, we went to the Dhow cruise ride. The water bodies were surrounded by tall buildings with beautiful glittering lighting. We walked through the walkway to the cruise – on one side it is cruises, boats, and speed boats anchored, and on the other side a big and beautiful palace. The cruise was decorated with colorful contrast lights, wooden staircases. We all sat at the top. Tasty food was served during the ride and there was an Arabic style dance performance. A man was wearing clothes with lights and rotating while beautiful Arabic beat was at the background. I wondered why he didn’t fell down even after this much quick rotations. Then a camel-like dressed one came to the crowd, and all cheered up.
The first half of the third day in Dubai was also boring as we both went to conference, where we stayed up to lunch time. Towards evening, Raju uncle picked us up, and we went to see the big Dubai Mall. The multi-level parking lots itself was very large, and people take photograph of the pillar number so that they wouldn’t forget the location of parking. Many amazing shops and wonderful structures were there. We saw a lot more places for different activities – ice-skating, games, music and dance shows, etc. There is a very big marine aquarium with a lot of fishes, sharks, etc. People go diving into this aquarium. There was a huge 155-million-year-old original Dinosaur skeleton which they bought it from USA. I wondered seeing all these. I had a lot of fun in the play section playing hit a car, real-like car games, 3D games, etc. I wanted to stay more time there, I know there were much more to see, but had to return and there was pain in my legs.
The sun was setting when we returned from the Dubai mall, after which Raju uncle took us for a fun car ride in his BMW. He drove us through the extravagant areas of the Dubai city. He showed us famous attractions in Dubai. I was amused to see the lighting of tall and beautiful buildings. I could also see the famous and tallest building in the world-Burj Khalifa from outside, which I was eagerly waiting for. I heard that the Dubai sheik wants everything there as the biggest or largest structure. We also had a glance from outside the oval shaped Museum of future. We also travelled through the Palm Jumeirah —a man-made island in shape of a huge palm. That night, my father’s elder brother had come to visit us at hotel. We had nice time meeting him after a long gap. Evening of this day was an eventful one, as we went for the Desert Safari. We were taken to the safari spot in an AC bus. From there, we were taken into the dusty desert in another Toyota car.
The route was adventurous, as the vehicle travelled through ups and downs, twists and turns until we reached the camp in 10 minutes. I enjoyed running on the small sand dunes. We did a 2-minute camel ride and entered a big tent where all the programs were organized. We all had to sit down on the carpets, and there were separate pavilions for VIPs. The tent was decorated with nice lighting. There is a common stage in the middle of the tent and different amazing programs were presented. First was the traditional type rotating Arabic dance. Next was the Fire dance and Fireworks followed by Belly dance. I was feeling bored by Belly dance, but liked the fire dance the most.
Next day morning, we went to a nearby mall and bought some chocolates and a toy car. In the evening, we went to the Global Village. It was a huge area with attractive buildings made according to different countries in around the globe. There is a floating market, cave of Ripley’s Believe it or not, fun games, giant wheels, and many entertainment sessions are on throughout the night. Inside each building, there are shops selling their own native clothes, perfumes, artifacts, foods, etc. Native style cultural dances and music was always showing by original performers. There was water dance where I enjoyed running between the water without getting wet. I first time experienced the Turkish ice-cream, which they give you after some tricks and bluffing—the chocolate ice-cream was yummy. There was so much to walk and my legs got tired-after which it was no fun at all.
This amazing trip ended with visiting the Dubai Frame, and the next day we returned to Cochin. I felt like I returned from a wonderland.
Note: I thank Muktayi mam for encouraging me to write down these wonderful memories.
NOTE:Written
in view point of my Son, Niranjan, as an Article for The Little Wings
(TLW) Children Magazine at BITS Pilani-K K Birla Goa Campus.
