Day 1

We left Perth Airport at 10.20pm on Thursday, 11th May 2023, and after an 11 hours flight, we arrived in Dubai at 05.00am.

After a bit of chilling in the hotel, we took the Dubai Metro train to the enormous Dubai Mall – after a quick, non-eventful stop at The Frame (to which we couldn’t even get close and gave up after a long, hot walk trying to find the entrance to the surrounding park).

Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world by total land area, the world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure and is located next to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa

We spent the afternoon exploring the mall (there is even an ice rink and aquarium) and at 6.00pm we found a spot outside the mall to see the Dubai Fountain – the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. After a quick Wagamamas dinner, we were ready to go back to the hotel.

A huge, long and very hot day to kick-off our 2023 Europe trip!

Day 2

Our tickets were booked for 10.00am for the ‘At The Top‘ experience at the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building. At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:

• Tallest building in the world
• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• Highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world

We went up to Level 124 and 125 and WOW! The photos can’t even begin to show the awesome views from up there!

Later that afternoon we visited one of the oldest and most established areas of Dubai, Deira, along the canal called Dubai Creek. We found our way through the narrow lanes of the ancient Souks – first the Bur Dubai Souk followed by the Spice Souk. The kids found this colourful, aromatic Souk facinating and even got to try some local sweet treats.

We discovered a very authentic little restaurant on the waterfront, The Golden Fish, for dinner while watching the busy traffic on the creek with water taxis of all sorts.

The waters are also busy with smaller motorised wooden vessels known as abras, so we hopped on one to visit the opposite side of the creek.

DAY 3

Luckily today was a bit cooler (36 degrees), because we spent the whole day at Aquaventure Waterpark – the world’s largest waterpark over 105 slides.

The views from the top of the water slides were great – overlooking famous The Palm. A great way to spent Mother’s Day!

Dinner tonight was room service with 4 very tired bodies!