Dazzling Dubai - Off to the Desert

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This was the highlight of Dubai, and one of the best experiences of my life. We had arranged to go with a company called Platinum Heritage into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. As we drove for over an hour out of the futuristic metropolis, we passed multiple building sites, and even saw some camel racing tracks with dozens of camels being herded to and fro from track to track. Finally we entered into the anciently traditional Middle Eastern landscape - pure, undisturbed desert.

We transferred from our air-conditioned mini buses into 1950's original desert jeeps (luckily with a modern-day back-up car in case of break downs-eek!).

We journeyed over the dunes, stopping occasionally to take in the views and learn about the few plants growing in there. We learnt about which ones were poisonous, and which could store water; have healing powers; work as a natural insect repellent or even a sun screen - all of which travellers years ago would have needed to know to survive. We also saw some of the few species of wildlife that live in this remote region: the Arabian Oryx.

We finally arrived at a small camp area where we sat on Persian rugs, sipped sparkling date juice (superbly refreshing after being sand blasted in the jeep) and sat down to watch a falconry display.

We were fervently told that falcons are not pets and can never be tamed, that the one the handler had only stayed with her for food. Indeed, travellers years ago would often capture falcons to help catch prey, but again, the falcon would only stay for the food so it would be vital to track your falcon once it had caught the prey to recapture it and use it the next day, whilst a family could feed off its prey.

After watching the breath-taking swoops and dives of the majestic bird, we were then able to hold the falcon - a daunting yet exhilarating opportunity.

From the small, rugged area, we got back into the jeeps and travelled to our final destination: an authentic Bedouin camp. We were greeted by the sight of camels, palm trees, stove fires, homemade camel stew, 8-hour-roasted lamb (that literally fell off the bone) and a traditional henna  artist. Before our meal began, we went  for a camel ride. It was extremely good fun, but I hadn't quite realised exactly how high the animals were! After the camel rides, I went and had a traditional henna tattoo. It looked stunning but felt peculiar as the natural dye set on my hand before I could rub it off to leave the intricate traditional pattern that Arabian women would have worn during special occasions such as weddings.

The meal we had was absolutely delicious, even the camel was tasty (although it felt odd to have just ridden one and now be eating another) - a little on the chewy side but it tasted good - like a mix between beef and pork. After the meal, we were treated to some shisha and a performance from a real Arabian dancer. This consisted of a lot of hear tossing and head flipping - I felt like I was watching an Arabian Beyoncé!

The most memorable part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience was the journey back to the minivans. We had actually travelled quite a long way from our original base, but this time we were travelling under a beautiful blanket of stars. They were so clear and bright, and that view mixed with the silent desert dunes and cool air rushing past us felt truly magical.

Overall it was a truly incredible experience and although it was far from the glamour and grandeur of Dubai, it was certainly the highlight of the whole trip!

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Dazzling Dubai - Exploring the World's Tallest, Biggest and Best

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Home to the world's first 'seven star' hotel, the world's tallest building and the world's biggest shopping mall, Dubai was certainly trying and succeeded in impressing us.

We took the train to downtown Dubai on our second night to visit the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Over 160 stories tall, it was utterly breath-taking.

To top this off , underneath there was a dancing fountain show, much like the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. Music would play around a small, pristine lake in front of the Burj Khalifa and the fountains would 'dance' to the music - shooting off in synchronisation to produce beautiful water displays. The fountains would come on once every half hour so during a meal next to the lake, in the shadow of the great Burj Khalifa, we were treated to four different displays of unique, free entertainment.

Whilst we were there, we went shopping in the world's biggest shopping Mall - the Dubai Mall. I felt like this shopping centre must have every store in the entire world. From your glamorous, global designers like Gucci and Prada to local English stores like Boots and WH Smiths!

I have to say however that, although I love to shop, this shopping mall was almost too big - it felt so claustrophobic. You get enticed by its glossy jewellery displays, marble floors, restaurants and exhibitions until you find you're so far in you can't find the way out!

However, across from the mall, you have the Souk. This was a much smaller but more localised shopping centre - home to all your traditional Middle Eastern goods. From pick-and-mix-looking spice stalls to beautiful handmade saris, pashminas and incense. The whole area felt truly beautiful and was a joy to wander round.

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Dazzling Dubai - Grosvenor House Hotel

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A few weeks ago, I had the extraordinary pleasure of visiting the futuristic, beautiful city  of Dubai. This is the first of three posts about my experience. This one looks at the delightful Grosvenor House Hotel.

After our seven hour flight, we finally arrived in Dubai. We were shocked by  the surreal skyscrapers that lined the sometimes 14-lane-wide highways. It almost felt like something out of Star Wars - the buildings were so clean and futuristic. It's hard to believe that less than 50 years ago, Dubai was practically a desolate desert area, but has now flourished into a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis.

The hotel we stayed in was the 5 star Grosvenor House Hotel. It was incredible. Our room overlooked Dubai's marina and was large enough to be a private villa! The attention to detail was splendid - from fresh fruit and water daily to even a complimentary shoe-cleaning service. The large beds provided the perfect night's sleep,  and the furnishings were lavishly beautiful with no expense spared.

All of the hotel's staff were very attentive - never missing a chance to give you a smile or check you were having a great day. The hotel's facilities were incredible too! From a choice of over half a dozen restaurants, an in-house spa, gym and beautifully peaceful pool area (despite enjoying the pool in the heart a buzzing city, it was still wonderfully calm and quiet with soft music playing in the background from the pool bar), not to mention housing one of the top ten best restaurants in Dubai (Trip Advisor), there was so much to do that we could have easily spent the whole week in the hotel.

As we were only there for a week we could only try so many of the restaurants. The first was the Buddha Bar which although may sound peculiar was perhaps the most chic and stylish restaurant and bar I've been to. With bouncers at the entrance, the Asian restaurant felt more like a club whilst still providing a glamorous dinning experience. As we entered the darkened rooms, the vibrant red and orange lights created an exciting atmosphere which was heightened by the enormous golden Buddha and red lantern chandeliers that framed the central dining area. However, my one criticism was that, our actual dining area felt a little underwhelming after having seen the grand golden Buddha statue and lantern ceiling as, unlike in England, smoking is still permitted in public places in Dubai, and unfortunately we sat in a separate part of the restaurant whilst smokers got the benefit of the grander furnishings. However, the exquisite food more than made up for the less showy surroundings.

To start, I tried my first 'real' sushi which was delicious - crisp seaweed mixed with the delicate flavours of the rice, prawns, crab and spices to culminate in an explosion of flavour.

For my main, I had 'Wok Seared Cantonese Beef' (beef tenderloin, Cantonese barbeque sauce, broccoli, red wine confit onion, served with steamed jasmine rice) which was amazing. The dish looked delicious when it arrived but tasted even better as the rich barbecue sauce mixed with Cantonese spices and sweet confit onion, the flavours were intensely satisfying and sublime.

For desert, I refreshed my palette with 'Champagne Slow Cooked Berries' (poached berries served with white chocolate mousse). The sweet-sourness of the fresh summer berries were a sublime compliment to the delicate white chocolate mousse - the perfect desert for such a splendid meal.

Overall, a truly excellently chic experience which I would recommend to anyone visiting Dubai.

We also ate at Rhodes W1, a chicly English dining experience and Toro Toro ( a bit like a less dark Mexican Buddha Bar). Both meals were delicious and glamorous with extraordinary attention to detail and class.

Overall, the experience of the Grosvenor House Hotel was unforgettably relaxing and exciting. It provided a wonderful, professional and attentive service; a hotel I would stay at when I next visit Dubai.

Pictures: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g295424-d1510514-Reviews-Buddha_Bar-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html#photos, http://www.rw1-dubai.com/gallery, http://www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com/en/gallery/Pools + own editing on paint. Own pictures.

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Day 14 – Goodbye South Africa

Unfortunately, today was our last day. We had a small wander round the area near our hotel and walked along the waterfront.

I felt totally exhausted from all the experiences, sights, sounds, tastes and adventures we’d been on. I can full-heartedly recommend all of South Africa to anyone. It has something for all and is one of the most beautiful and inspiring places I’ve ever had the pleasure to visit.

Day 13 – Shopping in Cape Town

Today we had the pleasure of indulging ourselves in a shopping spree – Cape Town style. I won’t bore you with all my purchasing details but let’s just say the trip was a roaring success! We stopped for a leisurely lunch in the sun at a quirky little café-bakery in the heart of the harbour so that we could truly soak up Cape Town’s vibrant, energising atmosphere.

 

As I munched on my rustic salad of marinated chicken, avocado, roasted mushrooms, feta, pumpkin seeds and tomatoes finished with a chunk of warm homemade ciabatta, I felt truly content in the vivacious atmosphere – fully enjoying the local music acts too!

 

 

 

Day 12 – Treks around Cape Town & Boulders Beach

Today we travelled along the Atlantic Seaboard to the Cape of Good Hope.

 

Along the way we really experienced Cape Town’s dramatic scenic beauty as well as its notoriously changeable weather. 

 

For example, one moment we were in scorching sunlight and the next in a dense cloud of fog – the transition so abrupt you could physically see the difference:

The freezing mist unfortunately followed us to Cape Point so despite hiking up the small 300m climb, we were greeted by no spectacular view but just more fog and the now eerie looking lighthouse. 

 

On the way to these iconic landmarks, we encountered some rare wildlife:

Some eland (despite their size are very difficult to spot and this was apparently a rare sighting according to locals):

Cape fur seals:

Two ostriches which felt peculiar to see them so close to the sea:

 

We also spotted some lamas and a few cheeky baboons with some carrying babies on their backs.

These are animals that are not so rare in the area and have become somewhat more like pests than marvels of nature as they have now learned to open fridge and car doors, even windows in order to get at resident’s food.

Our rarest animal that we spied was the red hartebeest which we saw fighting! (It's so called because – although it was hard to make out – their antlers grow in the shape of a heart):

And on the way to Boulders Beach, we even spied a small pod of whales:

 

The penguins themselves were adorably cute and just hilarious to watch. Some were preening each other:

 

Snuggling up in their little nests:

Sorting twigs out for their beds:

Splashing in the water:

 

And others were either cooling off in the shade or sunbathing on the beach:

We went back out to the V&A Waterfront area that evening and stumbled upon a sophisticated sushi and extended cuisine restaurant that was sublime. I had crayfish to start – a wonderful tian with a tomato and caviar salsa – it was absolutely scrumptious! The crayfish melted in the mouth and the sweet/acidic flavour of the tomato complimented it beautifully. I’d never had caviar before but it was actually rather tasty yet I still can’t see what all the fuss is about.

 

I then had Kingklip as my main. This proved to be a popular dish in Cape Town’s cuisine and was seen as the best fish that the city has to offer. It delivered a good flaky yet almost meaty texture, a clean white taste and a subtle sophistication sautéed in the creamy white wine sauce finished with tomatoes, spring onion, creamy mash and crispy onion wires, it was fantastic!