Dubai - Licious

It's almost like a grand potluck party happened in Dubai where different nations that came, left a dish behind.

It's almost like a grandpotluck party happened inDubai where different nationsthat came, left a dish behind.Not merely a dish, but someindigenous flavours, peculiarhabits, architectural influencesand traditions that assimilatedtogether ever so lovingly andrather effortlessly.

The multiculturalism is thefirst thing that strikes you,after the dizzyingly high skyscrapers of course. Whenin Dubai, reserve a day forthe desert safari. It feels likea simulator ride in a jeepwith deflated tyres. Thedriver wants to throw youup and about on thedesert highs andlows. If you aren'tthe adventuroussorts, dress up asSheikhs and getclicked with afalcon perched onyour knuckles. A fun picturefor the keeps! Squat on puffycushions on sand and enjoydrinks and appetisers. Quadbiking for brash teenagers withlittle ones as pillions, Arabicfood for foodies and camel ridesto keep the kids busy while youenjoy the belly dancing.

Pack your sunscreens,energy drinks, hats, swimmingcostumes and some courageand head to the water park atAtlantis. Grab a tube and floatin the lazy river before you hopon to the wavy slides and darktunnels. If you are the Delhidare devil type, climb on to the27 meters high, almost verticalleap of faith.

If water is not your thing, tryice. Ski Dubai in the Mall of theEmirates is a one of it's kindindoor ski resort. Get clickedin the snowy backdrop whileyou shop in the mall or experiencethe chill first hand in thesnow glass house. Either ways,it is lots of fun. Book yourtickets in advance for BurjKhalifa- the tallest building inthe world. They whisk you in asuper fast elevator to theobservation deck on the 124 thfloor from where you can seeas far as 95 kms of illuminatedbuildings and the sea shore thatis oh- so- sublime.

And the last day, well, shop.Mercato and Madinat offer amagic carpet ride through thenight bazaars and streets . Visitthem for their sheer beauty.And Dubai Mall and the Mallof the Emirates for serious,brand shopping. Evening, hitthe JBR, walk in your sundressesand enjoy your coffeewith the coastal wind gentlynudging your tresses. Drive toMarina walk for your lastshishapuffs al fresco. Get a taste oftheir night life at the exquisiteBuddha bar. A word of caution:dare not try putting up yourcollar lest you're denied entrybecause you are not appropriatelydressed or are underage.

Oh Really?
People don't pose withLamborginis and yachts that areparked as modestly as our veryown Bajaj Chetaks.
Hypermarkets called Lulu havefacial scrubs stocked as high asBurj Khalifa itself and whilecrossing the toll bridge deductionsare automatically made.
Sex on the beach (unless youmention it's the cocktail you want)might land you in jail.
If you forget where you parkedyour car in the Dubai mall parking,you got to get back home andlodge an FIR. Only the police canlocate it in the infinite parking lot.
You can hire a porter at astandard 20 Dhs who willdrag your luggage and checkit in while you collect your lastglimpses or wave your last byesto teary eyed relatives.

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