23/05/2024
Pass mid-nite, so technically was another day. Here's Dubai airport in mid-nite lolx...
After searching high and low for the bus depot (we were just stupid, it wasn't really difficult to find), we waited around 15mins for the hotel's shuttle bus to arrived.
Premier Inn Dubai Airport Hotel was a stone throw away from the airport but the drive was about 10mins to reach.
Despite of the mid-nite check-in, the counter staffs were efficient, very friendly and professional with smiles. Dubai's service standard is what's missing in Singapore. Our service here in general is either courtesy but cold, or no service at all.
$67/night for 2 pax was a super good deal. Highly recommended for the convenience, comfortable bed and cleanliness (super duper spotlessly clean room we had).
Dubai Airport view from the lift lobby, I think we were at the 8th floor or something... couldn't remember...
We checked out around 10am, there were already taxi waiting outside the hotel, so we just hopped into one.
There are no taxi scams in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, nobody dares to scam or breaks the rule here, this is how secure UAE is.
The accommodation that I booked had a loooooooooooooong and misleading name:
The intention was to drop our luggage, but the owner came and gave us the key to check-in which was very nice but...
The apartment was located at the 2nd floor, so there wasn't any view whatsoever. It was very misleading given the way they name their apartment. The mian killer was that the bed was super single size, we were both fat fat no space sia, haiz... There's nothing we could do about it unless we ditched it and booked another hotel, but that would be a big waste of money. We sucked it up for 2 nights stay The place was clean, the owner gave one carton of mineral water. The major plus point was the location, 5 - 10mins walk to Dubai Mall nia. 2 nights stay for 2 pax was about S$275.
After digesting the disappointment, hailed a cab went to Nakheel Mall. Cab rates were about the same as Singapore, so no shock, not too much pocket bleed.
The mall was very quiet, how the retails survive wor?
Grossly nice leopard coach.
We found lunch very quickly at Urban Seafood.
We choose AED74 (about S$27) set lunch which came with a serve of salad and free-flow drinks.
We almost had the whole restaurant to ourselves.
Once in a super blue moon, old man got the camera right.
I had to say this was a very nice photo.
My new love Aigner bangle gotten from Emirates airlines heehee...
Fresh crisp salad, didn't know what sauce but it was so delicious.
Grilled prawns + rice.
Grilled fish + garlic fried rice.
No flaws.
From our table we saw copy cat version of MBS.
Walked around the mall also trying to get a SIM card.
Bought socks, for 2 sons and myself (too funky for old man).
We kinda covered every inch of Nakheel Mall cos we were waiting for Etisalat's SIM card system to recover. The polished marble flooring was so slippery that I felt as if I was ice skating.
Still failed to get a SIM card, we head to Atlantis by monorail located at the top floor of the mall.
One station ride was about 5mins.
Super duper excited!
Seen the Atlantis for more than a thousand times on screen, finally seeing the real thing with my own eyes!
SPECTACULAR!
The monorail ride gave awesome opportunities to take photos on the height perfect angles. So I highly recommend to the monorail cos you will miss the views if you come by cab.
Aqua Adventure Park.
Early summer in Dubai.
July was around 50 degrees, now it's slowly cooling down towards September.
Inside had some retails, many cafes and restaurants, we were just after one thing - their FOC aquariums lolxx...
The Lost Chambers Aquarium would require entrance fee which we gave it a miss.
Pretty looking gelato made of gold.
Walked pass a bowling alley, see somebody throwing the ball to the screen (but missed it) instead of the pins.
A cafe besides the bowling alley.
One of the activities in the Aqua Adventure Park.
These seats should be filled during winter but summer was just baking.
Cute table tennis dinning table.
Now I had one chunk of FOC Atlantis aquarium photos:
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.
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It wasn't particularly crowded, could had the whole panel to ourselves for IG photos, heehee...
Super nice marble flooring design.
We stepped out for 5mins.
We felt like medium rare steaks.
Headed back to Nakheel Mall. I drove the monorail! Just kidding, had the driver's view at the front cabin.
The monorail had really cozy, comfortable and clean seats.
Back to Nakheel Mall, this round we finally gotten our SIM card for around S$18. Kinda expensive for 2 days usage but that's the cheapest available.
DTF's merchandise, never seen these cuties before. Are they available in Taiwan too?
Very atas looking cafe with the most expensive deserts you could imagine.
So ate with eyes at the entrance display counter only.
Brought old man to WaitRose supermarket for him to have an idea on the standard of living.
It's like our Cold Storage, a bit more expensive.
But the cooked food looked very good.
Saw whole rabbit at about S$27 >.<
Seafood food display to please ppl with OCD.
Man don't give small bouquets here lolxx...
Walked until tired, had mojito from KFC, heehee...
BayMax massage chair! CUTE!!!
1 hour before sunset, we walked to The View.
Had bought tix from KLOOK, each pax about S$55 for 53th floor with sunset view. They had cheaper and also more expensive tix with unobstructed view, high tea blah blah blah, it's very complicating which a lot of options.
They had FOC lockers which we store away shopping bags and old man's heavy backpack.
They had some visual lights and digital introductions which I wasn't aware of beforehand. It took about 20mins before we could reach the actual viewing deck. I was so worried that we might missed the sunset.
As if this lift was in the middle of the sky going to heaven lolxx...
We were just in time for sunset. Here's The Palm, the most stunning man-made island in the world.
It's breath taking, totally worth the money! But old man wasn't too impressed, he was playing with his phone 90% of the time.
Looked unreal.
Could also see Dubai Marina from the viewing deck.
Sibei futuristic looking skyscrapers.
Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel at the far end.
Skip Burj Khalifa city view, go for this at The View I would say. Burj Khalifa is nice to admire from far but the view from too high up doesn't give an impressive view.
We stayed till they close for the night view.
It was full moon, Dubai was so beautiful it could make me cry.
The View closed at 7pm, these were the few night pics before we left.
Words from the ruler.
Told old man there was a HaiDiLao in Dubai Mall. He couldn't believe it, actually neither did I lolxx...
Apparently, Dubai Mall created a mini Chinatown in the mall.
Mini mart with china products.
China decors.
Found HDL, waited only less than 5mins to get in.
They served coconut milk with diced fruits as "waiting/welcome drink".
Fruits and condiments station with kiaps hanging in the air.
I took mapo tofu topped with minced beef, this side dish not available in Singapore.
Everything tasted the same, or at least we didn't find any obvious difference except that they didn't serve pork.
Many servers were from Myanmar and Philippines.
It was a very satisfying dinner.
Gotten panda cable holder.
Cutest postcard ever!
Requested for HDL mascot plushie.
HDL Dubai had their own sweets.
Bill was AED203, about S$73 which was really reasonable.
Played tour guide again, leading old man around. So much fond memories of the Dubai Mall and it's iconic dive fountain.
The most beautiful and perfect way to end the night was to watch the fountain show outside the mall.
I am so in love with Dubai.
We strolled back in the cool night to our apartment while lights were blazing.
Next day was another awesome fun and heat filled day in Dubai.
I am so bored in Singapore lolxx...
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