[Trip to UAE] Dreams come true or a trip to country of ‘a best of the best’

Everyone has something like a bucket list. A bucket list of things to do, a bucket list of food, a bucket list of movies, books etc, I have bucket lists too. And one of the most important bucket lists is a bucket list of countries to visit. And one of the first countries which I put to that lsist were United Arab Emirates. I planned and dreamed about that trip from year to year. And finally, my dream came true.

Today, I will share with you my thoughts, expressions, emotions everything.

A best of the best country

United Arab Emirates or UAE can be called ‘a best of the best’ country, and it is not becuase it has the best facilities, the best living conditions, the best economy or something else. The reason is another.

One of the most famous sights in UAE is Burj Khalifa, the highest skysrapper in the world. Also, there is the largest region in the world which is covered with a sand (Rub al Khali). The tourism area in UAE is recognized as the fastest developing one in the world. Also, UAE is the safest country in the world. It was mentioned during the world forum in 2016. The world highest hotel Gevora was built in the UAE. Hotel has 75 stores. IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest amusyment park in the world, and it is also located in UAE. Recently, the biggest Micky Mouse, which is made of flowers, belongs to UAE too. The country flag of 70x35 meters was listed in book of Guiness world records. And it is not all, that list can be continued more and more.

VISA to United Arab Emirates

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay in UAE for a long time because I made just a transit VISA, which is just for 4 days or 96 hours. It took me just a one working day to get a VISA via FLY Dubai airlines.

The list of documents for VISA application:

• VISA application form;
• flight tickets (to UAE and from UAE);
• photo 3x4;
• passport.

Hotel reservations are not needed. Visa costed 85USD. I received my VISA on email, then I just printed it out and that is all. I was ready for the flight. VISA is valid during a month after it’s issue.

My Hotel in Dubai

One of the most important part of any travel is accomodation. As any normal tourist I like a cozy and clean places with warm blankets and pillows. UAE is a touristic country, so there are a plenty of hotels with a wide range of services, prices etc. Therefore, it wasn’t easy to choose a proper place. I looked through many different hotels and then decided to stop my choice on Rove Trade Center, which is 3 stars hotel, but service of hotel was like in 5-stars one. Actually, it is a hotel chainm and one, where I stayed, was kinda a new one. It was opened in 2018. 

First of all, hotel has a unique design and interior. The walls of the hotel are decorated with a graffiti. In the hotel restaurant they used dish plates as a partof decor. But instead of describing and just talking about it, it will be better if you look at it with your own eyes. 

Secondly, a flexible check-in. If you arrived to hotel earlier and if there are prepared rooms, you can check in right on arrival, and you don’t need to pay extra for it. I arrived to Dubai at 7AM, and get to hotel around 8 AM. (it took around 30 mins to get to hotel from airport by taxi). Reception desk works pretty fast, and in 5 mins I was already going to my room. My luggage was delivered to room by hotel stuff. 

Hotel service and breakfast

My flight to Korea was in the evening, so I had to leave a hotel around 5PM. So, despite the check-out time is 2PM, hotel allowed me to use my accommodation till 5PM. So, check-in and check-out were super flexible.

Every day was a different breakfast. You order a main menu, and can enjoy a salad bar as much as you want. There were a lot of different yogurts, fruits etc. Also, 4 types of coffee and juices.

There are free swimming pool and gym. Pool is on the open air, so you can take a sun bath and swim, and just enjoy. The 2nd floor of the hotel is like a fun area. There are a mini-golf, basketball, table tennis and cozy sofas. I regret that didn’t have enough time to enjoy that place.

On the first floor of the hotel is 24-hours store. So, no worries, in case you will be hungry at mid night.

One more important thing is a free shuttle-bus, which was going to Dubai Mall, Dubai Trade Center and to Kite Beach, and also to Rove Downtown hotel (part of Rove hotel chain). Shuttle bus operates strictly according to the schedule. 

By the way, there are russian speaking stuff on the reception desk, so if you don’t speak English, don’t worry, just ask for a Russian stuff.

Transportation

In UAE I mainly used a taxi, because it is one of the most comfortable, fast and kinda not expensive type of transportation in UAE. For example, from airport to my hotel I paid 25 dirhams (7–8 USD). But if you get taxi around hotel to get to airport, it will cost just 12 dirhams, which half cheaper. But if you get a taxi on the road, then the start price will be 5 dirhams (around 2USD). The cost of trip will depend on the distance, but not time like in South Korea. 1km will cost around 1,45 dirhams (0,40USD). A well-known UBER service operates in UAE too, but I wouldn’t recommend it because it is much more expensive than if you just catch a taxi on the road. 

As everybody knows, UAE is a muslim country, so there are special female taxis, female vagons in the subway etc. So, there is a strict separation. So be careful when you take a taxi or any other public transportation.