After spending 2 nights in Abu Dhabi and 1 night at the Atlantis we were excited to move to Downtown Dubai for a few days. We had booked an apartment on AirBNB which overlooked the Burj Khalifa and was within a 5 minute walk of Dubai Mall. We arrived mid-afternoon and the apartment did not disappoint – the view was spectacular – although you could not get a full photograph of the Burj as it was too big and too close!

^{Our apartment for the next five nights}

We unpacked very quickly and headed straight out to briefly explore the area and pick up some food for tea. We were just in time for sunset so took some photos before venturing inside The Mall which was huge. We saw a Christmas shop which had a gigantic Polar Bear display and spotted a Waitrose so picked up some Salmon and other bits & pieces and went home for the evening.

Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa

The next morning we woke up and booked morning tickets to visit the aquarium inside the Mall and afternoon tickets to go up the Burj. We set off quite early (10am) and it was already so hot outside. We made our way to the aquarium passing a StarWars exhibit on route which was quite cool.

The aquarium had a giant tank on the outside which we would have thought was amazing if we had not just come from the Atlantis. You then entered by walking through a shark tunnel with sharks and rays swimming above you.

There were lots of good exhibits in particular we liked the giant crocodiles and the rope walkways, although we probably only stayed for about an hour.

It was now lunchtime so we headed into the ‘Souk’ part of the Mall which has been decorated like an old souk. There were dinosaur skeletons and giant camel ornaments dotted around.

^{The Souk at Dubai Mall}

We found a Cheesecake factory for lunch which is somewhere I had always wanted to eat. Stu had been to one in Houston and although we’d had takeout cheesecake from one in Boston we’d never actual had main courses. The kids chose chicken sliders and Stu & I both had BBQ burgers. We couldn’t manage cheesecake for pudding but were then given a free portion to share due to it being ‘American Day’! We were given a tiramisu cheesecake which Izzy demolished!!!

^{Our food at the Cheesecake factory}

It was now time to head to the Burj. There were a few queues but as we waited for the lifts you could look at the displays and learn about its construction. Ascending in the lift there was a countdown showing which floor you were on and it takes only 1 minute to reach the 124th floor!

The views are amazing although it is quite hard to get a good photo with the glass and the sun. There were some angel wings painted on the windows for photography and some swinging chairs that the kids played in.

^{Views from top of the Burj Khalifa}

^{Angel wings and swinging chairs}

By the time we got down from the Burj it was approaching the evening so we waited for the fountain show to start. It was very busy but we got a brilliant location on the bridge so we could see the fountains and have the Burj in the background.

After watching the show once, we started walking back to the apartment and then got to see it for a second time the other side of the lake! The light decorations around the lake are so pretty!

^{Fountain show}

^{Light decorations around the Lake}

We headed home for tea and spent the evening watching the fountains out of the apartment window!!!

Old Dubai, the Souks and the Marina

The next day we visited the old part of Dubai and the Souks. We walked to the metro station which was the far side of the Mall and took a train. Izzy and I realised we could sit in the ladies compartment at the front which was quite empty and so we got seats. Stu and Tom weren’t allowed in our carriage so were in the busy part of the train and had to stand!

We got off at Al Fahida metro stop but there was an issue with my ticket (even though I’d purchased a day ticket) and I couldn’t get past the barrier. Luckily we could prove we’d purchased the right ticket and they gave me a new one.

We walked towards the Alfahida Historic Neighbourhood but it was so hot! We had a look around and there were lots of cobbled streets and alley ways and there was a mock settlement to show how they lived in the olden days. Izzy, Tom and I sat on a bench in the shade whilst Stu explored upstairs!

^{Historic Neighbourhood}

We then found a museum which focused on the history of Dubai from the early settlers in the desert to how the city and the Emirates have become what they are now. It was really fascinating and the inside rooms were air-conditioned which gave us a break from the heat.

We then walked towards the Souks – the first one was the textile souk. All the stores sold so many beautiful scarves. I was tempted to buy one but wasn’t sure how to haggle so kept walking.

To cross the river to the other Souks we took a water taxi. They were really cheap and we loved the ride which gave superb views of the area.

^{On the water taxis}

We wandered around the spice and gold souks. The sellers kept trying to engage with us and persuade us to buy things but we didn’t. In the spice souks there were huge pots full of saffron and cinnamon etc – no idea how expensive they were.

^{Spice Souk}

It was getting close to lunch time and we wanted to visit the marina so decided to train it out there for some food. There was a large shopping centre and we found a Wagamamas which we all love. Izzy wanted to go into H&M and bought herself some new hoodies. We had a wander along the marina and looked at all the boats but were bored after about 15 minutes so decided to head home.

As it was a Thursday night (ie the weekend) the Burj Khalifa does a light show every 30 minutes through the evening. We were able to watch this from our apartment which felt rather special.