Animesh’s Incredible Thrillophilia Trip Review to Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Animesh had spent most of his life chasing code. His days were an endless loop of late-night debugging and caffeine-fueled problem-solving, where the only adventure was fixing the same bug for the 17th time. It wasn’t a bad life, but somewhere along the line, he realized something was missing—a grand adventure, an escape from the mundane. 

So, he and his partner decided to hit "pause" and book themselves a getaway to the UAE. They needed something more than just city tours and beach days—they needed an experience that would leave them in awe.

Abu Dhabi: The Soul of Their Adventure

Let’s talk about Abu Dhabi—the unsung hero of their trip, the city that stole their hearts. Dubai? Sure, it’s the shining star of the UAE, but Abu Dhabi? That’s where the magic really happened. It wasn’t just about the landmarks; it was about the whole vibe.

As they wandered through the courtyards of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Animesh couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of calm. This wasn’t the type of place you rush through. The intricate mosaics, the towering columns, the bright blue sky above—it was a reminder that the world outside of deadlines and meetings was just as spectacular. 

But the best part? The Falcons. No, not the ones on a football field—the real ones. At the Falcon Hospital, they got up close and personal with these regal birds. As Animesh told us later, “Holding a falcon felt like stepping into an action movie where he was the star.”

Their next stop was Ferrari World. The Formula Rossa coaster—famous for being the fastest in the world—had Animesh clutching the safety bar and wondering if he’d signed up for an extreme sports course by accident. The speed was dizzying, the turns hair-raising, and by the end, he was laughing so hard it almost hurt. 

Dubai: The City of Gold 

But let’s not forget Dubai—the flashy cousin who wants to make sure everyone knows it’s the biggest, the brightest, and the fastest. 

Their first stop was the Marina Dhow Cruise, where the city’s glittering skyline almost felt like a movie set. It was romantic, luxurious, and just a little over-the-top, but hey, it’s Dubai. And when in Rome, or rather, when in the city of excessive glam, you embrace it.

Next up was the Burj Khalifa, the towering giant that makes you feel like an ant standing in its shadow. As they sped up to the observation deck, Animesh’s partner couldn’t stop talking about how cool the view was. From that dizzying height, the world seemed small and full of possibilities. It was one of those rare moments where you actually feel on top of the world—both literally and metaphorically.

The Miracle Garden was a breath of fresh air after all that glamour—a sea of flowers in all shapes and sizes. “Is this real, or are we in a botanical dream?” Animesh asked, half-expecting a flower fairy to pop out from behind a giant sunflower. But while his partner was busy posing with every oversized flower, Animesh found himself more excited by the food stalls (obviously).

Of course, their Dubai experience wouldn’t have been complete without a trip to the Dubai Aquarium. Standing in front of the massive glass walls, they watched as sharks swam by in slow motion, and stingrays glided like they were on a leisurely stroll. Animesh felt like he was in an underwater episode of National Geographic.

Sand, Sunsets, and Stumbles

Now, this was the part where things got real. The desert safari. Picture this: an endless sea of golden sand dunes, a 4x4 beast of a vehicle tearing through the dunes, and a whole lot of screaming (mostly from Animesh’s partner). It was wild, it was bumpy, and it was everything Animesh had never imagined he'd be doing with his day. 

The desert camp was the cherry on top. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Animesh realised that this trip wasn’t just about seeing the sights—it was about the unexpected moments that made them laugh, gasp, and occasionally scream.

At the camp, they were treated to a traditional BBQ feast, complete with deliciously spiced meats, and—because it was 2022, after all—a slightly embarrassing attempt at sandboarding. Animesh tried to make it look graceful, but after a dramatic tumble into the sand, he decided that maybe he wasn’t cut out for extreme sports after all.

A Trip That Wasn’t Just About Places, But Moments

So, did Animesh and his partner get what they came for? Absolutely. Their trip to the UAE was about the moments in between. The quiet awe of standing in a grand mosque, the adrenaline of screaming down a roller coaster, the peacefulness of watching the sunset over the dunes. They came back not just with souvenirs, but with memories that felt bigger than the Burj Khalifa.

Abu Dhabi had been the heart of it all—where culture, history, and serenity combined in a way that made Dubai’s glam feel like a distant second. But both cities had given them something to remember: that the best adventures aren’t always the ones that go according to plan—they’re the ones that surprise you, make you laugh, and sometimes even make you scream.

Read more: Thrillophilia Abu Dhabi Reviews