From Dunes to Dreams: Prakash’s Dubai Trip Review with Thrillophilia
When my best friend first floated the idea of a family trip to Dubai, I thought he was joking. “Dubai?” I’d asked, raising an eyebrow. “Do we look like we belong on postcards?”
But then he showed me the itinerary. Thrillophilia, the travel platform he’d found on the web, had everything planned to the last detail: desert safaris, waterparks, cultural experiences, and even a day in the snow. When he mentioned that Mr. Praduman Singh and Mr. Mrigendra Gupta, experts at Thrillophilia, would handle the arrangements, I felt a surge of confidence.
“They’ll make sure everything’s perfect,” he said, his voice dripping with confidence. I couldn’t help but laugh. He had always been an optimist.
A World of Wonders
Stepping off the plane at Dubai International Airport, the first thing that hit me was the sheer scale of the place. The ceilings were impossibly high, the marble floors gleamed, and everything seemed to shine.
Praduman had arranged for a seamless transfer to our hotel near the Burj Khalifa. As we drove through the city, Mrigendra’s careful planning became evident. Every turn offered a new spectacle- glittering skyscrapers, palm-lined streets, and even a glimpse of the Arabian Gulf in the distance.
Our first stop was the Dubai Mall, and it was nothing short of overwhelming. The kids couldn’t stop gawking at the aquarium- an entire tank secured by glass, with sharks, stingrays, and schools of fish swimming lazily inside. My daughter declared she wanted to live in Dubai (another reason being the mall itself and the plethora of shopping and relaxing places it offered).
But the real star of the day was the Burj Khalifa. Standing on the observation deck, we saw the city stretch out like a living map. I remember leaning on the railing, watching the sun sink below the horizon, casting shades of gold and crimson all over.
Surreal.
Dancing Sands
The next morning, the real adventure began- a desert safari. The drive to the dunes was smooth, with our guide regaling us with stories of Bedouin life. Once we hit the sand, though, it was pure adrenaline. The 4x4 roared up the slopes, teetered on the edge, and plunged like a roller coaster down the dunes. My little one screamed in delight, while my friend pretended to be calm but clutched on to the door handle for dear life.
At the camp, pure magic unfolded. My wife and my friend’s wife got their hands decorated with henna, while we tried falconry. Followed by it, dinner was a feast under the stars- grilled meat, aromatic rice, and fresh bread. The highlight, though, was the entertainment- dancers spun in vibrant costumes with fire rings around them, their movements hypnotic against the desert backdrop.
Lost in Luxury
We started the day with a monorail ride across Palm Jumeirah, marvelling at the engineering feat of an island shaped like a palm tree. Our destination was Atlantis, The Palm, where we explored the Lost Chambers Aquarium. The kids loved spotting colourful fish, while I found myself drawn to the jellyfish tanks- they glowed like living lamps.
Lunch was an indulgent buffet, and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much seafood in one sitting. My friend tried to outdo me with his plate of desserts, but I won with two pieces of perfectly caramelised baklava.
In the evening, we wandered through the Global Village, a sprawling fairground of pavilions representing countries from around the world. Sampling Turkish delights, admiring Moroccan lamps, and picking up some spices from the African pavilion, we drew the curtains for the day.
Water and Snow
The fourth day took us to Aquaventure Waterpark. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too keen on the slides, but my gang dragged me along, and I ended up screaming louder than the kids. The lazy river was more my forte.
By afternoon, we were at Ski Dubai, trading swimsuits for snowsuits. The kids had a snowball fight while I attempted to ski. Let’s just say I spent more time on my backside than on my skis, much to everyone’s amusement. My wife, of course, made sure to record every fall.
Reflections and Goodbyes
On our last day, we visited the Dubai Frame, a massive structure that offers views of both old and new Dubai. Looking out from the top, I was struck by how much this city had transformed into an epitome of ambition and vision.
That evening, we took a yacht cruise along the Marina. The skyline lit up like a dream, reflections shimmering in the water. As we dined on the deck, we raised our glasses for a toast-
“To us. Because no matter how great a city is, it’s the people you share it with that make it special.” I said.
“And to Thrillophilia, especially Praduman and Mrigendra, for pulling this off.” He added, grinning.
A Journey of the Heart
As our plane took off, I looked down at Dubai one last time- its towers piercing the clouds, its streets alive with lights and the magical Palm Jumeirah glowing. This had not been just a trip; it had been a celebration of friendship, family, and the beauty of having everything in one place.
In these few days, we hadn’t just seen Dubai- we’d lived it. And as my friend would later joke, “Next time, let’s aim for Mars. Thrillophilia can handle it.”
I laughed then, just as I laugh now, replaying these memories in my mind. Dubai may be far away, but the joy of those days feels as close as ever.
Read more: Thrillophilia Dubai Reviews