On 25th of June we ( Sharay, Mya, Michella and I) flew from Dusseldorf to Dubai. When we got out of the airport it was really hot. So hot I became red. Something I haven't felt before. I think it was approximately >40 degrees Celsius. And it was crowded and no woman to be seen.

At the airport we took a pink cab to Umm Sequim 3. It's a typical ladies taxi. Only women are allowed to travel PINK! On the main street to Umm Sequim I saw skyscrapers and even more skyscrapers. Finally we got at the Jumeira Road where the beautiful Burj Al Arab and Jumeira Beach Hotel was to be spotted. After driving, stopping, thinking and phone calls we arrived at the Palm Springs Villas where we stayed. (Hanna and Albert’s place)

Of course there was no staying inside, not even after reaching a high level of bodily and mental exertion. So the girls and I went for a walk in the Villa….it was really breath taking to see Burj Al Arab in colored lights just by standing right in front of the Villa.

The next day we went shopping at the Mall of the Emirates. It was colossal and modern. Dunkin donuts, starbucks, Emporio Armani caffe, ballet show, white range rovers, shops, shops, Ski Dubai and more shops. Just unbelievable. We tried not to shop because of our backpacking plans but it was impossible. But at the end we managed to arrange something so the next day we were mall hopping again. Outlet mall, Festival City, IBN Batuta Mall and a couple of times Mall of the Emirates. Yes I tried to stay strong but these are things that are impossible to avoid when traveling with 3 other girls. We had the time of our life.

Auntie Hannah drove us around Dubai showing us all the new project. The Marina, The palm Island, Dubai Land and lots more. The Palm Island was very nice. Huge houses with private beaches. Something I would like to have though.:) Damac is one of the largest leading property developments operating in Dubai. With it’s passion for excellence, luxury and determination there a lots more to expect in Dubai. Afterwards with did experience a less luxury part of Dubai namely Bur Dubai. It was very simple and real, to me it was Dubai in it’s purest form. Dubai before all the rising developments. There we took a boat trip in the Dubai creek. You could see the twin towers, the house of the Sheik, Dubai’s courthouse and many more. The boat trip was very relaxing and worth doing.

On day 3 we went OFF ROAD. They picked us up in a mini bus at the Mall of the Emirates. When we arrived there the 4wd was already waiting. I could feel the adrenaline rushing trough my body. We started dune bashing in the deserts sandy dunes….what an experience. It was fun! They dropped us of at a camp where we could enjoy the food, dance and camel rides. I got a beautiful Henna tattoo starting from my finger tip also my name written in Arab. At the camp we were enjoying the belly dancing show until the dancer made a beautiful mistake to get us to dance. Because from the moment she did that we were in spotlight. Four Antillean girls shaking en belly dancing. They even congratulate us at the end.

Day four: The day of extraordinary love and view. On this day we went to Oman. Oman lies in the extreme south-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. We took a boat trip at the beginning of the Persian golf. There were mountains everywhere and a lot of isolated communities which we weren’t allowed to visit. It was really peaceful. There were also dolphins swimming near the boat. We stopped at two different spots for swimming and snorkeling. The water was warm…another first time experience. I’ll recommend this to everyone. Besides the beautiful landscapes and swimming we danced Arabian music. It was very nice to see.

On this same trip this 26 year old, pretty good looking and assumingly wealthy guy expressed his feelings to me, leaving me totally shocked. I have never heard such beautiful truly deep words. For a moment I could not feel anything anymore and felt so weak. I wasn’t in love but it was…..I really have no words to explain. Unbelievably unconditionally! An Arabian love story. He made me feel like I was worth….I don’t even know what. But it was …..anyway.. No words! But after all it was going too fast. He was willing to buy me as many tickets to Dubai as I want and if that wasn’t possible he would come to Holland his self. Nothing was a problem to him. He told me that he liked me that much that it was impossible not to fall in love with me…awww.

On our last day Albert and Auntie Hanna took us for dinner at the Jumeirah beach Hotel to celebrate our coming B-days and Michella’s graduation. We enjoyed Jumeirah’s electic cuisine and danced on impeccable Cuban rhythms. It was a tremendous night. Albert and Auntie Hanna are such wonderful people, I will never forget them.

Dubai is a good place to be at. The people in Dubai are really kind and respectful to others. Something we could learn from instead of just thinking that we’re from the civilized Europe cause actually we’re not. There are lots of thing we could learn.

In Dubai the culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Man and woman are mostly separate. This doesn’t mean that the woman is being discriminated. Women are being treated fairly and with respect in Dubai something I haven’t witnessed elsewhere in the world. Of course it’s a man dominated culture, but still it’s a place where women have a lot of rights. For example the daughters of the Sheik are responsible for many social and health care issues. They have a lot of power over these matters.

The warmth, friendliness, the courtesy and hospitality is what makes Dubai, Dubai. Of course also The Palm Island, Burj Al Arab and the Marina but that’s a small part of it. Visiting Dubai exceeded my wildest expectations and therefore I would love return for a couple of days cause there is more to be seen.

Don’t forget to check out the pictures!!

Beijos!