Destination Dubai: Deserts, Eastern Sunsets & ... Falcons?

​It was my last night in Dubai. And my final adventure? A special trip to the desert for a little camelback riding and watching an Eastern sunset over the dunes. B-o-o-y-a-h.

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I had made my very first memorable trip to the desert only a few months prior during my 4-day stint in Inner Mongolia, so I was eager to see what the desert in Dubai had to offer.    

The Big Bus Dubai Desert Tour departed promptly at 5:45pm from Wafi Mall, and this time around the ride was even more grand as the sun had already began to set behind Dubai’s downtown area, making way for some great scenery over the cityscape. Now this was what I came for.   

After about an hour we arrived at an Arabian desert fort that was miles away from the city center. 

​At the entrance to the fort we were greeted with traditional Arabian coffee and led to the first free attraction: a short camel ride around the desert.

And by short I mean short; like, 30 seconds short, where you just hop on back of a camel and walk in a small circle. But I couldn't complain. Heck, it was only my second time ever riding one, and what better place to do so than in Dubai?

After the camel ride I grabbed a spot to watch the final moments of the sun setting over the Dubai Desert. 

It was just as I had imagined: The sun was a perfect orange surrounded by a slight haze and small doses of yellow, pink, and blue. Those Eastern sunsets are just incredible!  ​​

Next up? A chance to interact with a live falcon, which as I discovered is the national symbol of the UAE, or United Arab Emirates. 

And that, readers, was my last activity in Dubai. The next day I’d wake up in the morning, grab breakfast, head back to Dubai Mall to purchase a few souvenirs, then make my way to the airport to catch a 5pm flight back to Shanghai, China.

My 4-day adventure in Dubai was one of my best trips ever. I had the chance to visit the observation deck of the world’s tallest building, shop in the world’s largest mall, learn the history of Dubai, explore the city via Big Bus Tour, take a cruise, swim in the Arabian Gulf, ride a camel on the desert, watch an Eastern Sunset, and meet some of the friendliest people on the planet. 

I highly recommend a trip to Dubai. There were a few items that I did miss out on, however—ie, a helicopter ride around Dubai, snorkeling in the Ambassador Lagoon of the Lost Chambers Aquarium, and taking a hot-air balloon ride over the desert—either because I failed to make a reservation for them prior to my trip or due to finding out about them only after I arrived.

​With that, I encourage you to plan ahead to get the most out of your trip to Dubai. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. Safe & happy travels!