Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates and amongst the most popular Middle East destinations. The first images that come to mind when you mention Dubai are camels and an endless expanse of dunes. Over the years, the Emirate has continued developing, and it boasts of several unique attractions. For starters, Emirati cuisine is one-of-a-kind, and a trip to Dubai isn't complete without exploring the plethora of food on offer.
The last thing you'll hear anyone say is that a trip to Dubai is inexpensive. It is a pricey place, and you must be ready to spend quite a bit on your vacation. The upside is that the Emirate has a list of surprises that you wouldn't have expected. For instance, seeing a cheetah riding shotgun and let’s not forget the roads filled with luxury vehicles. Here are other unique experiences that make Dubai a destination like no other.
Aerial Delivery Service
When most of us buy vehicles, we drive them back home from the dealership or, at the very least, pick them up from the port if they are imported. In Dubai, the delivery service is grand and extravagant, much like everything else in the Emirate. We can see a delivery captured in this photo mid-way.
This guy must have spent a decent fortune on this luxury vehicle, and they are having it flown to their location of choice. Aerial delivery services are common in Dubai, and the best thing is that they avoid hassles like traffic.
Sky-High Skyscrapers
Dubai is essentially the City of Skyscrapers, and it boasts of some of the tallest buildings in the world. The majority of buildings in this Emirate rise to 50 floors or higher, and Burj Khalifa, which still reigns as the world's tallest building, has 163 floors.
They say that the buildings in Dubai could touch the sky. The Emirate also boasts of having the highest concentration of buildings centralized in one area. If you manage to take some aerial shots from the sky, you might end up with breathtaking images like this one. The sunsets and sunrises are also spectacular, and you might catch a glimpse from one of these towering buildings.
Exotic Pets
The rich folks in this Emirate have a love affair with animals. We are not talking about your regular pup or kitten; in this Persian Gulf Region, wild animals are kept as pets. It's another way that the billionaires in the region choose to display their wealth.
It's quite ordinary to see a cheetah riding shotgun on the UAE roads. Often, the animals come across as composed and calm, but we wouldn't feel the same way riding in a vehicle with someone's beloved pet cheetah or lion! Fortunately, this might be a thing of the past since the UAE declared lions, cheetahs, and tigers illegal pets in 2017.
It Was Once A Jungle!
The world might be more acquainted with the now dethroned Tiger King Joe Exotic, but the Middle East is where the true big cat kings once reigned. Before the UAE outlawed exotic pets, the sight captured in this photo was quite common. Wealthy folks found in possession of these pets risk fines of up to $136K or jail time after the law went into effect.
The Gulf country heeded to the pressure they received from animal welfare groups to ban the trade and private ownership of wild animals. Owners of these exotic animals were required to surrender them to the authorities.
Modesty Reigns
Islam is the official religion practiced in the United Arab Emirates, and hence, it guides several laws as well as the customs of Dubai. While Dubai is considered quite liberal, they generally frown upon certain things. For starters, modesty reigns in public spaces.
Public displays of affection are prohibited, according to the 2009 Dubai Code of Conduct. Unmarried couples can't share hotel rooms, but Dubai does not enforce this law strictly. Drinking alcohol is only allowed within licensed premises, and you would need an alcohol license to consume alcohol at home.
Robot Jockeys
Among all domestic animals, camels hold a special place in Dubai. They are included in several activities, including camel racing events. The wealthy sheiks even created robot jockeys that can race against each other.
The motorized jockeys feature built-in technologies that help them run faster. Their lightweight stature makes them less demanding, and you could also say that the risk factor associated with such activities is decreased with robot jockeys. They look so real that you have to give this photo a second look to realize that it's not a human.
Decadent Desserts
While sampling the local Emirati cuisine in Dubai, you might also want to explore the decadent gastronomical offerings if your pockets allow it. Take the $1,000 dessert, for example; if you have that amount to spare, then you are in for a luxurious experience.
The dessert fuses vanilla beans from Africa, chocolate from Italy and topped off with 24K gold dust. It looks beautiful enough to qualify as a work of art, and let's just hope that it tastes as great as it looks. We are still not too sure about spending that amount on a dessert or any other food for that matter.
Transporting Your Camel
A trip to Dubai isn't complete without going on a desert safari. While on such a tour, you might come across such a scene where a camel is tethered to an expensive vehicle. The guy didn't have a trailer for his camel, and his vehicle did the trick.
At least he threw a jacket over his camel to shield it from the scorching heat. Camels are desert animals, but they can still succumb to the effects of heat. We believe that the guy had an adequate supply of water for the camel and stopped now and then to allow the animal to rest.
Family Beaches
You wouldn't expect to find beaches in Dubai, but there are lots of them. The artificial sandy grounds welcome locals and visitors alike, but some of them have strict rules when it comes to decorum. Take this one, for instance, that is designed for families.
If you are a single guy wandering around this beach, then you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law. Families must also wear decent beachwear, and in this case, it means that women should be fully covered. A two-piece swimsuit or a revealing one-piece won't cut it on this beach.
Rolling In Gold
Dubai is often referred to as the "city of gold," and both traders and private buyers prefer to source the precious metal from the Emirate because it is cheaper there than anywhere else in the world. It's all thanks to Dubai's tax exclusion.
The wealthy folks in Dubai also splurge their fortunes on this precious metal, and in their case, they prefer to find creative ways to display the precious metal. It's an ordinary sight to come across gold-plated supercars in the Emirate. Some even go to the extent of getting these vehicles fully customized to incorporate gold accessories.
Surfing In A Throbe
Believe it or not, you can also go surfing in Dubai. It is a seasonal sport in the Emirate and typically picks up between October to April. You’d expect surfers to take to the waters wearing a wet-suit, but the locals prove that you don't need the fancy gear.
Surfing is a favorite pastime activity for the locals, and they create quite a spectacle for tourists who are not used to seeing a man clad in throbe skillfully balancing on surfboards. It looks like tons of fun and worth a try, but we would recommend going for a wetsuit.
Gold-Dispensing ATMs
In an Emirate where precious stones and metals are widely in circulation, perhaps even more than hard cash, financial institutions adapted to these factors. While Automated Teller Machines enable bank customers to carry out basic transactions, in Dubai, they have specialized machines to serve other forms of currency.
When you talk about the Midas touch, it is a reality for the wealthy people in Dubai to access gold at the touch of a button. This one-of-a-kind luxe ATM is like no other around the world because it dispenses gold bars.
An Indoor Winter Wonderland
Indoor ice skating rinks have become common in regions where snow is absent, but this one in Dubai also accommodates snowboarding and skiing. It's a welcome escape from Dubai’s soaring temperatures and a great way to pass the time.
The slope isn't that challenging and allows both beginners to brush their skills, and it's also kid-friendly. There are ramps for the pros to try as well. There are several places where you can access these indoor winter wonderlands, including The Dubai Ice Rink, Arabian Center, Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink, and the Galleria Ice Rink.
Wheels On Water
It isn't enough that Dubai’s wealthy people have the fastest vehicles, biggest yachts, and private airplanes at their disposal. Some go the extra mile to get aquatic vehicles, like Dubai's deputy ruler, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.
He forked out $800K for six of these amphibious vehicles, and if the world ever got submerged in the water, he will be adequately prepared. WaterCar is the auto-maker behind these luxury aquatic vehicles. They even hold a Guinness World Record for one of the fastest amphibious vehicles alongside 27 patents related to such vehicles.
Keeping Your Turtles In Order
After the ban on exotic pets, wealthy folks in Dubai can still keep agreeable animals like turtles and tortoises at home. We don't see too often the stacking of tortoises like what we see in this image.
This looks like a process that took a while to get right, and we imagine only turtles can take part in such an activity. We are not too sure if this is some competition of sorts, but we know that the animal rights activists would frown upon this photo. Let's also hope that no turtle or person got injured in the process.
Sports In The Sky
Field sports are typically played on the ground, but when you are in Dubai, the concept of what's beneath your feet is relative. This statement comes through this photo that captures a game of tennis played on a suspended court at the very top of the famous Burj Hotel.
This doesn't look like something for the faint at heart, but for anyone who isn't afraid of heights, then it's yet another thrill worth experiencing in Dubai. It's even better if you engage in a friendly tennis game and have it documented through photos or a video for the bragging rights.
Dubai's Police Vehicles
If you thought that only the wealthy folks in Dubai cruise in the fastest rides on this planet, then wait until you come across a Dubai police cruiser. While keeping the Emirate free from crime, the Dubai policemen roll around in fancy rides. It's admirable that the opulence displayed in the Emirate also trickles down to the public service systems like law enforcement.
They also make police officers come across as somehow less threatening when they turn up to assist with emergencies in these sports vehicles. We also don’t see how the bad guys can get away when engaged in a high-speed chase with one of these super-fast vehicles.
The Starbucks Experience
While you'll come across familiar food establishments in Dubai, you might find that their menu includes items they don't offer back home. For instance, KFC has buns included as part of some of their meal combo. The same applies to the beverage giant, Starbucks.
There are no long queues here, and the interior decor is eye-catching as well. It's a fancy joint by all accounts. With the coffee’s grand presentation, you might want to remember to take a panoramic photo or 360-degree video to document the experience.
The Bathroom Experience
Dubai real estate is pricey, and it also displays sheer opulence. There are high-class accommodation options available in different parts of the Emirate. The fancy hotel restrooms are also worth mentioning with their marble floors, pristine bathtubs, and a skylight.
It resembles a presidential suite, but you are looking at a standard bathroom at a hotel. This gives you an insight into what you can expect from the hotel rooms, and you always get a bit of luxury above what you would expect at the establishments within Dubai.
First-Class Ambulance
At this point, it is clear that you can expect to cruise in style throughout your visit to Dubai. Most taxis are also high-end vehicles, and it doesn't end there. If you happen to fall ill and need to call an ambulance, a stretch limo might turn up to chauffeur you to the hospital.
We guess that it's also decked out with the finest amenities, perhaps a couple of flat-screen TVs too. Just riding in one of these vehicles to a medical facility would make anyone feel much better. Once at the hospital, you also expect to receive the best medical care.
Stylish Trash
The Emiratis appear to approach everything extravagantly, and from what we gather from this photo, even disposing of trash in Dubai is a stylish affair. The problem is that it might give people somewhere around the world ideas, but thankfully, Dubai’s crime rate is relatively low.
We are not exactly sure if this is an actual Louis Vuitton product, although we highly doubt it. However, if the high-end brand or counterparts ever decided to venture into the disposal industry, Dubai is a ready market for their products.
A Bedazzled Spectacle
It's a common sight to come across Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and other luxury vehicles parked on Dubai’s streets or cruising down the roads. The colorful vehicles also feature the latest accessories and gadgets as well as flashy detailing. Take this bedazzled spectacle, for example; it stands out even more amongst the roads filled with similar vehicles.
The sparkles are real diamonds, and we imagine they have significantly driven up the cost of this Mercedes convertible. Diamonds are yet another common precious commodity you'll come across in Dubai, and despite being excellent in quality, you are bound to buy them cheaper in the Emirate compared to anywhere else in the world.
5-Star Horse Stables
Horses are also regarded highly in the Middle East, with horse racing events taking place frequently. The Dubai World Cup is an annual event held since 1996 where Thoroughbred horses participate in racing competitions. The Emirates Racing Authority oversees the event that includes nine races, including one Purebred Arabian contest and eight competitions that put Thoroughbred horses against each other.
The rich people also keep their prized Arabian horses, and in this case, these animals also enjoy the high-class treatment. They reside at 5-star class horse stables with features like climate-controlled environments.
Stunting Differently
If you have the fastest and flashiest vehicles on the planet, it only makes sense that you'll want to show them off. Our definition is simply cruising around in these vehicles, but this photo shows us that it means stunting differently in Dubai.
This is the scene of an accident where this guy's vehicle toppled over. Instead of panicking like the rest of us regular folk, he decided to pose for a photo while balancing on top of the vehicle. The gentlemen inside the vehicle also don't seem too worried about the damage their vehicle might have sustained.
Aquatic Zoos
The locals in Dubai simply love their animals, and fish are not an exception. This aquarium that is essentially the size of an entire apartment building, is a public display of how revered aquatic life is in Dubai. Best yet, it's located at the famous Dubai Mall, where visitors can take a break from their shopping spree to explore the fascinating underwater zoo.
The aquarium houses more than 140 marine species, with over 400 sharks inhabiting the 10 million liter tank. Visitors also have a chance to encounter the various marine creatures face to face through carefully designed experiences.
Pizza Delivery
While on vacation, it gets to a point when you miss the comfort of some good old fast food. The major fast-food franchises, including McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King, are available in Dubai. There are also several decent pizza joints in the Emirate, including Rossovivo Artisan Pizza, Pinza, and Freedom Pizza.
You can access delivery services from most of these establishments like anywhere else, but brace yourself for a real treat. More than likely, you'll have your pizza delivered in a Ferrari or another luxury vehicle. If you could rate this establishment, they get a clean 5 out of 5 just for the delivery method.
Caucasian Cuisine
Talking about jonesing for some comfort food, we all start missing the food we are used to eating back home when on a particularly long vacation. While Middle Eastern cuisine might seem foreign to most of us, they consider quintessentially American food equally as unfamiliar when you think about it.
Just like you would find a Turkish or Asian restaurant in any other country across the globe, there's this establishment called the Caucasian Cuisine in Dubai. We imagine that their menu consists of fast-food staples like fries, milkshakes, burgers, and perhaps some mac and cheese.
Giving Back To The Community
Hunger is a global and never-ending issue that we are constantly trying to solve. Even in Dubai, which is considered one of the rich people's playgrounds, some people go without a meal. The community figured a way to help out the less fortunate by installing these free food vending machines.
It expressly states that it is strictly for those who do not have any money to buy the food or are unemployed. They also ask that those who choose to use the vending machine take only one item per person.
Water Vessels
Besides owning the most luxurious vehicles and private jets, Dubai’s sheiks and wealthy residents invest extensively in water vessels. From speed boats to megayachts, the wealthy people in Dubai own them. Then there is this gigantic boat that conjures up images of Noah's Ark.
It is a regular boat, although an enormous one, and it looks like after completion, it was admirable. The width itself is impressive, but the length makes it even more awesome. It also looks like one of those projects that take ages to complete, and once it's done, it proves to have been worth the wait.
An Emirate On The Move
Dubai is an Emirate on the move, with new developments coming up every other day. You are likely to see cranes and construction sites on tours around the Emirate. Each new building attracts investments and ultimately feeds into Dubai's economy.
Dubai strives to be the best at everything they do, and so far, they have proven that they can live up to the challenge. Not to say that there are projects that haven't stalled or tanked in Dubai. Examples include Universal Studios Dubailand, Palm Deira, and the Trump International Hotel & Tower.