I ended up getting a rental car for the entire time. It was not essential in Dubai, but did save me time, and in Abu Dhabi, it would have been required. Many many pictures (around 2500), they don't all fit on this page, so here are a bunch of sub pages (in order):
Day 1: Landing in Dubai, Dubai Desert Conservation Preserve, and drive to Abu Dhabi
To get the most efficient trip, going to amusement parks during weekdays without crowds, and avoiding closure days, I got through the airport as quickly as I could so be ready for my tour pickup to the Desert Conservation Preserve tour I had.
I got another covid test as soon as I landed because Abu Dhabi needlessly required a UAE covid test
Day 2: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, Ferrari World, Warner Bross World
After just enough sleep and a fun early morning, I started with the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which was well worth the visit:
Abu Dhabi was much more stringent on covid safety, the buffet was protected and you had to ask someone what you wanted
Day 3: Going Through Abu Dhabi
I had a nice room on Yas Island, a bit away from town, but super close to the amusement parks, and closer to Dubai, which saved some driving time. Nice view from my room: After a fun morning with breakfast, I went straight to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where I ended up spending a lot more time than originally planned. After spending much longer at the louvre than planned, I drove to Abu Dhabi proper to see the local attractions; I went to visit a small fort on the way, fun but not essential if low on time: Back on the road: I did a quick stop at Emirates Palace, now a fancy hotel, probably spent more time there than I should have:
I actually stopped for a meal, so unusual for me to do that, it was yummy kobe beef :)
the memorial does not look like much during the day
Cornice Road was very nice, day and night
Day 4: Dubai flight, aquariums, dive, night view, and snowboarding
Despite going to bed late, I had to get up reasonably early for my 08:45 Skydive Dubai Gyrocopter flight, and OMG was it a fantastic flight. It was not cheap, but so happy I paid extra for a double length (40mn) flight: Next, I went to the Palm Hotel and Lost Chambers Aquarium The aquarium was nice, but not a must go location, I've been to better ones, but it's a fun visit if you're taking the tram to palm fountain anyway. I also had the option to dive there, but I elected to dive at the Dubai Mall aquarium instead. There was a very nice water park that looked like it was worth a good half day, but I didn't have that time. Got some pictures from the tram that I took back and forth for fun (I actually drove there since I had a car): After exploring that area, it was time to go to Dubai Mall, which would have taken a while by public transport, but was an easy enough drive:
the mall is the biggest in the world, didn't have time to go through all of it, but fun things there
Day 5: More Dubai, Downtown, Souk, Museum of Illusions, Dubai Glow Park, and Burj Khalifa
I started the day with a guided tour of Jumeirah Mosque, which mostly was meant to educate tourists about Islam. I spent just shwy of 2 hours there, it was interesting, although of course when you know how Islam is being mis-used around the world, it's not that simple, but it was at least interesting to get that quick introduction: But as I said in the post on the Grand Mosque, I have to give to UAE for being super respectful of other cultures and non muslims. You can even buy items forbidden to muslims: After that, I went to Burj Khalifa for a day view from the very top (VIP tour at 12:00): From there, I went to old town and the souks across the river, although a few things were closed on saturday:
found this poor hungry kitten, I fed it a bit
Dubai museum had been closed for a while during covid
took a cheap shuttle boat across the river to the souk
Day 6: Google, Butterfly Garden, Miracle Garden, Dubai Expo 2020
Another full day still, I started early again, went to see the Google office, where they nicely gave me a tour: Next was the Dubai Butterfly Garden: and next door was the impressive Dubai Miracle Garden: From there, my trip was almost over, I went to fill up the car, parked it by the hotel and took the subway to Dubai Expo 2020. I got there a bit late (close to noon, and it was closing early on sunday, 22:00 instead of 00:00), but still got to see a fair amount with good line management:
gas is about 10c/liter, 37c/gallon, nice
UAE Trip Wrapup
Well, this was definitely a fun trip to UAE. 5.5 days isn't really enough, although I did most things, but with very packed days, barely any meals, and not much sleep, I guess the way I live life :)That said, if I had to do this again, definitely having 2 more days (or even more for Dubai Expo and Airshow), would have made the trip a bit more chill :) Thoughts about the trip: