Bakhtaver Singh’s Solo Adventure in Dubai with Thrillophilia
I have always believed that every traveller has one dream destination. A place they have imagined a thousand times and a place that feels both familiar and distant. For me, that place was Dubai.
Ever since I was a child, I have seen pictures of the tall Burj Khalifa, the golden dunes of the Arabian Desert, and the futuristic skyline that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. I promised myself that one day, I would stand there amidst the dazzling lights of this modern marvel. But like most dreams, it always felt out of reach - until now.
In March, after years of waiting, wondering, and wishing, I finally decided to take the leap. No more excuses. No more delays. It was time to turn my dream into reality.
What made this journey even more special was that it was my first-ever solo international trip. No backup, no familiar faces - just me, my backpack, and an entire city waiting to be explored.
As I landed at Dubai International Airport, a strange mix of excitement and nervousness filled me. Would I feel lonely? Would Dubai live up to my expectations?
Only one way to find out.
My First Glimpse of Dubai
My journey began with one of the most underrated yet fascinating landmarks of the city - The Dubai Frame. Standing at 150 metres, this architectural marvel perfectly captured the contrast between old and new Dubai.
As I stepped onto the glass-bottomed bridge, I felt my heart skip a beat. Beneath me stretched the city in all its glory. On one side were the historic souks and traditional Arabic houses, and the gleaming skyscrapers that symbolised the meteoric rise of Dubai on the other.
For the first time, it hit me - I was finally here. The place I had only seen in magazines and travel documentaries was now right in front of me.
From there, I made my way to Miracle Garden, a floral wonderland in the heart of the desert. Walking through tunnels of vibrant flowers and past life-sized floral castles and heart-shaped arches, I was reminded that Dubai was a city where the impossible became possible.
When the sun dipped below the horizon, I went to the Global Village, where cultures from around the world came alive. I strolled past Turkish bazaars, Indian spice markets, and French patisseries and tasted flavours from every corner of the globe.
For the first time in a long time, I felt truly free, without any obligations, just the thrill of discovering a new world at my own pace.
From City Heights to Desert Nights
The next morning, I set out for View at The Palm, which gave me a breathtaking aerial view of Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island shaped like a palm tree. From that height, it was hard to believe that this was all built on water. Dubai knows how to bring a vision to life.
But the real adventure awaited me in the afternoon - the Desert Safari.
As our 4x4 Land Cruiser sped across the endless dunes, I held onto my seat, laughing and screaming as we skidded down steep slopes. The rush, the adrenaline, the feeling of pure and unfiltered joy - I had never experienced anything like this before.
We stopped in the middle of the desert just in time for sunset. The sky turned into a masterpiece of fiery oranges, soft pinks, and deep purples, and I stood there to let the cool sand slip through my fingers.
For a moment, everything was quiet. No city noise, no traffic, no distractions - just me, the endless dunes, and a sky full of possibilities.
During the nighttime, I was at a traditional Bedouin-style camp, where I indulged in a BBQ feast under the stars. There were belly dancers swaying to Arabic music, and the smell of fresh kebabs filled the air.
A Glow That Changed Me
On my last day, I set out on a city tour to check off iconic landmarks like Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach, and Atlantis The Palm. Every corner of Dubai seemed to tell a story of ambition, resilience, and innovation.
However, the true surprise of the trip came when I visited Dubai Glow Garden in the evening.
Imagine an entire park lit up with millions of glowing lights to create moving sculptures, glowing tunnels, and breathtaking visual displays. It felt like stepping into a fantasy world where everything shimmered with magic.
As I walked through the glowing pathways, feelings of bliss covered my heart.
I had started this journey with doubts, fears, and a long list of ‘what ifs.’ But Dubai has shown me that sometimes, all you need is the courage to take that first step.
Because the truth is, the world is waiting.
And so is the version of you that is brave enough to explore it.