Dr. Dilip Khairnar’s Office Trip to Dubai with Thrillophilia
Ever since we had decided to host the South Asian Sociological Society’s conference at Dubai, we lost our peace. Planning the conference involved lots of arrangements, bookings and invites.
And that is when Thrillophilia came to our rescue. Their integrity, punctuality and management skills had me in awe. Apart from arranging our conference, they also crafted an efficient itinerary for our team to explore Dubai.
As we arrived at the Dubai International Airport, our tour coordinator from Thrillophilia greeted us with a warm smile. He was calm, friendly, and more importantly, well-versed with the nook and corner of Dubai that assured us we were in safe hands.
‘Welcome everyone!’, he said, ‘You are going to have the best six days of your lives that you will cherish forever’.
And he wasn’t wrong. The drive to our hotel itself showed us the beauty of Dubai. We witnessed extensive highways, a glistening skyline adorned with the silhouettes of skyscrapers and a few momentous landmarks of the city.
In the sky and beneath the sea
Our Dubai trip started at the iconic Burj Khalifa.
We boarded the world’s fastest elevator to Level 124 and 125 of the building. Our hearts throbbed in fear and excitement. But it was worth the ride as we got to see breathtaking views of the Dubai city. For a moment, we forgot if we were on the earth or amidst the clouds.
We then moved to the Dubai Aquarium and Penguin Cove. As we stood watching the different varieties of sea animals, our eyes gleamed like little kids.
‘I have seen these creatures only in National Geographic documentaries’ one of us exclaimed. ‘Had I brought my son, he would have wanted to take the shark back home’, said the other and we all burst out laughing.
The day ended with the much awaited Dhow Cruise at Dubai Marina. We were all famished and tired by then. We filled our plates with the yummy food at the buffet and sat down on the open deck of the wooden boat.
As the boat slowly sailed through the waters, we spent the night playing games and dancing. The cool breeze and melodious Arabic music in the background put a wonderful pause to our busy day.
Big ideas below the skyscrapers
Our conference was scheduled on the second day of our trip. The management of Thrillophilia, particularly, Piyush Gupta and Jyoti organised a wonderful venue for the conference. The room was equipped with all the necessary amenities for all the business engagements. Thanks to Thrillophilia and their meticulous planning, the conference was a success. They also arranged lunch for all the dignitaries who took part in the conference.
A city of endless elegance
Following a hectic day at the conference, we wanted to sit back and relax. Our tour guide, Rijju, took us on a peaceful day trip around Dubai. We explored the cultural heritage of the city by visiting Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Mosque and the historic Al Fahidi locality.
"We often remember the tall skyscrapers and modern infrastructure of Dubai, but somehow we have forgotten its beautiful legacy”, I felt.
Our next stop was Miracle Garden where colourful flowers bloomed in different shapes. The lush greenery along with vibrant blossoms refreshed our tired souls. It is not common to find such beautiful backgrounds. So we made use of the opportunity and clicked hundreds of pictures at multiple spots for our Instagram grid.
We then visited the Global Village which brings together ninety different cultures from around the world. Truly, it was an entertaining destination as we got to taste varieties of food and shop for our kith and kin back home.
Golden sands and adventures
If there is one adventure that I would never miss if I visit Dubai again, it would be the desert safari. One of our team members was eagerly waiting for a thrill ride through the sand dunes. And when our 4x4 raced creating a sandstorm, his adrenaline rush was satisfied. He shouted at the top of his lungs ‘Once More please!’.
We then moved to the desert camp where they had arranged a plethora of activities. My favorites were the camel ride and sand boarding. The men of our group donned the white robes like the native Arabs. The ladies, on the other hand, got their henna tattoos.
As the sun set slowly, we were served dinner outside the Bedouin tents. One sip of the coffee and a bite of the local dates was just enough to feel the delight of Arabic cuisine. A scrumptious meal under the stars when paired with live music and dance performance felt like bliss.
Mosque and Marvels
The next day, we had a tight schedule with a full day trip to Abu Dhabi. We first went to the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. ‘
This place sure does look like it is straight out of a painting’ my friend exclaimed. ‘Pinch me, is it even real?’ said the other.
Adding Abu Dhabi to the itinerary was the highlight of our trip. While everyone often talks about Dubai and its beauty, the capital city is forgotten. But Thrillophilia included all the noteworthy places like the Corniche and Emirates Palace in our itinerary.
It was our day of departure, but, sadly, we did not want to leave Dubai. A part of all of us wanted to stay there for some more time. Every corner of the city had something to give, challenge and hold us close. I am grateful to Thrillophilia for making our trip memorable and hassle-free.