Welcoming New Year in Style: Raj's Thrillophilia Review of Dubai Trip
It all started when my friends and I were chatting about doing something special for New Year. We wanted to travel but weren't quite sure about the destination.
After some research, we came across Thrillophilia's Dubai tours, which had fantastic reviews. Their tours seemed perfect for our group, and after a quick discussion, we decided to go ahead and book with them.
A Perfect Night on Dubai’s Dhow Cruise
The first day in Dubai kicked off in the best possible way - on a Dhow Cruise at Dubai Marina. My friends and I were excited to see the city from the water, and the moment we stepped on board, we knew we were in for something special. As the boat set sail, the city skyline unfolded before our eyes, and the buildings looked like they were carved out of glass, shining under the night sky.
The ambience on the dhow was amazing - with soft lights and the sound of gentle waves as we sailed along the water. We were served a traditional dinner, and I must say, the food was absolutely delicious. I tried a bit of everything - salads, grilled meats, and exotic dishes I’d never had before. We joked about how much we were stuffing ourselves. “I think I’m going to need a bigger belt after tonight,” one of them laughed. I couldn’t agree more.
The highlight of the evening was the Tanoura dance performance. The dancers, dressed in colourful robes, spun really fast and it was such a magical sight. We couldn’t stop staring, and I turned to my friend and said, “How do they even do that without getting dizzy?”
The night ended with the shimmering city lights reflected in the water, and it felt like we had truly arrived in a place where modernity and tradition dance together. We were all in great spirits and eagerly anticipating the adventures to come.
Adventures Above and Below
The next day, we visited the Burj Khalifa, which was something I’d been looking forward to since our trip began. Standing at the base of that huge tower, I felt incredibly excited. The view from the observation deck was beyond words. We could see the panoramic views that stretched out in every direction, with its beaches, busy streets, and countless skyscrapers.
We took in the view for a while, and then one of my friends said, “I can’t believe we’re this high. My stomach is doing flips just thinking about it!” We laughed, but I knew exactly what they meant. The heights were a bit intimidating but also thrilling. The Burj Khalifa was a true marvel of modern architecture, and I think it’s one of those places you have to see to believe.
Later that evening, we visited the desert for a thrilling safari. The journey was incredible, and we drove across the dunes in a 4x4 jeep. I couldn’t stop laughing at the wild ride; we were bouncing up and down, sliding from one side to the other like we were on a roller coaster.
Once we got to the camp in the heart of the desert, the mood shifted. The sunset over the dunes was breathtaking, with the golden dunes stretching as far as we could see. We also enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner which was laid out in a traditional Bedouin-style tent. As we sat around, enjoying the food and the entertainment, Belly dancers twirled, and the fire show had us on the edge of our seats. I could barely believe how many experiences we’d packed into just one day.
From Blossoms to Roller Coasters
One of the most unique places we visited was the Miracle Garden. I’ve never seen so many flowers in my life - over 150 million of them, to be exact! The garden was home to huge flower sculptures, and we spent ages taking pictures. At one point, my friend stood in front of a giant flower arch and said, “This is definitely the most beautiful thing I’ve seen on this trip.” I couldn’t argue with that. Everywhere we turned, there was a new spectacle waiting to be discovered.
After the garden, we headed to Global Village, where cultures from around the world were brought together in one space. It was like walking through a mini-world tour, with each pavilion showcasing food, crafts, and performances from different countries. We tried some delicious street food and even watched a traditional folk dance performance. My friend was particularly taken by a little shop that sold handcrafted jewellery, and they said, “I think I’ve found my souvenir.”
But the highlight of the trip for all of us was the visit to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with the roar of excitement from people riding the world’s fastest roller coaster - The Formula Rossa. It was hands-down the most thrilling experience I’ve ever had. We were strapped in and shot forward at ridiculous speed. I think I screamed the entire way through.
As we left Ferrari World, exhausted but happy, we couldn’t stop talking about everything we had experienced. It felt like we’d done and seen so much in just a few days, but somehow, it still felt like there was more to discover.