Roopa’s Long-Awaited Family Trip to Dubai with Thrillophilia
After years of putting off a proper family vacation, I decided it was finally time to make it happen.
It had been way too long since we went somewhere new and just had fun together, away from work and the daily routine. So, I decided to surprise my family with a trip to Dubai. With the help of Varun and Aahan, the sales representatives from Thrillophilia, everything was booked smoothly, and all that was left was to enjoy the adventure ahead of us.
An Evening Afloat
Our first evening in Dubai was nothing short of magical. We set sail on a traditional Dhow cruise, drifting along Dubai Creek as the city lights twinkled around us. The experience was unlike anything we had done before.
My husband, who usually prefers quieter settings, seemed to enjoy the evening more than us. There was something incredibly calming about the way the boat moved through the water, with the city's skyscrapers sparkling in the background.
As we settled into the evening, we were served with a delicious dinner. The atmosphere on the boat was perfect—gentle music, the sound of the water lapping against the sides, and the skyline glowing in the distance.
Even our son was enjoying a lot. It was good to see him experience the real world instead of being on screen.
“Mom, this feels like a movie!” he said with wide eyes. That first evening really set the tone for our trip, and we felt completely at ease, ready to explore more.
Desert Thrills and Starry Nights
One of the highlights of our trip was the desert safari.
I had always seen those postcard images of endless sand dunes and Bedouin camps, but experiencing it in person was on whole another level. Our 4x4 vehicle zoomed over the dunes, dipping and rising so fast I couldn’t help but laugh and scream at the same time. Even my husband, who is quite reserved, had the biggest grin on his face, enjoying every second of the wild ride.
After the adrenaline-pumping experience, we were welcomed into a traditional Bedouin camp, where we had dinner under the stars. We also watched a mesmerising Tanoura dance performance, and I remember my son sitting completely still, eyes fixed on the swirling colours and lights.
For a moment, the vastness of the desert and the beauty of the night made everything else feel small, as if time had slowed down just for us to enjoy that perfect evening.
Sky-High Views and Underwater Wonders
No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting the iconic Burj Khalifa. Standing at the base of the tower, craning our necks to look up at its dizzying height, was one of those moments that made me feel like a tiny speck in this world.
Taking the elevator up to the 124th floor, my heart raced a little as we rose higher and higher, but when those elevator doors opened, it was all worth it.
The view from the observation deck was breathtaking. My husband stood silently for a moment, just taking it all in. “Wow it’s really that high,” he said, with a smile on his face. My son was glued to the windows, pointing out landmarks and counting the cars below. It was one of those rare moments where we were all simply enjoying the beauty of the world together.
Later, we headed to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which turned out to be my son’s favourite part of the trip. Walking through the aquarium tunnel, surrounded by fish, sharks, and rays, made me feel like we had stepped into another world. He couldn’t stop marvelling at the size of the sharks, while my husband and I were more taken with the peacefulness of the whole experience.
It was a beautiful contrast to the dizzying heights of the Burj Khalifa—one moment, we were on top of the world, and the next, we were deep below the water, surrounded by the wonders of the ocean.
Blooming Beauty and Cultural Wonders
One of the unexpected highlights of the trip was our visit to the Miracle Garden. I had heard about this place, but nothing could have prepared me for the explosion of colour and creativity.
Everywhere we looked, there were flowers shaped into the most incredible sculptures—hearts, arches, animals, and even an entire floral plane. The garden was like a fairy tale brought to life. We wandered through the paths, taking pictures and just soaking in the beauty. My husband turned to me at one point and said, “I think this is the most beautiful place we’ve ever seen.” I couldn’t have agreed more.
From there, we headed to Global Village, a place that felt like a whirlwind tour of the world. We explored pavilions from different countries, tasted foods we’d never tried before, and watched performances from all over the globe.
My son was on a different cloud, trying out all the different snacks and watching street performers with wide eyes. It felt like we had travelled the world in one night, and by the end of it, we were exhausted but incredibly happy.
As our trip came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Planning this trip to Dubai brought us closer as a family. With the help of Varun and Aahan from Thrillophilia, everything fell into place smoothly, allowing us to focus on creating memories rather than worrying about the details.
Dubai had given us the chance to reconnect, to experience new adventures together, and to make memories that would last a lifetime. It was a trip we would cherish forever, and I was already dreaming of where our next adventure would take us.