Nomad Bento

When I found out that the Burj Al Arab hotel offered paid guided tours, I didn’t hesitate for a second: I absolutely had to do it. The Burj Al Arab hotel is one of Dubai’s pride and joys. It sits on an artificial island (it took them 3 years to build the island), connected via a bridge with very selective access. Without a reservation at one of its many bars or restaurants, you’re not even allowed to set foot on the bridge. The privatized beaches around the hotel belong to the Jumeirah group. In short, there’s no way to get close to the hotel without paying. From afar, the hotel…

We used to have a lot of prejudices about Dubai and were never interested in visiting. It was only after the unforgettable Ramadan experience in Doha (Qatar) a few years ago, not far away, that we thought “skyscrapers growing in the middle of the desert could be fun.” However, it wasn’t at the top of our list at all, wishlist but the opportunity arose: Our Thailand-Turkey flight has a layover in Dubai Whether we stay 2 hours or 2 weeks, the prices don’t change at all The World Expo (Expo 2020) is currently taking place in Dubai, until March 2022, so it’s a now-or-never chance to be part of it.…

As big sashimi lovers, we appreciate fish markets where you can get quality pieces at competitive prices. Visiting a fish market is also a chance to have an authentic experience. Just when we were starting to feel like we were living in a giant mall after nearly 15 days, we needed some authenticity, so we headed to Dubai’s fish market! The most traditional fish market closed a few years ago. It has moved and is now called the Waterfront Market (open 24/7!). You can combine a visit with the gold souk since they are just 10 minutes apart by car. What strikes me on arrival is the size and modernity…

When Anh suggested doing an escape game in Dubai, I was pretty skeptical. The possible activities in the emirate are countless and pricey, and an escape game didn’t seem essential, even if it was in virtual reality. I let myself be convinced and we went right after a skiing session (yes, in Dubai). Dreamscape is located in the mall Mall of the Emirates. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I was very pleasantly surprised 🙂 We hadn’t booked and didn’t have to wait. You can choose between several “adventures”; we chose “Alien Zoo” which would have us meeting extraterrestrial animals that look strangely similar to prehistoric animals. The entry…

Even though I hadn’t skied in 15 years, I ended up doing it in two places in 2021, right in the middle of a global pandemic! During two dreamy weeks in Montenegro, and then for a solid hour in a shopping mall… right in the middle of the desert! Nothing should surprise us anymore when it comes to Dubai’s extravagance, but still… a ski slope! It opened in 2005 in the heart of Mall of The Emirates, one of the gigantic shopping malls Dubai is so good at. It cost $250 million. The dome housing the resort is 80 meters high, 80 meters wide, and 400 meters long. The indoor…