After more than 2 freaking years, yes, #TravelWithShini is finally active again! I have no idea the last time I blogged about my travel itineraries was how long ago. Due to the pandemic, all I can share here are about food, beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I knew half of my readers always love to read my travel posts so here you go. This time, it's all about Shini In Dubai. Today's post is about my itineraries for days 1 and 2 in Dubai (well, basically just day 2 because day 1 was super short), why Dubai, travel requirements etc. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.
Why Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Okie dokie, out of so many countries, why Dubai? I was supposed to go to Eastern Europe with my family but due to the Russia and Ukraine war issues, we force to cancel our trip. It was totally a last-minute plan and I feel that I shouldn't waste the long weekend (holiday) because you can't find a long holiday like this in the entire year again.
Therefore, I was searching for which country should I pay a visit to. Somewhere that I had never been to, easy to plan the itineraries for a short trip, suitable for 2 females travelling and boom, the word "Dubai" jump into my mind. Coincidentally, my friend Yi Wen has never been to Dubai before as well and she was interested to join the trip so, there we are. She booked the flight tickets, and I booked all the hotels, entrance tickets, and day tours and plan the itineraries. Yup, it was all done just within a couple of days. I'm that power when it comes to travel planning lol.
Travel Requirements for Dubai
I know your concern when it comes to travelling during these 2 years. So many people have been asking me about the travel requirements for Dubai. It depends on which country you are from and which airline you are going to take. For reference, I'm from Malaysia and the airline that I took was Emirates.
Travelling to Dubai
From 26 February 2022, passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries (GCC included) must fulfil one of the below requirements:
- Present a valid vaccination certificate(s) reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and includes a QR code.
- Present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours after the sample was collected and issued by an approved health service provider with a QR code.
- Present a valid medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities that the passenger has recovered from COVID‑19 within 1 month from the date of recovery to the date of arrival.
Note:
- Printed or digital PCR test certificates or vaccination certificates are accepted in English or Arabic and must include a QR code. SMS certificates are not accepted.
- COVID‑19 vaccination certificates without a QR code will be accepted for travel to Dubai as long as the vaccination certificate is issued by test centres/organisations recognised/approved by the national health authorities of the country.
- COVID‑19 PCR tests or vaccination certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the departure point.
- PCR tests must be based on a molecular diagnostic test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS‑COV‑2 viral RNA. Rapid antigen, antibody or any form of rapid lateral flow tests and home test kits will not be accepted.
Depart from Dubai
Passengers travelling from Dubai will need to undergo COVID‑19 PCR testing only if it is required by the country you are travelling to. Starting from May 1, all fully vaccinated travellers, children aged 12 and below regardless of their vaccination status, and travellers with a history of recovery from COVID-19 within 6 to 60 days of departure, will no longer be required to take a pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. They will also not be required to take another test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia. Travel insurance will no longer be mandatory for travellers entering the country.
Travel Itineraries
Burj Khalifa
Finally, here comes the itineraries. Since we arrived in Dubai at 10.45pm on day 1, we were just straightly checking into the hotel and taking a rest. Basically, this post is more about day 2 activities hahaha. And can someone applaud for me because I'm finally visiting the Burj Khalifa?
The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration in 2010, is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the world's tallest building. A living wonder. A stunning work of art. An incomparable feat of engineering. Burj Khalifa is all that. In concept and execution, Burj Khalifa has no peer.
I always wanted to visit this spectacular building especially after watching Fast and Furious 7. The famous car landed inside the building scene.
Level 124
- Be thrilled by the world's fastest double-deck elevators, cruising at 10m/s.
- Take a closer look at the world below through avant-garde, high-powered, telescopes.
- Step out onto the public outdoor observation terrace overlooking the ever-growing skyline
Level 125
- At 456 meters, Level 125 offers a spacious deck tastefully decorated in Arabic mashrabiya for stunning 360-degree views.
- Capture your Burj Khalifa moments forever and integrate reality and special effects with green screen photography.
- Set off on a virtual reality experience to the pinnacle of Burj Khalifa.
- Enjoy a new immersive experience; step on an inspired glass floor with a twist. Feel the glass crack underneath your feet, as you explore the lofty heights from 456 meters in the air.
More than just the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, a symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East.
Don't forget to grab some souvenirs here before you left the building. The most popular souvenir here would be the statue of the Burj Khalifa as a deco.
Details
Location : 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Business hours : Open 24 hours
Book your tickets : https://bit.ly/3MTDYeo
Cost : RM179.39 per pax
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the second-largest mall in the world after the Iran Mall by total land area, and the 26th-largest shopping mall in the world by gross leasable area, tying with West Edmonton Mall and Fashion Island — both of which are older than it.
Explore more than 150 luxury shopping and dining experiences at Fashion Avenue. With inspired architecture, captivating art and stylish interiors, Fashion Avenue is the home of luxury in the Middle East.
By the way, the Dubai Mall is just below the Burj Khalifa.
Details
Location : Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road (Next to Burj Khalifa)
Business hours : Sun - Wed (10.00am - 12.00am) ; Thu - Sat (10.00am - 1.00am)
Social House
Social House Dubai is an exciting restaurant offering flavours of the world. The venue is surrounded by stunning views of The Dubai Fountain engulfed by a modern, urban design. Social House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We were so hungry after the Burj Khalifa visit so we simply find a restaurant to take our brunch to. The reason why we went to the Burj Khalifa that early (the earliest session) is because we want to avoid the crowd.
Details
Location : Unit LG-100-B, Level LG (inside Dubai Mall)
Business hours : Daily (10.00am - 2.00pm)
Al Seef
Featuring fab views of Dubai's historic creek, traditional dhows, and old-world architecture paired with modern comforts, Al Seef is the ideal tourist lifestyle destination.
Bring family and friends to Al Seef and discover laid-back contemporary style – from food to fashion and beauty – in Dubai's heritage district on the edge of its historical creek.
Yay! Finally, I'm here! When I'm adding this to the itinerary I was so excited because Aladdin was one of my favourite Disney cartoons.
Seeing this place in real life makes me so happy. All the buildings here remind me of some of the movie scenes especially the beginning scene of Aladdin stealing bread with Abu (the monkey) at the market.
Retrace the steps of the fishermen, pearl divers, weavers and tradesmen that once came to trade, as you wander through the sikkas, pedestrian streets, and marina that lines the water's edge.
Revel in the convenience and comfort of a modern cosmopolitan city and discover captivating shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and leisure and entertainment experiences.
Everything is so surreal here! I feel like I'm blending into the movie.
Every corner here is so instaworthy! I can stay all day long here. I love that not much of tourists here so we can enjoy the place and take photos without other people photobombing us.
I was quite surprised that none of my friends (who had been to Dubai before) visited this place. They all DM me straight away and told me how beautiful this place was when they saw my instastories. It's definitely a great place to visit when you're in Dubai.
These spectacular stained glass lamps remind me of Turkey. I'm looking forward to my upcoming Turkey trip. Shhh...
There are a few restaurant selections but since we are craving burgers, so we just randomly find a burger restaurant to settle our dinner.
The burger set comes with a chicken burger, fries and a soft drink. Cost us about 95 AED.
Details
Business hours
Retail : Mon - Thu (10.00am - 10.00pm) ; Fri - Sun (10.00am - 11.00pm)
F & B : Mon - Thu (10.00am - 11.00pm) ; Fri - Sun (10.00am - 12.00am)
Starbucks
The Starbucks in Al Seef Dubai is a must-visit when you're here! I love the combination of old and new unique designs. To me, it is one of the coolest Starbucks around the world. I actually saw it somewhere on the Internet, and I'm thinking I need to visit this place someday. Couldn't believe I really did it.
Check out another corner of Starbucks. So beautiful right? You can't find this anywhere else. Among all the Starbucks branches that I've visited so far, this is my favourite.
That's all for the first post about Shini In Dubai, I will try my best to blog about days 3 and 4 as soon as possible. Meanwhile, remember to watch the travel vlog below. Enjoy watching and I shall see you guys in the next post. XOXO.
Travel Vlog
( Subscribe to my YouTube Channel : TheShinilola )
Shini In Dubai Travel Vlog
Dubai Shopping Haul
Dubai Travelogues
- Shini In Dubai Day 3 : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/04/shini-in-dubai-day3.html
- Shini In Dubai Day 4 : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/04/shini-in-dubai-day4.html
Chinese Version
#ShiniInDubai
For more photos, kindly search hashtag #ShiniInDubai on Instagram
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