In the City of Gold: Dr Dilip Khairnar’s Dubai Trip Review With Thrillophilia
Some cities are admired from a distance. Others, you feel the moment your feet touch their soil. For me, Dubai was a feeling even before we landed. It was the way the skyline glowed under the descending plane, and the desert stood in contrast to the modern steel.
My family and I arrived in March 2025. The flight had been long, but there was a spark in the air. As we pulled into the city from the airport, my son looked out at the buildings passing by.
“Okay, this is next level,” he said while snapping photos for his Instagram.
My daughter nodded towards the shimmering skyline. “Cannot believe this place exists in the middle of a desert.”
Their reactions made me smile.
Our tour manager from Thrillophilia met us at the airport. He was calm, courteous, and supremely efficient, and gave us a sense that we were in good hands.
“Welcome, Khairnars,” he said with a smile. “Get ready for the kind of trip you will tell stories about for years.”
Above the World and Among Flowers
Day two started with Burj Khalifa, the icon that had already become a talking point in our family chats. As we rode the elevator to the 148th floor, the silence was surprising. That is how surreal the accent was.
At the top, Dubai spreads out below far and wide.
My daughter leaned on the glass. “Okay, this view is insane. I do not even need filters for this.”
We stayed and took in the aerial calm before heading to our next stop - the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. My son was especially absorbed. He stood rooted and watched sharks glide above.
“Imagine diving here. Way better than documentaries,” he whispered with wide eyes.
From there, we stepped into a different world of the Dubai Miracle Garden, which was a literal paradise blooming in the desert. My daughter roamed through the floral tunnels while stopping every now and then to photograph the intricate arrangements.
On the other hand, my wife smiled as a local artist applied a stunning henna design to her hand. I watched quietly and absorbed the layered contrasts of the day. Every location felt like an entirely different world.
Golden Dunes and Adrenaline Rush
On the third day, we left the city behind and were immersed in the open area of the Arabian Desert. The Desert Safari was something I had looked forward to, but I did not expect it to be this exhilarating.
As our 4x4 flew over dunes, tilting and rolling, I caught glimpses of both thrill and disbelief in my children’s eyes.
Then, we participated in the sandboarding activity. My son took the board and raced down first while stumbling and laughing. His sister followed with excitement.
By the time we reached the Bedouin-style camp, the sun had melted into the horizon and cast the dunes in soft amber. The atmosphere changed, and the air was filled with the scent of grilled meats, spices, and cardamom. Moreover, the slow rhythm of a drumbeat pulsed in the background.
We watched the belly dancing performance near the firelight and enjoyed the night with each other.
All Cultures in One Evening
The fourth evening took us to Global Village, which turned out to be a memorable cultural kaleidoscope. Think of walking from Thailand to Egypt to France in minutes, and eating your way through each stop.
My daughter stopped at a Korean stall, smiling. On the contrary, my son was more fascinated by the tech exhibits from Japan. “They had got robot greeters, Dad. I am not even kidding.”
We tasted baklava, sushi, and French crepes in one go. My wife found a beautiful scarf from a Turkish boutique, and I struck up a conversation with a Lebanese artist carving intricate wooden toys.
Later that evening, we took a detour to the Al Fahidi Historic District. The alleyways were a sharp contrast to the sensory overload of Global Village. Here, there was silence and history. The wind-tower houses, art galleries, and old wooden doors whispered stories from a different Dubai.
We sat at a small cafe and sipped on spiced Karak tea. Even the kids seemed thoughtful. It felt good to see them connect to the soul of the place.
Lights on Water
Our last night was reserved for something poetic - a Dhow Cruise at Dubai Marina. The traditional wooden boat moved through the black water, and the skyscrapers along the shoreline shimmered like diamonds.
We dined on a buffet that offered both Indian comfort and Arabic flair. The music was subtle, and the lights of the city wrapped around us.
I thought about how every corner of Dubai had given us something. The city had managed to surprise, challenge, and embrace us. And Thrillophilia had made it all so seamless.
To people who are planning to visit the city, I would tell you this: Do not just visit Dubai. Feel it, and let it stay with you forever.
Read More: Thrillophilia Dubai Reviews