Desert Safari: Adventure with Platinum Heritage


Premium Desert Safari

Dreaming of a Dubai desert safari? It’s an absolute must! When my cousin jetted in from the UK, there was no question – it had to be on our itinerary. Steering away from the usual thrills like dune bashing, we chose the crème de la crème: Platinum Heritage, the VIPs of desert adventures. Fun fact – even Ed Sheeran himself chose this renowned company for his Dubai tour!

Pick Up

Ronald, our guide, picked us up from a nearby hotel at 6 am. His stories about Bedouin culture and the Rub’ al Khali desert kept us entertained during the 1hr drive to the camp.

Top Tip: Remember to bring a jacket as it can be a bit chilly before sunrise.

Traditional Headscarves

Dubai Desert Safari

At the conservation camp, Ronald, now our stylist, expertly wrapped beautiful scarves for each of us. Thanks to Platinum Heritage’s eco-friendly stance, we were also gifted reusable water bottles.

Next, we snapped cool photos with the vintage Land Rovers, starting off our adventure in style.

Falconry Show

Desert Safari Dubai Platinum Heritage

Next up was the Falconry show – an absolute highlight. The bird trainer not only shared the history of falcons among the Bedouin people, explaining their role in hunting, but also gave us the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent birds. We were each given the chance to have the birds fly off and then land on our arms. The interactive show was incredible, we got to participate in training the birds ourselves! A Hawk even soared through my arms – a surreal experience! What’s more, they encouraged us to capture these unforgettable moments with photos and slow-motion videos on our phones – no usual photo upsell here! The show struck the perfect balance, not too short nor overly long, keeping us thoroughly engaged.

Traditional Breakfast

Bedouin camp at Desert Safari Dubai

After the bird show, a beautiful camp served up a traditional breakfast – beans, homemade bread, fruits, and Arabic coffee with dates. They even had nice toilets!

Vintage Land Rovers

vintage land rovers

With our bellies full, it was on to the nature drive. The desert safari lived up to its promise with rides in vintage 1950s Land Rovers, once used by the British military. Driving in The Land Rover Defender was really cool and perfectly rounded off the morning. Ronald skillfully navigated us through the landscape and wildlife. In his dual role as our guide and photographer, he snapped many pictures of us while sharing his knowledge about the desert’s fauna and wildlife.

Desert Safari

oryx
Oryx

During the safari, we spotted deer, gazelle, and even the once-endangered Arabian Oryx. While I tried to capture photos of the deer and gazelle, they were too speedy for my camera! So, sorry no photos, just fond memories!

Worth the Money

Eco-Friendly

What sets Platinum Heritage apart is its commitment to eco-friendliness and genuine care for the preservation of the desert and its wildlife. Unlike other tours that include the potentially harmful practice of dune bashing, Platinum Heritage avoids it to protect the delicate desert ecosystem. This alone should be reason enough to choose this company for your desert adventure.

Best Desert Safari!

In a nutshell, Platinum Heritage’s safari was worth the money and the early morning wake-up call. It offered a truly unique experience, was nature-friendly, and lacked any sense of rush. Despite being triple the cost, it was entirely worth it – my cousin said it was the highlight of her trip. We both recommend it!

Unbiased Reviews

I want to emphasize that I have no affiliation with any companies, and my reviews are completely unbiased. If you would like to book this tour, click here – Platinum Heritage.

Curious about the other highlights on my cousin’s trip? Click here – Best Dinner Cruise Dubai

Best Dinner Cruise Dubai

Dubai Marina

Best Dinner Cruise

We’ve explored a few dinner cruise options in Dubai, but ‘The Lotus’ Mega Yacht by Dutch Oriental has become our all-time favourite. This marks our 3rd experience aboard ‘The Lotus.’ Believe me, if you’re ever in Dubai, don’t miss out on this incredible experience.

3-Hour Cruise

This week, with a family member in town, we had the perfect reason to book the 3-hour cruise – a steal at 349 AED. It includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and free-flowing alcoholic drinks. VIP options are available at 499 AED, but consider me a simple sailor; the standard package does the trick. There’s even a non-alcoholic package at 249 AED for the teetotallers in the crew. If you have kids with you, no need to worry; they are also welcome on board for 199 AED (3-10 years old).

Boarding at Pier 7

Lotus Mega Yacht by Dutch Oriental

Starting from Pier 7 in The Marina, finding ‘The Lotus’ mega yacht is super easy. This is a big plus because in the past, when we booked other boats, I remember us running around The Marina like headless chickens, trying to find our boat.

Top Tip: To avoid the heavy Marina traffic, just ask the taxi to drop you at The Marina Mall car park. A quick walk through the mall takes you right to Pier 7, saving you from traffic and making sure you won’t miss the boat, literally!

Smooth Sailing

Boarding started at 6:45 pm and went smoothly. Even though we had bought our tickets ahead of time, we noticed many guests buying them just before getting on board. The yacht is stunning, and we managed to get a table outside. However, since it was a windy night, the staff kindly suggested moving us indoors, right by the sliding doors. This way, we could stay warm indoors and open the doors for fantastic views whenever we liked.

Yummy Food

We went for the 349 AED deal, which included the international buffet – surprisingly good with tasty options for everyone. Don’t skip the Butter chicken – you’ll thank me later! The unlimited drink selection was impressive, offering everything from beer and wine to cocktails. We cheekily tried the Pina Colada and Margarita, and I can vouch that the cocktails were pretty decent. Just don’t expect any fancy cocktail glasses!

Scenic Routes

The sailing route offers breath taking views of the Dubai skyline, passing by Ain Dubai, Bluewaters, JBR, The Palm, and The Atlantis. Although this time the usual route past The Atlantis was adjusted due to weather, it was no biggie. The marina, Ain Dubai, and Bluewaters still mesmerized us. Onboard entertainment included a live singer and dancers.

Don’t Miss Out!

In a nutshell, ‘The Lotus’ by Dutch Oriental is our top choice for a magical evening. We consider it the best dinner cruise in Dubai and can’t wait to hop on board again. Seriously, don’t miss out – include ‘The Lotus’ in your Dubai plans!

Lotus Mega Yacht, Dinner Cruise from Pier 7, Weekdays 7pm to 10.30pm. (052) 777 6953.  Book your tickets here.

RAK Art festival 2024: Free Ghost Town Gallery!

RAK's Art Festival 2024

Ras Al Khaimah’s Art Festival

RAK ART FESTIVAL 2024

Looking for a fun and unique experience in RAK? Well, keep reading! For a limited time, explore an Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2024. The art festival seamlessly blending history and creativity. Remember my DUBAI GHOST TOWN post? Yep, I’m totally into these quirky places! Well, this is a ghost town and an art exhibition all rolled into one, and the best part is, it’s completely free of charge.

Discover Art Among the Ruins!

Step into the wonderland of creativity at Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival. Every nook and cranny of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village transforms into a canvas of enchantment. From 2nd – 29th February 2024 , this is the coolest, most unique experience you can have in RAK,

Theme ‘In Motion

Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival Fort

The gallery is making its 12th appearance, just like that reliable friend who hosts a different themed party each year! This time, the theme is ‘In Motion.’ I found it really cool; there’s more than just the occasional canvas – the buildings and courtyards are draped with lots of colourful fabric.

So what is ‘In Motion’?

RAK art festival exhibit

‘In Motion’ challenges the idea of a new ‘normal’ and implies that we should embrace the constant changes in our diverse world. The festival celebrates things like generative AI, NFTs, space journeys, and environmental movements. It brings together different types of art and gets people talking about the power of motion and change.

Copper Dreams

In motion art festival RAK - Copper

As I popped my head into the abandoned houses, it was like an exciting discovery; each house hosted a different exhibit. The once-deserted homes, crafted from coral stone and sand, now house a vibrant collection of contemporary art. My personal favourite? The hanging copper pieces that swayed gently, catching the light in a mesmerizing dance.

Chilled Beats

As you wander through the village, the air hums with chilled contemporary music, creating a laid-back ambiance that perfectly complements the artistic journey. The atmosphere is so relaxed that you might find yourself lost in the rhythm, floating along, watching the drapes of fabric flowing amongst the buildings – it was such a relaxing experience.

Snap, Share, Repeat.

And let’s not forget the photo ops! Every twist and turn in Al Jazirah Al Hamra is a potential Instagram masterpiece. The hanging copper pieces, bathed in natural light, the draped fabric floating in the air, and the contrast of the ruins were Instagram gold!

A must visit!

Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival

So, whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply seeking a uniquely cool experience in RAK, the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival is your ticket to an immersive adventure. Pop over, explore, and let the hanging copper pieces and vibrant artworks captivate you. Plus, indulge in an array of scheduled events and activities. For more information, click here – Detailed Event Calendar

Best Fish and Chips in Dubai!

Living in Dubai means we’ve got tons of delicious food options, even a Sunday roast that can rival your mum’s! But, here’s the but – and it’s a big but – good fish and chips are a bit of a rarity here. After a bunch of letdowns and hearing all the Brits’ gripes, I was about ready to throw in the towel on the search! It’s probably the only food I miss from back home.

 

Craving Proper Fish and Chips!

The sign ‘Opening Soon’ above Saylor’s in Dubai Hills for some time now, promising the ‘BEST BRITISH CUISINE.’ Is it the fish and chips haven I’ve been waiting for, or another let down? The hunt for a great chip shop is like a never-ending story. Will Saylor’s be the game-changer? I must admit I was a little intrigued and hungry to find out!

 

The Big Reveal

Finally, last week, I got the golden ticket – an invitation to Saylor’s soft launch. Just to clarify, my blog isn’t sponsored or affiliated with any brands; I share only what I genuinely recommend. At the soft launch, I got to sample everything on the menu. Brace yourself – it was like being transported back home.

 

Fish and Chips Done Right

fish and chips with tartar sauce in Dubai hills

 

Saylor’s has thought of everything – curry sauce, homemade pies, mushy peas, tartar sauce, salt and vinegar, cod, and haddock. They even had unusual cans of soft drinks like Fanta and an array of Rubicon flavours (if you’re British, you know!). And here’s a little secret: why not go off menu? Under the counter, they offer a huge range of UK-imported soft drinks. Oh, and did I mention they even had a chip butty on the menu?

 

Posh Chippy Vibes

Inside Saylors Dubai Hills Estate

 

Beyond the delightful menu, Saylor’s offers a beautiful setting. Picture a posh fish and chip shop, and you’re right on the money. Speaking of money, this isn’t your bargain chippy; it does come with a high price tag, but I think it’s worth it! The only thing missing, in my humble opinion, was a saveloy or sausage in batter and perhaps a pickled onion – but hey, you can’t have it all.

 

Fishy Delishy

The fish and chips were incredible, the batter was light, crispy, and the fish soft and flaky. The chips were perfection, giving the local famous chippy in my hometown a run for its money! While the place isn’t licensed, you can always take a short 5-minute walk to The Tap House after.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Saylors, Dubai Hills. Feel free to drop me a comment below.

You can find more information here on their website – www.saylorsdxb.com