The United Arab Emirates—often imagined as a land of gleaming skyscrapers, golden deserts, and futuristic dreams—turns out to be far more layered than most people expect. When I boarded my flight for the UAE, my mind pictured two things: Dubai’s towering Burj Khalifa and Abu Dhabi’s opulent mosques. What I found instead was a country that blends tradition and modernity with an effortless grace, a nation where history whispers from ancient forts while flying cars and robot waiters announce the future. This is the story of my journey through the Emirates—a travel experience that changed how I see culture, ambition, and the desert itself.
Arrival: First Breath of the Arabian Gulf
I landed in Dubai late in the evening, long after the sun had set behind the Gulf horizon. But Dubai never sleeps. Through the airport windows, I could already see lights glowing from every direction. The buildings sparkled like diamonds scattered across a velvet night. The moment I stepped outside, the warm desert air—a mixture of heat, spices, and sea breeze—embraced me.
The taxi driver, a friendly Pakistani man named Rahim, welcomed me with a smile.
“First time in Dubai?” he asked.
“Yes!” I replied, trying not to sound too excited.
“Then you’re not ready,” he laughed. “Dubai surprises everyone.”
He wasn’t lying.
As he drove toward Downtown Dubai, I saw the city rise before me like a mirage turned real. Skyscrapers stretched into the sky like they were competing for attention. Roads were smooth, wide, and full of luxury cars that looked like they came straight from a movie scene. But the thing that captured my heart instantly was the Burj Khalifa—looming above everything else like a needle touching the clouds.
Dubai: A Symphony of Modern Wonders
The Burj Khalifa Experience
The Burj Khalifa is more than a building; it’s a statement. A bold declaration that the impossible can be built.
I visited the observation deck early the next morning. The elevator shot up 124 floors in less than a minute—my ears popped, and everyone inside gasped. When the doors opened, the view stunned us into silence. Dubai stretched endlessly beneath my feet: turquoise water canals, futuristic highways, patches of desert, and the Arabian Gulf shimmering like a sheet of glass.
It was at this point that I realized why people say Dubai is a dream built on sand.
Dubai Mall: A City Within a City
Next, I visited the Dubai Mall—a place so massive it feels like its own country. Inside, I found an aquarium with sharks gliding past the glass, an ice skating rink, waterfalls built into the walls, and shops ranging from the ultra-luxurious to the comfortably affordable.
What fascinated me most wasn’t the size but the diversity. I heard languages from every part of the world—Arabic, English, Hindi, Tagalog, French, Swahili, and more. The UAE truly is a melting pot.
The Desert Safari: Dancing with the Dunes
A travel story in the UAE is incomplete without the desert. That afternoon, I joined a desert safari.
The 4×4 driver, an Emirati man named Saeed, greeted us with a cheerful “Yalla, let’s go!” Before long, we were deep inside the red dunes of the Arabian Desert. The car lunged, rolled, and glided over the sand. I screamed, laughed, and held my breath all at once as the vehicle climbed impossibly steep dunes and tumbled down with graceful unpredictability.
When the sun began its descent, Saeed stopped the car at the highest dune.
“Sit,” he said. “Watch the desert breathe.”
The sunset in the UAE desert is a masterpiece. The sky glowed orange, pink, purple, and gold. The dunes shifted in color as if alive. The desert was silent, calm, spiritual. In that moment, I understood why ancient travelers found hope and mystery in these sands.
The evening ended with a Bedouin-style camp. I enjoyed grilled meats, Arabic coffee, shisha, camel rides, and traditional dances. It felt like stepping into an ancient story.
Abu Dhabi: Where Culture Meets Grandeur
The next stop on my journey was Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Compared to Dubai’s explosive energy, Abu Dhabi has a calm elegance.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Vision in White
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. From afar, it looks like a vision floating on water—white marble, gold-tipped domes, and towering minarets.
Inside, the atmosphere is serene. I walked on the world’s largest carpet, handmade in Iran, and stared at chandeliers sparkling with millions of Swarovski crystals. Sunlight streamed through the windows, giving the mosque a heavenly glow.
Outside, reflective pools created stunning mirror images of the mosque.
Standing there felt spiritual, regardless of one’s religion.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi: Art Under a Floating Dome
Another highlight of Abu Dhabi was the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Built on Saadiyat Island, it features a giant dome that creates a “rain of light” effect—sunbeams filter through the geometric patterns like falling stars.
Inside, the museum is a journey through global art. Ancient Egyptian statues, African masks, Middle Eastern manuscripts, Asian ceramics, European paintings—all under one roof. The UAE’s message is clear: humanity’s creativity belongs to everyone.
Sharjah: The Cultural Jewel
Sharjah surprised me. Many travelers skip it, but it’s the cultural heart of the UAE.
The Heart of Sharjah and the Souks
I wandered through narrow lanes lined with traditional houses restored with coral stone and wood. The shops sold spices, fabrics, perfumes, books, and handmade crafts. The aroma of oud, cardamom, and roasted nuts filled the air.
The people in Sharjah seemed less rushed than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. They took time to talk, serve tea, and share stories.
Sharjah Art Museum
If you love art, this museum is a gem. It showcases Emirati and Middle Eastern artists who tell powerful stories about heritage, migration, desert life, and identity. I learned more about the UAE’s roots here than anywhere else.
Ajman and Umm Al Quwain: Quiet Escapes
Not all UAE emirates are bustling. Ajman and Umm Al Quwain offer peaceful beaches and local vibes.
Ajman Corniche
Ajman’s Corniche is perfect for walks. Families gather, children play, fishermen cast their nets, and the sea hits the shore gently. I enjoyed fresh seafood at a small restaurant and watched the sunset turn the water gold.
Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain
This water park is old-school but fun. It reminded me that the UAE isn’t just about luxury—it’s also about simple joys.
Ras Al Khaimah: Mountains, Adventure, and Heritage
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) stole my heart with its rugged mountains and historical sites.
Jebel Jais: The Mountains of the North
I took a road trip to Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak. The winding roads offered dramatic views. At the top, the temperature dropped, and the wind carried a refreshing chill.
RAK is home to the world’s longest zipline. Watching people fly above the mountains like eagles was exhilarating—even though I was too afraid to try it myself.
Dhayah Fort
This 16th-century fort stands on a hill overlooking palm farms and the sea. It’s an important historical site—Emiratis defended their land here against colonial armies. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views that connect you to the region’s ancient past.
Fujairah: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Fujairah is different from the other emirates. It lies on the east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman. The landscape is mountainous, green in some areas, and refreshingly different.
Al Bidya Mosque
The oldest mosque in the UAE is small, simple, and humble. Its beauty lies in its history—built over 500 years ago with mud and stone, it still stands strong.
Snorkeling at Snoopy Island
This was one of my favorite experiences. The water is clear, the coral is vibrant, and sea turtles glide elegantly beneath you. Unlike Dubai’s fancy beaches, Fujairah offers natural beauty.
Food Adventures: A Taste of the Emirates
A travel story is incomplete without food. The UAE offered a feast of flavors.
Traditional Emirati Dishes
- Machboos – Spiced rice with meat or fish
- Luqaimat – Sweet dumplings drizzled with date syrup
- Harees – Wheat and meat cooked to a creamy texture
- Regag bread – Thin crispy bread served with cheese or eggs
International Cuisine Everywhere
Because the UAE hosts people from more than 200 nationalities, I tasted dishes from India, Pakistan, Philippines, China, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East—all in one trip.
One evening, I ate shawarma while sitting by Dubai Creek, watching boats sail past. Another night, I tried Ethiopian injera with friends near Deira. The UAE is a global feast.
Meeting the People: Stories from the Emirates
The UAE is home to both locals and millions of expatriates. What struck me most was the harmony among them. Everyone I met had a story.
An Egyptian photographer told me he moved to Dubai because “dreams grow faster here.”
A Kenyan security guard said the UAE allowed him to support his family back home.
A young Emirati woman shared how proud she felt about her country’s progress.
This mosaic of people, ambitions, and cultures is what gives the UAE its heartbeat.
The Soul of the UAE: Between Old and New
What amazed me most was the balance between heritage and modernity.
- In Dubai, robots serve coffee.
- In Sharjah, elderly men sit on carpets telling stories.
- In Abu Dhabi, futuristic museums rise beside traditional mosques.
- In Fujairah, fishermen head out at dawn as they’ve done for centuries.
The UAE doesn’t erase its past; it builds upon it.
Final Reflections: What the UAE Taught Me
My journey through the Emirates taught me several lessons:
1. Ambition Has No Limits
The UAE proves that with vision, even a desert can turn into a global powerhouse.
2. Diversity is Strength
People of different cultures can live, work, and dream together.
3. Tradition Can Coexist with Modernity
You can have flying taxis and still honor your ancient heritage.
4. Beauty Comes in Many Forms
Skyscrapers are beautiful, but so are mountains, old mosques, dunes, and quiet corniches.
5. Hospitality is a Universal Language
Wherever I went, people welcomed me warmly.
Conclusion: A Story Forever in My Heart
Traveling through the United Arab Emirates felt like moving through time—past, present, and future woven together. From the glittering skyline of Dubai to the serene mosques of Abu Dhabi, the cultural heart of Sharjah, the natural beauty of Fujairah, and the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE is a world within a country.
It’s a place where dreams rise from the sand, where cultures meet without fear, and where every traveler leaves with a story.
Mine is one of awe, gratitude, and inspiration—a reminder that the world is full of places that can surprise, teach, and transform us.
Written by: moses enyobu.
Sure Media Magazine 