The Walk

What would you do if you had the opportunity to live out your dreams? A group of sixteen travelers got to find out on a one week trip to the United Arab Emirates. Ebony Lewis, esteemed administrator of the Facebook group “I TAKE TRIPS TOO”, hosted a trip to the United Arab Emirates titled Dubai Reloaded. This world traveler was given the supreme opportunity to bear witness to the trip of a lifetime.

It all began with a 12 hour flight from JFK International Airport. The anticipation of watching the flight path on a seven inch screen left me unable to sleep or get comfortable. The Emirates flight crew made the lengthy flight enjoyable with their meals, drinks and service, but I digress. This is not about them!

An 8:30 am arrival and a connection with a fellow traveler sent me headfirst into getting out my dreams. We taxied to our hotel; Hilton Dubai The Walk and were greeted by a delightful reception team who allowed us to check in early. The group chat was “beaming” with excitement as members of the group made their way and our host was constantly checking in to answer questions. Soon we would all meet each other in person for the first time.

The Accommodations

Dubai’s Hilton: The Walk, is located in the center of the shopping district and waterfront community known as Jumeirah Beach. This amazing property features a private beach, two pools and twelve restaurants as well as access to neighboring Hilton properties. Its spacious rooms and incredible view lived up to the hype.

Meet and Greet

Sixteen weary travelers shook off the jet lag to take the group out of the chat. We enjoyed our first meal together clad in royal blue t-shirts and name tags. The introductions commenced over coffee and breakfast. Before we knew it, it was time to hit the ground running!

The Itinerary

Our first full day in the UAE began with a coach tour of Dubai. A vibrant and funny tour guide nicknamed Whiskey led us on a historic tour. We viewed the world's tallest structure, The Burj Khalifa, the Museum of the Future, the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khataab Mosque, and the Sheikh’s palace. Our guide’s vast knowledge, attention to detail and witty sense of humor made the day tour an excellent introduction to our surroundings.

The next day began with a group photo shoot on the beach. Fellow tourists watched, pointed and even took photos of their own while our photographer immortalized our purple ensembles with the Jumeirah Beach as a backdrop. It was not only fun, but hilarious.

What followed was a desert safari. Imagine riding through the desert on quad bikes and sand surfing in Toyota Land Cruisers until sunset. Then, we spent the evening enjoying authentic local cuisine, hookah, belly dancing and fire eating. Some of us, “wink, wink” enjoyed an open bar. It was as enjoyable as it was exhausting!

Abu Dhabi

Ebony kept us busy! Because the next day we had a full day in Abu Dhabi. Our first stop was a tour of the sacred and opulent Sheikh Fayed Grand Mosque. We made our way through this beautifully architectured place of worship that was adorned in gold, and crystal. Its views left me speechless.

We also visited Heritage Village, a throwback to the time when Abu Dhabi’s citizens lived in desert dwellings. A personal highlight was an almost secret shop with gorgeous rugs with threads of gold. The tour ended with a delightful lunch at the InterContinental Luxury Hotel. We ate, laughed and reminisced about our trip thus far. Then, we took an hour and a half journey back to The Walk.

Breakfast on a Yacht

Yes, a yacht. After a long day of walking, breakfast on a yacht was just what the doctor ordered. We drifted out on the sea eating an assortment of muffins, croissants and omelets while a dj played our favorite songs. Dancing to the music, we enjoyed cocktails, stories and laughs…lots of laughs. The captain and crew were gracious. The yacht was luxurious and the weather was amazing. What more could we ask for?

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea at Saya Brasserie was nothing short of delightful! Saya is encompassed by flowers in every vibrant color. Its assortment of teas, hummus and custom desserts were worth the trip. It was a quaint little cafe to sit down with new travel friends and enjoy lunch, photos and conversation.

Global Village

What do you do on your last day in Dubai? You squeeze in as much as you possibly can. It started with a leisurely morning and a long walk on the beach followed by breakfast at WOFL. Global Village was the icing on the cake. Most of the group made their way to this Dubai attraction where ninety cultures converge with the best of food, shopping, entertainment. At Global Village, you could walk all day long and still not see everything there is to see. I must say, shopping deals were made and a time was had!

And Just Like that…

It was time to go home. Once again, taking a trip with Ebony was an experience for the ages. We said our goodbyes and vowed to see each other again.