Lakeshore Dining Divas: Arabian Adventure in Dubai with Nancy & Kelle!

For our August dining adventure, we're taking our readers outside the Tri-Cities area, out of West Michigan, even out of the U.S. and across the Atlantic Ocean - and all the way to Dubai! Why Dubai? Because Kelle and Nancy decided to go there on a little vacation; neither had been there before and Nancy was on her way to India. So, where's Dubai? It's in the Middle East, along the Persian Gulf. It's the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Despite dreadfully hot temperatures (around 110 degrees), we decided to go on a "Desert Safari," which included an exciting (actually, wild!) ride across desert sand dunes, a visit to a date grove, a camel ride, and an under-the-stars dinner at a Beduoin camp. The food was excellent... right down to the traditional Arabic coffee and sweets.

After learning that Dubai had a musical fountain outside the Dubai Mall (adjacent to the Burj Khalifa), we - as loyal and true Grand Haven-ites - knew we just HAD to check it out. And sure enough, Dubai does have dancing waters... but the Burj Dubai's musical fountain only plays ONE song and has no colored lights. What a disappointment! So, it's really more like the musical fountain at the Bellagio in Las Vegas... it can't begin to compete with OUR musical fountain!

The flight time was 13 1/2 hours from Washington Dulles Airport

Nancy Levenburg ~ Kelle Lynn in the Arabian Desert in Dubai!

The camel ride at night was part of the adventure with our friends, Irene, and her son, JJ. Irene (a colleague and long-time friend of Nancy's) is originally from Chenai, India and teaches at George Washington University in DC. Nancy, Irene and JJ continued their journey to India, while Kelle stayed a day to see Abu Dhabi.

Date tree in the desert.

Dates from the tree to the table! We loved this popular Middle Eastern staple. While we were offered dates as an appetizer, they can also be served covered with chocolate for dessert.

An abundance of Middle Eastern food was served at the Bedouin Camp in the desert. We couldn't even pronounce several of the dishes, but were eager to try a little of everything. The food was spectacular.

Quite a dinner feast!

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 2,722 feet and 163 floors. Construction began in Septemer 2004 and officially opened in January 2010. The observation deck is on the 124th floor. The high-speed elevator that takes you there is truly amazing. It travels 10 mitres per second (or about 33 feet per second)... and you don't feel a single thing.

Magnificent view of Dubai from the Burj Khalifa.
The dark circles in the pool are the musical fountain.

A fellow traveler that works for the US Embassy in Afghanistan recommended we try this restaurant located at the base of the Burj Khalifa at the Dubai Mall.