B
asking in the early morning sun, I sauntered
along a stretch of soft, golden sand and dipped
my toes in the clear, blue water. As I glanced back
at the beachside villa where my daughters were
dreaming happy thoughts, I felt the tension ease from my
shoulders and I knew that I was home.
I was neither born nor bred in Dubai; however, since
my parents moved there seven years ago, the glamorous,
glitzy and somewhat garish country has captured a special
place in my heart. Its eclectic blend of East meets West and
old meets new, continues to intrigue me as Dubai flaunts its
brash opulence while retaining its gentle traditions.
Dubai also delights my husband and our daughters,
although for entirely different reasons. The old adage,
“
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,”
certainly rings true for my husband, Harj, who relishes
authentic Lebanese cuisine that is so difficult to find in
Hong Kong. Meanwhile, my daughters, Piya and Nishika,
enjoy the company of their doting cousins, aunt, uncle and
grandparents, and the opportunity to run around in their
own backyard. It’s the simple pleasures in life that lure my
family to this lavish country.
And lavish is exactly how I would describe the iconic
Palm Islands. Frequently hailed as the eighth wonder of
the world, they are the largest man-made islands in the
world and can be seen from space, according to www.
grapeshisha.com, our trusted e-guide on all things Dubai.
Needless to say, when my parents invited us over to check
out their new pad on Palm Jumeirah – one of three islands
that make up the Palm – we hopped on a plane without a
moment’s hesitation.
No pain, no gain?
With two children under the age of five, the seven-hour
night flight to Dubai can only be described as painful. My
daughters simply do not have the knack of sleeping on a
plane, unlike their dad, who could sleep standing up while
I am left to handle my little screamers. Sheer exhaustion
finally got the better of them and they passed out, 15
minutes before we arrived at our destination.
My brother and sister-in-law greeted us at the airport
and drove us to my parents’ home. As we cut our way
through the notoriously bad traffic, my brother, who
owns a real estate business, recounted tales of Dubai’s
This unique place is a playground for parents and
children alike, writes
Angela Baura
.
decadent
Dubai
42
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