Middle East Mantra: Life is uncertain so eat your dessert first

Experience that which money can buy! Check into the civil engineering marvels of Emaar and Aldar and indulge in the hospitality of the Sheikhs. The Superlative Sheikhs of the Emirates who pride over being home to the Tallest Building, Most luxurious hotel in the world, Fastest Roller Coaster, Highest Toilet with a view, Fastest Elevator, Tallest loop and the list continues, show you a perspective of life which could be put on a plaque as

“Life is uncertain, so eat your dessert first” !

You have the money? Flaunt it! Indulge! Without being apologetic about windfall from oil reserves!

The affluence seen here in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is unimaginable if one has not visited the place earlier. We have a fair idea of what money can’t buy but if you know what money can buy, be ready to stand corrected here. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if for a moment you will see that a price can be set to whole earth and the Sheikhs can buy it off in the universe of souk. Emaar and Aldar will be ready to build a mall for such a trade too!

If the thought or question arises that “With so much money, the world hunger problem could be solved. But why isn’t it solved yet?” — then you have hit a superlative yourself of human philosophical inquiry about “nature of human existence in metaphysical world”.

Coming here, I learnt the difference between desire and vision. Humans inherently have desire which mostly is about fulfilling material pursuits or fulfilling personal ambitions. A human always thinks the desire can be controlled and this is probably the monstrous misunderstanding in nature of human being. The first experience of desire is when one crosses the line from bare necessities into the affluence in food, clothing and shelter, with a promise to not take another step into the material world of indulgence, only to turn casualty to their thriving desire that pushes them deeper and deeper into the material indulgence. The desire is also about personal ambitions – be it excellence in a specific faculty or a relaxation retreat! This desire is the force which keeps life alive and kicking…that which makes us wake up, kick ourselves out of bed and go out there putting our creative energies into action that generates value which can be encashed as currency to fulfill the desire, only to see that it is more fueled than fulfilled.

On the other hand we have seen some humans who somehow have managed to take their desire to a state that has transformed and manifested into a vision which is not personal in nature but inclusive.

It is also ironic that for ourselves we like to desire and work towards fulfilling it but we complain all the time, everywhere about how others lack vision to build a inclusive world! We like to live a life of indulgence which is about giving expression to human desire but we complain about other human beings being selfish and working for vested interests. I laughed at myself that I asked this question as to why the Sheikhs aren’t solving the world hunger problem, when I could solve a minuscule part of world hunger myself with my earnings and yet I haven’t done it! Why? — Well it is my desire which is personal!

I asked myself — Is this desire to be apologetic about? The answer is NO. A BIG NO indeed! The desire itself is not be apologetic about as its the centripetal force of human life. However I would try to use this wisdom to moderate how I used it as the centrifugal force towards fellow humans who indulged! I would try to be more responsible, non-judgmental, compassionate and empathetic when I see others indulge as I have come to understand the nature of human desire a little more better than I did. I will use the energy that was wasted in complaining about how selfish the world is or how materialistic the world is becoming, to rather look inward and go out and solve the problems I see to the extent I can by transforming an iota of that personal desire into inclusive vision. Because what I see as “too much” is “too little for someone else” and what could be “too little” for me might be “too much for someone” — The reality is material indulgence or vested interests or selfishness or affluence or luxury are all subjective terminology and there isn’t a gospel that is signed by all humans in agreement of calibration.

Now some DIY guide to traverse in this desert of abundance where you can have your piece of dessert!

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the highlights of UAE and give it a good 10/11 days for an experience that you can put on your superlative memoirs.

Travel Tip: Most of the bookings to attractions can be done using the Klook app. Photo story of the itinerary below.

Day-1,2: Dubai – Atlantis, The Palm

Land in Dubai and straight dive into the superlative of a lavish land, Atlantis, The Palm that starts with the airport transfer in a luxury car arranged by the hotel. The most exotic rooms, rooms with extra-ordinary views, extravagant buffet of foods from all of the world prepared by the masterchefs and exciting in-house facilities that literally pull the earth beneath your foot taking you to the seventh heaven of splendor.

 

Day 3: Abu Dhabi – Desert Safari

Recommend the desert Safari in Abu Dhabi over Dubai as it is less crowded and also the dunes are higher making the sight a delight.

Day 4: Abu Dhabi – City Tour and Warner Bros Studio

Day 5: Abu Dhabi – Ferrari World

Ferrari world is home to fastest roller coaster in the world and the tallest loop. Get ready for a day filled with adventure and adrenaline.

 

Day 6: Dubai – Burj Khalifa and Dubai – Mall and Fountain

Day 7: Dubai – Miracle Garden and Global Village

Visit Miracle Garden in the morning and head to Global Village by 4pm. Global village has many countries represented and set up a market for some of best from their home countries to shop for. It is a wonderful world market to shop for.

Day 8: Dubai – Frames and Dubai Marina

Dubai frame is a photo stop. Optional trip into the frame.

Day 9: Dubai – Shopping – Meena Bazaar, Souks

Visit Meena Bazaar for shopping apparel, accessories and dates. Souks for gold and spices. For branded shopping, visit Malls – Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Marina Mall, Ibn Batuta Mall and many others in Dubai.

Day 10: Dubai – Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai (New year fireworks at Burj Khalifa)

Ski Dubai is an experience in Mall of Emirates if you are not in for some real skiing in ski resorts of the world. Plan to visit Dubai/Abu Dhabi during December and be at Burj Khalifa for the new year fireworks – it is one of a sight not to miss.

Day 11: Return home from Dubai