DUBAI

June 2014

Dubai: An Unexpected Utopia

Summer 2014 was, by any measure, a monumental one for us. Our baby girl, Ellah, was just three months old, and with neither my family nor my husband’s having met her yet, we decided to embark on an ambitious 'around-the-world' trip. It was the perfect excuse to introduce our daughter to our families. Our first port of call? The glittering, sun-drenched metropolis of Dubai.

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A Meeting of Hearts

We arrived in Dubai during a scorching June, greeted by the kind of heat that is unbearable if you aren't prepared for it! But the heat was the last thing on my mind. My father and stepmother had flown in from Tehran to meet us— it was the first time my husband would meet my father in person.

My husband was understandably nervous, and my dad was perhaps just as apprehensive. However, to our delight, they bonded almost instantly. I had always hoped they would get on, but seeing them together was heart-warming.

My father told me he was genuinely happy for me and my new life, which was incredibly uplifting to hear. It felt like the ultimate blessing, especially considering that, initially, he had been quite hesitant about my decision to marry someone from a different country and cultural background. Spending those few days together changed everything; he gave us his full, happy approval, and that is a memory I will cherish forever.

Lessons in 'Light' Packing

We had a marvellous stay, though leaving was bittersweet. I look back now at that six-week journey with a three-month-old and have to chuckle at my younger self.

I was convinced I needed absolutely everything. We packed the entire nursery: the travel cot, the car seat, and every conceivable gadget. Every time my husband questioned why I was packing so much, my standard reply was, "But I might need this!" We ended up dragging four massive suitcases and a travel cot across the globe. Unpacking and repacking all that gear at every stop was, shall we say, not the most practical thing. If I could give one piece of advice to new parents travelling, it would be: pack light! I certainly learned my lesson that summer.

The Ever-Changing Skyline

Having lived in Iran, Dubai was our neighbour, and I had visited several times before. Yet, even with those previous trips, the city never fails to leave me speechless. The speed of its development, the cultural evolution, and the staggering improvement in the quality of life are nothing short of breathtaking.

A highlight of our trip was visiting the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We were incredibly fortunate to be invited up to the 123rd floor of the residential area, thanks to a friend who lived there. Looking out over the city from that height was a spectacular experience I shall never forget.

Dubai is a city that constantly reinvents itself, and I always leave feeling a little bit more amazed than when I arrived.

Have you ever travelled with a very young baby? Did you make the mistake of 'over-packing' as I did, or were you a pro at keeping it minimal? Let me know your travel tips in the comments below!