Dr Dilip Khairnar’s Family Tale from Dubai with Thrillophilia
The first thing I noticed about Dubai was efficiency. Stepping out of the plane in March 2025, everything moved like clockwork with purpose.
“Papa, this airport looks like a luxury magazine,” my daughter said while glancing around at the endless perfume shops and polished interiors as we made our way to immigration.
Our trip had officially begun.
We were four travellers - my wife, our son, our daughter, and I. We were all ready to experience Dubai in its rawest form. Our trip was planned with Thrillophilia, and the moment we met our coordinator, I knew we were in good hands.
“Buckle up,” he smiled, “this city does not slow down.”
And he was right.
The drive from the airport itself felt cinematic. The Burj Khalifa stood tall in the distance, while luxury cars moved past as if they were running late for a James Bond scene. Our hotel faced the shimmering Dubai Marina, and as we stepped onto the balcony that first night, the city was glowing.
Day of Heights, Depths, and Flower Walls
We started our adventure at the Burj Khalifa. Of course.
Going up 148 floors in under a minute is not something your body forgets quickly. Although the elevator was silent, our hearts were racing.
At the top, my son scanned the vast expanse of Dubai. “I can literally see the curve of the Earth. That is insane,” he said while clicking panoramic shots from his phone.
My daughter stepped up beside him and added, “And my future apartment.”
My wife laughed.
The view stretched endlessly with land, water, light, and movement. It was a reminder of what ambition looks like when it is concrete and steel.
From there, we went to the Dubai Aquarium. I lost track of time while watching sharks and rays glide through giant tunnels of water. My son had clearly done his homework.
“This is a blacktip reef shark. And that one is a giant grouper,” he narrated.
Then, we travelled to the Miracle Garden. If the Aquarium was blue and cool, this was a riot of colour and warmth. There were petals everywhere, and a full-sized Airbus covered in flowers.
My wife got henna done by a local artist while my daughter took about 40 photos in the butterfly dome.
The Desert Day with Engines and Dunes
Our third evening was booked for the Desert Safari.
The moment our 4x4 tilted sideways on a dune, my wife’s voice shouted. Our daughter screamed and laughed at the same time, while our son shouted, “That was fun! Let us do it again!” as though we were on a rollercoaster.
We then indulged in sandboarding. Predictably, we all fell, but we loved it.
As the sun began to set on the horizon, we reached the Bedouin-style desert camp. We were greeted with camel rides, falcon photos, and mint tea.
Soon, the dinner was spread with kebabs, flatbreads, rice, and dips. A belly dancer twirled in the centre, fire flickered in pots, and Arabic music flowed through the cool desert air.
“Papa, this feels like Aladdin’s party,” my daughter whispered.
I agreed, though I was more interested in the dates and Arabic coffee, as they both were excellent.
That night, the sky was alive. The constellations, quiet conversations, and the occasional laugh from across the camp filled the atmosphere.
A City’s Dual Personality
If there is one thing I did not expect, it was Global Village. You hear “cultural park” and imagine something slow-paced. But, it was exactly the opposite here.
You will find live shows and Turkish ice cream vendors with magician-level reflexes. Moreover, there were shops from Egypt, China, and Morocco, and each food stall smelled like someone opened the gates to a hundred kitchens.
My son got tricked by a Turkish vendor who pretended to hand him ice cream and then spun it away. Classic.
“Justice for my scoop,” he declared as my daughter burst out laughing.
My wife loved shopping for lanterns, embroidered pouches, and a hand-carved chess set that now sits on our shelf at home.
The next day, we visited the Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai’s past preserved in soft beige walls and narrow alleys. We stopped at a tiny café, where we drank spiced Karak tea served in glass cups too hot to hold for long.
We walked slowly and found a tiny museum about old currency, a pottery shop with no signboard, and a rooftop view that framed the city’s old and new sides in a single picture.
Finale on Water
For our final evening, we saved the Marina Dhow Cruise. And what a choice that was!
The wooden boat moved through Dubai Marina gently, and the lights rippled on the water.
We sat on the open deck with plates filled from the buffet and the breeze carrying faint Arabic melodies. The skyline reflected in the water, and everything felt... paused.
My daughter scrolled through her photos while my son leaned back. My wife rested her hand in mine, and for once, everything slowed down.
As the boat turned back to the dock, my wife said, “It was a beautiful journey that we will cherish forever. Thank you for this wonderful trip!”
Read More: Thrillophilia Dubai Reviews