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A bit of a different trip this time. I’ve been working in software and automation development for a while, but I finally decided to make the full transition from mechanical engineering-based software development to a broader software engineering career. Luckily, I got accepted onto a software engineering course backed by Imperial College London. The catch? I found out after booking this trip.
So, for the first time ever, this wasn’t just a holiday—it was a holiday with classes.
Getting There
Flew with Swiss Air and had a layover in Zurich. Fun fact: Zurich Airport has a flight viewing deck with binoculars, so you can watch planes take off and land. A nice touch while waiting for the next flight.
Landed in Dubai at 2 AM. I don’t know what it is about flights to and from the Middle East, but they always seem to happen at the most inconvenient hours.
First Impressions
After catching up on some much-needed sleep, we spent the first evening at Global Village. It’s a huge outdoor festival where each country or continent has its own area with food, shopping, and entertainment. Standouts?
- The best mango sticky rice I’ve ever had outside of Thailand.
- The Bosnian kebab stall—super popular and for good reason.
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Balancing Travel and Study
The next day, my software engineering course officially started. The requirement? Stay online for a daily lecture for the first two weeks, then weekly sessions for six months, plus assignments and exams. Finding a café with good WiFi in the Middle East is surprisingly easy, so that helped.
Later, we explored Dubai Mall. The mall itself was nice, and they even have a light show, similar to the one in Singapore.
Pro tip: If you take the metro there, leave early. The metro isn’t 24/7, and if you miss it, taxis will take advantage of you.
For dinner, we tried P.F. Chang’s. Not exactly local cuisine, but the Dynamite Shrimp? Worth it.
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Beach, Burgers & The Marina
Started the next day at Marina Beach, but first, a quick 1:1 call with a course tutor at a nearby café to clear up some learning hour requirements. Breakfast? Nutella muffins and coffee.
Then, the beach.
Unfortunately, my shoes were not the right choice. Sand and bad footwear don’t mix.
For lunch, we tried Salt—decent burgers, but a bit pricey. Walked along the marina after. Honestly, I could happily live on a marina. They always look amazing—at least in the Middle East.
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Abu Dhabi: Slower, Quieter, Different
We rented a car and drove to Abu Dhabi for a few days. Once outside Dubai, the roads were smooth, and the drive was actually relaxing.
Abu Dhabi has a much quieter, more relaxed vibe. The malls here, though? Confusing.
Desert Safari & Connectivity Fail
Next day, we had a desert safari booked. Let me tell you, getting online for a lecture in the middle of the desert? Not happening. I don’t know what I was thinking.
The safari itself?
- Camel riding ✔️
- Dune bashing ✔️ (Could have been longer, though.)
Back in Abu Dhabi, we took a scenic walk down The Corniche—perfect for jogging or cycling.
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The Grand Mosque & The Sweetest Surprise
We visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and it did not disappoint. An architectural masterpiece.
Then, it was time for another lecture, so we stopped by Parker’s, a café we’d been meaning to try. Their Matilda cake (inspired by that scene in Matilda) was ridiculously good—chocolate poured all over it.
Later that night, we checked out Emirates Palace. Finding parking? A challenge. But inside, we were surprised to find the largest Christmas tree we’d ever seen.
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The Last Few Stops
On our last day in Abu Dhabi, we made a quick stop at Yas Island before driving back to Dubai.
Apparently, buying Apple products in the Middle East is cheaper than in the UK (though still not as cheap as in the US). We checked out some phones but didn’t end up buying anything.
Back in Dubai, we returned the rental car—probably should have done that before exploring the Gold Souks area. The traffic was intense, but at least the metro was nearby.
Dinner was at Dubai Creek, a beautiful riverside spot designed to look like an old town. We ordered seafood, but the portions? Huge. If you ever go, order less than you think you need.
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The Journey Home (via Switzerland)
On the way back, we had a layover in Switzerland, which was a shock to the system temperature-wise. We didn’t even have coats.
We stayed indoors as much as possible but still managed to:
- Visit a museum
- Grab a hot chocolate
- Try fondue (which, fun fact, is supposedly lactose-intolerant-friendly—though that’s not an issue for us)
Final Thoughts
This trip was a mix of new experiences, studying, and navigating two very different cities.
Would I juggle coursework and travel again? Maybe. But next time, I’ll rethink my internet connection plans before heading into the desert.
