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Home » Destinations » UAE » Solo traveller exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Solo traveller exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi

August 12, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Last updated 14 April 2020

A pitstop in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Burj Khalifa from 23rd Floor Terrace Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai. (image supplied)

The sparkling lights from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa dominates the view from my hotel window.

I’m perched on the sofa in my 15th-floor room in the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai waiting for my large bath to fill. It’s been a hectic couple of days since my early morning arrival in Dubai airport some 36 hours earlier. I’m looking forward to a relaxing soak and the chance to absorb downtown Dubai’s stunning cityscape for the last time.

Renaissance Downtown Hotel Dubai

This was my inaugural visit to the UAE and to make every moment of my three-day layover in the UAE, my itinerary was packed. I’d booked what I considered would give me a taste of the two largest Emirate cities, including selecting hotels with a hint of luxe.

But I was traveling alone in a country I’d not traveled in before, where the ratio of men to women is three to one.

Would I feel safe?

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Read about my Arabian adventures in my story A solo female traveller in Abu Dhabi and Dubai published on Your Life Choices website

 

Filed Under: My Top Ten or Five, Single Mum Travel Tales, UAE, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Solo female traveller in Abu Dhabi, travelling on your own in Dubai, what to see and do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

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travelbugwithin

Part two of the Marburg road trip. (One day I'll Part two of the Marburg road trip.

(One day I'll discover how to share longer clips on Instagram!)

In the meantime, part one is in the post prior 😄
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#discoveripswich
#brisbane
#queensland 
#roadtrips
At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the s At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the small country town of Marburg awaits. Turn off the Warrego Highway and discover a little community filled with friendly locals and a few surprises.

Take your wallets / credit cards / coin because there's some shopping and pub food to enjoy. And we can always play our part in supporting the locals.

Take a peek at a few of the experiences a group of us discovered in  Marburg. (This is part one - 2nd to follow!)
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#discoveripswich
#visitbrisbane
#holidayherethisyear
#queensland
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Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

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.
.

#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
.
.

.
#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

.
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#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
.
.
.

@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

.
.
.
.

#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
Load More... Follow on Instagram

travelbugwithin

Part two of the Marburg road trip. (One day I'll Part two of the Marburg road trip.

(One day I'll discover how to share longer clips on Instagram!)

In the meantime, part one is in the post prior 😄
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#brisbane
#queensland 
#roadtrips
At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the s At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the small country town of Marburg awaits. Turn off the Warrego Highway and discover a little community filled with friendly locals and a few surprises.

Take your wallets / credit cards / coin because there's some shopping and pub food to enjoy. And we can always play our part in supporting the locals.

Take a peek at a few of the experiences a group of us discovered in  Marburg. (This is part one - 2nd to follow!)
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#visitbrisbane
#holidayherethisyear
#queensland
#daytrips
#roadtripspain
Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

.
.
.

#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
.
.

.
#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

.
.
.
#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
.
.
.

@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

.
.
.
.

#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
Load More... Follow on Instagram

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