Who would want to explore a place at a time when there are flooded streets, crazy winds, and an apocalyptic aura? Not me. I’m not that insane enough!

In a previous blog, I talked about traveling solo overseas for the first time, and it ended up being Dubai. It’s an aspirational place for me, and I’m in awe of how the city feels so charged with energy and fun.

When I booked my flight (which was probably 7 months prior), I expected to be greeted by hot and sunny weather. It was a trip slated for April, after all. But who would have predicted the chaos that would ensue that same month?

A few days before my flight, UAE had the heaviest rainfall they’ve experienced in 75 years

Dubai even had nearly 4 inches of rain in just 12 hours, which is what it usually records in — take a guess! — an ENTIRE year. News reports even say that it equates to two years’ worth of rain in just 24 hours. Pretty intense, yes.

I remember scanning through different online articles every hour or so because there were so many stranded passengers in the airport, shattered building facades, power disruptions, and uprooted trees. Some people who were out at that time were also forced to abandon their cars because the road became a river, and floodwaters quickly rose. It’s scary. I thought long and hard about whether I should cancel my trip or if I could just wait it out.

Is it safe to go? I honestly don’t know. There was mixed feedback from online groups I joined just to see the actual conditions.

Fear and hesitation naturally (and temporarily) dwelled! I prayed a lot, and eventually, I felt some sort of peace, so I decided to see how things would pan out at their airport. There were a few passengers bound for Dubai, and they were talking about how they were waiting for 2 days because the flight kept getting cancelled. At that moment, I was already prepared for bad news, thinking that this must be life throwing me off course, but we were cleared for travel and also arrived at our destination safely!!

That was the start of my most-awaited solo vacation! But not before experiencing my fair share of challenges. Oof! Haha.

I thought I’d be welcomed by the calm in Dubai

The heavy rainfall and flooding were both out of my control. In my head, I was thinking: “Once I land, I can only hope that things work out for the best, and I can get on with my itinerary.” However, there was another surprise! My hotel booking got cancelled mid-flight, and I only learned about this right before passing immigration.

One Careem ride later, I was in the hotel lobby, panicking because my booking had been cancelled and most hotels within my budget were already full.

It was my first real issue with Agoda, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time — past 1 a.m., after a long flight, and with zero food in my system. I spent almost two hours trying to find another place, but thankfully, the hotel spared me a room for the night. Maybe they started to pity me already. Lol. Since it was close to 3am, I just grabbed a quick bite and coffee from the Starbucks inside the hotel before getting my much-deserved sleep.

By the next day, I was able to secure a new booking for the rest of my stay at Ibis Al Barsha. Stressful, but at least it worked out in the end!

Reframing helped with all the chaos I’ve experienced thus far

I’m still determined to make this trip part of my core memory, so Day 1 found me feeling reenergized, optimistic, and still excited! Nothing can stop me from enjoying all the plans I have for this trip.

When I went out, there were still a lot of wet areas, although the majority had been cleared and pumped out already. I must say, I’m really impressed by how their government handled the flooding. It was still so so recent, but they sure act fast. Some parts also had no traces of flooding whatsoever!

The only catch is that some of the transport links were affected, so I had to be a little more adventurous with my commute. Plus, I had to cancel my Ski Dubai plan because the Mall of the Emirates was partly closed.

Anyhooo… seeing Dubai in recovery, then still being able to experience a lot of happy things will forever be something I’m extremely grateful for!

ALSO READ: Female Traveler in Dubai: What I Packed, Prepped, and Learned From My First Solo Overseas Trip

My standout moments

The trip kicked off in a very challenging way, but it’s definitely not without its beautiful moments! I only had one thing in mind, and it was to enjoy my vacation. I’ll talk about these in detail in separate articles, but after getting some work stuff out of the way, I was able to do:

Skydiving

The sensory overload I got from jumping out of a plane was nothing like I’ve ever experienced before! I felt so alive! You can book your discounted experience here.

A sand dune adventure

I initially wasn’t looking forward to this that much, but the whole experience ended up becoming one of my favorites. If you ask me, saying that the desert is as pretty as a picture is a mere understatement! I highly recommend getting the Klook Pass so you can enjoy this sand dune adventure together with others! I actually availed this together with the yacht experience.

A yacht ride

Eating breakfast while looking at the picturesque views was like food for the soul.

Gold Shopping

If I could redo my first visit to this city, I’d probably spend more time exploring this famed traditional gold market in Deira.

Sunset Watching by the beach

This might sound cheesy for some, but as someone who absolutely loves to take in gorgeous sights and people watch, spending some me time at the beach felt sooooo relaxing!

Convos with Pinoys

Since there are close to half a million Filipinos residing and working in Dubai, I kept running into “Kabayans” (referring to people from back home) who were all so nice, friendly, warm, and even took the time to take care of me since I was traveling alone. Free treats!! 😋

Anyhooo… that’s it! There’s a whole lot of walking around involved in my activities. However, looking back, I haven’t been as adventurous with the local food here as I would have liked. Ragreeeetsss. Kidding!

ALSO READ: A Food Crawl Experience in Shilin Night Market: Tips and Must-Eats

A trip to paradise at the right time

I’m just so so grateful that I was divinely protected all throughout this trip, especially since it was right after a natural disaster. From my flight timing and the people I encountered and spent some time with, to smoothly and happily completing the activities I intended to do! It really was a trip to remember.

I never planned to find peace in a desert city, but Dubai gave me space to breathe when I needed it most. This just proves that even after the storm, beauty finds its way back.