UAE & Oman - A baby moon between skyscrapers & sand dunes

Our baby moon unfolded somewhere between jetlag, sunrise skyscrapers, desert dunes, coral reefs, museums, mosques - and a growing appreciation for slowing down (at least occasionally).

Dubai wasted no time easing us in. A brutally early start delivered us straight into the city’s defining rhythm: efficiency, scale, and spectacle. After checking into a Downtown apartment, we wandered around the Dubai Mall area, scouting food and accidentally getting swept along by the post–fountain-show crowd surge - a very Dubai kind of welcome.

The next morning began in a way that still makes me question our decision-making: sunrise from the Burj Khalifa. Watching the city slowly wake up from 456 meters above ground was undeniably magical - the desert haze, the quiet, the sense of being suspended between night and day. Worth the 5am alarm? Annoyingly so, yes.

Dubai then showed its social side: brunch at Palm Jumeirah, a marina stroll (plus a spontaneous boat ride), and an international surprise birthday party that somehow felt like we completely belong in this city. A long-overdue sleep-in followed - before logistics took over: repacking, luggage storage, and a deep dive into Old Dubai.

The walking tour through Al Fahidi, the Gold and Spice Souks, and crossing the creek on a wooden abra felt like stepping into a parallel universe - slower, more tactile, and refreshingly human. Tea, karak, hibiscus juice, polite but relentless vendors, and a guide with very strong opinions on polygamy made for an entertaining cultural crash course.

Muscat immediately felt different. Cleaner, calmer, humbler. No skyscrapers, no flashy cars - just a quiet confidence. We aimed high: a “best of Oman” in three days… with a pregnant wife. Ambitious? Yes. Sensible? Debatable.

A long drive took us through barren mountains, palm-dotted valleys, and the ruins of Ibra (where the highlight turned out to be an excellent specialty coffee stop). Wadi Bani Khalid itself was initially underwhelming - until curiosity kicked in. A bat cave crawl, some light rock climbing, and a swim later, it felt earned.

The day peaked with a very optimistic attempt to drive into the desert without a 4WD. Getting stuck - and unstuck with the help of some amused locals - was humbling and hilarious. Romantic sunset dinner plans were replaced with phenomenal Yemeni roadside food.

The following day belonged to the water. A snorkelling and diving trip to the Daymaniyat Islands delivered turtles, octopuses (including a mating attempt we didn’t ask for), clear water, and sunshine. My 150th dive ended up being eclipsed by Didi casually spotting more wildlife while snorkelling - fair enough.

Muscat itself revealed its limits on day three. Aside from the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque - one of the most impressive mosques we’ve ever seen - the city struggled to keep us engaged. Mutrah Corniche worked, the souk was pleasant, but beaches, hot springs and “must-see” Google spots fell flat. Sometimes a place just doesn’t click, but that’s okay.

Returning to Dubai felt familiar, but calmer this time. We upgraded views (41st floor), slowed mornings, and mixed spectacle with surprises. Palm Jumeirah delivered again - Atlantis Aquarium, absurdly large tanks, a brief mermaid show - followed by panoramic views from The View platform.

One unexpected highlight: road cycling in the desert. The Al Qudra bike track was immaculate - wide loops cutting through dunes, oryx sightings, concentrated solar plants shimmering in the distance. Forty-two kilometres later, legs burning, it felt wildly satisfying.

The emotional high point came the next day: a pregnancy photoshoot in the dunes. Flowing dresses, sand, soft light, and a very present little human kicking along to the music - easily one of the most meaningful moments of the trip.

Abu Dhabi surprised us: Quieter, greener, less frantic - and refreshingly affordable. The cultural district on Saadiyat Island impressed immediately: The Louvre Abu Dhabi stood out not just architecturally, but conceptually; telling humanity’s story through shared themes rather than borders.

The final day stacked the highlights: teamLab Phenomena, the brand-new Natural History Museum (hello T-Rex and blue whale skeleton), and the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - a white marble masterpiece glowing at dusk.

Some admin drama with a cancelled flight added some stress towards the end, but even that couldn’t overshadow the sense of closure. This felt like a full stop.

Posh city life, raw nature, futuristic museums, ancient rituals - and somewhere in between, the quiet awareness that this chapter is closing, and another is already forming. We came home grateful: for smooth roads and bumpy ones, for warm water and warm food, for beauty, generosity, and time together. Sunshine will be missed (Amsterdam’s 3°C rain did not ease us back in), but home - and what’s coming next - feels exactly right.

Shukran, UAE 🇦🇪 & Oman 🇴🇲