Dubai Stopover – A City of Superlatives
After a long flight from Kuala Lumpur, we arrived in Dubai for a surprise stopover – planned especially for Hartley, who loves architecture and tall buildings.
We made a quick trip into the city centre, where everything felt bigger, shinier, and more extravagant than anywhere we’ve been. The Burj Khalifa was incredible – soaring high above the skyline, even more impressive in person. We explored the nearby Dubai Mall and were honestly overwhelmed by the wealth on display – designer shops, luxury cars, and jaw-dropping opulence everywhere.
That evening, we stayed to watch the Burj Khalifa light show – a stunning display of colour and music that lit up the night sky.
A short but memorable stop in a city that truly lives up to the hype.
From Dubai Skyscrapers to Essex Seaside – Next Stop: The UK
After a long overnight flight from Dubai, we finally touched down in London – tired but excited to begin the UK leg of our journey. A quick train ride took us out to Essex, where we stayed with family and eased into a slower pace after the heat and height of the Middle East.
We spent time exploring some of Kat’s old stomping grounds. Our first stop was St Osyth, where she used to go camping as a kid. From there, we headed to the classic seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, where the kids enjoyed the pierand the nostalgic penny machines — all the traditional British seaside fun.
A quick visit to the charming beach huts at Frinton-on-Sea to see the beach huts, although the East Coast beaches here were typically stony, cold, and windy, your typical thought of what an English coastline is meant to be.
In Maldon, we took a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, admiring the historic Thames barges — a really cool part of the area’s maritime history and a nice connection to Kat’s family roots, as her dad grew up nearby.
Next up was Cambridge, which turned out to be a real highlight. We wandered beautiful old streets and explored some brilliant museums that had everyone engaged for hours. A perfect mix of learning and sightseeing.
We also squeezed in a day trip into London, diving straight into the hustle and bustle of the inner city. We visited the Natural History Museum, took in sights like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and enjoyed a stroll through the park nearby. A funny moment stood out when we watched a couple attempt to eat a gigantic pain au chocolat — and they even shared a piece with us! London hospitality at its best.
Once again, Hartley took charge of navigating the subway system, guiding us through the Tube like seasoned locals. It was a fantastic first taste of London, and we’re already planning to come back for more.
Europe, Here We Come!
Our UK chapter was a wonderful blend of family, history, and city adventures — but the journey isn’t over yet. Next up, Europe! First stop: The Netherlands, where we’ll be picking up our very own motorhome to begin the next leg of our travels.
Stay tuned — exciting adventures await!
