A Strong Coffee

Whilst staying in Dubai we decided to take the boys up the tallest building in the world. Well up to floor 124 with a brief lift change at 125. We had pre booked tickets on their website before our stay. This needs doing as there are times slots for viewing and just turning up costs more if there is availability. Children under 4 are free so we didn't need to pay for little man. You are allowed through 10 mins before your time a slot. You then walk through screens talking through the building of the structure. There is then a video where Tom Cruise is doing some amazing stunts off the building. Next you go into a dark lift that whizzes you up the 124 floors.

There were two things that hit me about the view from the top. Firstly, you couldn't see as far as I expected. I was expecting to see The Palm. You couldn't. Infact you could only just see the Burj Al Arab in the distance.

Secondly, it really hit me how much your perspective was distorted. There were numerous small buildings which were actually large skyscrapers. They just weren't as tall as the one we were in. 

It was interesting to see and a one off experience. Apparently one where you then need to go and buy a variety of snow globes in the gift shop! Unfortunately middle men's camel in a baseball cap snow globe didn't make it a full week without him smashing it. Hey ho, we will just need to go back again. Oh and as it is number 3 on the list of place to take selfies, I took my fair share - it is probably up to number 2 now!

From the moment you walk into Atlantis, you get the feeling that you have entered one of the massive themed hotels of Vegas. You walk past a variety of high End shops to the entrance of Aquaadventure. We had pre purchased tickets (as it is cheaper than buying on the day) but so had a lot of other guests and queued for a good half an hour to forty five minutes to get in. So make sure you get there early - they open at 10am. You can hire towels, lockers, cameras and even pre pay for meals. If you go for the family sized locker, be aware that there aren't family changing rooms - this caused quite a bit of confusion when we got our clothes mixed up in the bags!  It is worth noting that at 1.2 m you have to purchase an adult ticket as this is the height you need to be to ride the bigger waterflumes.

I have to say it was really confusing entering the park. You are expected to know how it all works and we hadn't got a clue. We weren't given a map and I believe that you can only get one at reception. There is a large child's water park similar to drench towers at Legoland. We headed here first. There were no free sunbeds so we stood at the side and watched the children.

Big man and his Dad went and rode one of the larger flumes and we finally worked out that we could take the younger children on the numerous Rapids rides if we each got a double dingy with a child seat. This was easier said than done! Unfortunately people grab hold of them like sunbeds and keep them for themselves. We finally managed to find 2 so could enjoy the rides. The Rapids went on for a good hour but there were numerous places you could stop in between, if you wanted to get out/needed to.

There was also a shorter wave pool that we enjoyed.

I rode the shark attack with big man which is a flume in the dark that then takes you slowly through a pool of Sharks and rays. I have to admit to being really frightened as I was worried he had got us on the wrong ride, which is a shear drop into the tanks. I should have trusted him more!

Big man went with Daddy to ride some other flumes whilst I relaxed on the beach with the younger two. We had a nice view of Burj Al Arab and due to its location on the Palm the sea was calm with no waves due to the location. It is a lovely place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the waterpark.

At around 5 we got changed and headed to the lost chambers before leaving at around 6. Here we found out the main problem with visiting Aquaadventure. There were no taxis and a HUGE queue. Talking to people it was about a 2 1/2hr wait. We chose to ride the monorail back to the Gateway in a hope of getting a taxi there. Whilst there were fewer people there were still no taxis. If we went again and the children were older, I would recommend staying later in Atlantis and eating there. Finally we did get a taxi but the traffic was mayhem accounting for the no taxi situation.

We had a lovely time in the park even with the niggles I had. Hopefully if you have read this and go you will be more clued up and find it easier. When it is warm there is nothing better than splashing around in the water or laying in the shade of a palm tree. There are many other things you can do there such as swim with dolphins, feed rays and use high wires all at an extra cost. We had a great day and I would recommend it to anyone with children over the age of 3 who are confident in the water.

Daily life is hectic and holidays are so important to take time to relax and enjoy being a family.

We have spent half term sharing new experiences together.

We have been to the highest heights.

Had fun at in the sun.

We met a grumpy camel for a ride. I can't blame him for being grumpy with all that getting up and down in the heat.

Little man was adored by everyone he met. He drew hearts in the sand as "I love you a big bit Mummy." Unfortunately his love is not never ending as "I love Daddy a little bit!"

We were impressed by the towel art. Little man took the rose and gave it to me "I got this for you Mummy" I can't help but think that in years to come he will be taking roses out of my vase to give to a girl!

Middle Man kept talking about his role as a shepherd when he saw the Arabs headwear.

Daddy got to enjoy not one, or two but three Birthday cakes! (Middle Man couldn't help but tell everyone it was his Daddy's Birthday.)

I stayed off social media most of the time which was pretty good. I need to do this more often.

Big man enjoyed the water park.

We had fun in the sun and enjoyed being together.