A Restful Day in Dubai Before Heading to Japan

Today was all about taking a breather and recharging before our next big adventure in Japan. But even on a “rest day,” Dubai didn’t disappoint with its mix of relaxation and excitement.

We started the day with an incredible breakfast buffet at our hotel. It’s safe to say that Dubai knows how to do breakfast right, with an endless array of dishes that had something for everyone. After fueling up, we decided to head out and explore one of Dubai’s most iconic spot—Atlantis, The Palm.

Visiting Atlantis was like stepping into another world. We spent some time wandering through their stunning aquarium, where we were surrounded by vibrant marine life. The kids were in awe of the colorful fish and the sheer size of the tanks. Walking around the hotel itself was equally mesmerizing; the architecture and attention to detail are just next-level. It’s no wonder Atlantis is a must-see for anyone visiting Dubai. It also brought back great memories of when we were here in 2014 and 2015.

Here are some photos when we were here in 2014 and 2015. Seems like yesterday but our children are so much older!

After our time at Atlantis, we headed back to the hotel and faced a tough decision: Should we brave the 110°F heat for a desert safari, or opt for something a bit more comfortable? Common sense (and the intense summer sun) won out, and we decided to stay indoors. Instead of the safari, we hit the hotel gym, where we got our workout in with the blessing of air conditioning—definitely the right call!

Dinner was another highlight. We indulged in the hotel’s buffet again, and thanks to my status with Hyatt, we enjoyed it on the house. Hyatt, you’ve really outdone yourself on this trip! The buffet was nothing short of spectacular, with a spread that was both diverse and delicious.

While most of the family headed back to the room to rest, Dakota and I decided to squeeze in a little more activity before the day was done. We headed over to the Dubai World Trade Center, which has an interesting summer transformation. They turn their conference center into an athletic facility, and we rented a tennis court inside the convention hall. Playing tennis there was such a unique experience—where else can you say you’ve played tennis in a conference center? Dakota beat me, of course, but it was a blast.

We wrapped up the day by getting everything ready for our departure tomorrow morning. We’re driving to the airport early, where we’ll fly to Bangkok and then on to Tokyo. As much as we’ve enjoyed Dubai, we’re all excited for the next chapter of our journey.