C2007PSgraham
Solo travelWhat an unexpected and awesome discovery!
You don’t expect to find an Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in a shopping mall but Dubai Mall is no ordinary mall. Possibly one of the largest in the world, it hosts a few unexpected surprises: an ice rink, the Arte Museum featuring immerse projections that are highly addictive and the aforementioned Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. It occupies at least two floors of a big corner of the mall with an extraordinary range of wildlife from (to name just a few highlights): enormous numbers of indigenous fish, sharks, stingrays, otters, pythons to two enormous ancient crocodiles (see illustration). My experience was considerably enhanced by Host, Zohab, whose enthusiasm and knowledge brought so much of what I was seeing more fully to life. A trip on a glass bottomed boat floating over a vast tank of sea life was another highlight. Whilst admission is not cheap, it is not somewhere to visit in a hurry. The place was bustling with adults, students and families, and there were plenty of interactive experiences especially for the younger ones to enjoy. So an absolute and unqualified recommendation - especially if you can track down Zohab to enrich your visit further.
