The Penguin

Another perfect Dubai winter’s day.  Twenty eight degrees Celsius and clear skies.  Top top it all off, we have an invitation for The Penguin.

We’ve been out on The Penguin before, however, today is special as we are farewelling our hosts and will be sad to see them leave.  This is a chance for a last hurrah before they’re off for new adventures in China. 

We have known Mark & Caroline since moving to Dubai.  We meet the rest of the crew, a friendly bunch of French & Australians and we get off to a good start.  There’s another boy as well, along with our two and they have brought a car game along.  “Okay” I think to myself as I leave them with Jason and Tao’s mum, “let’s see how this goes”.  

I make my way to the top deck to enjoy the Marina views and meet the rest of the group.  Damien & Bec, fellow Australians, are aboard, they hail from the Gold Coast and we have a bit in common it seems.

We also have Jeanne, Caroline’s cousin from France.  An economic journalist, I am keen to have a conversation about travel and writing (this conversation, incidentally, never eventuates).

Aude is living in Dubai but her parents, Brigette and Joel are on holidays from France and Joel, a keen sailor himself, seems rather excited about a day out on the water.  It’s not hard to be excited.  Our captain and first mate complete the deck.

We set off from the Marina and as we begin our journey from the north of the Marina (near the Cayan Tower) we sail south west, past Dubai Marina Mall and Pier 7 and out to JBR near Blue Water Island.

People are falling from the sky, courtesy of Sky Dive Dubai , and it’s an incredible day for it if you’re into that sort of thing.  One plane comes in low over our heads, just as another takes off.  We watch the parachutes float down as JBR disappears into the distance.

It’s windy today and there’s quite a swell.  We hold on to our hats and our drinks and the boat bobs up and down.  Past the Atlantis and on up the coast.

The fabulous Dubai skyline comes into view again.  It really is the best place to take it in.  This time we bypass the World Islands and drop anchor at Daria Island, just near the Bvlgari Hotel Yacht Club and Marina.  It’s a perfectly protected spot and Jason makes a splash, jumping from the top deck, only slightly before the boys do.

The water is a little chilly to start with (it’s winter after all!) but certainly nice enough for a swim around.  Jeanne and Damien swim into the beach, the rest of the time we splash around with the boys, all the time I’m aware of the picturesque back drop we have.  Although I work in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa every day, it’s still hard to get used to the magnificence of such a view.  I rather hope that I never get to the point where I can take this for granted.

Jason takes Harely for a swim into the beach as well while Jasper and I splash around a little more before hopping out and having a quick freshwater rinse at the aft of the boat.  It feels like heaven as I dress, cool and refreshed, with a picnic spread awaiting us as a late lunch and the afternoon to while away with friends.

Jason & Harley return from the beach and I dry & dress the boys before making a selection from the spread and ascending to the top deck for lunch with a view.

It’s been a short stop today and our lunch is accompanied by a canal cruise and more great views of Dubai.  It’s much better taking it all in at 5 knots, rather than 100km/hr along Sheikh Zayed Road.

I’m delighted to see the French (and English!) contingent enjoying a glass or two of Hardy’s Cabernet Shiraz (Australian) as the boat makes a slow turn to navigate our way back.

As we pass by the Burj Al Arab, with the sun setting, a lovely lull sets in.

This lull is somewhat short lived, at least on my part, as Harley is feeling unwell on the rough waters and isn’t holding back in making sure everyone knows about it.  It’s particularly windy today and it’s perhaps a combination of this and the movie in the cabin that has contributed to the sea sickness.  He howls, ensuring that the moment of serenity and reflection in the face of the setting sun is short lived.

I take a moment to explain the difference between ‘normal sick’ and ‘sea sick’ and he’s almost better as we come into the calmer waters around The Palm and into the Marina.

We kick back again with enough time for another Tanqueray Rangpur (my new favorite) concoction and take in the marina lights as they begin to sparkle across the water in the dusk.

What a way to spend a winter’s afternoon and it’s certainly a farewell (for now at least) to remember.

Good To Know

The Penguin is a private boat moored at the Dubai Marina, however, there are a variety of options available for hiring boats and taking boat trips in Dubai if you’re not as lucky as we were today.

Charter boats are available, generally for larger groups (15+).  They will generally charge for the boat, including the captain (and perhaps crew, depending on the size) for a block of time.

If you’re not quite up to hiring your own boat, there are many options for marina cruises.  Try a traditional Dhow cruise with a Middle Eastern banquet and entertainment (Al Wasl is just one of the many operators https://www.alwasldhow.com/).

For something a little more upmarket, Batteaux Dubai run a very classy dinner cruise on the Dubai Creek with a night view of the old town and Diera.

Otherwise, the RTA ferry is a cheap and easy way to experience the delights of the Dubai coastline with transfers from the Dubai Marina to Al Ghubaiba (one way or return) https://www.dubai-ferry.com/.

Would I Return?

Yes.  Undoubtedly, if I get the chance.