When the Atlantis Hotel extended me an invitation to review their Aquaventure water park, I said yes without hesitation. Then I remembered that I can’t swim. Oops.
You see, the story goes something like this: nearly 20 years ago, I almost drowned (coincidentally at a water park in Canada). I detailed the story of how I nearly perished here. And so it follows that for many years thereafter, I stayed away from any body of water wider and deep than my bathtub.
It wasn’t until I decided to accompany Liebling on a week-long sailing trip to Croatia that I realized that I needed to get over my fear of water. With Liebling’s encouragement, I enrolled in swim lessons in Hong Kong, where I learned a passable breast stroke, and improved my ragged, uncoordinated breathing.
But here the thing: I still can’t swim to save my life.
Which is why a visit to Atlantis’ Aquaventure water park in Dubai filled me with trepidation.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. The array of water slides are monitored by a gaggle of outgoing staff, the variety of pools are filled with water that only envelopped me up to the chest when standing.
The fact that I’m not a strong swimmer didn’t mean I couldn’t thoroughly enjoy myself. In fact, quite the contrary. I had a fabulous time.
Liebling and I floated lazily on the tubes on the river that surrounded the complex, and threw ourselves down slides that at once exhilarated and terrified me. I screamed as I hurtled down the tubes ( dubbed water coasters) with the reckless abandon of my 9-year old self, previous water park trauma completely forgotten and utterly vanquished. Yes!
After we had sufficiently exerted ourselves on the slides, it was time to hit the gorgeous man-made beach.
Was this really the desert? I felt like I was in the tropics. Love!
We ooh-ed and aah-ed at the marine life for a good hour and a half…
… and we even found Nemo!
All in all, despite my initial reservations, this was a great way to spend an afternoon. My only complaint was the weather- don’t let the pictures fool you, it was unseasonably cold for Dubai! The water in the pools at Aquaventure was unheated, which made for a bit of a shock upon first dip. That being said, I imagine that 350 days of the year, this is not an issue- this is the desert after all!
Have you ever been to a water park? Would you go?
Disclaimer: I visited Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers as a guest of Atlantis the Palm, but the opinions are my own!
Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!
83 Comments
I love water parks!! It's my most favorite thing to do. Great post – it really makes me want to experience Atlantis in Dubai. I've been to the one in Bahamas many times but Dubai *gasp*
I, too, almost drowned as a child and thus stay away from water now as well! I keep saying that I will take lessons to get over the fear, especially after seeing the beauty and fun such parks like this offer! PS: Amazing pics as always!
Ok, you just made me want to go on a beach vacation!
*I need to make some extra money so I can take the kid someplace like this.
This makes me want to go to Dubai ASAP!
That water park looks SO fun! I've been to one in CA, but it's nowhere near as big. I need the Leap of Faith in my life!
I used to go to soo many waterparks when I was a kid! It's been ages since I last went; it would be nice to go and walk down memory lane!
Wonderful views on that!
I didn’t know that.
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
Wonderful views on that!
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
Just desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity in your post is just spectacular and i can assume you
are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS
feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
Remarkable issues here. I am very glad to
look your post. Thanks a lot and I am taking a look ahead
to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you
using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers
and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a
good platform.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first visit of this website; this blog
carries awesome and really fine stuff designed for
visitors.
I all the time used to read post in news papers but now as I am a user of web so from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Pretty section of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital
to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get entry to
constantly rapidly.
Wow, incredible blog structure! How lengthy have you
ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy.
The full glance of your website is great, let alone the content material!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to
say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I
hope you write again soon!
Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Hi there, I read your blog like every week. Your writing
style is witty, keep up the good work!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4
year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
I want to to thank you for this very good read!!
I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it.
I’ve got you book marked to look at new stuff you post…
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to my
personal blogroll.
Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this
site, and piece of writing is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these articles or reviews.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister
stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she
has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but
I had to share it with someone!
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Many thanks
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this
technological globe the whole thing is accessible on web?
Wow, this paragraph is good, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things,
so I am going to inform her.
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to
new posts.
It’s genuinely very complicated in this active life to listen news on Television, thus I just
use web for that purpose, and take the most recent news.
I have read so many articles about the blogger lovers however this piece of writing is
really a pleasant post, keep it up.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if
it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and
she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Your way of telling all in this post is truly pleasant, every one be
able to effortlessly understand it, Thanks a lot.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for vitamin supplement
Great information. Lucky me I recently found your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I have book marked it for later!
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something which helped me. Appreciate it!
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they
believe. All the time go after your heart.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let
you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it
in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
It’s amazing in favor of me to have a web site, which is helpful for my experience.
thanks admin
Peculiar article, exactly what I needed.
It’s actually very complex in this active life to listen news on TV,
so I only use the web for that purpose, and take the most recent
information.
Hello excellent website! Does running a blog like this
require a large amount of work? I’ve absolutely no knowledge of programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway,
should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I understand this is off subject however I just needed to ask.
Thank you!
What’s up to every one, it’s truly a pleasant for me to pay a quick visit this website, it
consists of priceless Information.
hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up
something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using
this site, as I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it
to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and
can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Well I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more
of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update
this again very soon.
I think what you posted was very logical. But, think about this, what if you typed a catchier post title?
I ain’t suggesting your information is not solid, but what if you added a headline that makes people
want more? I mean Dubai day trip: Atlantis' Aquaventure water park and Lost Chambers –
Oneika the Traveller is kinda plain. You might peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write post headlines to get
viewers interested. You might add a related video or a related pic or
two to get readers interested about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it might make your blog a little
livelier.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Where are your contact details though?
I got this website from my buddy who informed me regarding
this web page and now this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative articles here.
Wow, this article is pleasant, my younger
sister is analyzing these things, therefore I am going to tell her.
Your means of describing all in this article is in fact fastidious, all be able to without difficulty be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful
.. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?
I am happy to seek out so many useful information right here
within the post, we want develop more strategies on this
regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
great issues altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
What would you recommend in regards to your publish that you simply made
a few days ago? Any positive?
Thanks for sharing such a fastidious idea, paragraph is
pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
Its such as you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this,
such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that
you just could do with a few percent to drive the message home a
bit, however other than that, that is excellent blog. An excellent read.
I’ll certainly be back.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was once a amusement
account it. Glance complex to more added agreeable from you!
However, how could we keep up a correspondence?
magnificent points altogether, you just won a new reader.
What would you suggest about your post that you made a few days ago?
Any sure?
I believe this is among the most important info for me.
And i am happy studying your article. But should observation on some common issues,
The website taste is wonderful, the articles is in reality excellent : D.
Excellent activity, cheers
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog
loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if
it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any other informative site. Where else may just I get that
type of info written in such an ideal method? I’ve
a mission that I am simply now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information.
Awesome article.
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding.
The clarity in your post is simply great and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any
tips?
Good site you have here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days.
I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Hi are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new
to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up
my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s website link on your page at proper place and
other person will also do same for you.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or
did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as
I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
thank you
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
I have been browsing online more than three hours today,
yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did,
the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
If some one wishes to be updated with newest technologies
after that he must be pay a visit this website and be up
to date all the time.
Very soon this website will be famous amid all blogging visitors, due to
it’s good content
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Cheers
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the
pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to
figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, this weekend is good for me, since this time i am reading
this wonderful informative paragraph here at my home.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the finest
websites on the web. I will highly recommend this website!
Heya are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up
my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge
to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
I didn’t know that.
Wonderful views on that!
I didn’t know that.
I was just telling my friend about that.
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
I in no way realised this ahead of, but you have a fairly ideal stage certainly
Comments are closed.