Hammam, Harleys, hopping and more… 14 girls ‘escape’ in Dubai

Dubai turned the perfect backdrop for a trip down memory lane for 14 women, who 17 years earlier had graduated from the same college in the Indian city of Bangalore.

Now, living in different parts of the world, the women decided (unanimously) to reunite and kick up a storm in the desert city.

What started out as a WhatsApp catch-up chat of college friends soon turned into massive brainstorming session for a three-day reunion.

“Dubai proved the absolute blend of fun and serenity. We could sit back and bond at one time, or step out and indulge in girlie fun, or even explore fun adventures. There’s a little of everything that will keep any woman happy,” explains Sicily George, a resident of Al Badia, near Dubai Festival City.

Being a Dubai resident, she was obviously handed over the charge to chart out a memorable get-together for her girl gang along with help from Meld events, an event organising firm in Dubai.

The 14 women, living in parts of the world as far apart as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sudan, India, Germany, Australia and America trickled into the city soon enough for a soul-stirring week. Some were doctors, government heads, corporate bankers, business woman and homemakers, but they all wanted to rewind back to a time when they were just college girls.

“Since we all lived in the college hostel, it was important to recreate that atmosphere, so we booked ourselves into three two-bedroom apartments behind Burjuman,” Sicily added.

On the first evening in Dubai, the gang headed out to explore the delectable Iranian cuisine at the quaint Special Ostadi, near Al Musalla Towers on Bank Street. “We had friends heading to Ostadi straight from the airport, and the kind owners guarded our luggage while we tucked into the delicious fare,” she added.

More trickled in from India. Since the appointed “time manager” was delayed by a day after she missed her flight, another manager was nominated, voted and appointed. "With 14 women around, it's tough to get everyone to be on time, so needed someone in-charge," said Anoushka D'Silva from Sri Lanka.

The day began with a trip to Dome Café for breakfast, and the much important retail therapy at Deira City Centre. “No trip is complete without shopping, and we had to pick souvenirs and gifts for our family back home. And, Cosmo-styled heels for a night-out in Dubai were an essential too,” she added.

After lunch at Little Bangkok, the gang headed out for their first Dubai experience – the Harley ride. While some of them chatted away the owners of Rider’s Café in Al Quoz, the rest merely admired the majestic machines graciously handed over by the riders of a Harley club called 'Desert Riders'.

“When we heard the Harleys' roar, the adrenalin rush happened and we were all set.”

The gang rode through Al Sufouh via the beautiful and iconic Burj Al Arab, crossed over to the Palm island, saw all the brilliant properties and did a switch at Zabeel Saray for the second batch.

After the ride, the gang had plans for a girlie night-out but it was shifted to the next night as most were jetlagged. “We made up for that by recreating the hostel mood by cooking our “hostel staple” of noodles. And, chatted away into the wee hours of the morning.”

On the second day, the first “time manager” finally made it to Dubai, the group was complete. “We got dressed and hopped on to our mini-van and saw old Deira, the creek, the spice market, the gold souq and took over an entire cafeteria for their juice and sandwiches for lunch.”

Post that the gang, now dressed in jeans and their ‘reunion t-shirts’ with their names of it, just like in college, and headed for the signature desert safari.

“Everyone enjoyed the dune bashing, went for camel rides, took pictures with falcons, and watched the scintillating belly dancing.”

Once that was ticked off, the group returned to their (current) home in Bur Dubai, put on their heels and went to Neos to soak in majestic views of the Burj Khalifa by night. “The view was breath-taking and worked as a stylish backdrop for our great reunion,” said Srijana Pandey, who flew in from Germany.

The last and final day, saw the women put on their makeup and pout and pose for their big photoshoot. “We were taken for the shoot in the pink-stretch limousine. It was all-so glamourous,” said Angeth, who works as an under-secretary in the Sudanese government.

“We were taken on another spin around Dubai, from Burj Khalifa to Madinat Jumeira, which was the setting for the group shots.”

Soon enough, the ladies were tucked away in the plush One and Only Royal Mirage for an Oriental Hamman experience. “They had blocked the entire Hammam for us! It was perfect to be pampered with an indulgent massage and scrub,” added Jeena Thomas from Sydney.

Once rejuvenated, the bunch trekked to the Bab Al Shams to experience Dubai hospitality in its finery. “The culinary spread was authentic, mouth-watering and extensive. The music, the belly dancer and the camel and horse show transported us back in history.”

The drive back was nostalgic, with the girls singing and chatting away, just like they did back in college.

Before their final farewells after the three-day fun-fest, some women even managed to sneak in a quick stopover at Dubai Mall and for a fun bounce at Bounce.

“The memories we created are enough to make us chuckle for a life time. Each of us left with a piece of Dubai in our souls and a deeper friendship to cherish,” concluded Michelle Mehta from Melbourne.

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