"The most beautiful thing in the world, is of course, the world itself." I am a self-confessed travel junkie and foodie. But the life of a professional swimmer is gruelling and involves a lot of sacrifices in the interest of training. For the better part of my 20 year career in competitive swimming, holidays and travel were determined by locations that had a pool I could train in through the vacation, or destinations around the world where swim meets happened. Now that I've switched to Golf, my travel is as often guided by locations with the best golf courses to play on. Dubai has always been very special to me; I've raced in important meets here with memorable performances. Today I train with coach Justin Parsons at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, in Dubai, and get to the city quite often. And Atlantis the Palm, in Dubai, where I stayed on my most recent visit, is a jewel that really must be discovered by everyone who visits this city.
With its enviable position atop the crescent of The Palm, the resort spans 46 hectares with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark, an open-air marine habitat featuring extensive fresh and salt-water pools, all located on a long stretch of beach and a delectable choice of restaurants. Each dimension of the resort offers a taste of Arabia, as well as a playful nod to the ocean and the myth of Atlantis-from sun-kissing spires and Moorish archways to a sunken city filled with exotic sea creatures and suites with a fish eye's view into an underwater haven.
I've always had a special connect with water and that's probably one of the reasons I love this hotel so much. You can get up close and personal with the most lovable of sea creatures from feeding the Eagle, Leopard and Cownose Rays to petting Sea Lions or just view some exotic marine life from a distance by visiting the Atlantis themed aquarium - The Lost Chambers.
I enjoyed this dolphin interaction so much that I decided to try the "Ultimate Snorkel", which allowed me to get into their massive aquarium with over 60,000 fish, including reef sharks, a hammerhead, a number of rays and was a truly unique experience. I've always watched fish swim and tried to move with the same rhythm for my swimming, but being one with the fish, both the lethal and pretty ones, is a memory I'll never lose!
WHERE TO EAT:
Atlantis has 20 bars, restaurants and cafes. Here's my review of a few that I tried and liked that you might want to give a shot to on your next visit!
Atlantis, The Palm's hottest, new restaurant and bar promises to deliver contemporary Chinese with a traditional twist. We had a drink at the bar and lounge at Yuan that blends traditional Chinese ingredients, such as ginger root, sesame seeds and fresh fruit with top shelf spirits. At AED 50 it's not bad value. With a DJ console set at the end of the large granite bar that churns out minimalist house music and chilled, funky beats, Yuan's lounge and bar feels like a nightspot in its own right. With its deep woods, rich velvets, granite and clean, contemporary lines, interspersed with traditionally Chinese nature themes, Yuan is subtly cool.
Executive Chef Jeff Tan, has a reputation for enticing dishes with a variety of flavours designed to entice the senses and dynamic presentation. We tried the Steamed Dim Sum Platter with shrimp and steamed chicken dumplings infused with mushroom and tobiko, which was perfect for sharing, and the presentation was inviting. A preparation of Szechuan chicken and Pepper Beef along with sides of traditional fried rice and noodles completed our meal.
If you're planning to visit during the day, Yuan also offers a weekly Friday Yum Cha brunch - the traditional drinking of tea in the morning or afternoon while eating dim sum starting at AED 188 per head.
The sound of a live jazz and blues band belting out sexy Adele numbers greets us as we enter Seafire, Atlantis' modern steakhouse and bar boasting an exceptional butchery, an open theatrical kitchen with a dramatic image projection of fire on the chimney which we're certain we've seen in a Hollywood film that we cannot recall, and an extensive walk-in wine cellar. If you're longing for some great steak, this is the place to be. We were told that the hotel actually breeds its own brand of "Certified Atlantis" cattle from Australia, that are fed to ensure an even spread of fat through the tissue and therefore the perfect marbling of beef. We tried some calamari rings and lemon for starters that were pleasantly crunchy and served with a herby dip. The main course was a serving of a 250 gm Fillet of beef along with a "gentleman sized serving" of Rib Eye, both exquisitely cooked. With a decent cucumber, tomato, red onion salad with crispy pita and greens and mashed potatoes as sides, it was a nice meal followed by one of the best cheesecakes I have ever had for dessert.
Nasimi Beach:
Flights are always tiring and it's nice to be able to drop your bags off and head straight to a restaurant with a great view of the pool and beach, that instantly gets you into the mood for a holiday. Nasimi Beach, my favourite of all the Atlantis restaurants, is the perfect spot for casual beach chic dining, to unwind and soak up the sun, enjoy a swim or just relax and admire the views. The menu spans a variety of culinary delights from sushi and sashimi, Asian cuisine and Mediterranean favourites, with a great selection of new world wines, contemporary cocktails and beers. A fantastic seafood platter with lobster, salmon and my favourite tiger prawns made for the best lunch! As day turns into night, with the back-drop of the Dubai skyline lighting up, Nasimi transforms into an intimate haven with the atmospheric sounds of resident and international DJs spinning the decks. Definitely the busiest of Atlantis' restaurants through our stay, Nasimi has my vote for the perfect beach holiday place to eat.
The hotel has so much more to offer from its award winning spa to Aquaventure the largest waterpark in Asia, but we'll probably need another visit to cover all that!
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The author, Rehan Poncha, is one of India's most accomplished athletes, an Olympian Swimmer and Arjuna Awardee, who is also a self-confessed foodie and travel junkie. Follow him on twitter @RehanPoncha; or on facebook facebook.com/Rehan.Poncha.India
This article by Rehan first appeared in travel magazine - Tourism First.
