Miracle Gardens & Majestic Moments in Dubai

As I shared yesterday, there’s something undeniably special about arriving in a new city—a pulse, a rhythm, a whisper that stirs a special kind of magic in the soul. The moment I stepped into Dubai, I felt the buzz of possibility—soul stirred, senses alive and heart wide open to whatever was coming next. It was the kind of vibrant energy that invites you to expand, open, and soak in each wild and wondrous moment.

Day one in Dubai (yesterday) was sensational.

After a restful night and a body and mind ready for adventure, I wandered downstairs to what can only be described as a buffet breakfast bonanza. A buffest breakfast bursting with colour, flavour and comfort.

If you’ve followed along my travels for a little while or a long while, you will know that breakfast is one of my favourite rituals when traveling—it’s where the nourishment begins and the day gets its first dose of delight. If you know me, you know breakfast is a sacred ritual. It’s the first anchor of the day, and I pour just as much presence into my plate as I do into the plans ahead.

This morning, I found myself tasting the best shakshouka—oh my goodness—hands down the best shakshuka I have ever had—and I don’t say that lightly.
The rich tomato base, spiced to perfection, paired with gently poached eggs and fresh herbs—it was like love at first bite. Alongside all the usual breakfast goodies (yes hash browns made a guest appearance on my plate too… of course they did), because some comforts from home always come along for the ride.

I felt both grounded and giddy with anticipation for the day ahead.

A living art gallery made entirely of flowers. Heart-shaped archways, full-sized castles, peacocks, butterflies, entire houses—all made from petal and stem.

I walked slowly, breathing in the scent of fresh blooms and the creative energy that radiated from every display. Every step felt like a love letter from nature. I found myself taking long pauses just to soak it in—the colours, the sunshine, the intentionality of it all. 

It reminded me that miracles don’t have to be grand gestures—they can be a daisy opening to the sun, a moment of stillness, or a garden designed to make your jaw drop and your spirit rise.

Every path felt like a portal into another world, one more enchanting than the last. I found myself walking slowly, smiling without even realising it. The scent of fresh blooms danced on the breeze, while the gentle buzz of bees reminded me that beauty and hard work coexist in the most natural way. Every step felt like a love letter from nature—soaked in sunshine, colour and pure creativity.

I stood there with childlike wonder, completely captivated by the colours, the fragrance and the sheer intentionality of it all. I took long pauses while exploring to simply soak it all in. The moment whispered softly: Life wants to bloom—and we do too.

We often rush through our days, forgetting that we too are part of nature—meant to bloom in our own time, in our own way. Like the flowers, we don’t need to force it. We simply need the right conditions: light, nourishment, patience, and space to grow. Being in the Miracle Garden reminded me that blooming is not a performance… it’s a becoming. 

What does blooming look like for me right now?

Where in my life am I ready to open, soften, or expand?

What do I need more of to feel nourished enough to bloom?

Can I offer myself the same patience and care I would give to a growing garden?

Let your pen be your mirror.

Write with presence.

You are allowed to bloom slowly.

You are allowed to bloom wildly.

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get more magical—it did.

From blooms to wings, the next stop on this dreamy day was the Dubai Butterfly Garden—a tropical haven where butterflies danced through the air like whispers of transformation, a gentle, flutter-filled paradise that felt like a living poem.

As I stepped into the lush, tropical domes, I was immediately wrapped in greenery, with soft music playing in the background as delicate wings fluttering past my ears. It felt like a sanctuary of stillness and becoming—a place where time slowed down and the world felt softer.

A few butterflies landed on me—five in total, each in a different zone of the garden. One glided gently onto my arm and then toward my hair, lingering for what felt like forever.

Their touch was so light it was almost imperceptible… yet their presence was undeniable.

A sacred silence surrounds you in moments like this—when you're in the presence of creatures so delicate they could be missed if you weren't truly paying attention.

I felt a quiet joy wash over me. These tiny winged beings, though barely audible, spoke volumes. They whispered reminders of transformation, trust and the beauty of stillness in motion. Their wings so delicate, yet their message so powerful.

It was a moment of pause, of presence, of remembering that we too are allowed to transform—gently, naturally and in our own time. We are allowed to land. To lift off. To flutter through seasons of becoming. To bloom, not with force, but with grace.

I felt that familiar flutter within—the one that reminds me to slow down enough to notice the magic within me and around me.
To let it land. To let it stay.

It was a moment of quiet magic. A pause of remembering that we, too, are allowed to transform. To land. To lift off. To flutter through seasons of becoming.

With over 10,000 steps clocked before lunch, a heart full of gratitude and joy buzzing in my bones, I paused to soak it all in and just long enough to realise this was one of those rare, golden days where every moment felt intentional. 

From underwater worlds to flower-filled archways to fluttering wings, my senses were alight and my spirit soaring. It was time for the next marvel—one that felt like I could almost touch the sky… both literally and figuratively.
(Yes, I almost broke Kanye-style as I typed those words—the vibe was real!)

The final adventure for the day had finally arrived: The Burj Khalifa—the tallest building in the world. This was a moment I had long dreamed of after watching countless documentaries and travel shows. I was ready for it and if I’m totally honest, the line to reach the top was one of the longest I have ever waited in. The patience was real, so as the saying goes, some things are worth the wait. And this? So worth it.

The Burj Khalifa is not just the tallest building in the world—it’s a symbol of all that is possible when we dare to dream high and build even higher. Construction of this sensational structure began in 2004, with structural completion in June 2008, exterior completion in September 2009, and its grand inauguration in January 2010. Now towering at 828 meters, the Burj rises with grace and awe—more than just a skyscraper, it’s a breathtaking embodiment of vision, ambition, and the incredible heights we can reach when we choose to dream big.

The view from the top. You guessed it… absolutely breathtaking.

The entire city spread out below like a mosaic of possibility. The desert met the sea and the skyline in a golden haze—a sacred embrace of land, light, and horizon.

From the top, I stood in silence—heart full, mind still. That altitude brought a kind of perspective not just physical, but emotional.
The stillness of the air reminded me just how powerful it is to see from above.
Everything felt quieter. Simpler. Sacred.
The world below, peaceful and bathed in the golden glow of the sun.

A true moment of perspective. A reminder that even the tallest dreams begin at ground level… and that the view is always worth the climb.

As the evening settled in, so did the four of us—at The Tap House, where a relaxed dinner and front-row view of Dubai’s nightly magic awaited. Sitting outside under the glittering skyline, I enjoyed a delicious, unhurried meal while watching the Burj Khalifa light show dazzle the sky. Colours rippled across the tower’s façade like a living canvas, pulsing to music and creating an atmosphere that felt celebratory and sacred all at once.

Just when I thought the wonder had peaked, the Dubai Fountain show began—again. Just like the night before, it swept me into its rhythm. The music swelled, the water soaring to epic heights and my inner child absolutely beaming. The show was as exciting, goosebump-inducing and joyful as ever—a reminder that magic doesn’t always diminish the second time around. Sometimes, it expands. 

My alarm is already set for an early morning yoga flow. A little movement to greet the day with presence and intention, to anchor me, energise me and remind me that I am home in my body, wherever I am in the world.

My next words will to you from Amman, Jordan, where ancient history and soulful moments await before I fly to Cairo to continue this journey. I’ll be bringing my carry-on apothecary, my rituals, my intention to wander well and of course—a wildly open heart.

If you would like to explore more about the wellness rituals and essentials that travel with me, including all the things in my Self-Care Suitcase, you can click here to read more.

My next words to you will come from Amman, Jordan—a place of desert landscapes, ancient ruins, rich stories and more soulful discoveries await before I eventually journey to Cairo where I will continue carrying with me my rituals, my carry-on apothecary and my wildly open and ever-curious heart and mind.

Until then, keep wandering well with wonder, wildness and wellness.