I had the privilege of attending PyCon in Dubai as a conference speaker, which was an incredible experience. Alongside the event, I also explored several iconic landmarks and attractions in Dubai. This blog highlights my journey, both as a speaker and a tourist.
I visited Dubai for the first time on a solo trip, fully funded by the GITEX conference management. I had the opportunity to speak at PyCon Dubai, which was part of the GITEX conference. Dubai’s cosmopolitan culture makes it an amazing destination for just about anything—be it building a career, networking, shopping, seeking adventures, or exploring diverse cuisines. Let me share my experience!
First Day in Dubai
On my first day in Dubai, I was greeted warmly by immigration at the airport. Upon arrival, tourists are typically offered a complimentary SIM card, whether visiting for leisure or business purposes. From the airport, I booked a taxi using the Careem app and headed straight to the Fairmont Hotel near the World Trade Center (WTC). Upon arrival, I received a warm welcome and plenty of thoughtful gifts from the conference management team, making the start of my trip even more memorable.
Fairmont room shared with my friend who was a speaker at the conference
Fairmont breakfast
The first day was mostly spent exploring the areas around the World Trade Center (WTC) and later catching up with fellow speakers over a delightful Thai dinner in the evening.
Thai Dinner with fellow PyCon Speakers
Conference Day
The following day, I attended the conference, which was in its second day of a three-day event. The conference focused primarily on tech innovations and showcased startups from around the world pitching their ideas and demonstrating their products to attract funding and support from investors. In addition to these pitches, there were several insightful tech talks delivered by industry giants like Intel, Amazon, and others.
I participated in the Python Conference, commonly known as PyCon, which emphasized innovations achievable with the Python programming language. My talk focused on fostering an observability culture within organizations that heavily rely on Python as their primary tech stack. You can find more details about my talk here - pycon-dubai-talk
Me as a speaker on the main stage during my talk session
After the conference wrapped up for the day, all the speakers decided to gather for dinner at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant. We indulged in authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and had a wonderful time connecting and sharing conversations with each other.
(Right side) PyCon speakers
(Left side) PyCon speakers
Exploring Dubai City
With the conference behind me, I decided to spend the remaining days exploring the vibrant city of Dubai. I visited several iconic places, including Top Golf, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Atlantis the Palm. I also enjoyed jet skiing at Jumeirah Beach and marveled at the stunning Burj Al Arab. The highlight of my trip was skydiving over Jumeirah—a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Burj Al Arab
Skydive from 13,000 ft
Jumeriah Beach in Evening
Dubai Frame
Closing - Exploring Abu Dhabi
On my final day, I decided to explore Abu Dhabi, a two-hour drive from Dubai. During my visit, I marveled at the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, followed by stops at the luxurious Emirates Palace and the vibrant Yas Mall.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Outside)
Etihad Towers view from Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
After exploring Abu Dhabi, I returned to India, bringing my trip to an end. I realized that one day in Abu Dhabi wasn’t quite enough, so I’ll definitely plan better next time. :) Overall, Dubai is an incredible destination for a vacation!