The aim of Danni in The Desert
When I first moved to Dubai, I was shocked to see the many misconceptions about this beautiful city. False information was everywhere and I felt compelled to do something!
I saw people thinking you need to wear hijab, that women aren’t treated well or it’s just a desert without culture. Pst.. none of that is true! It was also hard to find real, honest and useful advice about Dubai.
On top of this, the depiction of Muslims was awful, labelling them ‘backwards’ or terrorists. Instead, I was greeted with an amazing, warm hospitality in one of the world’s most futuristic cities.
This website is a resource to help you visit or move to Dubai, whether as a solo female or Mum’s with little ones – I’ve experienced Dubai as both! Here you’ll find accurate, first hand information (not low quality AI articles 🙄) While also sharing the REAL side to Muslims and what it’s REALLY like living and travelling in a Muslim country.
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“After living in Dubai and the Gulf for nearly a decade, I realised how most of the world misunderstood Dubai, the Middle East and Muslims! I wanted to create a website that helped change those perceptions.”
Danni in the Desert
How I ended up moving to Dubai
I moved to Dubai in the autumn of 2013, I left my job in London to teach English in Japan, but Japan wasn’t turning out how I’d hoped. Thankfully, a friend living in Dubai suggested moving there.
At first I had my doubts, Dubai looked flashy and materialistic – Totally not me! I also believed it was a desert with no culture but my friend convinced me I’d like it and there were other sides to Dubai. I decided to give it a chance, got a job and packed my bags for Dubai.
As the plane descended into Dubai, I saw the Burj Khalifa sparkling in the sunlight for the first time. The surge of excitement of being in a new city ran through me and I felt the anticipation of exploring somewhere new. Still after 10 years, I never get bored of seeing this skyline.
That made me want to share some of that love for Dubai with my readers!
During my initial months in Dubai, I enjoyed everything about Dubai and quickly blew through my savings wanting to experience everything the city had to offer (which is easy to do in Dubai)! From dune bashing to lounging in five-star hotels, I indulged in every opportunity.
Although it might not have been great for my bank account, it meant I could give helpful first-hand information to my readers.
How Danni B in Dubai was created
As more and more friends came to visit Dubai. All of them would ask, “Hey Danni, what’s the best place to eat in Dubai? Where should we stay in Dubai? Where can I get the best cocktails in Dubai?” or “What should I do for my layover in Dubai?”
After repeating the same answers over and over I realised, hey why don’t I start a blog about Dubai? So I can help more people than just my friends.
Eventually, even friends who lived here would say, “Hey Danni, you always know the best places to go. Where should we go for the best buffet this weekend?” So after a little bit of website building and some digital know-how, Danni B in Dubai was born!
We launched in 2016, initially on Wordpress.org before moving to dannibindubai.com in 2017.
Finding accurate information about Dubai is hard
Dubai often requires insider knowledge and you’ll find contradicting answers!
I see many inaccurate articles from people who do not live in Dubai and sometimes I wonder if they’ve even visited!
Don’t even get me started on the dress code for Dubai! No, you don’t need to dress modestly or wear a hijab!
Danni in the Desert is all about giving you the insider tips on Dubai so you don’t have to spend all the time searching and confused like I did!
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Why I blog about Dubai?
- To help show the other side of Dubai that people often miss when they visit
- To clear up the many misconceptions about Dubai and tell you the real truth about Dubai
- Provide as many people as possible with friendly, accurate and realistic advice about Dubai
- Show you that it’s totally possible to move to Dubai and what to expect in terms of lifestyle
- Change perceptions around Muslims, Islam and what it’s like living in a Muslim country
Thinking of living in Dubai?
Whether you’re planning a visit or considering moving to Dubai, let me guide you on this exciting adventure!
I continue to dispel the many myths about Dubai and Muslim countries. To give you the truth about what it’s like to live and travel in the Middle East.
So if you’re wondering if Dubai is safe for women or whether the Middle East is hostile to foreigners? Make sure to stick around! I’ve had amazing experiences over the last decade and I’m here to share them with you!
- What is the cost of living in Dubai? What’s a typical monthly spend
- What is the UAE working abroad visa? How can I do remote work in Dubai?
- Life in Dubai, what to know about Dubai before you move there
- What is it like living in Dubai as a woman? The truth about Dubai for women
- Finding a job in Dubai, the best way that other people won’t tell you
- Getting a sim card in Dubai before your visa as a tourist or before your visa is ready
- Flying your pets and importing your pets into Dubai
- Guide to supermarkets in Dubai, all your grocery needs if you’ve just moved to Dubai
- Doing a Dubai Visa Run when you’re tourist visa is running out but you need to stay in Dubai
Danni’s life in Dubai
Although I grew up in Birmingham, England, with a large Muslim population, I never really had a meaningful conversation with a Muslim. In Dubai, I started learning about the culture and the people.
This made me realise what I thought about Muslims was totally not true!
After spending 2 years learning about Islam in 2018, I made the decision to become Muslim. You can read about my conversion story here!
Islam brought a great sense of peace and understanding of the world for me.
Then in 2019, Allah brought my Saudi husband into my life. Now I spend time in both Dubai and Riyadh.
When I married my husband, it allowed me to gain insight into Gulf culture which I also share. Saudi culture is very similar to Emirati culture due to the bedouin nature of the Gulf where locals moved around the entire region.
Additionally, I know several women with Emirati spouses, helping me share all the accurate insider information about a typically closed-off culture.
Danni in The Desert is not just a shallow Dubai holiday website but a deeper insight into the culture that makes Dubai a beautiful city! I’m always adding more information resources and updating articles so make sure to bookmark the website and come back!
WANT MORE?
Check out my Instagram and TikTok, where I share bits of my everyday life, what’s going on in Dubai or Riyadh along with showing what it’s like in a cross-cultural marriage.
My Facebook Page shares the latest blog posts published and when we update articles too. So make sure to follow here if you want the latest blog updates.
If you want to work together, advertise, or have a business that you think would suit my audience, you can also contact me at [email protected] with a proposal.
We do accept blog posts from other bloggers, so feel free to send an e-mail and add what article idea you have.