Gina Liano, Janet Roach and Chyka Keebaugh Real Housewives of Melbourne Head to Dubai Interview

Gina Liano, Janet Roach and Chyka Keebaugh Real Housewives of Melbourne Head to Dubai Interview

Shot over one week throughout Dubai, the episodes follow The Real Housewives of Melbourne as they explore the city and beyond, from a desert safari to a gourmet dinner and cocktails at one of the city's many premium hotel bards.

During their stay in Dubai, the Real Housewives took in the best Dubai has to offer, including the beaches of Dubai, the city's world famous shopping, the Dubai souks, the Royal Bridge Suite at Atlantis the Palm and a Bedouin style desert dinner under the stars.

The Real Housewives of Melbourne screens Sundays at 8:30pm on Foxtel's Arena.

Interview with Gina Liano, Janet Roach and Chyka Keebaugh

Question: What are your top three essential travel items to take with you to Dubai?

Gina Liano: Deodorant
Humidity defying hair spray
Fan

Janet Roach: Scarf
Eyeliner
Credit card

Chyka Keebaugh: A scarf for both modesty and if it's cool in the mall or restaurants as the air-con is always up so high.
A camera for the amazing sights you'll see.
Sunglasses because it's both glary and the sandstorms

Question: What was your favourite experience in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : I personally loved our day and night in the desert! To ride camels around the sand dunes is truly a wonderful experience to be finished off with dinner under the stars!

Janet Roach: I am an enthusiastic animal lover. I really enjoyed the camel riding. The camels were adorable and we road in the cooler part of the day into the sunset.

We were blessed, in that it rained earlier that day while we were setting up. It is rare for it to rain in the desert, and that was amazing. Even though it dried very quickly. So when we came out to ride the camels it was a lovely temperature. It was sort of quiet after the rain. I have seen many fabulous sunsets. But the sunset over the desert we experienced that day was truly extraordinary.

Gina Liano: My favourite experience in Dubai was going out to the desert.


Question: What was your favourite place that you visited in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : I love the old parts of Dubai like the souk. That to me is the heart and soul of Dubai and a great place to see the locals and have a shop too.

Janet Roach: I am a bit of a bower bird and would never leave a country without a trip to local markets, in this case the Souq. When I travel I like to get immersed in the local culture. See the best of the traditional craft. You will never find better at home.

Gina Liano: My favourite place I visited in Dubai was the desert

Question: What were the best items you purchased in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : I always go to an Afghan jewellery store in the textiles souk area and buy some vintage jewellery. I'm obsessed with the amazing things I always find.

Janet Roach: I bought beautiful embellished kaftans, hand embroidered pashminas, I have a passion for fabrics and the Souq was full of treasures. Cushions, chunky gorgeous jewellery. All with that Middle Eastern flavour. Like being in Alladins cave. Hand painted bowls. I was in heaven.

Gina Liano: The best items I purchased in Dubai were half a dozen pairs of shoes at the Dubai Mall, I could have bought another 10 pairs but knew I couldn't fit them in my luggage.


Question: Do you have any tips for shopping in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : This actually a tip for shopping anywhere in the world- if you love it buy it as chances are it won't be there when you go back!

Janet Roach: The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world. It is a must to see. We did our shopping from a mall buggy. That way we didn't have to carry our shopping. We could ride around and only go into the shops we were interested in. The only way to shop. When we got hungry the driver drove us to the restaurants. It would take days to go into every shop. Plan a whole day there, it is truly worth it they have all the top designers, with much more and varied stock in them than we get in Australia.

Gina Liano: My tip for shopping in Dubai is to bring an extra suitcase


Question: What was your favourite restaurant or food experience in Dubai?
Chyka Keebaugh : The food in Dubai is incredible and I have been lucky enough to have eaten at many amazing places.

Janet Roach: Dinner in the Desert was my favourite dining experience in Dubai. When I think of exotic travel, Dubai screams 'Arabian Nights", camels, tents, lanterns, outdoor traditional cooking and entertainment, all mixed with Bedouin hospitality. Eating under the stars on fabulous rugs and cushions, very decadent!

Gina Liano: My favourite restaurant was downstairs in the Palms Hotel where one wall was a fish tank Ossiano at Altantis


Question: Did you observe any hot fashion trends in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : There isn't anything you can't get in Dubai and for me I love that if you have a favourite designer, you can guarantee the full collection will be there somewhere.

Janet Roach: I really fell in love with the flowing clothes. You don't have to be half naked to be sexy. As I have said, I found the top designers were better represented in the Mall.

Gina Liano: I thought I worked out some fashion trends, but every time I looked at Pettifluer she threw me.


Question: Did you discover any new beauty trends or tips in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : I am a very big fan of lash extensions and love how incredible all the woman do their eyes up! So beautiful.

Janet Roach: Although I have long been a fan, eyeliner takes on a life of its own in Dubai, I found myself being much more bold than usual, and I loved it.

Gina Liano: I discovered Khol eyeliner. There's such a strong focus on having beautiful eyes.


Question: What was the most surprising thing you experienced in Dubai?

Chyka Keebaugh : I think Dubai at night is incredible. There are so many lights and incredible buildings lit up. To think it was once just desert is incredible.

Janet Roach: The most surprising thing for me was how friendly the locals were. They were so gentle and welcoming. I think that sometimes in the west we feel that the cultural gap is very wide between our cultures and we fear a bit of misunderstanding.

I was surprised that was not at all my experience.

Gina Liano: The most surprising thing I experienced in Dubai was the opulence and the beauty.


Question: What would you plan to do differently when visiting Dubai for a second time?

Chyka Keebaugh : I do exactly the same things every time I go to Dubai. It never fails to disappoint!

Janet Roach: Next time I travel to Dubai, I would plan to stay longer and intersperse some days of just laying by the pool or beach and soaking up some of the amazing sunshine.

Gina Liano: What I would do differently when visiting Dubai for a second time is spend more time by the pool.


Question: What do you think Dubai offers over other travel destinations?

Chyka Keebaugh : I love that Dubai is exotic, warm, has great shopping, amazing restaurants, friendly people and is so easy to get around.

Janet Roach: Dubai has basically been built in the last 25 years. Everything is new and wide and shiny. It is a modern day miracle that must be experienced at least once in your life. There is no other place like it on the planet.

Gina Liano: What I think Dubai offers over other travel destinations is a mix of everything, great weather, fantastic shopping, delicious food and glamour.


Question: There are a lot of misconceptions about Dubai. Can you mention 2-3 preconceptions you had before your trip that completely surprised you when you arrived?

Chyka Keebaugh : I have been going to Dubai for a while so have none of these now but probably not realising how safe I felt as a woman there. The incredible shopping and probably the best in the world. How incredibly cosmopolitan a town it is. How friendly the locals are.

Janet Roach: Whilst travelling around in Dubai, I was struck by how safe I felt. I love the heat, so the weather is a big plus for me.

Gina Liano: There are a lot of misconceptions about Dubai, one thing I noticed was how safe it is. I also noticed that nothing gets stolen.


Follow in the footsteps of the Real Housewives of Melbourne in Dubai with Atlantis, the Palm and Luxury Escapes

With the third season of 'The Real Housewives of Melbourne" in full swing, viewers of the top rated franchise series can watch the ladies enjoying the delights of Atlantis, The Palm during the cast's trip to Dubai. The luxurious entertainment destination played home to Housewives Gina Liano, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach, Chyka Keebaugh, Lydia Schiavello, Pettifleur Berenger, Gamble Breaux and newcomer Susie McLean during their glamorous journey to the United Arab Emirates, which airs April 10, 17 and 24 on Foxtel's Arena 8.30pm.

Luxury Escapes is giving visitors to Dubai the chance to stay at the world-famous five star Atlantis, The Palm, just like the housewives, and experience the royal treatment with a very special, limited time offer.

Travel like the Real Housewives of Melbourne and experience pure indulgence with four stunning nights at the world famous Atlantis The Palm Dubai for two adults (and two kids aged 15 and under) for only $1,998 (valued up to $6,400). Dubai is known for its luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene, and is a great stopover destination when travelling to Europe or Asia. The five star Luxury Escapes package includes luxury return airport transfers, exclusive all-day access to the Imperial Club Lounge, 2-for-1 massage, free kids club entry, private beach access, gourmet breakfasts, mouth-watering afternoon canapés and evening drinks. The offer also included unlimited access to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium.

The limited offer is available for bookings now until April 30 only from Luxury Escapes with validity for travel until September 2017 with minimal blackout periods and seasonal surcharges. See www.LuxuryEscapes.com to book or call Australian support line on 1300 88 99 00.