Three’s firm: Rebecca and husband Harry settle in at Anantara the Palm Jumeirah
My husband Harry and I knew this was going to be a landmark vacation – the final one on our personal for a very long time.
Our child woman is due on June 4 and, after we touched down in Dubai, I used to be 28 weeks pregnant.
You may’t fly after that with no physician’s observe. We had left it till the final minute and, by the point we arrived, each of us had been able to chill out.
I would been to Dubai as soon as earlier than as a swimmer, after we stayed in an house.
This was fully completely different – and totally superb. The Anantara is a part of The Palm challenge and is like nowhere else.
As a result of it has over-the-water bungalows there have been instances when it felt like we had been within the Maldives, however after we went to the Australian themed restaurant, I imagined I used to be again within the jungle on I am A Movie star — despite the fact that there weren’t any luxuries in that jungle.
You need to see Dubai to consider it.
The whole lot is so clear, luxurious and new — even the principle vacationer areas. And in all places motels are being constructed. We saved asking ourselves how they may all survive, however in some way they may.
Our room was on the lagoon, which meant we had direct entry to the water. We tended to spend a few hours within the morning by the principle pool, then, after lunch, we retreated to our beautiful room, the place we had solar beds on the balcony.
Harry is doing a graphic design course again residence and so he spent a while every day on his research. By 4pm, it will get hazy in Dubai.
Some days we went for a wander round the entire resort, which is about two miles spherical however it’s cleverly laid out. It by no means felt crowded.
Soar in: The Anantara has three turquoise-blue ‘lagoons’ superb for swimmers of all expertise ranges
We had a whole lot of time to assume and to debate what title we should always give our child.
We all the time needed to know what to anticipate — we’re having a lady — as a result of we’re each impatient folks and are eager to plan forward, however we will not agree on a reputation.
Naming one thing earlier than you see it’s unusual and it is vital that her first title goes together with her final, which shall be Harry’s title, Wants. We wish a reputation that will not sound as if she is ‘Needy’, should you see what I imply.
Someday, we went out on a ship and I hoped to see David Beckham’s home, however nobody appeared certain the place it was precisely.
However what we did see had been among the most costly properties ever. There’s some huge cash splashing round on this a part of the world. We additionally made a visit to the well-known Dubai Mall, which is larger than a soccer stadium — or so it appears.
And guess what? We purchased our not-born-yet child her first swimsuit.
It has a French look to it, with jaunty stripes. My plan is to take her swimming as quickly as I can. It is one thing we are going to all the time be capable of do collectively.
Retail remedy: Rebecca Adlington did a spot of purchasing on the well-known (and massive) Dubai Mall
Extra importantly, I regard swimming as a priceless life ability and I used to be shocked to see on the resort that some youngsters had by no means discovered.
That is why I’ve began Becky Adlington Swim Stars for 3 to 11-year-olds.
Already we now have 17 venues collaborating and three,500 youngsters are studying to swim with us.
There have been a number of British folks within the resort they usually had been all very pleasant.
It by no means bothers me if somebody needs to return up and have a chat or have {a photograph} taken.
Athletes are completely different to movie stars in that individuals see us as we’re, not taking part in a selected function.
And we’re used to having a microphone shoved in our faces instantly after we now have competed. It teaches you to be pure.
One factor I loved at The Anantara was all the newborn gear folks have.
It began to offer me concepts. I used to be additionally happy to see how variety everybody was to the kids. The employees went out of their technique to be useful.
It is a actual household resort.
Paradise pictured: The Anantara affords over-the-water villas which offer the proper sea view
After I retired from aggressive swimming on the age of 23, I did not go close to a pool for six months.
Then I began to swim once more as a technique to preserve match and I nonetheless adore it.
I really like the sensation of being weightless and that is particularly welcome whenever you’re pregnant.
Harry and I went to the health club a couple of instances on the resort and I did a little bit of this and that, however I’m not used to high-impact sport. A health club is troublesome on my knees.
There’s not the tiniest little bit of me that ever needs to compete once more.
As an athlete, I used to be so targeted and pushed and I left the game figuring out that I couldn’t have given extra of myself. All that coaching was actually robust, however I selected to do it.
Flashback: Rebecca survived daunting trials when she appeared on I am A Movie star… in 2013
Now, I’ve an opportunity to get on with the remainder of my life and I am enthusiastic about that, too. It provides me a possibility to attempt new issues — like coming to Dubai with Harry and spending more often than not mendacity round.
Within the Australian restaurant, an Arab man got here as much as me and mentioned he recognised me.
‘You will really feel at residence on this restaurant, then?’ he mentioned. ‘Why?’ I mentioned. ‘I am not Australian.’
‘Since you had been on that programme within the jungle,’ he mentioned, with out mentioning my swimming.
I’m so happy to have executed I am A Movie star.
It helped me discover my toes and I’ve all the time cherished Ant and Dec.
Nevertheless it was scary not figuring out what would occur and all of the sudden discovering myself with 11 strangers.
What’s for certain is that it actually made me respect a vacation just like the one in Dubai.
