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 lady is due on June 4 and, once we touched down in Dubai, I used to be 28 weeks pregnant.
You may’t fly after that with out a physician’s observe. We had left it till the final minute and, by the point we arrived, each of us had been able to loosen up.
I might been to Dubai as soon as earlier than as a swimmer, once we stayed in an condominium.
This was utterly completely different – and totally superb. The Anantara is a part of The Palm mission 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 once we went to the Australian themed restaurant, I imagined I used to be again within the jungle on I am A Celeb — although there weren’t any luxuries in that jungle.
It’s important to see Dubai to consider it.
Every little thing is so clear, luxurious and new — even the principle vacationer areas. And in all places accommodations are being constructed. We saved asking ourselves how they may all survive, however one way or the other 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 house 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’ preferrred for swimmers of all expertise ranges
We had a number of time to suppose and to debate what title we must always give our child.
We at all times needed to know what to anticipate — we’re having a lady — as a result of we’re each impatient individuals and are eager to plan forward, however we won’t 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 will probably be Harry’s title, Wants. We wish a reputation that will not sound as if she is ‘Needy’, should you see what I imply.
At some point, we went out on a ship and I hoped to see David Beckham’s home, however nobody appeared positive the place it was precisely.
However what we did see had been among the costliest 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 greater 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 at all times be capable to 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 worthwhile life talent and I used to be stunned to see on the lodge 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 participating and three,500 youngsters are studying to swim with us.
There have been a number of British individuals within the lodge they usually had been all very pleasant.
It by no means bothers me if somebody desires to return up and have a chat or have {a photograph} taken.
Athletes are completely different to movie stars in that folks see us as we’re, not enjoying 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 tools individuals have.
It began to present me concepts. I used to be additionally happy to see how type everybody was to the youngsters. The employees went out of their strategy to be useful.
It is a actual household resort.
Paradise pictured: The Anantara gives over-the-water villas which give the right 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 strategy to maintain match and I nonetheless find it irresistible.
I really like the sensation of being weightless and that is particularly welcome while you’re pregnant.
Harry and I went to the fitness center a couple of instances on the lodge and I did a little bit of this and that, however I’m not used to high-impact sport. A fitness center is troublesome on my knees.
There may be not the tiniest little bit of me that ever desires to compete once more.
As an athlete, I used to be so centered and pushed and I left the game figuring out that I couldn’t have given extra of myself. All that coaching was actually powerful, however I selected to do it.
Flashback: Rebecca survived daunting trials when she appeared on I am A Celeb… 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 may really feel at house 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 accomplished I am A Celeb.
It helped me discover my ft and I’ve at all times beloved Ant and Dec.
Nevertheless it was scary not figuring out what would occur and all of a sudden discovering myself with 11 strangers.
What’s for positive is that it actually made me admire a vacation just like the one in Dubai.
