Serene Beauty Amidst Chaotic World: PLACES: Dubai, Daring and Dynamic

One more week and it’s already Ramadan – a time to relax, a time to go some place real far from annoyance, aggravation and anxiety.

Since I started working in SOJV, I always hear my colleagues saying “tara sa Dubai sa Eid, maiba nman ang environment natin.” Yeah, yeah. I worked in Dubai for more than 2 years, and I agree to that, Dubai is a lot different from Doha. Here, after work, you can only choose to whether stay in the house or go to 3 shopping centers – city centre, Villaggio or The Landmark. There is Aqua Park, but it’s too far (almost near KSA boundary as far as I recall), or Doha Zoo (where you can see 15 and ½ kinds of species there). There is Sealine Beach in which you have to travel 1-2 hours. Dubai is different maybe because transportation is easier (thanks to my previous projects, Dubai Metro). And I admit, I enjoyed my stay there, although yours truly didn’t have much savings because of so many tempting things to do. But there is one thing I discovered - "MONEY IS NOTHING COMPARE TO PRECIOUS MOMENTS and TIMELESS MEMORIES."

So anyway, allow me to share some of my adventures during my 2 years stay in Dubai. You can try going to these places if you are planning to visit Dubai this coming Eid Holiday. It’s really good to have friends with cars, kasi most of the time, 2-3 places we can visit, from Abu Dhabi Corniche, to Sharjah Souq to Jumeirah Beach, basta kaya pa ng gas, ng oras, at memory card ng Camera. :D Also, I visited other Emirates such as Fujeirah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Um Al Quwain. And as far as I remember, Ajman is the remaining Emirate where I didn’t have any adventure. =)

Hopefully, this coming Eid, me and my "maybahay" will visit these places, together. +_+

Just Feel free to browse and feel free to choose your own destination! xoxo

Note: If you know someone, or you have relatives working on these companies, better ask for some assistance especially for the reservation because they are giving away as huge as 50% discount. Otherwise, just pay for the regular price. :)

Advantures are in ALPHABETICAL ORDER or easier reference.

AL GHURAIR CHINESE RESTAURANT

My SFC Middle Household had a Valentine's Activity called Exchange Date, since during that time, we were all single (literally). The mechanics is so easy, it was like exchange gift, but what you will give to your monita is a DATE, and there is no wishlist. And us, out of 6 pairs, one couple became Mr. and Mrs. Quiñones.. Hmm parang aq yata ang nagahanp ng date n yan for Ate Lea. =)

AL RAYA HOTEL

My SFC - Dubai Family went for some secrets sharing and celebration, and of course, kainan! :)

AL SAFA GYM

Instead of ot having a Valentine's Date, SFC -UAE had our yearly Singolympics, and yeah, we won the Cheering Competition, yes!

AQUAVENTURE / ATLANTIS HOTEL

Aquaventure is located inside the Atlantis Hotel, and once you book a room the said hotel, you will have a free access to all amenities including Jumeirah Private Beach and Aquaventure.

The first time I went there was when I celebrated my 27th Birthday (Nov 28, 2010), followed by despidida of one of my households (March 29, 2010), and Company Outing (April 19, 2010).

ARMANI HOTEL

My officemate celebrated her first birthday in Dubai at the Armani Hotel. Thanks to our very generous managers who never fail to make their staffs experience these kind of things!

AT THE TOP EXPERIENCE

Sorry for the watermark on the pics @_@

BENIYAS STATION

My Japanese Manager, together with our makukulit na engineer, had some fun while we are waiting for... i forgot hehehe. So anyway, instead of just sitting there, we decided to take shots since the place is good.

BLUE MANILA CLUB

Filipino Band was really good, although the place is a little bit crowd and small. In fairness, the food is good. =)

BURJ AL ARAB

My 28th Birthday, sponsored by my very generous, and kind-hearted SOWA managers, Whew!

BURJUMAN CENTER

I always been to this mall, but I didn't have so much pics. It's s small shopping center but very convenient to visit since there is Burjuman Metro Station, one of 4 under gound stations of Dubai Redline Metro.

CHOPPER EXPERIENCE

Yeah, 3weeks before I left for Doha, I had a wonderful chopper experience. It was actually a promo, for 500AED, you will experience 15 minutes of riding a chopper. A week after that, the price increased by 75%, ouch!

CITY SEASON'S HOTEL

Our Love Forum was held last 20 march 2010 where in a very good speakers discussed and explained to us about "True Love".. Hmmm, a very useful one, that's why I already mine <3

CREEK PARK

Been here so many time as well. Very accessible, pwede ka lang tumamaby anytime since the entire area has bermuda grass. all you have to do is bring your mat, some chicha, and your friends. =) I just posted the last photos in this park, together with my lower HH (may inakays heheh!)

DEIRA CITY CENTRE

Same thing with Burjuman Center and Creek Park, Ive lost count visitng this shopping center. So I just selceted the firt time I had a dinner at Chicago Grill with my officemates and managers.

DESERT SAFARI

This is my first adventure in Dubai courtesy of SOWA, and experienceing this in Dubai is a lot different different compare to Doha for so many reasons:

1. The BBQ dinner is not just BBQ dinner,. They also have salads, some exotic foods and veggies. And when you to Buffet table, no one who will serve you and asked you "how many sausage? or how many BBQ?' If you want only BBQ, or kebab, take as many as you can.

2. During the dinner, 2-3 belly dancers will perform on the stage.

3. Free camel riding

4. Free Hubbly Bubbly aka Shisha

5. Free Henna Tattoo

6. There is a booth where you can wear abaya, and take as many photos as you can for free.

DUBAI CREEK

Riding on a banca will cost you 2-5AED depending on the station.

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

A very good place to unwind. Near Dubai Yacht Club. Stairs' my favorite spot in DFC.

DUBAI MALL

Lost count going to this most famous and largest mall in the world (based on total area).

DUBAI MARINA

DUBAI METRO FIRST TRIP EVER!

September 09, 2009 (09-09-09)

After a year of hardwork working on the Redline Stations, we experienced it for the first time!

FISH MARKET

The activity behind this is for the Photography course I enrolled when I was in UAE. I wasn't successful I think hahahah! But everyhthing very cheap! So sad, I had no time to buy sine we only 1hour to take photos, and submit them by afternoon.. :(