Off to the Sand : Desert Safari

18-10-2013

Because we had several days away from the sometimes-could-be-stressing-work, we planned a one day gala. Our destination? Dubai Desert Safari. My sister, ate Mavic booked the voucher which was worth 75AED for each person. It was a Friday trip with some housemates and freinds (my 2 sister: ate helen and ate Mavic, my cousin Ate May, flatmate Ems and bestfriend Rein.)

Mirror Selfie... Pagbigyan na!

Picture picture pa din kahit late na sa pcik up! :)

We arrived at the meeting place quite late than expected. hihi. We noticed that we were only the Filipinos in the shuttle. Fortunate enough, the othe passengers did not make any drama out of waiting. The entire travel took more or less an hour.

Upon arrival, we were directed to our 4x4 Land Cruiser. And we were al ready to experience Dune Driving. It was so much fun that we were screaming and laughing all through the drive. Too bad it only took a short period of time to reach the next stop. I was also expecting more bashing of the sand and more thrill. I felt like it was so bitin.

Knee drop!!! What happened 

And of course, we grabbed the chance to take lots of photos upon arrival. The weather is good (not so hot) since winter is already appproaching. I still find it weird when we say winter here in Dubai. I just can not imagine winter without snow. haha

It is windy but it's fine!

My first ever encounter with a camel. haha 

Being my first time to see a camel, I didn't let time pass by without having to try and ride the camel. I thought, it would be just like riding a horse though I haven't ride a horse also! haha I thought it would be easy to go up the camel's back but to my surprise, it wasn't.

Hena for free!!!

While waiting for the BBQ dinner, we took to time to go for some hena whcih for small design is free. And speaking of dinner, it really feels good eating under the sky full of stars.

We were all seated on pillows while enjoying the show...belly dancing, fire dance and Tanoura dance.  Some would also offer you to try shisha a obacco concoction smoked in a hookah. You can also try their customes and have your picture taken which of course you have to pay around 10-20AED. 

My signature photo of where I am standing. my nickname printed on the sand

Here is a list of some of the activities:

A sunset shotof me

- 20-30 minutes Dune Driving
- Sun Set Photography
- Camel Rides
- Belly Dancing 
-Tanoura Dance
-Fire Dance
- Bar
- Henna Painting
- Shisha
- Traditional costumes
- Unlimited soft drinks, tea coffee and mineral water
- Buffet Dinner and B.B.Q.













Until another journey in this exciting land of Dubai.
Ending this note, makes me realize that holiday has ended. I will be bak to work tomorrow... This is why I like and I dont like having too long vacation at the same time. When it ends, nakakatamad-mag-back-to-normal. haha

❤xo❤

What I See. When I See

Things are never the same. It never was...never will.

Everyday is the same routine. I wake up each morning and walk the same walk.  I travel the same road and yet see things differently. In just a snap or a blink of an eye, things might change.

Perhaps, that is one magic of the world and a certain blessing of God.  Taking for instance, the same sun shines everyday. But its warmth changes. Its brightness varies. The feeling that it gives to me is different everyday

And so I also realized that the changes on or of things depend on our perception. It lies on how we see and look at things. If we could only be more positive then maybe our eyes can see the wonders which surround us.

Different shot of where I am standing each day. This is the same exact spot where I wait for my car lift going to work

What I see every morning

This was taken at the office. It's always this bright at the reception :

 

These are photos of random buildings which I was able to take a snap along the way. I must tell you that Dubai has really strange building strictures that always keep me amazed.

You must know by now that my favorite subject is the sun. Quite obvious with all my photos in the past.

 

I love this photo. It gives me a sense of being in the past... lost in place...lost in time. 

 

 Since travel from work to home takes me an hour or more, it is already dark when I get home

❤xo❤

The right when and the perfect why

Speak of patience and faith. Think of hardwork and perfect timing. I have once read that good things come to those who wait but greater things come to those who work hard. So while waiting for the best of things to happen, might as well do the best that we can.

*God knows the right when and the perfect why*

  

Change

"I want you..." I said

"But not that bad enough to completely accept me." he replied

❤xo❤

Alaalang Ala eh!

For more than a year, I stayed and work in Makati. Things went smooth that I was able to blend well with the manilenos and the makati girls. Not that I became sosyal or maarte but rather was able to adapt on how things were. So one time my friends asked me "ayy Batangueno ka? Bat ganon, nasan ang punto mo?"

I smiled and then said "ay di ga't areh na nga. Ike pumarine ng iyong marinig. Parine. Dine. Ano? Lasa ko'y timik!"

Then we all bursted out laughing.

It was an early morning and I can see the grass was wet with dew. My brothers and sisters were still sleeping My mother has brought out cups of hot coffee for her and tatay. There was an extra cup for me. Even at a young age I have loved the bitter taste of coffee. And of course I did not forget to have paborita partnered with my coffee.

The sun hasn't come out yet but Kakang Juanito along with his taro ng pakain (a pail of water and feeds) was already off to tend to his cattle. Tatay shouted, called his name and offered a cup of coffee. It has been a custom to offer anything to drink or eat to anyone passing by our house. Kaka stopped by for a few minutes and had some chat with inay and tatay. After finishing their cups, they all went to do their business for the day. Inay went on to the piggery while tatay got his axe and started to chop woods. I was left with the empty cups. I must also move and start doing my chores.

At home, we have two breakfast, cups of coffee would start the day but it woudn't be complete without having rice afterwards.

Hours later, I heard my cousins outside "maiba syang... taya." Ahhh. I hurriedly went out and joined them.  Minutes later, we were all running. I must find the safest place. I don't want to get caught. We had several rounds before we decided to change game. We had patintero, tumbang preso and then luksong baka.

The sun was ready to set its beauty when I heard inay shout my name. My tiya Belen was also calling out my cousins' name. We all stopped playing. One of my cousin even made a joke "ayan na ang mga armalite!!!", referring to our mothers shouting now for us to go home

It is time for me to cook rice. I can see the smoke coming out from our tungko. Inay had already set the fire.

Darkness immediately swallowed the earlier bright sky. At 6 in the evening, we were all sitted in the bangko eating our dinner, ginisang monggo and pritong sinaing na isda.

After dinner, we all gathered in the sala and watched tv. An hour later, tatay left to sleep. Inay then asked all of us to go to our rooms telling us not to forget our kulambo (mosquito net)

I went to my room and lay on the bed. I was sharing bed with my younger sister. I was not feeling sleepy yet. Those moments made me realize how deafening silence can be. The kind of silence when there is nothing but the the sound of crickets. I wonder what they were talking about. I kept staring on our roof. I kept on wondering until my eyes gave in.

The next moment I opened my eyes, I was  again infront of my friend still laughing with my hilarious Batangueno accent. "So that was what my childhood in Batangas was like" I told her. Just a typical probinsya. "Ang saya naman" she said.

"Oo naman" I added  I can not imagine my childhood without hide and seek, patintero, piko and even langit lupa. I can not think of mornings without coffee plus pandesal or paborita or anything to dip in my cup. Growing up may not be complete without spending time with my insan's, kaka's, tiyo and tiya, mamay and nanay.

So when I think of happy memories, I only think of home. This is where I came from. This is how I grew up. And this is my Batangas.

❤xo❤

A World Class Experience and a whole lot Photo Explosion

After having visited one of the largest malls in the world, after having tried the world's fastest coaster, I have now experience a 360 degree At the Top experience in the world's Tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

It was planned a week ahead with Rein. And days before the big day, I was not able to contain my excitement. I could not wait for another world class experience. Haha

Okay. So moving forward to the big day which was Friday, 27th of September(restday) we decided to meet up at 10 in the  morning. Meeting was only moved to 1 in the afternoon after realizing that metro station only open at 1pm during Fridays.

We first went to the At The Top booth to check and buy tickets. We were hoping to grab tickets for an afternoon ride. But to our surprise tickets were immediately sold out. Available time slot kept on changing as tickets are being  sold. Not wanting to ruin our excitement, we decided to buy the 8:30pm tickets. Ticket was sold at 135AED. We had plenty of time so we roam in and outside the mall, had coffee, chat about what has been going on with work and even had time to watch the popular dancing fountain. 

When our most awaited time came, we were directed to an elevator that will take us to the top. Imagine flash. We reached the 124th floor in just 1 minute.   

So finally, I was at the top. I was and is always amazed of how beautiful dubai is. The city scape viewed at night at the top is wonderful. But I think it could have been a better experience if there were restaurants or any coffee shop located at the top.

I can not find more words so I will let the photos continue the story.

At the TOP

Telescopes are available for use. It might be better of use during daytime.

Taken near the booth (dubai mall) before going to Burj Khalifa

Awesome view from the top

Reiny who like her photos to be taken with strangers. haha

SELFIESSSSSssssssssshhhh :P

we stopped at the ice rink and watched people enjoying ice skating. And we have decided, next goal would be to try ice skating. We both have never ever tried that.

So...until another world class experience? I hope so! :P

❤xo❤

Recap of the Lazy One

It has been more than a month since I last brought my fingers into writing. Part of the reason is that I have been too occupied and still on my adjustment period with work. And the other half is that I have been too lazy that instead of hitting the keyboard I'd rather rest and do some other errands. Avery bad reasoning isn't it?

Anyway, enough for my excuses. And let me start my recap with bits of what I have been up to. It is now time to give chance to all my notes stocked in my draft box to be posted.

*10Sep2013

I am finally and officially a resident of Dubai. I recieved all the necessary ID including my company, EMIRATES and JAFZA ID plus the health card.

*18Sep2013

This was the day I completed my first month at work. I can not believe how fast time had been. I do not know why or how but it feels like it had been yesterday only. I am finally getting used to the different tasks of my job. Though I have to be honest that there are still times when I do not exactly know what to do. This is life. We must never stop learning.

*20Sep2013

I was invited on a christian worshipping. It was my first time ever. It was a mixed emotion of excitement, nervousness and curiosity.  It was such a fun experience singing along with all the wonderful praise songs and listening to the preachings of the pastor. It was a joy witnessing an overflowing faith from each and every member of the ministry.

*28Sept2013

I am very glad and excited to become part of a circle created by a previous mentor, Ms. Tet. This will surely inspire me to be more active into writing. Maybe I should write another entry for this. :)

*27Sep2013

I went out with bestfriend Rein and experienced a 360 degree At the Top experience in the World's Tallest Building, Burj Khalifa. I will write more about this on a separate entry.

*01Oct2013

We are all set for Christmas. I find it weird whenever we talk about winter her in Dubai. Cause you know I can't imagine winter without snow. But believe it or not, there really is winter in Dubai. That's when you feel the cold blow of the wind far different from the scorching heat on summer.

*02Oct2013

Quite surprising how kind the people in the office were this past few days. Everyday, random people would give me anything from chocolates to sundae to the starngest food I have never tasted. haha

That's it for now. Sorry for boring you with this entry. haha. I promise to write a more substancial enrty on the days to come. So help me God.

❤xo❤