Eid Al Adha 2013 of the Homebody

It has been a week that has passed since the busy Eid Al Adha holidays.  While most of the working class are nursing holiday hangovers, I am still busy finishing my to-do lists.  For a homebody like me, the holidays do not really mean a thing anymore, but an excuse for me to go out of the house and do something crazy-ish.

A few weeks before the big holiday some friends were asking me what are our plans for the three-day holiday.  Its one of the anticipated holidays of the year here in Abu Dhabi so why not do something extravagant.  I am such a killjoy because I opted not to go out and do excursions, instead we did our Christmas shopping in advance.  Yep, you read that right, Christmas shopping in October, I even started wrapping up some of the gift I have already bought. For those who are not an expat, December is the busiest time for all couriers all over the world, I think.  At least it is here in UAE.  Last year, a colleague informed me that if I want my balikbayan box to arrive just in time for Christmas I have to send the box by September.  Yikes!

Back to the holidays, we went to Dubai Outlet Mall to shop.  We were not prepared to see the outlet mall full of Filipinos who were also shopping.  Like shopping crazy.  We spent the entire day shopping and believing me it was not enough.  We have to do some pit stops at Emirates Mall to pick up my baking ingredients.  The second day activity was the same.  While most of my friends were relaxing at the park enjoying the cooler weather, my husband and I had to do more buying.

On the last day, we took a break and decided to have brunch at the beach.  The last time I went to the beach here in Abu Dhabi was 3 years ago.  July 2013.  So in the morning, I made breakfast burritos, corn dogs, store-bought fried chicken and fried rice and went to the beach.  We took gate number 2 as this is the part of the corniche where there are bungalows.  Unfortunately when we got there, all are occupied. We settled on a nearby grass and opened our blanket to start our little picnic. 

But after some time, a cottage was available and we moved our stuff under the shade.  Advice for those who are considering going to the beach in this area, if you have food, its better if you bring your table and chairs.  Although blankets and mats are okay there are ants.  Just to avoid biting into them, its better to bring something to put your food at.

By lunch time the beach was not so saturated anymore.  It was a nice day to relax and enjoy the breeze and people watch.  We stayed there for.at least two hours. Yes, i know not much time to totally get a decent sun tan, but the heat was just a bit too much already.

By the way, the entrance fee was AED 5.00 for kids and AED 10.00 for adults.  Grilling was not allowed in the area.  Gate number 2 is the entrance near the Tiara Express kiosk.  It is also the entrance in front of the intersection with the Chevrolet Showroom.

41st UAE National Day

Ho! It has been three months since my last post, and that was a bit melancholic considering that it was a post  about a forbidden protein (in my case).   Before this post will reek of sour graping thoughts...what better way to make a come back than to do it in one of the most wonderful month of the year..December!

Our December started with a loud bang, with the UAE national day kicking off the month.  The celebration started with  a 10 minute fireworks display at the corniche area on 01 December 2012.  As advertised the fireworks will start around 8:30 pm.

We decided to join in the festivities since there will be no work the following day.  We had a impromptu picnic at the park.  We packed our instant hot chocos and some munchies and headed to the park.  We have to walk since the road leading to the corniche is already crowded.  Before we were able to find a spot, the fireworks started already.  One word, beautiful.

The kid in me will always be amazed with the loud bang as well as the colorful splatter of glittering lights in the sky.  It will never cease to make me clap with glee while shouting "ooooohhhh" and "aaaahhhhh." 

After the display, we found a small spot since the entire park was fully packed.  That's when we started people watching.  Yes, people watching, the most enjoyable activity that you could do without spending a cent.  Kids and and adults are walking while spraying artificial snow and bubbles to passersby.  We even had our share of spray even if we were just sitting.  It was fun.  Cars passing honking and throwing confettis also made the night more party-ish.

The main firework event was on 02 December 2012 the same venue.  we didn't dare went out to watch it because there's too much traffic.  We only went out before it was dark to do a little shopping.  We were lucky to catch the air show.  It was exciting.  The daredevil pilots can really take your breath away.  The parade of cars with uae stickers were also everywhere.

Truly a festive way to start off my December 2012.

 

Abu Dhabi My New Home

A month from today, I will officially be a year old here in Abu Dhabi. This is I guess, the longest time I have ever stayed in one foreign country. I have always wanted to try new places and experience their culture. I have my list of places to visit and Abu Dhabi is not in the list. This is maybe because I have so many misconceptions about this country. The nearest thing that I could associate myself with appreciating Middle East is Aladdin. I mean given the fact that Aladdin is a Disney creation, but still the sun and sand does not really appear so inviting.

After a year here, I’ve learned to love this country in little ways. However, I still have some issues to include in rather-forget-things/people/places list.

Let me start with my first misconception.

Desert land means no-fun land. This is where I am sorely mistaken and all those who have not stepped into UAE. Often, the idea of going to the Middle East is like going somewhere you want to dry out and die. Where vultures roam the sky waiting for you to slump down and dig into your own flesh. Right, that sounds, too disgusting. Moving on, the long stretch of sand dunes and glaring sun is only a portion of the country. And at the moment, is being used as a tourist attraction. The safari ride along the sand dunes is the new roller coaster nature style. Aside from sand dunes and glaring sun, Abu Dhabi has many luxurious parks where you can hide underneath the foliage of trees that surrounds the park. Enjoy a lazy afternoon with family and friends for a picnic. Roast something for a quick munch. Hotels and malls are sporadically scattered within the country and you can have a pick according to your budget. Feeling like a king and have the moolah to spend, there is always the Emirates Palace to splurge on. Restaurants are also everywhere for the picky eaters and food connoisseurs.

In terms of entertainment, Abu Dhabi does not run out of ways to entertain everyone in the country. International artists perform on concerts at the Yas Island almost every month. Aside from the dancing and singing marathon in the city, the Ferrari World theme park is always there to give you more thrill than from jumping with the crowd.





If you are more into soaking in the sun, the cornice is always open for everyone to take off their clothes (not in an obscene way) and soak in the sun. Enjoy water sports like jet skis and the likes. Along the cornice are some benches to just enjoy the view of the water. Grab a quick meal and have it on those benches. Or rent bikes and roam the whole stretch.

There are a hundred and more things to do in Abu Dhabi, but for now, this is the consolidated info.