The UAE Roads Less Traveled

My sister and her family (her in laws and their friends) decided to have a road trip last Eid holidays (16^th of October). We headed to the eastern part of the UAE where the roads (less travelled) and stone mountains never end. So I was just sitting my flat butt for almost ten hours, probably the longest road trip of my life, while our vehicle following the other vehicle driving aimlessly. The only time I got out of it was when we need to go inside a resto and eat lunch. Oh and the one I had my picture taken at god-knows-where.

Well, I had a chance at the “Friday market” but I was completely stuck assisting my sister changing the diaper his infant son (oh yea he was with us), that’s the downside of having an infant/baby/toddler/kid when you are travelling, you don’t get to enjoy on your own and no one wants or is available to take your photo, LOL, because they are too busy with the baby!

Besides, I didn’t know that we were heading nowhere, really. I was like waiting for them to stop at a certain spot and had some photos taken. Until I realized we weren’t going to that certain spot whatever. Was too late. I regret that I didn’t take photo of that awesome tunnel that we went through in Fujairah(?), it was built there under those endless stone mountains. It’s narrow (2 lanes) and kinda long. I was really amazed, I wasn’t expecting that tunnel there. We took the other roads going back home, so I just took pictures as much as I could..

Around the Globe in ONE night

How is that possible?

Remember, Dubai is known for making impossible things possible... so, voilà !

Since I didn’t get to travel on Eid holidays (wasted 5 days, I know..), I revisited the Global Village after 7 years. Went there at night of October 15. Changes are not so much but I got to experience riding an Indian rickshaw. I know my rickshaw driver was happy having me us his passenger, he didn’t need to put so much effort pedaling as my weight won’t add much to whatever he was “carrying”. I feel sorry for those with 4 or more heavy passengers... *sighs* C’est la vie.

Anyway, China and India pavilions still look fab and grand as they were before.. 

Le Me in rickshaw. Then the India and China pavilions.

And Egypt pavilion? The pyramids are stunning. While Afghanistan pavilion is beyond expectation (sorry no "decent" photo of it). Turkey pavilion made me miss Istanbul. I ended up buying and eating grilled kestane (chestnut) and süt mısır (milk corn)... it was actually the food stand outside the pavilion that made me miss Istanbul, LOL.

The façade of the Global Village. Then the Turkey & Egypt pavilions.

I got to see the display of fireworks at the Global Village. Oh and Italy, France, etc pavilions are nice too but I didn’t get to take photos that much. My phone wasn’t working that time and the one I was using for taking photos wasn't reliable at all plus the fact that I was with my sister fambam and her in-laws, in short, I was with an infant and some oldies so you know it was really quick visit..  

That's all for now... Later ;)

Dubai and Beyond...

Just wanna share photos I have snapped using my Samsung phone during the past 4 months (June-September) in Dubai and beyond...

DUBAI

Dubai, apparently, cannot stop constructing new skyscrapers

Dubai skyscrapers

Dubai looks London-y here

the future is already here... 

Holy mother of all skyscrapers, Burj Khalifa (world's tallest tower)

Dubai after sunset (that's the magnificent Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel)

Meanwhile, in other Emirates... 

SHARJAH

the grass is greener in Sharjah 

a beautiful mosque somewhere in Sharjah

AJMAN

Ajman before sunset

a roundabout before Ajman corniche/beach

 ABU DHABI

Al Ain before sunset

If you wanna see more, check out my Instagram but be warned, I did A LOT of "selfie" there (sorry I had to.. LOL)...

A+ 

Beyond Oman, Lies Musandam

Oh, man! Two weeks ago, I had some weekend getaway to experience Omani traditional dhow cruising in Dibba, Musandam - the Norway of the Arabian Gulf because its inlets are similar to Norway Fjords. See and discover its stunning scenery through the pics from friend's cam (the ones I have taken are already posted on my Instagram)

Let the journey to the endless Hajr (stone) mountans begins...!!



Hajr is the highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian peninsula

a traditional Omani dhows

a banana boat in a speed boat :D

and co-cruiser has taken the plunge

;)

Turkey Blue Mosque

[Late post]: As you know, I enjoyed a one-week sojourn in Istanbul last January and I got to see the infamous and historical Blue Mosque aka Sultan Ahmed (Sultanahmet) Mosque almost daily because I stayed in a hotel which is just a 5-minute walk from it.

Hotel's rooftop terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque

Here's my little soujourn to the Blue Mosque:

a view from Sultanahmet Park, in the old city of Istanbul

Inner courtyard with one of the entrance gates

The dome and its blue tiles

 

Interior view

 

Main prayer room

 

The prototype of the Blue Mosque in 4 angles

  

Blue Mosque inner prototype

Hope you liked the tour ;)

UAE Grand Mosque

Finally after being in Dubai for a total of 7 years (and counting), I got a chance to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,UAE's largest mosque, and some parts of Abu Dhabi. So YAY me!

Here's a short tour for y'all..

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

water pool in front of the mosque

One of the entrance to the inner courtyard

a glimpse of the inner courtyard

floral design on inner courtyard 

ladies' ablution room, this is where they wash their hands, arms, feet & face before prayers

the design outside the ladies' room

drinking water outside the ladies' room

columns, my fave part of the mosque

entrance to the main prayer room

another fave part of mine, the super soft carpet which happens to be the largest carpet in the world

the main prayer hall

another fave, 1 of the gorgeous 7 crystal chandeliers, those are Swarovski

the prayer times in Arabic & English 

End of tour.

Hope you enjoyed the ride ;)