Dubai World Cup - part trois

Life is not a fairy-tale. If you lose a shoe at midnight: you're drunk at the racing event.

It has been 23 years since Dubai World Cup was first introduced... this year is my 3rd to witness the closing ceremony of the world's richest day of horse racing. A total of 30 million USD prize for the 9 races that day. Do I need to say more?

Glitz, glam and beauty was in full attendance at the racing event

During break between the 8th and 9th races, went to the powder room and back. Two tipsy guys in their mid 20s to early 30s passed me by, both looked at me - one of them stopped and said "Xie, xie. Ni hao!" . Ugh, random ni hao-ers of the world who think they know my mother tongue (?)...

Guys, guys, guys... throwing "xie xie or ni hao" at a random East Asian looking person is a terrible pick up lines. I do not have a problem with Chinese people but it's weird to be greeted in Mandarin because I do not speak it and that's not the official language in this place. So, next...

The closing ceremony had ended at 9:30-ish. And this year, as everyone knew, no post-race concert at the racecourse track but there was an official after-party with Flo Rida and some DJ at one of the Meydan clubs. 

After the closing ceremony I managed to meet some of my colleagues so we could all go together to the after-party. The problem was - most of the security and the people at the entrance/exit gate did not know about this official after-party and could not give proper info to us. About 10pm, we finally found out which club's gonna host Flo Rida but would only open/start at 11pm. I decided to go home and leave my colleagues there. Sorry - too gorgeous to wait for Flo, LOL.

The next day, I found out that when some of my colleagues went for some grub and such while waiting for  the 11 PM White Club gate opening; when they returned to the Club, the gate had closed and they could no longer be accommodated. They were turned away. Tss!!!

Anyway, beware of luxury hotel taxi, it will cost you an arm and a leg. I paid 200 dhs for that Lexus private taxi going home - if it was Dubai taxi, it would only cost me 50-60 dhs.

The end.

Click here and swipe to scroll through all my DWC pictures (excuse me for loving myself, LOL), you can watch the video at the end of the gallery.

◄ 2017 DWC

Sri Lanka Day 5: Beruwala and Colombo

Beruwala

I got tongue-tied when we reached Beruwala the night before. The town was in total darkness, we passed by a market or probably a town proper, and only few shops have lights on.. being born and raised in the Philippines, I know power outage is normal in some remote areas during bad weather. Anyway, we reached the hotel and straight to our room. I could hear the strong waves are lashing onto the shore, it was kinda disturbing because our balcony is one pool away from the shore - even the bell boy said "rough sea tonight". So while having my tea for the night I was chatting to my Sinhalese friend in Dubai who said she heard that there's a cyclone and landslides in her country and wished me safe. I thanked her and told her I am safe besides the cyclone is in down south (!). At first it didn't occur to me to check the news / current weather in SL. Then later on I Google where I really was that time. My friend told me to go to a different place since it's continuously raining. I couldn't sleep and sent our chauffeur-guide a text asking where he is and was relieved to know that he's somewhere nearby and didn't go to his bro's place which he mentioned earlier is 2 hrs away from where we are. The next morning, I saw the giant waves hitting the shore, looking as if it gonna swallow our hotel and everyone alive - pretty scary. My friend and I decided to cancel our scheduled itinerary that day in Bentota/Beruwala and go straight to Colombo after breakfast. 

Lotus Tower - the tallest building in South Asia

Colombo

Since we cannot stop the rain from falling, we drove around Colombo and snapped few photos of the city. Enjoyed our yummy lunch in Seafish Resto and had Tiger beer (Lion is not available) then to airport afterwards and waited for our flight back to Dubai. I think the rain didn't stop till we leave Colombo.

when the Lion becomes Tiger

◄ Sri Lanka Day 4

What have you done in 2017 to make you feel proud?

So here's what I've done last year, which pretty sums up my 2017. Not that much, but still MADE me feel SO proud 💁🏻‍♀️

• 👩🏻‍🎓Earned internationally-recognized qualification - The ADVANCED CERTIFICATE for the EXECUTIVE PERSONAL ASSISTANT: ACEPA™ 👩🏻‍💻

• Gave something back to community 

• 🚶🏻‍♀️participated in 2 walkathons
• Walk for Education - first time participant
• Beat Diabetes Walk - for the 2nd time in row

• helped assembling school kits  🎒✏️📒🖍️
• 1st time, in support of children affected by the Syrian crisis
• 2nd time, for children from low-income families in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah
• 3rd time, for children in the charity schools in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman

• 🚮helped cleaned up Wadi Showkah while enjoying a beautiful trek

This year, I aim to do MORE! 🤸🏻‍♀️

Sri Lanka Day 4: Ramboda Falls and Sri Lanka's Little England

Woke up to this view

Ramboda

The hotel in Ramboda (hello, Teabush hotel!) looked nice but the leak in the hallway ceiling and water pouring onto the floor has already sent me a red flag. Had impressive looking room but kinda dirty even the dim lighting couldn't hide it. I was excited to have my tea the night we arrived but instinct told me to inspect the electric kettle and found 4-5 round white-God-knows-what-thing forming in the filter. I immediately dialed the Reception but the phone has no dial tone, had to check and connect the phone cables to make it work. I requested a new kettle but half an hour had past, no one has come to give me a new ketttle... so I had to call them again… poor customer service!

The next morning the room has given us a spectacular view of the mountains and Ramboda Falls - it has very little water flowing over it though.

Nuwara Eliya

The next day, still raining, after breakfast we left to Nuwara Eliya. We visited a tea factory and drove around "Little England", we were still having the "devil is beating his wife" weather.. We stopped by to change currency in a bank and saw the landslide news on TV due to the bad weather. I pointed the TV to our guide/chauffeur and asked him in which part of LK it is, he said it's far, down south. Had lunch at Pizza Hut where we enjoyed the yummiest pizza in the universe that time - the double chicken & cheese fiesta. Then we left to Beruwala which is 5-6 hours away from Nuwara Eliya.

◄ Sri Lanka Day 3          |          Sri Lanka Day 5 ►

Sri Lanka Day 3 - Kandy, the Great City

Stayed overnight in Kandy and woke up overlooking this hilly city's magnificent centrepiece lake which somehow made up for the not so pleasant event of last night.

The hotel that we supposed to stay was fully booked and had us moved to another hotel (their new branch). The hotel is obviously new, nice and all but unfortunately the rooms are not sound proof. It was raining heavily all night but I still could hear all the noises from the next room - shouting and laughing MEN (!), I could tell they were drinking. Since our room is located behind the lobby, I went to the reception TWICE but the sliding door to the lobby was locked and no one was there! I tried several times to reach them by phone without success. So I had no choice but to message our travel agent in the middle of the night. Few minutes after informing him about my suffering, heard someone knocked on the next door then the noise died down and silence fell. I think those men are hotel staff. 

Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

Left the hotel after breakfast to explore the garden. Snapped few shots and I knew if it wasn't raining this park would look more colorful and beautiful. Next photo is one of the 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the Botanical Garden.

Royal Palm Avenue: the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue in the Botanical Garden

Spice Garden & Honeypot Resto

A great amount of spices to learn about and its uses in the Spice Garden plus a wide range of pricey herbal remedies that promise a lot are available in their shops. No pressure to buy but still we left the place with our purchases and with great hope/expectation, LOL. 

Then we had a traditional Sri Lankan "rice and curry" for lunch at the Honeypot Restaurant.

Honeypot's rice & curry

The Honeypot's balcony offers fantastic river views, how I wish we had a Lion beer after lunch, LOL

Chauffeur-Guide's House

After lunch, our chauffeur-guide Sam invited us for an afternoon tea in their family house and met his wife and daughters. It was a beautiful traditional house with spacious lawn, wish I took photo - blame it on the rain, and his family are warmth and hospitable. It is indeed a privilege to experience another person's culture.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Kandy Cultural Dance

Temple of the Tooth Relic

We visited the temple where Sri Lanka's most prized possession - Buddha's tooth is being kept. Also, that evening, we watched a cultural dance performance before we leave to Ramboda.

That's me, inside the Tooth Relic Temple

◄ Sri Lanka Day 2          |          Sri Lanka Day 4 ►

Sri Lanka Day 2: Safari in Habarana and Climbing Sigiriya Rock

Nice Place Hotel, Dambulla

We spent our first night in this hotel located in the middle of nowhere - not exaggerating but it is FAR from the main road but the place is worth it as it is really NICE in the truest sense of the word - a paradise in the middle of jungle. 

Had a little episode that night - almost fainted in the middle of dinner but was saved by the ice and cold water. Must be the exhaustion and the adverse weather. 

Nice Place Hotel

Kaudulla National Park, Habarana 

The next morning, it was stil raining so after breakfast, we left the hotel for a wildlife safari by jeep.

Click and swipe for more wildlife safari photos/videos here

We had wonderful traditional Sri Lankan meal on a taro leaf for lunch after the safari:

a little of everything 

Lion Rock Fortress, Sigiriya  

Then visited and climbed the Sigiriya Rock despite the stormy weather coz no visit to Sigiriya without climbing that rock and with the weather that day, it was really quite challenging and exciting to climb the 1200 rickety steep and narrow staircase.

1200 steps to the top

Click and swipe for more photos/videos here and here.

Cave Temple, Dambulla 

This is located uphill from the Golden Buddha statue. Unfortunately, on our way to the ticketing booth it started to rain HEAVILY and in the middle of the flight of steps we were already soaking wet. We decided not to go further - climbing the Sigiriya Rock in that weather was enough for the day.

◄ Sri Lanka Day 1          |          Sri Lanka Day 3 ►

Sri Lanka Day 1: The Elephants in Pinnawala

Sri Lanka welcomed me/us with a bit gloomy weather, rainshowers and wet roads. But it is okay, having grown up in a tropical country, I am so used to this kind of weather. 

First stop:  Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage 

About 3-4 hours away from the airport, this orphanage houses abandoned and wounded animals since 1975. There was an elephant bathing in the river when we arrived and we got the chance to bathe it and touched the trunk of one of the elephants there for photo op. Also, we did an elephant ride - something I am not proud of (shame! shame! shame!). Wish people wont get tempted riding an elephant no matter what others say like it's okay they wont be hurt (believe me, IT IS NOT!), or just because it is in someone's bucket list and dream to ride one (you can always say NO, politely!). Elephants have feelings too and the best things we could do are bathe them and/or feed them.

Got the opportunity to bathe this elephant

Either I'm too thin or this elephant has huge trunk

Elephants marching after bathing from the nearby river

 

Elephants frolicking and bathing in the nearby river

For some reasons, past noon I started to feel unwell. I did not know if it was exhaustion, lack of sleep, hunger or the tropical weather because my stomach started to ache whenever I moved but had to endure as I did not want to spoil our trip... 

Please do check my IG for more photos.

◄ Hello Sri Lanka          |          Sri Lanka Day 2 ►

Ayubowan, Ceylon (Hello, Sri Lanka)!

There had been much challenges towards my trip to Sri Lanka.

My friend and I underwent several planning stages which took a year before it finally materialized. 

It was August last year when we planned to spend Eid holidays in Sri Lanka but I had became half-hearted to go after learning that my dad suffered a mild stroke (he is better now) back home so we had to cancel our plan.

Fast forward Eid this year, we came to a decision to go during Eid holidays so we booked our flight, hotels and tours. But three days before our flight, my friend's dad suddenly passed away so of course we canceled everything as she had to go to Philippines to be with her family.

October came, she was hesitant to pursue the Sri Lanka travel as she felt something bad will happen again. I convinced her that it was purely coincidental and bad things can happen anytime. 

We then finally decided to go in November, two days after her birthday and so the Sri Lanka saga continues...

Sri Lanka Day 1 ►

The Importance of Reading Instruction Manual

I have done stupid things today. Bought a nano phone and here's what happened:

• Kept shoving the SIM popper in the slot — when no SIM tray popped out, I checked the instruction manual (!). The slot I thought was for the eject SIM is the phone's built-in mic. Phone has really no SIM tray.

• Pushed my nano SIM horizontally all the way in the SIM slot till it can't be moved... then I started checking the instruction manual (!!) again and found out that phone requires a micro SIM. 

• Despite what's written in the Safety Notes: "Disassembling, Repair & Maintenance should be carried out by qualified personnel...", still I disassembled (!!!) the phone thinking I can get my SIM out... but can not. Phone switched on itself and couldn't switch off. 

• To make things worse, I used the popper to get the SIM out of the phone till it is broken. Then used another popper and had it broken too while the SIM got buried way too deep in the slot. And my sanity has officially flown out of the window...

• I finally managed to switch the phone off, put it back in the box. And there it goes my new nano phone with my SIM still stuck inside... RIP'ing in the box.

Reported to my mobile provider that I lost my SIM and requested a replacement.

THE END

8 Days of Summer in Paradise

Since I was born in summer on an island, I decided to begin the best part of my life in El Nido (read: paradise) for a week. Dubbed as "the most beautiful island in the world", it is one pit stop you will want to extend or never want to leave. 

Seeing El Nido with my own eyes - the incredible landscapes and beautiful turquoise waters - by the end of my first day there, it was over. I was sold. It was love at first sight.

The camera cannot capture what the naked eye can see..

Bacuit Bay

Small Lagoon

Nacpan Beach

Bacuit Bay

Bacuit Bay

Places I have been while I was in El Nido (check my IG for more photos/videos):

• Small & Big Lagoons. Kayaking around and getting El Nido's "badge of honor" - a nasty deep coral cuts on my toe and a few light coral scrapes under my foot.
• Secret Lagoon, Miniloc Island
• Entalalula Island
• Snake Island. Overlooking the S-shaped sandbar (best seen during low tide) that snakes across the water, connecting the island to the mainland.
• Seven Commandos Beach. Where you can ignore everyone else at the end of the day and just do whatever the hell you wanna do. Been here twice.
• Las Cabañas Beach. El Nido's best place to catch the sunset. Been here 3 to 4 times
• Nacpan Beach. Where you will realize that life is pretty amazing
• El Nido Cove Resort, Lamoro Beach
• Helicopter Island
• Fishing Village
• Talisay Beach. Where I  bagged my 2nd El Nido's "badge of honor" - got nipped by a fish twice and wounded both my legs.
• Hidden Beach. An unseen beach unless you go further in between two rocks.
• Secret Beach. A piece of paradise concealed by the cliffs and can only be accessed by swimming through a narrow crevice.
• Paradise Island. El Nido's best spot to scuba dive
• Duli Beach. Heaven seems a bit closer here.
• LiO Tourism Estate. Another best to catch the sunset

Other best places to eat/hangout:

• Jarace Grill - fresh seafood and beach front dining PLUS a taste of crocodile crispy and crocodile sisig
• Sava Beach Bar - this is kinda high end beachfront bar. Been here thrice
• Maremegmeg Beach Bar - while waiting for the sunset in Las Cabañas. Been here 3 to 4 times
• Mezzanine - the loungey resto boasting views over the bay of Bacuit and its islands. 

Also, when it comes to island hopping in El Nido, if you want to experience the best, Pardz boat is perfect for it. Manned by 2 crew - a captain and a helper, Pardz can accommodate up to 16 guests. The crew know all El Nido's best kept secrets, from hidden lagoons to remote beaches & diving/snorkeling/kayaking sites. They cook delicious grilled foods for their guests too! Contact: (+63) 09303740994

Sia and World's Richest Race Day

Well, this has been lying on my drafts for months...

Come on, come on, Dubai World Cup is on
It is again the last Saturday of March phenomenon
Gotta do my hair, put my make up on..
Coz it is the yearly Meydan horserace thon

Gotta paint my nails, put my high heels on..
Coz it is the yearly Meydan horserace thon
Gotta wear my cocktail dress and fascinator on
It is the annual richest horserace phenomenon

You sang my post to the tune of Sia's song didn't you?

😆😆😆

I came later this time.. I didn't get to see the race but I was in time for the fireworks.

It was so windy and raining but didn't stop the racegoers to have fun and get drunk to oblivion that night (everybody loved cheap thrills!)

◄ 2016 DWC          |          2018 DWC ►

Bidding adieu to 2016

2016 has been an interesting year — good and sad. Yin and Yang or in my case it's Yang and Yin. 

Highlights of my year: leaving the yin, keeping the yang.

👉 Welcomed 2016 in great style – outside my comfort zone in Eastern European country Georgia. 

Thank you self! 

👉 Received my first-ever and probably last-ever Pandora rings which  according to a friend, are more expensive than her wedding ring. 

Anyway, thank you.

👉 Graced, LOL, the spectacular world's richest horse race Dubai World Cup show and sang & danced in the crowd during Janet Jackson's Unbreakable  Concert. 

Thank you company!

👉 Tried Jacuzzi and Steam/Sauna for the first time in my life. 

Thank you self!

👉 Went for a little healing retreat in Bangkok. 

Thank you self  

👉 Company sent me to some Training Workshop for skills upgradation. 

Thank you boss for the endorsement!

👉 Experienced an Emirati wedding with a weekend getaway in Abu Dhabi. 

Thank you boss for the invitation!

👉 Had walked to "Beat Diabetes" for first time. 

Thank you Landmark Group for this initiative!

👉 Marveled the water cascading from the bridge over Dubai Canal – one of Dubai's newest attractions in 2016.
Thank you Dubai for your never ending attractions!


Hello 2017 💃

An Emirati Kinda Wedding - 2/2

Read An Emirati Kinda Wedding - 1/2 here



I was once read that going to a local wedding is like going to a Disneyland for the first time which is somehow true. Apparently, they don't do small weddings so expect a big crowd as big as over a thousand guests like this one.

The Invitation Card

These "no phone, no children, no camera' are printed on the invitation card 

So I dared not to take photos because usherettes were ready to confiscate your phones or demands to delete the photos anytime.

The Dresses

It was like the glitziest red carpet in Hollywood, you can imagine the most glamorous sequin or designer evening gowns women wear during the evening wedding banquet at St. Regis Saadiyat. Body-hugging and plunging necklines were plentiful. All that glitters was gold (or diamond and crystal). Seeing the other guests in those dresses made me feel I had underdressed myself.

The Banquet

Held at the hotel's Regal Ballroom, the Ladies reception was obviously grand and opulent. The wedding theme and decoration style was elegant.

Over a thousand guests arrived that night. The seating arrangement was segregated the catwalk elevated part in front of the stage was for the family/relatives, close friends and sheikhas (royal females).There were rows of rectangular tables and their seats were facing the stage as if they were judges to some Got Talent show. I was placed at the round seat for 10 people right after the elevated part of the hall. 

The Music

Arabic songs were played during the whole time. I was expecting there would be a lot of dancing but there were none. The only time they played English songs I can relate was when the groom joined the bride on the stage. Three English songs - Aerosmith's I don't Want To Miss a Thing, Jason Mraz's I'm Yours and John Legend's All of Me.

The Food

Food was served every now and then. I actually lost count of how many times they had served dishes and removed plates, served and removed, served and removed. I have tried a bit of everything, they were very hit-and-miss.

The Bride

The lovely bride arrived around 11-ish looking happy and walked around the catwalk for half an hour or so till she reached the stage, presenting herself to everyone as if she was doing her final walk and the final look as a single lady. It was like Miss Universe's final walk as the reigning titleholder.  

Anyway, not providing an LCD projector (I was told LCD projector is very common in an Emirati wedding) was a good decision as when she did her "final walk" all eyes were turned to her. 

The Groom

After the bride was settled in the stage, an announcement has been made (the arrival of the groom). Most of the guests started covering themselves with their abaya and we positioned ourselves along the catwalk directed the stage. A procession of about five little boys in kandura holding their traditional sticks followed by the Groom and the Father of the Bride. Both men were wearing a thin, gold-trimmed bisht over their kandura - they were looking like sheikhs. The groom was stunning and glowing; he was all smiles.

Then photo op - bride and groom posed with their family/friends for portraits. 

The Giveaway 

The official logo of the bride & groom

It was a CD containing 2 Arabic songs.

I have managed to snapped few photos when I noticed everyone was practically whipping out their phone while the bride/groom/family were busy with their photo op...

-End of Experience-