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 ;)

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

;)

A Taste of Sonamu, A Bit of Korea in Dubai

Last Sunday, I had experienced Sonamu, a Korean resto inside Asiana Hotel, Dubai.

I booked a reservation 3 days in advance for 5 people in a private dining room and was actually expecting they will put us in a Korean room/table inspired like in the 2 images below (images grabbed online) since I requested a private room .



So when the resto staff sent us to the private room, I was really very disappointed. It was nothing like the above photos. A very ordinary, a very plain room with a table with a divider/partition. Nothing special at all. I didn't even feel that we were inside a Korean resto. Partly my fault, didn't tell them it was a birthday celebration, sort of and that we wanted it in Korean style.

So anyway, we ordered Jeongol (a noodle dish), seafood Japchae (hotpot) and one "whole" cow set and a bottle of soju. We liked the Korean pickled dishes (kimchi, etc) and the Jeongol. The Japchae is fine though. I enjoyed grilling our own slabs of beef and eating it. We didn't finish the soju, it tasted like gin (or gin-tonic according to my friend.) The food and the complimentaries we had is more than enough for 5 persons, I think I should have had brought 2 or more friends.

Japchae

Soju and the pickled dishes

I think this is a beef soup or the vinegar, I forgot. LOL

gyeran jjim (Korean steamed egg)

seafood jeongol (hotpo)

jeon (Korean pancake)

raw beef

grilling the beef

I'm happy with the bill/price because it is affordable. I was actually expecting it was a tad pricey. :)

An Hour in the Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden, is world's largest natural flower garden and houses 45 million flowers.

I've seen a lot of garden already but I've never seen as colorful as Miracle Garden. The creative arrangements that include the long flower wall, arches and gorgeous flowerbeds in different shapes and patterns (hearts, igloos, pyramids, cars, stars, and flowers like a bucket of water spilled over) is definitely worth a visit.

The only disappointment here is it's too crowded during weekend (esp Friday). Check out my photos ;)

 

Spot the Nationality/Race by Clothes

Can a zebra change its stripes or the leopard its spots?

In my previous entry, I wrote about figuring out where someone is from (particularly our own kind like they stick out like a sore thumb LOL) at a distance by their facial features, skin hues, accent and the way they behave. 

But sometimes it is none of the above but rather the way they dress and carry themselves. They have their own special fashion style. Generally, it is so easy to tell if you live in a melting pot and all that for years...

If you're a regular Dubai Metro commuter, you will notice that this image from RTA is 80-90% true. LOL.

And the last two images from Brownbook illustrate the difference between the Middle Eastern women's clothing, and also the difference between the Gulf men's clothing.

  



Obviously, we've got a heap load of every race/nationality here and still it is easier to spot anyone even if they dress like the locals or whoever.

I also do know that sometimes it's difficult to single someone out especially if they're of a blend of this and that race.

But do you think the above clothings are accurate? Like do Emiratis' khandoura looks like that, same goes with Saudis' thobe and Omanis' dishdasha? I mean I'm an Asian (more Oriental at that) but I don't think I wear something like the one in the above. Or well... Maybe.. Yeah I'm having second thought. LOL.

Can you tell where a person is from?

If you're in the UAE for more than 5 years, you will acquire a skill of identifying nationalities. You can't be in Dubai for 5 years and won't be able to tell nationality, seriously.

The only confusion you will have is the difference between Indian and Pakistani but they can tell. I mean, Indian will be able to tell if someone is Pakistani, or Bengali or Sri Lankan. 

Europeans will be able to tell each country because it's their own region, they know their own and that they look different. 

Just like how I can tell if someone is Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, etc and not my own.

So, if an Arab see an Arab somewhere else they can tell -- Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian, Kuwaiti, Bahraini, Saudi, etc even if they are not in their sheilas and abayas or wearing anything Arabs on them. It's their makeup, the features, the accessories, the colors, etc. 

They said...

• Kuwaiti girls are more on their skin. If a Kuwaiti wears (or not) an abaya in Kuwait, she'll do the same outside her country because they have their freedom there so she'll be natural outside. They also love to accessorize and put colors, bright colors. Kuwaiti men love bling-bling.
• While Saudi girls are the opposite. Most likely they remove their abayas when they're outside their country. Also they put really nice and extra dark kohl over their eyes to bring it out because normally those are the only features visible to others in their country.
• Emirati girls have certain ways on putting their make up and more obsessed with blings. You'll find them blinging a lot.

What about you, can you spot the difference?

Random Facts about UAE

I was bored the other day and wasted 135 dirhams ($37) answering Du SMS Mega Win (they should pay me for this free advertising LOL) questions via texto to collect points (I have had 2035 points) which give me chances (and BILLIONS of hopes) to win 5,000 dhs, Audi Aq and Audi Q7.. what the hell! LOL.

So the following facts are taken from the said 'competition': 

• Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE.
• Oman & KSA countries border the UAE.
• The official currency of the UAE is Dirham.
• Before 1971, UAE was known as Trucial States.
• Sharjah is one of the seven Emirates.
• Sharjah is the third largest emirate of the UAE.
• Peregrine Falcon (bird) is the official symbol of the UAE.
• The very popular Falconry season, runs during the Winter.
• The tallest building in the world is Burj Khalifa.
• Adrian Smith designed Burj Khalifa.
• Shasha is a palm reed fishing boat.
• The city of Ras Al Khaimah was historically known as Julfar.
• You can discover UAE heritage in Heritage Village.
• The King is the nickname of the Sharjah Sports Club.
• E11 highway starts in Abu Dhabi and ends in Ras Al Khaimah.
• Dubai Tennis Championship is held at Tennis Stadium.
• Djokovic won the 2011 Dubai Tennis Tournament.
• The Al Quoz Industrial District is divided into 4 areas.
• Louvre Museum is to open a branch on Saadiyat Island.
• Ghaus is how pearl-fishing referred to in the local dialect.
• Ibn Majid was a great poet and seaman.
• The navigator which Ibn Majd associated to was Vasco da Gama.
• Liwa is a traditional music & dance.
• UAE national footbal team played the 1990 World Cup.
• Afghanistan national team plays in Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
• Camel racing is a very popular sports activity in the UAE.
• Harees is a traditional dish consisting of wheat.
• Majboos is a popular dish in the Emirates.
• Coffee served in the UAE is often flavoured with Cardamon.
• Al yoleh is a traditional Emirati folk form of art.
• Ras Al Khaimah is one of the northern Emirates.
• Palm Islands are located in Dubai.
• Palm Islands are man-made islands.
• Al Ittihand was first published UAE newspaper.
• The United Arab Emirates University based is in Al Ain.
• Dubai Shopping Festival takes place every January.
• Al Fahidi Fort was erected 1799.
• Dubai Mall has the largest number of shops.
• There are 22 cinema screens in Dubai Mall.
• Burj Al Arab is the fourth tallest hotel in the world.
• Al Ghurair is the oldest shopping centre in Dubai.
• Dubai Zoo was built by Ottto Bulart.
• Giorgio Armani Hotel is located  in Burj Khalifa.
• Al Mamzar is famous for a public park.

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P.S.  I just want to let everyone know that this blog is not associated with the Du telecom and I am not connected nor have affiliation whatsoever with them. I endorse no products/promotions etc. I do not speak for anyone else. I am a consumer/subscriber too and just shared my experience.

A Twinkle in the "Eye of the Emirates"

I've been to Al Qasba, a small tourist spot in Sharjah, last Saturday for a couple of hours. Travelled for an hour going there and another one hour going back to Dubai via the intercity bus. Reached my destination around 6pm and left around 10pm

 

It was my first time in that place so I took a LOT of photos.

  

I roam around the area and here's what I've seen ..

There's a kid zone where they can play and have some rides..

A canal and abra (wooden boat) ride..

A foot bridge to cross the canal and go to the other side..

Some nice restaurants and cafes are spread in the area.

Had my dinner at Sumo Sushi & Bento before heading back home

And the Eye of the Emirates which, according to some people, is the largest Ferris wheel in the Middle East. They also say that the fountain in front of the giant wheel is a musical/dancing fountain. I said say because I didn't hear any music nor see it dancing but I saw some kids "showering" over the fountain, I know right?!

 and this is the twinkle mentioned in the title.. :p