The Iconic Burj Al Arab

(not my photo)

If we say Dubai, what comes to your mind? It's either world's something-something building or the ship sail-like hotel, right?

And that's my friend is the iconic Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arab), one of Dubai's world famous landmarks. The symbol of modern Dubai.

And do you see that girl thumbing a ride to get in there? That's me, LOL.

Do you see where this post is going? You didn't, did you?

Well, guess what, early this year (sometime in Feb), I've been inside that stunning hotel. Oh I just had my morning coffee there, LOL, or should I say luxurious brekky in Sahn Eddar - one of the restos inside.

I considered it as an achievement because Burj Al Arab is the world's most luxurious hotel and once dubbed "the only 7-star hotel in the world" (1999-2008)..

The Food, Luxurious Food

 

The Interior of the World's Luxurious Hotel - Burj Al Arab

 

 

See that petite woman over there? On the first floor entrance of Burj Al Arab and next to hotel's Rolls Royce limo? 

Again, that's me. LOL

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 ;)

 

Etisalat vs Du: No One is Better Than Another

Du and Etisalat networks both disappointed me greatly.

Du experience

I WAS happy with Du unlimited national Blackberry service for a while.. Imagine AED 130dhs and max of 10GB monthly plus the fact that you can use the BB services on other smart phones (Android/iPhone) except the BBM of course. It was really a WOW!!!

But then the worst thing happened after returning to Istanbul and my failure to renew it on time, they stopped the service telling me I have to subscribe again. So I reloaded a 140 dhs balance and resubscribed feeling confident that Du will automatically renewed my unlimited national BB service till I received SMS asking me to choose from the following packages: 100MB (50 dhs) or 1GB (100 dhs) or 4GB (200 dhs) or 25GB (500 dhs) per month. I got confused and Googled what was that all about and I read this from their site

"Unlimited National BlackBerry® service will cease to exist. If you’d like to continue with Unlimited National BlackBerry® service, you can do so, but once you’ve migrated to a new BlackBerry bundle, you’ll be unable to return to your original package."

Not wanting to migrate I didn't do anything because doing so I'll be ineligible to return to unlimited national BB service but then after few minutes I noticed my 140dhs balance went down to 70+ dhs, Du was charging me per use!!! Feeling robbed in broad daylight by Du and all, I reloaded another 30dhs. Du left me no option but to avail the 1GB, better than them emptying my credit balance within a matter of minutes. From 10GB for 130dhs to 1GB for 100 dhs monthly. Hah! Du managed to OUTWIT me. Well done Du, well done!

According to their site the Unlimited National Blackberry service has been terminated because...

The standard internet usage on BlackBerry® is very low. This means that usually, you use less data on a BlackBerry device, than with other Smartphones. We advise our customers to subscribe to a 1 GB BlackBerry Bundle, as this bundle provides enough data for browsing.

Yeah right! How dare you say "1 GB blackberry bundle provides enough data for browsing"? Apparently, after 15 days of 1 GB bundle subscription, Du started deducting from my credits because I have reached the 1 GB limit. Way to go Du, way to go!

Etisalat experience

After the aggravating experience with Du, I gave Etisalat a shot. Bought Sim card for 40 dhs and loaded it with 200dhs to subscribe to their Blackberry Unlimited package that costs me 185 dhs which I believe there's no maximum GB. So what's the catch? Well, you simply CANNOT use it on other smart phones. (Another failure on my part though, I didn't research it first.) Blackberry service is applicable for use only in the Blackberry device. Sigh...

So again, I have no choice but to use my blackberry that I'm not very fond of! I have to use it for a month so the 185dhs won't totally go to waste. Then give the 4GB from Du a shot. Long sigh...

---------------------------------------------------

Leaving you this post/comment of some random customer on Du official Facebook page...

Speak Like an Emarati with Great Praise

Ana far7aana. 5l9t el class kaif armis emirati. (I'm happy. I completed the how to speak Emarati class) I graduated "magna cum laude" from Level 1, wallah (I swear) because only 2 out of 10 students have attended the exam-graduation Sunday night. LOL

I feel like I know a lot. I guess it's the Shaima-factor. She is good and effective teacher and has a sense of humor (she is a comedienne). I vouch that her teaching method (language + culture + humor) really does work. She also shares techniques that will make learning easier. I really enjoyed the whole thing to the hilt. I finished level 1, being able to compose, speak and understand simple Emirati Arabic sentences and feeling hopeful about being able to speak the accent with confidence soon. Can't wait to take it to the next level..

Jumeirah Lake Towers: Before and After Sunset

Sharing here the place I go every Sunday after work and where my spoken Arabic classes held. I adore the scenery, it's magical and so surreal :)

Ladies and gentlemen, the Jumeirah Lake Towers...

Before Sunset...

 

 

After Sunset...

 

 

I hope you enjoy the view as much as I do :-).

Talk sooner. Blog later.

Rae

The Thrilling Dubai Desert Safari

So I had another fun weekend yesterday, another experienced, another moment in Dubai to cherish :)