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

page 2 of 365: Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

The day after new year, my sister told me to get ready as we are going to have some tastes of Sweden in Dubai aka super-late brunch at IKEA... which is approx an hour drive from my sis' place. So I just put a simple skater dress, slipped in a pair of flip flops and brought my corduroy jacket, just in case it's gonna get cold.

Don't worry this blog is not about the famous Swedish meat balls nor the grilled salmon we ate but after eating like a Swedish, they (sister and bil) decided to go to Atlantis,The Palm.. which was more than half an hour drive from IKEA. 

This trip, was unplanned and I wasn't dressed up for the "occasion". So imagine my shock, LOL. 

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

So anyway, Atlantis that day was so jam-packed with holiday-makers so we opted for The Lost Chambers' Ambassador Lagoon experience for my nephew to enjoy...

originally posted on my Instagram: desireest

One of the ceiling murals / fantastic roof designs in Atlantis hotel

The Ambassador Lagoon, a remarkable exhibit contains ruins and artifacts from ancient Atlantis along with hundreds of species of marine life indigenous to the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Imagine, 65 thousand aquatic animals glide together providing a glimpse of life beneath the waves.

You'll have fun watching graceful rays, reef sharks and schools of fish gliding between the mystical relics.

the most endangered specie, Ariel, the little mermaid under the sea no more. LOL.

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

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 ;)

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. :)

There's Always a First Time for Everything

Fish Market

Last Fri (not yesterday), it was my first time to set my foot on Deira Fish Market and it was overwhelming to see fresh seafood beaucoup. My roomies and I went there past 8am and it was 42°C, we were there for about an hour and bought a lot - salmon, sherry, squid, lobster, prawns, crabs and other types of fish.

The fish market is, apparently, uncomfy. Aside from the noise (of course LOL), it's so hot there, although it wasn't a closed area but it's the tin roof that causing a lot of heat. Feels like oven there, I've no idea how people can stay there all day. And what I hate most is when we went home, I was smelling like a fish. My clothes and even my underwear were all stinky. I showered like I've never showered before, no exaggeration, I shampooed my hair twice but still it stunk. After showering I immediately washed my smelly clothes and poured downy on them and pondered I don't think I'll be going back there anymore. LOL

The Amazing Spider-Man in 3D

It's been 3.5 years since I've watched a movie in the cinema. Yep, that long.

Three hours ago I went to watch The Amazing Spider-Man, my first time to see a movie in 3D. Well, I was surprised that it has Arabic and French subtitles (my sister said I was obviously havent gone to cinema for so looong). If you are wondering how was the movie and my experience, well, movie was okay, not very good, not bad either. In short, I was not that amazed. I think it's not worth watching in 3D. The only scene that I felt like I was in there was when I dodged the falling debris. I was more entertained by the giggles of 2 little Arab boys sitting near me. Their reactions on some scenes like when Parker was starting/discovering his spidery-self were contagious, I couldn't help but giggle too. LOL.


This is all for now, It's almost 3am here, I need to get up in 3.5 hrs to get ready for work. Good night/morning everyone :)

FRIDAY is my 2nd favorite F word...

...next to FOOD! :p

I love Friday because it's the weekend and my only one day off. Even though I don't have Saturday off like others (UAE's official weekend is Friday-Saturday) I'm still happy because at least I have a week-off. 

Being at home on Friday -lying in bed all day staring at the ceiling- can sometimes be boring. Of course, LOL. And sometimes going to a place where you can enjoy and keep busy can ruin your budget and empty your wallet. The only thing I know to save you from all of this is to do some volunteering..

So where was I last Friday eve? I was feeling really good somewhere at the BurJuman because I was helping/sorting through a collection of books (thousands of them) for the upcoming Pink Book Sale.  

Books in the boxes...

Books on the floor...

Books in the trolley...

The pile of books is a mile high!

Another good thing participating on this kind of activity, you'll find a lot of books -- those you've been looking for all of your life, LOL, in a cheaper price. Imagine, I bought these 2 books for only 20 dhs (US$ 5.50)

Okay guys, I'm off here to give hope to a hurting world! ;-)

Parasailing, Banana Boat-ing, Creek Park-ing (Oh What a Day!)

Just let me float, just let me drift on by...

This is the entry you've been waiting for (I just assumed, teehee)..

I'm going to divide this entry into three: the first part is about my parasailing, second is the banana boating and the third is at the park.

Here's my life last Friday the 13th in jpeg..

Getting High in the Sky

I was soaring like a bird (or a big kite?) 250 meters high above the Dubai waters for 15 minutes looking down at my three friends on the speedboat screaming in excitement. I was the smallest in our group but the first one to try the parasailing out.. ;-)

Up, up and away!

 

It was a bit boring above, the sky wasn't that clear because there was a sandstorm the day before that. Got a bit scared too everytime they were letting me go and was feeling the wind, you know when the rope was getting longer and longer.. it felt like it was going to be cut off anytime. I was actually looking at the water calculating how far is the shore, convincing myself that... "Oh well, if ever I fall I won't get drowned. I'm wearing a life jacket. I know how to swim. And I'm pretty sure the speed boat will come to rescue me." Weird thoughts but it was FUN though! Haha.



Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR)



moi, struggling in the wind after parasailing



Getting Thrown into the Water

Banana boating was an unplanned activity. We didn't bring extra clothes nor wearing swimwears. It was like, since we were already there, why not try the ride. And so we did. Haha.

I chose the first corner the first time we got onto the Banana boat because I thought it was "safetier" there. Though I wasn't the first one who fall off the banana boat still that corner is not what I thought it was. The water splashed all over me and it got to my eyes so they were closed most of the time. Didn't see what was actually going on but felt how the boat tips sideways and how it bounces back onto the water.

After few turns, the driver began to speed up, the B-boat tipped over, and we found ourselves thrown into the water, LOL.  It was difficult pulling ourselves back onto the B-boat (I was the one on the last corner of the boat trying to climb back).

The adrenaline rush and not wanting to get drowned (even if we really won't) took over. After 'struggling into the water', the driver pulled us (3 girls) back one by one onto the speed boat and then transferred ourselves to the Banana boat. After we got back onto the B-boat, we shouted for more because we already knew what to do. Our positions were reversed and no one fell off. I tell you, the most relaxing sitting position is at the last corner of the B-boat.

After the ride, we stayed at "The Walk" to dry ourselves. We were sure no taxi driver will allow us to get in his taxi and drive us back home.

Warning: Banana boat ride will give you muscle pains. You will wake up next day with body pains. Same feeling you get after rollerblading and falling off the ground over and over or after a ride in a bump car. But it's okay, Banana boating is uber-thrilling!

Getting Full at the Park (LOL)

So we hurriedly washed ourselves up, changed our clothes and headed to Creek Park to attend some birthday lunch partay-partay of another friend. We were running late. The first thing we did after arriving at the park was eat to the fullest. It was like raining foods. There were lots to feast on. After eating we strolled around, took pics, some played cards, etc. We made ourselves busy because the wind at the park made us so sleepy. I think it was because we were tired. Then after an hour or two, we ate again.. LOL.

The Creek

The Park

And the bonus part :p

the FULLER moi ;-)

And it all happened in just one day...

♪♫ I'm twisting (twisting..., twisting...) ♫ I'm turning (turning..., turning...) ♫ I'm aching (aching..., aching...) ♫ And it's burning ♫ In one day..., in one day ♫♪

-the end-