Hello, Dubai

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Dubai
United Arab Emirates
21 - 24 Sept 2018
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After nearly two years, I am finally coming home to the Philippines for a vacation! But first! Lay-over in Dubai!

Picasso-like designs

Wicked Wicklow

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Bray
Dublin, Ireland
29 July 2018
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There's an airshow or something at Bray. So, a day after our trip up North, we took the train for a visit. It's just a short ride away anyway, 20 minutes or something, so it's no biggie...

Green. White. Orange.
The Irish Flag

Antrim, take two

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Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
28 July 2018
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So, I'm back up north again.

But with better pictures, this time 'round :)

Howth ya doin

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Howth
Co Dublin
Ireland
8 July 2018
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view from the Howth Cliff-path Loop

Howth is just a short train ride away from Dublin City. It is an active center of the fishing industry; hence, my main reason for visiting-- seafood cravings. 

Up North

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Belfast
Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
2 June 2018
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Yes, you read that right: United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is part of the Queen's sovereignty, and the Republic of Ireland is not. I'm not going to go deeper into that, because I don't want my head to hurt.

Titanic Belfast

First of Summer

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Phoenix Park
Dublin, Ireland
7 May 2018
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Having been in Ireland for nearly half a year now, I noticed that seeing the sun is actually a novelty in this part of the world. Hence, when we found that the weather forecast read sunny, we took advantage of it and went to Phoenix Park. It's roughly 30 minutes walk from where we live, and you can also rent a bike there, so happy days...

a Sagittarian's natural habitat.. :)

God Save the Queen!

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England, United Kingdom
14 - 21 April 2018
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The busy streets of London, Windsor, picturesque Bath, and -of course- the Stone Henge. I always knew I would be able to see these places with my own eyes, and yet when I was there, I still couldn't believe it.

Stone Henge - the weather (literally) rained
on my parade that day

snow

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Phibsborough
Co. Dublin
Ireland
2 March 2018
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There's no snow where I come from... so this is my first time experiencing it. Oh sure, it's already three months past Christmas, but I ain't complaining. :)

winter wonderland

It doesn't normally snow in Ireland, and the last time it did was 10 years ago... so, I know, it may not be "wonderland" to some people but my 12-year-old self couldn't help marvelling over it. Three days of snow were more than enough, and I thank the heavens for that opportunity. :)

West Ireland

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County Galway and Clare
Republic of Ireland
5 - 8 February 2018
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Dun Aonghasa, Inis Mor

February is still winter-- damp, dark, cold, and unforgiving-- but that didn't stop me at all from planning a trip to the other side of the country. You see, when you say Ireland, the first thing that pops in my head (aside for Leprechauns and clover leaf and drunk people holding a pint of Guinness) will always be Westlife's music video of My Love. It features several locations in Ireland, but the most striking (and iconic) will always be the Cliffs of Moher.

The Emerald Isle

Dublin, Ireland

After living in the desert for nearly 3 years, the cold weather and green fields were like a welcome and very delicious treat. No, I didn't come here for vacation-- I came here to work; and stay, perhaps, until retirement.

But, enough about that: welcome to Ireland, folks!

Powerscourt

Vacation 2016 Series: BOHOL-CEBU (Part I)

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Work. Save. Travel. Enjoy. Repeat.
Tagbilaran, Bohol
Central Visayas, Region VII
Philippines
18 - 22 July 2015
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Man-made Forest

It's on the shirt-- THE SHIRT. 😆

Vacation 2016 Series: Club Punta Fuego and Terrazas de Punta Fuego

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Team Purrfection, Unite!

Nasugbu, Batangas

CALABARZON, Philippines

10-11 July 2016

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After 9 freaking months, I'M HOOOOOOME. <3

Yes, 9 months of sun, heat and orange-coloured dust. XD

I went home last October 2015 for two weeks, and realized that 14 days won't just cut it, especially since the Philippines has around 7,107 islands!

                                                  Dubai                                          Metro Manila

And it's sooooooo... very... greeeeeeeen.

Dubai Heritage Sites

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It's The Cultural Thing
Heritage Sites
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Entrance fee is usually (1) 3 AED, or (2) FREE.

Just make sure that you abide by their times and rules. Respect the place because it is something that the Emiratis are very proud of as a nation-- and it's kind of hard not to. 

Dubai Skyline

Anniversary Post: Dubai, in a nut-shell

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Because it's officially my first year!
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
9 March 2016
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What some people think it is:

Desert Safari Trip

But, actually, it's these...

Dubai Ice Rink

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Toe-pick! :D
The Dubai Mall
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
8 March 2016
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Accurate details can be found in Dubai Ice Rink official website.

The gist:
(1) Entrance fee will vary depending on what time you want to skate.
(2) It can get crowded, so I suggest you go there before everybody else does.
(3) Elevation Burger. Yum. 

View, while having lunch from Elevation Burger

Going to Dubai Mall is pretty straight forward. Hop on a red-line train (don't forget your NOL Card!) bound for UAE Exchange Station; get off Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa Platform, walk 10 minutes towards the mall and walk another 10 minutes towards the Ice Rink. 

You have the option of pre-booking online via its official website. Skating schedules are also posted there, so you'll know what to expect ahead of time.

The usual public session for adults is 60 AED; however, if you arrive at a different time, prices may vary between 80 to 100 AED/adult. Aside for that, you'll have to shell-out an additional 20 AED for locker use, but you can refund it right after your session though. :)

They also offer lessons for a fee, depending on availability; otherwise, you can just ask the instructors for skating tips while you glide around on your own.

For the foodies: Elevation Burger is a burger joint that is located right above Dubai Ice Rink. Prices are Dubai-standard (haha) for fast-food, so it's neither that expensive nor cheap.

So there ya go. :)


Personal Thoughts (you can skip this part haha):

Global Village, Dubailand

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Around The World in Three Friggin Hours
Dubailand
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
25 December 2015
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Merry Christmas!

It's one of those unplanned-trip things. Well... what do you expect from an expat living in Dubai without my family in-sight? And it's Christmas, nonetheless! I'm just lucky, Dubai is very open when it comes to other religions. It is still predominantly Islam, but the place has certainly embraced its status as an international hub.

The Global Village is, most definitely, a testament to that.

Around the world in 3 hours!

Abu Dhabi Escapade

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I swear, you cannot NOT go there
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
3 to 4 December 2015
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It's a pre-birthday thing: go to Abu Dhabi because I'm nearing my first year in the UAE yet I haven't actually been outside of Dubai; and, well, just because I CAN. :D

Al Ghubaiba Metro Station

Dubai, UAE

Let's go to the beach~ beach~ let's go get away~

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Near, but not too near, The Burj Al Arab
Jumeirah Beach
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
23 August 2015
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Three things:

(1) It's free.
(2) It's crowded during the weekends.
(3) And, as the sub-title suggests, it's near but not too near, the other famous landmark of Dubai.

Not in THE WALK: Burj Al Arab in the background

Dubai Desert Safari

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Riding Rough! Or Not.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
23 April 2015
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Anyone new to Dubai will be asked this question: "have you experienced Desert Safari yet?"

It's not as thrilling as the rides in Ferrari World, but it's also fun in a sense that it gives you (sort of) an idea how the locals managed to live-- and even thrive-- amidst the vast, and more often than not, unforgiving desert.

Don't Hit The Camel: in the UAE, you will be fined 200,000 AED

if you hit a camel in a car accident-- same goes with a Palm Tree

SKI DUBAI

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Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?
Mall of the Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
19 April 2015
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Ask any southeast asian about the prospect of seeing "winter wonderland" and you will receive the same reaction filled with excitement and giddiness. Those who may have experienced winter may roll their eyes out at us but, come on! Give us a break! We grew up in the tropics after all! ;)

And... since I'm a real southeast asian, I got totally hyped by it because it was my first time to see snow-- never mind if it's artificial. IT'S SNOW.

However, apart from this excitement, I am no ignorant fool. As with any kind of weather, I know for a fact that winter can be as unforgiving as any kind of weather; and holding onto snow with your bare hands isn't fun because even though it looks fluffy and harmless, the cold actually bites and digs into your skin and flesh.

*cough*

Moving on...