Aquaventure

Last week's adventure with the fambam was at Aquaventure, in Atlantis Hotel, The Palm Jumeirah. It's about time to visit this waterpark after a year of living in Dubai. It was a wet and fun (roller coaster ride fun) family day on what would be my last Friday in Dubai. Yes, this has just happened a weekend ago but why does it already feel like a long memory? I am currently typing this in my new "apartment" (my very own accommodation) with my newly made Korean friend and flatmate Miri, who is such a sweetheart. I am finally based here in Doha to join Qatar Airways!!! (I still feel like I'm floating and dreaming that I pinch myself everyday.) I want to make myself believe that I'm finally 'living the dream' but everyday I just thank the Lord for this moment and ask for His continuous guidance on this journey I have embarked on.

Leaving Dubai, which is one of my favourite cities in the world, has become a home. Ultimately, saying goodbyes is never easy especially with family, friends, familiarity and my cousins I left back 'home'. But a wanderlust is always home, wherever she goes.

Well, everything we choose to do entails sacrifice. Working hard to keep back the tears and stay focused right now. I may be on a short blogging hiatus as I want to put my attention on our training which will commence tomorrow, InshaAllah! I might have left Dubai as a resident and working migrant but I will always be home when I arrive. Here's to a new adventure!

Fun Flying

This weekend adventure made me a happy wanderlust! It's a blessing to have family in such far away land. I consider my Tito Dan the coolest uncle/loving father/dream husband/karaoke king among the few men that I know, that's the kind of man he's made of. Plus I earned two little sisters from him - the bibang biba Carmella and charming baby Claire! Thanks to him for having us tag along on one of his hobbies - flying RC planes - just like a child opening toys on Christmas day! Waking up as early as 6AM is not a thing here in the UAE. Which is why bringing myself out of bed was well worth it. A roadtrip towards the middle of the desert - that's my thing! And the desert summer heat is surely starting to bite, but it didn't stop us from going out to play. Dubai-Al Ain Road was the makeshift runway for enthusiasts hobbyists flyers to put their toys on play. I took the chance to be on the controls (for the first time!) and what fun and freedom it gives you seeing your plane fly in the air! I mean, that's the closest thing I can get to piloting my very own airplane :)  

Al Ain

 

As the year is coming to a close, I'm starting to reflect on and evaluate myself. The past few weeks alone has been a whirlwind of events - scoured Dubai to find a new place and began moving in, did my first part-time job for Formula One in Abu Dhabi and happily ended the month in Al Ain! To spend Thanksgiving on a weekend adventure (tagging along with the Power Puff Rangers) made me come full circle and know that 2014 has not disappoint. I am forever grateful for everyone, for everything and for what's to come in my life... Can't stop won't stop.

Downtown

 

Hey there, Mr. Khalifa!
Mmmmn... This isn't meant to be an "Outfit" or "Travel Post" like most blogs do. It's just because, I have so much time for the most unimportant things that I'm able to create something like this! The spontaneity of how a simple day's off from work can turn into cherished moments. Katy Perry even sang it, this is how we do! A rare adventure day spent with my cousin, Ate Julie, just us being girls, stopping for some snaps, wandering (or perhaps, loitering) around Downtown Dubai and getting a surprise shower from the fountains in the roundabout near Burj Khalifa, which I've always wanted to go to and finally did - all for that one special person.

 

#DubaiHigh

 

 

 

Fujeirah

 

 

As part of the catching up to-do, I have something to blog about... Me and my silly adventures ;)

 This trip is a proof that my being a wanderlust is just too strong and unstoppable. Well, I'm not always sure what I'll do, but I'll do it. Seriously, travelling to Fujeirah with my Kuya's barkada, which is named under the alias 'Power Puff Rangers' (don't ask me why), was uncalled for! It took some 2 hour drive from Dubai and me at the back of a 2-seater Peugeot was well worth the sikip! (Lol! That's what I get being the bunso of the group. No harm done. Promise.)

The road to Fujeirah is an endless view of sand, a few camels (yup!) and a range of rocky mountains! We even had to stop for a few snaps of those natural wonders. First time to see UAE's nature in all it's glory, which is a testimony that I'm finally out of Dubai!

We spent the whole day chillax-ing, barbecue-ing, and lounging on our banig on the beachfront. Naaaks, Pinoy-style! The best part was at sun down when the group finally decided to get into the water. The speedy boat ride that brought us to "Shark Island" reminded me so much of the Philippines, Bohol to be exact. I just love the salt in my hair, sea breeze and clear blue waters. Made me feel close to home in that moment. Since we reached Khor Fakkan beach, water activities like parasailing and jetskiing grabbed our attentions at once. I really wanted to parasail. I just want to! To quench my wanderlust and thirst for adventure. And unexpectedly, I did fly that day! The fright and nervousness you feel just by watching other people do it slowly drifted away. (Wave after wave *wink) Once we were released from the boat, the feeling of smoothly taking off the ground was amazing!! Just letting go. Up there, all noise was shunned, the gush of the waves was enough pleasant sounds to listen to while the view of the mountains shaping up the coast makes you want to stay, up there. I've come to realize what peaceful really is. I was suddenly jealous of what the birds get to view at their own will. Sadly, I couldn't document that experience which I'd love to share! I should invest on a GoPro real soon.  

Unexpected rocky mountains and some parasailing action, Fujeirah will be a memory of firsts!

 

 

(c) photos grabbed from Kuya Jun, Ate Mich, Ate Che and Ate Jojie



RAK

I know I've got no entry for the whole month last month! So here I am, trying to make some catching up to do! 

Just a few weeks back, I've been obsessed after seeing Gary Pepper Girl's travel entry from Iceland, here. Undoubtedly, any girl would fall in love with her and wish to get a slice of the kind of life she's living! (In the realm of Gary Pepper Girl, per se) I repeatedly read it, stared (and scrutinized) their breathtaking photos more than twice, zooming it in and out as what seemed something impossibly beautiful! Definitely added to my life's long bucketlist. (InshaAllah! InshaAllah!) The Universe was quite cute to conspire for me and brought the fambam to Ice Land too! Not really. Ice Land, the waterpark. Here are a few snaps from Ice Land in the middle of the desert, situated in one of the seven Emirates of the UAE - that is Ras Al Khaimah, which leaves me with two more Emirates to go! ;)