Being in Dubai has given me the luxury of time to reflect upon myself. What I want in life, how I want to live life and where I want to go in life.I have been blessed to be an expat at such a young age and to explore a new country with a whole different culture as compared to mine.
However, I have to confess, I have been quite a tv junky in Dubai watching Discovery Channel Travel and Living. I always dream of a career in traveling. Like how they do it on discovery channel. I hardly see any Asian hosts doing these crazy around the world travels and I akways dream do fill that position.
I love watching Nat Geo as well, having crazy hosts do out of the world things , traveling to dangerous places or seeing things that you can only see though your tv screen.
I did photo journalism in school and journalism having a dream of being a travel journalist or a travel host. However, I'm now in one location, in middle east! Ahhhh! Well, that's quite a dream job yeh?
If only....
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Dubai through my eye
Dubai Though My Eyes
After taking a 9 month sabbatical slumber from blogging, I decided to get back to where i have left off. My excitement of exploring this new city wore off after two months and I fell into a slight withdrawal from Dubai. All I wanted was to get out! The first year is always difficult,like everyone says. I'm not saying that living in Dubai is easy for me now, it's not, it's getting eas-ier.
If we compare Dubai to a lady, she isn't that French super model that you'll fall head over heals over, she isn't the Italian bombshell that make you breathless and weak in the knees, neither is she the Spanish babe who stole your heart. Let's just say that Dubai is akin to Durian, blue cheese, caviar. I'm not saying it's a tough pill to swallow, but its grows on you, slowly but surely. Dubai is this lady below the Arabian veil that doesn't show you it's charm, however, if u take some time to get to know her, you'll slowly fall in love.
There's a million and one things you can do in Dubai and the sky is the limit. Hell, you can even conquer the skies if you wanted to! Choose between taking a hot air balloon or sky diving close to the tallest building in the world.
I'm not about to write an advertorial for Dubai, however, as I'm penning my thoughts on a flight home from Dubai, I realized that I'm reaching my one year mark in Dubai before I even noticed it. I've given myself 2 years in this city. It's either that I like it and live through it happy, or suffer the next year which was what I did for the past 7 months.
The last two months I'd say, was when I picked myself up again and started to look at this city again through a different set of lenses. The friendship I forged here helped me tide over troubled waters.
Dubai, guess what, I'm ready to take the plunge for one more year!
P.S: I don't like crying babies on planes......
P.P.S: 3M needs to improve on their ear plugs. It isn't cry baby proof yet!
After taking a 9 month sabbatical slumber from blogging, I decided to get back to where i have left off. My excitement of exploring this new city wore off after two months and I fell into a slight withdrawal from Dubai. All I wanted was to get out! The first year is always difficult,like everyone says. I'm not saying that living in Dubai is easy for me now, it's not, it's getting eas-ier.
If we compare Dubai to a lady, she isn't that French super model that you'll fall head over heals over, she isn't the Italian bombshell that make you breathless and weak in the knees, neither is she the Spanish babe who stole your heart. Let's just say that Dubai is akin to Durian, blue cheese, caviar. I'm not saying it's a tough pill to swallow, but its grows on you, slowly but surely. Dubai is this lady below the Arabian veil that doesn't show you it's charm, however, if u take some time to get to know her, you'll slowly fall in love.
There's a million and one things you can do in Dubai and the sky is the limit. Hell, you can even conquer the skies if you wanted to! Choose between taking a hot air balloon or sky diving close to the tallest building in the world.
I'm not about to write an advertorial for Dubai, however, as I'm penning my thoughts on a flight home from Dubai, I realized that I'm reaching my one year mark in Dubai before I even noticed it. I've given myself 2 years in this city. It's either that I like it and live through it happy, or suffer the next year which was what I did for the past 7 months.
The last two months I'd say, was when I picked myself up again and started to look at this city again through a different set of lenses. The friendship I forged here helped me tide over troubled waters.
Dubai, guess what, I'm ready to take the plunge for one more year!
P.S: I don't like crying babies on planes......
P.P.S: 3M needs to improve on their ear plugs. It isn't cry baby proof yet!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Dubai metro, ladies only!
And so here I was happily minding my own business, taking my virgin train ride in Dubai!
it's nice clean and cheap, what else can we ask for right? so I was on the train and it was pretty empty. I decided to take the first seat I saw .
from the sides of my eye, I could see a lady giving me a "I am so gonna bitch slap you" kinda look.
I decide that I shall move seats before she pounces on me and shread me to pieces with her cheap fake nails.
I thought that she was staring cause I was sitted on the handicapped seat. "oh well!" I thought.
as the train went on, I was just playing happily on my iPhone minding my own business, more and more people came in. And they did the same thing before they took their seat, they stared, at me!
now I was getting a little worried. was berms not allowed in Dubai? or was my hair so outta place that they had to stare?
I just sat at my corner seat feeling all uncomfortable, with all the dagger stares! I swear this train ride was even more dangerous then charging into a raging bull wearing red.
Suddenly this huge guy came into the carriage and turned and left the carriage as soon as he entered.
it occured to me that I was the only guy in that carriage like a thorn amongst the roses, and all that after 30 minutes.
So, innocently I asked the lady beside me, "erm..... is this a ladies only carriage?" She smiled like as though she could feel how uneasy I was right now, laughed and said," yes, I think u are in the wrong place!"
Mystery solved!! I was in the wrong carriage!! so now, I thought, how am I going to make my exit through all the dagger eyes?
I decided that it was wise for me to just take out a magazine, bury my head in it, and try not to make eye contact with all the she wolves!
when it reached my stop, I rushed out faster then you can say Supercalifragilisticespiedidocious! yes, I was in such awkward position!
So the warning I have to all my male readers out here, please note that they have a ladies carriage! if u treasure ur life, stay out of their zone!
alas, what an adventure it was to take a train in Dubai!
PS: I took the gold class one on the wu back, cause I suppose that was the safest! thank god, allah, whoever !
it's nice clean and cheap, what else can we ask for right? so I was on the train and it was pretty empty. I decided to take the first seat I saw .
from the sides of my eye, I could see a lady giving me a "I am so gonna bitch slap you" kinda look.
I decide that I shall move seats before she pounces on me and shread me to pieces with her cheap fake nails.
I thought that she was staring cause I was sitted on the handicapped seat. "oh well!" I thought.
as the train went on, I was just playing happily on my iPhone minding my own business, more and more people came in. And they did the same thing before they took their seat, they stared, at me!
now I was getting a little worried. was berms not allowed in Dubai? or was my hair so outta place that they had to stare?
I just sat at my corner seat feeling all uncomfortable, with all the dagger stares! I swear this train ride was even more dangerous then charging into a raging bull wearing red.
Suddenly this huge guy came into the carriage and turned and left the carriage as soon as he entered.
it occured to me that I was the only guy in that carriage like a thorn amongst the roses, and all that after 30 minutes.
So, innocently I asked the lady beside me, "erm..... is this a ladies only carriage?" She smiled like as though she could feel how uneasy I was right now, laughed and said," yes, I think u are in the wrong place!"
Mystery solved!! I was in the wrong carriage!! so now, I thought, how am I going to make my exit through all the dagger eyes?
I decided that it was wise for me to just take out a magazine, bury my head in it, and try not to make eye contact with all the she wolves!
when it reached my stop, I rushed out faster then you can say Supercalifragilisticespiedidocious! yes, I was in such awkward position!
So the warning I have to all my male readers out here, please note that they have a ladies carriage! if u treasure ur life, stay out of their zone!
alas, what an adventure it was to take a train in Dubai!
PS: I took the gold class one on the wu back, cause I suppose that was the safest! thank god, allah, whoever !
Dubai Metro, Ladies only!
And so here I was happily minding my own business, taking my virgin train ride in Dubai!
it's nice clean and cheap, what else can we ask for right? so I was on the train and it was pretty empty. I decided to take the first seat I saw .
from the sides of my eye, I could see a lady giving me a "I am so gonna bitch slap you" kinda look.
I decide that I shall move seats before she pounces on me and shread me to pieces with her cheap fake nails.
I thought that she was staring cause I was sitted on the handicapped seat. "oh well!" I thought.
as the train went on, I was just playing happily on my iPhone minding my own business, more and more people came in. And they did the same thing before they took their seat, they stared, at me!
now I was getting a little worried. was berms not allowed in Dubai? or was my hair so outta place that they had to stare?
I just sat at my corner seat feeling all uncomfortable, with all the dagger stares! I swear this train ride was even more dangerous then charging into a raging bull wearing red.
Suddenly this huge guy came into the carriage and turned and left the carriage as soon as he entered.
it occured to me that I was the only guy in that carriage like a thorn amongst the roses, and all that after 30 minutes.
So, innocently I asked the lady beside me, "erm..... is this a ladies only carriage?" She smiled like as though she could feel how uneasy I was right now, laughed and said," yes, I think u are in the wrong place!"
Mystery solved!! I was in the wrong carriage!! so now, I thought, how am I going to make my exit through all the dagger eyes?
I decided that it was wise for me to just take out a magazine, bury my head in it, and try not to make eye contact with all the she wolves!
when it reached my stop, I rushed out faster then you can say Supercalifragilisticespiedidocious! yes, I was in such awkward position!
So the warning I have to all my male readers out here, please note that they have a ladies carriage! if u treasure ur life, stay out of their zone!
alas, what an adventure it was to take a train in Dubai!
PS: I took the gold class one on the wu back, cause I suppose that was the safest! thank god, allah, whoever !
[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]
it's nice clean and cheap, what else can we ask for right? so I was on the train and it was pretty empty. I decided to take the first seat I saw .
from the sides of my eye, I could see a lady giving me a "I am so gonna bitch slap you" kinda look.
I decide that I shall move seats before she pounces on me and shread me to pieces with her cheap fake nails.
I thought that she was staring cause I was sitted on the handicapped seat. "oh well!" I thought.
as the train went on, I was just playing happily on my iPhone minding my own business, more and more people came in. And they did the same thing before they took their seat, they stared, at me!
now I was getting a little worried. was berms not allowed in Dubai? or was my hair so outta place that they had to stare?
I just sat at my corner seat feeling all uncomfortable, with all the dagger stares! I swear this train ride was even more dangerous then charging into a raging bull wearing red.
Suddenly this huge guy came into the carriage and turned and left the carriage as soon as he entered.
it occured to me that I was the only guy in that carriage like a thorn amongst the roses, and all that after 30 minutes.
So, innocently I asked the lady beside me, "erm..... is this a ladies only carriage?" She smiled like as though she could feel how uneasy I was right now, laughed and said," yes, I think u are in the wrong place!"
Mystery solved!! I was in the wrong carriage!! so now, I thought, how am I going to make my exit through all the dagger eyes?
I decided that it was wise for me to just take out a magazine, bury my head in it, and try not to make eye contact with all the she wolves!
when it reached my stop, I rushed out faster then you can say Supercalifragilisticespiedidocious! yes, I was in such awkward position!
So the warning I have to all my male readers out here, please note that they have a ladies carriage! if u treasure ur life, stay out of their zone!
alas, what an adventure it was to take a train in Dubai!
PS: I took the gold class one on the wu back, cause I suppose that was the safest! thank god, allah, whoever !
[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Hong Kong , dimsum, wax and yum
Food says a lot about a culture. For the chinese, we love our Dim Sum. In direct translation, it mean to "touch someone's heart". Think of it as a chinese tapas or small morsel that allows you to try a bit of everything. For the best dim sum , one has to head to Hong Kong! They eat dim sum for breakfast and it is THE BEST!
Just let the pictures do the talking!
Sweet pork Bun!
Prawn Dumplings!!!! Totally yummy!
Ok this dish in direct translation is called the Phoenix's claw. But of course its just chicken's feet. I used to not really like it, until i tried this in Hong Kong! Melts in your mouth!
My favourite, Siew Mai! Its like a dish all singaporeans like!
This bun, i think its a specialty to Hong Kong. Its like custard in a bun!
The pork ribs were to die for!
And Bird's nest soup! Suppose to revitalize your skin! YUM! Even if it doesnt, its really yum!
And if you ever go to Hong Kong, dont forget about visiting the Madame Tuseude museum!
I really loved the Hotel I had in Hong Kong. Its called, I Regal, obviously inspired by the whole I pod i phone culture. The internet was fast, the place was simple! Simply love it!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The gem in OLD DUBAI
Guess what guys? I have just discovered a gem of old Dubai, Karama! Even the name has a kick to it! Like KAWABLANGA! (u know, what those ninja turtles yell!)
Remember to take a break from those crazy shopping with a little street food or one the affordable restaurants there.
Ok for people that don't know where Karama is, it is actually part of Old Dubai. Its slightly off town and new Dubai. Getting there is pretty simple, just take a Metro to Al Karama or simply, take a taxi. If you think that shopping in Dubai is way way way expensive, then try this little Gem! Clothes, shoes, bags, wallets, watches, sunglasses, caps, belts, all you want, you can get,at a really affordable rate! Shopping here is like going to Chatuchak in Thailand, its like a little treasure hunt cause you don't really know where the stalls are!
Guys, word of advice, PLEASE DONT BRING YOUR GIRLFRIEND HERE, unless you've gotta deep pocket, just too many things to buy here. Ladies, 3 hours of shopping isn't enough, I dont even think 1 day is enough, just go in your most comfy outfit, nothing too fancy!
Remember to take a break from those crazy shopping with a little street food or one the affordable restaurants there.
3 Felafel for 1dhs? Thats simply crazy! Top that up with 2 dhs for a can of soft drink and you are set for another few hours of crazy shopping! The arabian street fast food is simply yum yum, try their samosa or an arabian Shawarma! YUM!
Its like an arabian style sandwich, with tomato, lettuce, vegetable, meat and bread! All in one! If you are in the mood for Pakistani food, try one of those Pakistan restaurant around the corner. Try their grilled meat and chicken curry! Dinner for two shouldnt go above 30dhs and you would be FULL!
There's just so much to see and do there, however, do try to avoid going there in the weekends, it would be crazy packed! But, once you are there, go exploring the stalls and spend an evening there for dinner. Totally worth it, trust me!
P.S: I will be off to Taiwan, so see you guys in a while! till then, ciao!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Come dine with me?
I love watching the show "Come dine with me". Its wonderful how those people come up with these dinner parties for random strangers. Sometimes friendship might blossom out of these dinner parties, and other times, people would just hate each other at the dining table! Well, I am thinking since, I hate crowds and I hate paying crazy amounts for partying on Xmas eve, I was thinking of having a dinner party for my friends here in Dubai.
Maybe I might even start this food exchange, dining movement here? Lets see how it goes!
I'm thinking,
Starter: Carrot, radish and dried shrimp spring roll with sweet thai chilli sauce, Or fried wantons with dark soy sauce
Main Dish: Singapore White Chicken Rice, Kai Lan( Green Vegetable) with Oyster Sauce, Bean Sprout with sesame sauce
Desert: Green Bean soup with Sago
What say you? Come dine with me?
Maybe I might even start this food exchange, dining movement here? Lets see how it goes!
I'm thinking,
Starter: Carrot, radish and dried shrimp spring roll with sweet thai chilli sauce, Or fried wantons with dark soy sauce
Main Dish: Singapore White Chicken Rice, Kai Lan( Green Vegetable) with Oyster Sauce, Bean Sprout with sesame sauce
Desert: Green Bean soup with Sago
What say you? Come dine with me?
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