When the journey is all that matters and the destination is later on

When I was a kid, I dreamed of riding an airplane. Whenever I see a plane in the sky I wish that I was on that plane. Imagine me waving at an airplane in the sky, a thousand feet above me, like a girl lost in an island, screaming for the plane to come down and get me. It is fun silly and all the kids my age are doing the same.

When I flew to Dubai in December 2002, that dream came true. Even I was a bit devastated to leave someone special behind at that time, I was thrilled to take the plane ride. At the boarding gate, I can’t wait to get into my seat and for the plane to be airborne.  After several years and several vacations in the Philippines, I am still ecstatic to ride a plane. It gives me a different high. My first plane was Cathay Pacific, the second was Emirates Airlines and I have also tried Malaysian Airlines, among this three, Emirates Airlines has given me the best flight experience ever.

Emirates Airlines is the only carrier that offers straight flight from Dubai to Manila but during peak season like Christmas and New Year or Graduation time in March and April, seats are scarce and prices are skyrocketing. You need to book as early as March if you plan to go for the yuletide holidays and get the fare right for your budget. Another airline that flies straight to Manila is Etihad Airlines but people in Dubai still need to travel to Abu Dhabi to take that plane. Fly Dubai is the budget carrier of the UAE that flies to many destinations but unfortunately Manila is not one of them. When the news came out that Cebu Pacific will start providing long haul budget flights from Dubai to Manila, everyone in the Middle East was rejoicing.

Cebu Pacific, the largest national flag carrier of the Philippines is offering the lowest year round Lite Fares for its destinations. There are 34 domestic destinations and hub in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo and Davao.  It can take you anywhere in the Philippines sometimes for as low as 1 peso with their Piso Seat promos. The launch of international flights in 2001 gave a chance for  Filipinos to travel abroad for shopping and sightseeing in places like Bangkok, Bali, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen where Cebu Pacific flies.  Their year round Lite Fares is also one of the reasons why many Filipinos are able to see more of the Philippines with style as it is the first local airline to introduce e-ticketing, pre-paid excess baggage and seat selection. Flying with Cebu Pacific can be fun with its on board games and their in-flight magazine Smile is a charmer. 

Cebu Pacific is taking this wonderful flying experience to a higher level as they introduce Dubai as their first long haul destination. It will cater to 700,000 Filipinos living and working in the UAE and it is also a welcome relief for over 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East. Having a budget airline carrier to fly to Philippines on a straight flight means more family time, more island hopping time and more fun time.  I used to say to a Lebanese colleague, that if only Philippines is as near as Lebanon as to Dubai and the fares are much more affordable, I will come home more often and  probably I’ll be in Philippines for all the fiestas, birthdays, weddings, baptism, graduation, reunions, lent, Christmas and New year and maybe even on November 1. With Cebu Pacific's ticket prices at AED 499 or PHP 6,999 one way (Dubai to Manila), you will surely never miss any important occasion with your family anymore. Your flight experience will also never be the same again because Cebu Pacific's international flights offers pre-ordered Hot Meals with our all Pinoy favorite Beef Caldereta (Filipino beef stew), Bistek Tagalog (beef chuck cooked in lemon and spices) and Chicken Adobo. In-flight Wi-Fi will also be available and not just that, you can also go shopping for fun and luxurious products such as cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, toys, chocolates and liquor on its on-board Duty Free store so pasalubong (presents) is not a problem.

This baby is Cebu Pacific’s newest fleet member. A brand new 436-seat Airbus A330-300 will soon be ready and will be used for its Dubai-Philippines flight. Eight of these airplanes will be lease to serve Dubai initially then after other destinations like Europe, US and Australia as Cebu Pacific plans to expand its long haul flights.

Cebu Pacific maiden flight from Dubai to Manila is on October 7 and they are giving away free 100 return tickets to 100 Filipinos in the UAE to take its first flight. Joining is simple just LIKE their Facebook page and look for 100 Lucky Juans promo to enter the contest; runs from 13th May to 18^th August. 

This is a sponsored post by Cebu Pacific

My building in Sharjah was on fire this morning!!!

What are you going to do if your building was on fire? Nothing...

because we did not know, we couldn't do anything, we were sound asleep when the rest of our neighbors were rushing down to evacuate the building and save their lives. We are so shocked because the fire alarm did not go off and no one knocked on our doors to evacuate. This report on the local news paper this afternoon is our building on fire at 3:30 am in the morning today. We only learned that we had fire on the building after we have seen two gutted cars parked outside of our apartment in Sharjah early this morning. We are angered by this because we have three children at home, imagine what could have happened. The fire was on one corner of the building in the 7th floor, we are on the 5th floor on the other side. Thanks God there were no casualties reported and the fire was put off immediately by the civil defense team. The real cause of the fire is not yet determined.

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Just recently, we have renewed out lease contract with the NEW real estate management and they promised that we will see big improvement on the building. Actually we are slowly seeing the improvements that was promised when they changed the front glass doors that was long time broken, a new cleaning company is coming everyday to clean the common areas and yesterday they started replacing the ACs and then suddenly boom...ayun FIRE in the building. This building was very poorly maintained by the previous real estate agent, I don't want to elaborate more but we cannot let this happen anymore, we must make sure that the building is fire safe and to the new management, I hope that you are exerting all efforts so that this incident will never ever happen again. 

Reading corner for the kids room

It took us sometime to continue decorating the kids side of the room because of the issues in the lease contract renewal with our old landlord and now that it is finalized and we are settled with the new landlord, we were able to do just exactly what we planned for. Yesterday, we were able to finish adding a bookshelf in the bare wall next to their bunk bed.

Before

After

Adding a reading corner for the kids and displaying their favorite bed time stories encourage them to read more. We used three spice racks we got from Ikea for AED 11 each. I still need to add lighting for Prince though. Ikea is on part sale right now so if you need extra decor for your home, it is time to go there for cheap finds. 

Royal Hand Prints

While we were preparing the kids to go to bed, my daughter looked at her palms and then asks to see mine. The lines on our palms are completely different and even those of my son are different from mine too. I thought that they might haven gotten it from their dad so we all looked at his hands and they are almost just like the kids but none are the same.

Interestingly, I saw this art work from the DIFC Corporate Art Collection displayed at the entrance of The Gate Building in DIFC the other day. These are the royal hand prints of the Ruler of Dubai and of his children.

I cannot read Arabic so I don't know which one is of HE Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum but I am only guessing that the one in the last row on the lower left is a woman's hand because it is slender and probably it's the Sheikhs only daughter HH Sheikha Maitha. I also noticed that the hand in the middle is a left hand while the rest are all right hands. Can you see which ones have the same lines? I think none.

These hands are the hands of the leaders who shaped Dubai, the beacon of success, the guiding light towards a brighter future of the city. Did you know that in 2007, Zabeel Investments auctioned the artistic handprints of the Al Maktoum Family for Dubai Cares? You can read it here and here. I am just not sure if this is the same art piece.

This is a very nice piece of art and very good idea for families for a personalized art work for your home.  Palm print kits are available in art stores.

Mothers Day 2013

I received two greeting cards from Mica on Mothers Day and a happy mothers day song from my three year old son Prince in the tune of happy birthday song. I got big hugs and kisses from both of them and a greetings on FB from my husband and tons of greetings from all my friends. A big thanks to all of you.

How to make your homecoming to the Philippines fun?

Planning your holiday to the Philippines? Is your company paying for your airfare or are you paying it from your pocket this time? In case you are paying it yourself, why pay it when you have a chance to have it for free. Yes FREE!!! Read below carefully.

In the UAE, expatriates are privileged to have an annual leave of 20 working days or 30 calendar days every year however airline tickets can be given yearly or every two years, there are also some people who get it every six months.

Cebu Pacific is running a contest on their Facebook page called 100 Lucky Juans starting today May 13 and will be giving away 100 free return tickets to Filipinos based in the UAE for its first ever flight from Dubai to Manila on October 7. All you have to do is to tell Cebu Pacific in a video or photo collage or 200 word text/essay format how you will make your homecoming to the Philippines fun. 

 That actually triples the fun because not only do you get to plan a perfect vacation in the Philippines, you’ll also get the chance to win your airfare for free and witness history unfold by being one of the 100 Filipinos to fly with Cebu Pacific from Dubai to Manila on its first ever flight. (That story is worth telling everyone) J

Entries will be accepted until August 18, 2013 so submit your entries now and start winning. You will be asked to enter some of your personal details after you have uploaded your entry so that they will be able to contact you if you win. Remember, you must be 25-65 years old, a subscriber of GMA Pinoy TV and have a valid work permit in Dubai.

You must be feeling very excited when you think of your vacation, who doesn't? Are you thinking of the things you wanted to do in the Philippines with your family and friends? Are you salivating about the food you would love to savor with them? Are you dreaming of the places you might want to take your parents, kids and siblings? Are you lost in all the things you are missing about the Philippines? So am I. 

I still remember our month long vacation in the Philippines last 2011, it was oozing with awesomeness. It was loaded with entertainment, friends and family time. It was me and my kids first time to attend my husband's family reunion and I can say that they are a group of very happy and fun loving people. We took the kids again to Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna for ride all you can rides, we visited the Butterfly Haven in Pulilan where we get up close and personal with live butterflies and we also visited Barasoain Church for some historical and cultural enrichment, went horseback riding in Tagaytay for some action, joined my hubby in a reunion with his HS classmates and laugh our hearts out as we go clubbing at Punchline Comedy Bar and dine out with them at Shakey's Restaurant, Christmas and New Year was celebrated with a bang with our family and I ate all the Filipino food my heart desires. It was such an amazing time I/we wanted to do it over and over again.

If words are not enough then maybe the pictures can do it better. Do you recognize these photos? These places could be one of your destinations with your family when you go on your vacation and Cebu Pacific can take you there.

Philippines is our country, Philippines is our home, where ever we are in the world we all still want to come home one day. When we aren't ready to go home just yet, we love to go for a short vacation to see our family and friends; it is a refresher for the lonely and the homesick.

This is a sponsored post by Cebu Pacific

50 on My Bucket List

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." Mae West

And I want to do it right and follow what Mother Theresa said

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” 

Here's what is on my bucket list right now. 

1.  Road trip to Hatta Oman

2.  Road trip to Liwa for the second time

3.  Road trip - Wadi Bih

4.  See Petra in Jordan

5.  Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

6.  See the pyramids

7.  Go to Morocco

8.  Go to Fiji or Maldives

9.  Get a Schengen visa for a Euro Trip

10. Trip to Boracay 

11. Trip to Palawan and see the underwater cave

12. Go to Malaysia or Thailand or Singapore or to all of them

13. Go skydiving

14. Go bungee jumping

15. Go zip lining

16. Go to Hong Kong Disney Land

17. Lose all my belly fat and have toned muscles

18. Go to "At The Top" of Burj Khalifa

19. Go and see again Ferrari World

20. Try Wadi Adventure in Al Ain

21. Go to Ice Land Water Park

22. Go to Aquaventure

23. Go to Yas Water World

24. Have a family portrait to hang in my moms house

25. Go and see Miracle Garden Dubai

26. See real snow

27. Ice skate properly without falling

28. Dine in the floating restaurant in Loboc and see chocolate hills in Bohol

29. Go to Bicol to meet moms relatives and take a picture with Mayon Volcano

30. Go and see Turkey and meet some of my friends

31. Check in at Six Sense Zighy Bay in Oman

32. Go on a Euro Trip

33. Visit my sister and her family in Qatar

34. Renovate my mother-in-laws country house in Batangas and make it a vacation house

35. Dine in at one of the Burj Al Arab Restaurant

36. Dine in at Armani Restaurant

37. Try the Bonondo Food Walk

38. Learn how to cook paella

39. Safari with overnight stay at the desert camp

40. Learn to play the guitar

41. Keep blogging till I can

42. Make sure kids get a university degree

43. Go on a cruise

45. Go on a dinner cruise at the creek

46. Attend my high school reunion

47. Attend my college friends reunion

48. Attend or organize a family reunion for Jose Camua clan

49. Become debt free

50. Have a set of diamond jewelry

Win 100 Cebu Pacific Round Trip Tickets to the Philippines to see your Kapuso

We are not going on vacation to the Philippines this year yet again, our last vacation was in December 2011, we missed 2012, we have plans to go this December 2013 but we cancelled it due to some unforeseen circumstances. Our last vacation in the Philippines was completely awesome, we had the best time with our family spending Christmas and New Year. Over to you, when was your last vacation and are you going home this year?

I know that not all Pinoys based in the UAE are able to go home yearly just like us, I am aware of that fact and everyone has their own reasons. Whatever your reason is, probably it is not in your hand or your decision not to go have a story behind it. Whatever it maybe is all that matters. I am sorry I am becoming too dramatic here. Let’s just go down to business shall we because I have very good news for you today.

If you will remember there was a news article about Cebu Pacific announcement of direct flights between Dubai and the Philippines starting October 7 published in a daily paper in the Emirate. Also they had a seat sale last January 17 to 20, 2013 giving away 3000 seats for as low as Php 888 LITE Fare and seat sale is valid for trips on October 7, 2013.

If you missed it and I missed it too, there is no need to fret because you still have your chance here; a chance to see your family in the Philippines this year. No I am not kidding, it's true.

I am actually so excited about this contest and I cannot contain my excitement so I want you all to know about this and get excited too. ARE YOU READY?

What do you say about FREE trip to the Philippines from UAE to visit your family? Yes you read that right

A FREE ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO THE PHILIPPINES FROM DUBAI

COURTESY OF CEBU PACIFIC AND GMA KAPUSO

Be one of the 100 lucky winners!!!

Cebu Pacific is proud to be the only Filipino carrier to fly direct from Dubai to the Philippines and they are giving away "100 Lucky Juans" based in the UAE a chance to fly home absolutely free! 

Joining is simple, please follow these steps

1. Participants must like Cebu Pacific Facebook page.

2. Click here and you will be directed to 100 Lucky Juans Promo Facebook app 

3. Once you are in the page click Enter Now to join

Everything you need to know about the contest is in the app that looks like this. 

TThere will be 7 lucky winners each week for the first 12 weeks and 16 lucky winners in the last two weeks making that a total of 100 Pinoys from the UAE who will have the chance to see their family by October 7. 

Mechanics of the contest was posted on GMA International and Cebu Pacific’s website and official Twitter and Facebook accounts. Mechanics plugs also started airing within commercial gaps of GMA Pinoy TV – Middle East, Europe, and North Africa last May 1, 2013.

In the UAE, entries can be submitted from May 13 to August 18, 2013, open to all Filipinos age 25-65 and subscribers of GMA Pinoy TV. All winners will be announced on air within commercial gaps of GMA Pinoy TV - MENA airing, will be posted on Cebu Pacific Official Facebook page and will be notified via phone call and e-mail.

A little tip for you before submitting your entry

Your entry will be judge according to the following criteria

1. Adherence to the theme ("How will you make your home coming to the Philippines fun?")

2. Creativity (try to be as creative as possible)

3. Length of stay in Dubai, UAE (without coming home to the Philippines) (don't you think I qualify to this one?)

4. No of likes of entry on Cebu Pacific Facebook account so tell as many friends as possible about your entry

I might not be able to join this contest (not sure) but even if I don't, I still feel that I am already a winner. Having our own airline bringing Filipinos in and out of the UAE is something I am very proud of. Not to mention that Cebu Pacific offers economic fare that suits every Juan’s budget. Also did you know that Cebu Pacific is utilizing a brand new plane for Dubai-Philippines flights? That's too much of good news eh? Ok let me stop talking now to let you start your quest to winning that trip ticket to see your loved ones this coming October. 

This is a sponsored post by Cebu Pacific

The Faces behind the Voices of Tag 91.1

Have you ever wondered who are the Filipino RJs (Radio Jockeys) of Tag 91.1 you are listening to everyday here in Dubai? Me and my husband used to think that Maria Maldita voice with her Uwian Na with Maria Maldita show sounds like it's coming from a huge frame. Another friend said he is falling in love with Louie Da-Costa of Gandang U-maga with Daddy Bluebird because she has a very beautiful and enchanting voice. To stop assuming, the ever curious me searched for them to put a face behind the voices.

Behold I introduce to you Ms. Maria Maldita (photo credit) (sorry ha sexing sexi pala si Madam) hehehe :)

Louie Da-Costa

Daddy Blue/Bluebird

and Chikay

They are our daily companions on air in Dubai who plays all the songs we love and give away a lot of things in their daily contests. (sana manalo nman ako minsan). Want to know more about them? You can read their profile in the website here

25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters

Thank you to the people who had been sharing this article on Facebook that it reached my wall.  And thank you to Sarah Driscoll of Diapers and Daisies for writing the rules, it slowly melt my heart until it's as soft as a s'more.  After reading it, it makes me ponder for the dept of  love I have for my daughter and my mom too. Every one knows that no rules exist about motherhood because this job do not and must not have any reservations, when you're a mom you have to give it all out,  right moms? (did I see you nodding?) I am a mother with a daughter who just turned 9  today. I am posting this to constantly remind myself that a mother's love is endless and has no boundaries and that there are certain things that only mothers can give. 

Mica, happy happy birthday! I love you so much and I want you to remember that I am not a perfect mother but I will give everything for you to be happy. When you grow older you will understand and when you have a daughter of your own (in case) I would like you to read these rules guidelines too and in no doubt follow these rules like I did.

25 RULES FOR MOTHERS OF DAUGHTERS

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle-gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet mr. right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

5. Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she would rather wear her brother’s superman cape with high heals, allow it. If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.

6. Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that woman can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment for yourself- not just your husband or children. Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

8. Let her get messy. Get messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls: just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9. Give her good role models- you being one of them. Introduce her to successful woman- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts, or authors. Read to her about influential woman- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational woman- Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know that anything is possible.

10. Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. “I love yous” and Eskimo kisses go a long way.

11. Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years-old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the 
mall, hold on to her always- this will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

12. Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date, or the first day of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14. Love her father. Teach her to love a good man, like him. One who lets her be herself…she is after all wonderful.

15. Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5 by 5 dorm-room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16. Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

17. Teach her how to love- with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry, and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you love or hate like you hate. So, choose love for both you and her.

18. Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her- even if it sounds or looks horrible. Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later, let her blast noise and headbang in her bedroom with her door shut if she wants. Or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics- like The Beatles- and listen to her latest favorite- like Taylor Swift. Share the magic of music together, it will bring you closer- or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter, you are not only her mother. Be her friend too.

20. Teach her manners. Because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away. Whether she has classmates who tease her because of her glasses, or a boyfriend who tells her she is too fat - let her know she does not have to listen. Make sure she knows how to demand respect - she is worthy of it. It does not mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth fighting. Remind her that some people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and walk-away. Teach her to be the better person.

22. Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words; she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds the one. And when she finds the one, tell her.

23. Mother her. Being a mother - to her - is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood, so one day she will want to be a mother too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother's love for their children.

24. Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets - no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday when her husband rubs her back in attempt to comfort her...she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."

25. Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you; welcome her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news; embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you; find her. When she needs advice on boys, schools, friends or an outfit; tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor - where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile; be home.

Weekend Fillers

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Thank God Its Thursday. What are you gonna do this weekend?

I'd probably take my kids and my husband to the beach in the morning to soak up on some Vit. D which he lacks apparently. Attend the Friday mass in the afternoon and then watch some professional figure skaters at Dubai Mall Ice Rink skate their way for the win at the Dubai Golden Cup and our Saturdays will be very busy  with doctors and landlord visits.

Doing something interesting this weekend? Catch up with some breakfast inspiration from a lady from Oslo, Norway Iadafrosk, making breakfast a lot more fun especially for your kids.

Fancy learning a new language - sip on some Livemocha.

Who says losing weight is hard, its fun here at Blogilates, make sure you check out Transformation Tuesday

iPod, iPhone, iPad... iCar?

Happy weekend guys!

Wading in the Wadi

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No I did not go on a safari trip this weekend, this wadi is just around the corner of Jumeirah at the end of the Beach Road situated between the majestic 8 star hotel Burj Al Arab and picturesque Jumeirah Beach Hotel. A friend of a friend took us on a treat to Wild Wadi last Friday which also happens to be me and my husbands 10 years together. It is the exact same date and day we officially became a couple. This outing was a perfect coincidence to celebrate our special day.

"Wadi" is the Arabic term for Valley. In some cases, it may refer to dry riverbed that contains water only during times of rain or simply intermittent stream- definition by Wikipedia

Wild Wadi is the first theme park in the UAE and now one of the 6 water parks around the country.  (newest first - Yas Waterworld, Aquaventure, Iceland, Dreamland, Wonderland, Wild Wadi.) Wild Wadi is nothing but fun fun fun (humming) in the sun that spans over 12 acres of land. It has 23 water rides that suits every age. Jumeirah Sceirah is for riders not less than 1.1 m tall, the anxiety heightens as you climb the 32 meter tower to reach the slide. You will be popped into a tube with your arms and legs crossed and dropped into the 120 meter slide at 80 kmph speed. When I tried this ride, it was not a tube yet, it is an open slide like this one.

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This is how it looks now but unfortunately I couldn't try it this time. The brave and thrill seeker in you must also be cautious to tie your swim suit tightly to avoid any beach wear mishap if you know what I mean.

My not so faint-hearted 8 year old daughter Mica eagerly try her hands on surfing at Wipeout and Riptide Flowriders.

She wants to come back for more even after this wipe out

and then its dads turn, Ferald liked this ride a lot and he has been to Wild Wadi three times and never pass the chance to try surfing.

And who doesn't get wiped out? hehe

This one is me, yes I tried it too and its awesome

You know I have another kid, the little guy enjoyed dipping at Breakers Bay. This is a  wave pool that produces 1.5 meter waves. Complimentary life jackets are at bay for the not very confident swimmers. I almost stayed here all day to accompany Prince. He is still scared to wade into deeper part of the pool but we managed to teach him to jump and move his leg like bicycling and he is not so scared anymore.

In front of the wave pool, the play structure behind us is Juhas Dhow and Lagoon perfect for families with little ones

but I couldn't make Prince go to play here because of this huge dumping bucket that pours water every two minutes, its scares him

Another favorite is the Master Blaster, it is a series of high-powered jets to take you on an aquatic roller coaster ride. In this ride you'll use single ring or double ring inflatable. Kids below 1.1 meters are not allowed in this ride.

Lifeguards are everywhere which is really good and if you do not have a water camera, its alright because they you can take your pictures too during the ride and you can pay and collect your picture at the souvenir shop later on.

We have more to explore because we haven't tried everything. We still have the Flood River

 Burj Surj and Tantrum Alley and Juhas Journey

When you feel your stomach rumbling already after all that adrenaline rushing rides, there are several food outlets to chose from. We opted for Julshans Kitchen, ordered some burgers with potato fries and soft drinks, the burger is big and good for sharing, I shared mine with Mica or you can have it to yourself but I'm sure you'll find yourself stuffed after that. I find it odd thoughtful that the veggies in the burger are served on the side. Burgers, Sausage sandwich, chicken burgers are priced from AED 32 to 39 AED. Salads are also available and cost AED 40-50. Bottled water is ridiculously overpriced at AED 9 per bottle. Ice cream is AED 10 each.

There are also other things you can engage yourself into inside Wild Wadi water park. Fisho is a fish spa available for a fee of AED 35

Just dip you feet on the water full of small fishes and enjoy the tingling sensation

or get an Air Tatoo that apparently would last up to 5 days.

And this place is picture perfect, so take loads of pictures

And capture some more nice things

And if you get lost there are maps like this around the water park and if you lost something, they also have lost and found section near the entrance.

Entrance fees to Wild Wadi is AED 225 for adults and AED 175 for kids and free for kids below 2 years. They are open from 10 am to 7 pm daily from March to May and adjusted depending on the month so be sure to check this out.