Eid Mubarak

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The culminating event of the one month Ramadan is Eid Al Fitr, which will officially start on the eve of Saturday, Aug 18 and ends on the eve the following day. 

From wiki 

Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

In Dubai, we get a 4 day holiday (including the weekends) from Fri Aug 17 to Mon Aug 20. There'll be lots of festivities around the city, for sure you'll never be bored.

Last Few Days of DSS 2012

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DSS will end on the 14th of July, exactly 3 days so we have the whole weekend to do our last minute shopping. Most (like me) wait for the last minute to get further reduction on prices.

Check these bargain finds at Burjuman Center (Bur Dubai Area).

MANGO

GAP

NINE WEST

What are you waiting for?

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2012

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It's DSS once again! It actually started June 14 and will end until July 14, that's one whole month of shopping, fun and more!

The 15th installation of DSS, hopes to enticed shoppers and tourists to flock Dubai shopping malls this summer. Not just for great bargains but also a lot of entertainment events for the whole family.

I'm all in!

For schedule of activities check Dubai Events

Dubai Summer Surprises, in its fifteenth edition in 2012, is the largest summer event in the region. This annual event has helped change the concept of summer in Dubai and put the emirate on the map as an international summer holiday destination. The first edition of the DSS was launched in 1998, welcoming 600,000 visitors while last year’s edition welcomed around four million visitors with a total visitor spend of nearly nine billion dirhams, compared to 850 million dirhams in the first edition of DSS. Over the years, Dubai Summer Surprises has built a reputation as a summer festival making the city of Dubai synonymous with entertainment, shopping rewards, and fun for the whole family during summer. The event has contributed significantly to Dubai’s economy with billions of dirhams being generated through consumer spending.

June 17: Isra Wal Meraj

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The public and private sectors will get a one-day holiday on June 17, Sunday, to mark Isra Wal Meraj.

Mall Hop: The Dubai Mall

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The world’s largest mall (by total area as of press time) and definitely a must place to visit while in Dubai.

It is home to more than a thousand retail, entertainment and dining shops. There’s lots of things to check and be busy with, among those are

(taken from Dubai Mall website)

Dubai Fountain

Set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake, the fountain shoots water jets as high as 500 ft (150 metres), equivalent to that of a 50-storey building. The fountain is 900 ft (275 metres) long and has five circles of varying sizes and two central arcs. It has been designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.

The Dubai Fountain performs daily, with the performance repertoire including Sama Dubai; Baba Yetu, an award-winning song in Swahili; the Arab world’s top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok; and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye).


Over 6,600 WET Superlights – the most advanced incandescent large fountain lights available today – and 25 colour projectors create a visual spectrum of over 1,000 abstract attractions. The beam of light shining upward from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away, and will be visible from space making it the brightest spot in the Middle East, and quite possibly in the entire world.

Saturday to Thursday
01.00pm and 01.30pm
06:00pm - 11:00pm every 30 minutes

Friday
01.30pm and 2.00pm
06:00pm - 11:00pm every 30 minutes

key Facts & Figures
• World’s largest dancing fountain
• In sync with classical, Arabic and world music

• 1.5 million lumens of projected light

• Spray heights of up to 500 feet

• 22,000 gallons of airborne water

• Set in Burj Khalifa Lake, right outside The Dubai Mall on Lower Ground Waterfront Promenade in the heart of Downtown Dubai.

Dubai Aquarium

 

 A key centerpiece is Dubai Aquarium, one of the largest tanks in the world at 51m x 20m x 11m and featuring the world's largest viewing panel at 32.8m wide and 8.3m high. Dubai Aquarium has more than 33,000 living animals, representing more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays combined.

Dubai Aquarium's 270-degree acrylic walkthrough tunnel makes for incredible close-encounter experiences with some of the most fascinating underwater animals on the planet. A special 'lunar-cyclic' lighting system will change the ambience of the tank depending on the time of day.

Underwater Zoo 

Walk along the Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean environments at the Underwater Zoo and you’ll find yourself face to face with dangerous Piranha, Giant Catfish, playful Otters, a Humbolt Penguin colony, and more.
Whether viewing the Rainforest from a suspension bridge high above the river and tree canopy, or reaching out and touching some of the more hardy rock pool inhabitants, this is an aquatic experience you will never forget.

Combo Ticket AED 50
Aquarium Tunnel
Underwater Zoo

Platinum Aquarium Package AED 75
Aquarium Tunnel
Underwater Zoo
Behind The Scenes Tour
Aquarium Gift Shop Voucher
Available 10am to 4pm daily

Diamond Aquarium Package AED 85
Aquarium Tunnel
Underwater Zoo
Behind The Scenes Tour & Fish Feeding*
Aquarium Gift Shop Voucher
(Subject to availability) 

Ultimate Aquarium Package AED 100
Aquarium Tunnel
Underwater Zoo
Glass-bottom Boat Ride
Aquarium Gift Shop Voucher 

Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 10pm
Last admissions at Aquarium Tunnel: 9:45pm
Last admissions at Underwater Zoo: 9:00pm


Thursday to Saturday from 10am until midnight
Last admissions at Aquarium Tunnel: 11:45pm
Last admissions at Underwater Zoo: 11:00pm 

Dubai Ice Rink   

Glide into a magical winter wonderland at Dubai Ice Rink. With its larger than life Olympic-size proportions, whether you want to learn skating, perfect your technique, play ice hockey, socialise with friends or just have a great time, this spectacular venue is the coolest place to hang out any time of the year.

Prices:
Skate hire and 2 hour session - AED 55
Disco on Ice – AED 80


Please refer to www.dubaiicerink.com for further information regarding skating lessons and group packages.

Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 10pm*
Thursday to Saturday from 11.15am until midnight*
*As per the session’s schedule.

Sega Republic 

Welcome to a world of fun. Explore five zones of entertainment for all ages at the first SEGA Republic indoor theme park in the region. Enjoy 9 heart-stopping attractions and 250 amusement games spread over 2 levels of adrenaline and adventure!

Prices:
Power Pass – AED 150
Your day pass for all attractions


Pay & Play Pass
Purchase a Pay & Play Pass and top it up as you go!


Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday 10:00am - 12:00 Midnight
Thursday to Saturday 10:00am - 1:00am

Reel Cinema

The Dubai Mall had a blockbuster addition with the opening of Reel Cinemas on Level 2.

Now open with 22 screens including the first THX-certified cinemas in the UAE, The Picturehouse – UAE’s first cinema hall to exclusively screen critically acclaimed movies and four ultra-luxurious Platinum Movie Suites, Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall is the largest cinemas in the region.

How to get there:

*by Metro train

  -take the red line and exit on Burj Khalifa Station, feeder buses are available 

*by Bus
  -there are several bus available depending on your initial location
*by car or taxi

  -drive towards Abu Dhabi direction on Sheik Zayed road, take the 1st interchage

Fly Dubai

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A budget friendly airline that’s getting a lot of attention and passengers. 

Fly Dubai flies to neighboring Middle East countries like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and a lot more. It operates at Terminal 2 of the Dubai International Airport. And since it is a low cost airline, the price is almost half or even lower than the usual international airlines.

I haven’t tried flying with Fly Dubai but my friends did and they say it was comparatively okay given the discounts and all. We’re eying to try it on our Jordan/ Petra trip later this year or early next year.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

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It's almost summer, perfect time to hit the beach, pool and other water themed parks. Summer here in Dubai can be too hot and you'd rather stay indoors with your A/C on. Residents and tourists alike usually plan swimming and other outdoor activities between Feb to April.

picture courtesy of wildwadidubai.com

So one of the popular waterpark here in Dubai, UAE is Wild Wadi which is located on Jumeraih beach and on the same stretch as Burj Al Arab. So you get to enjoy the different rides at Wild Wadi and the view of Burj Dubai at the same time.  


                                                 from wild wadi official website 

Mall Hop: Ibn Battuta Mall

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I'll be featuring different malls within Dubai and other emirates because they are so huge and grand! I adore them! I love to shop and I'm a certified mall rat.

So for the first Mall Hop, i'll be featuring Ibn Battuta Mall named after a Muslim Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Last February 25, Google Doodle featured him to celebrate his 708th birthday! I wrote a little background on him and his travels here.

Ibn Battuta Mall is situated on the far side of Sheik Zayed Road (going to Abu Dhabi) near The Gardens and Jebel Ali . It's a huge mall, boasting of over a million square feet of retail space. It is divided into 6 clusters or courts named after some of the countries or cities Battuta visited. Those are China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia.

Personally, I had hard time going through the entire mall in one go so I have to plan each visit which shops to check. I usually go the th China court where the cinemas and Asian restaurants are located. 

How to get there:

*by Metro train

  -take the red line and exit on Ibn Battuta Station

*by Bus
  -there are several bus available depending on your initial location
*by car or taxi

  -drive towards Abu Dhabi direction on Sheik Zayed road, between interchage 5 and 6

---

Around the Mall

(pictures and italized descriptions from the official website of Ibn Battuta Mall)

Andalusia Court Grand in style, convenient in design. Andalusia Court takes care of your everyday needs, be it a quickie hair cut or an impromptu bouquet of flowers for the one you love. The centre-piece of Andalusia Court is its magnificent Lion Fountain, inspired by the Fountain of Lions in Alhambra.

 

Tunisia Court Blue skies and white fluffy clouds guide the way through 14th century inspired Tunisia Court. Here, you can let the kids enjoy a little time out at Fun City while you buy the weekly goods at Geant. Afterwards, why not follow the sensational aromas to one of Tunisia Court’s 16 international food outlets, where culinary delights await.

Egypt Court Pyramids and fairy tales, hieroglyphics and temples, kings and queens – Egypt Court brings to life the wonder and romance of its ancient history and leads visitors on a journey of discovery. For books galore, there’s Magrudy’s. For gadgets and playtime, there’s The Toy Store. For outdoor pursuits, there’s Sun and Sands. And for children’s clothes and toys, there’s Mothercare. Be sure to take away the perfect gift after your travels of Egypt Court with a tailor-made piece of silver jewellery, engraved with Arabic Calligraphy.

Persia Court The jewel in Ibn Battuta Mall’s crown, Persia Court is home to the dome, a captivating masterpiece which was hand-painted by a small group of talented artists. A host of distinguished stores have taken residence along her streets – the glamorous Paris Gallery, Debenhams and high-street favorites such as H&M and Forever 21. Take a moment to relax and enjoy a street-side coffee at Starbucks or Hediard and simply absorb the atmosphere and beauty of Persia Court.

India Court Showcasing the latest fashions, India Court is the place for those in search of classy boutiques, luxury brands and stylish stores. Outlets include Evisu, Bauhaus and the award-winning Ginger and Lace.

China Court Home to the Entertainment Zone, China Court has the region’s first IMAX theatre and 21 cinema screens. For casual dining with the family, there’s a host of restaurant to choose from including Finz for Mediterranean cuisine and Pizza Express for Italian. The mall’s largest electronics store, Sharaf DG, is pure entertainment in itself, housing every imaginable electronic device and gadget.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi is the capital of United Arab Emirates and largest in terms land area among the seven emirates.

 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Capital Gate Building

Emirates Palace

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s land surface measures 67,340 square kilometres, which is equivalent to about 80% of the UAE’s total land area. Only 30% of the emirate is inhabited, with the remaining vast expanses covered mainly by desert and arid land — constituting about 93% of the total land area

 Abu Dhabi thus holds 9% of the world’s proven oil reserves (98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world’s natural gas (5.8 trillion cu metres).

Source Wikipedia and Google for pics

Places to visit in Abu Dhabi

I’ve been to Abu Dhabi quite a few times already but never really had a chance to tour around

* Emirates Palace
* Capital Gate Building
* Khalifa Park
* Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (just passed through)
* Yas Island (just passed through)
* Ferrari World (just passed through)
* Abu Dhabi Heritage Village (been there)
* Abu Dhabi Corniche (been there)
* Saadiyat Island
* Lulu Islands
* Abu Dhabi Mall
* Marina Mall (been there)
* Al Wahda Mall
* Khalidiya Mall
* Jebel Hafeet (been there)
* Al Ain Zoo (been there)


How to get there from Dubai (Public Transport)

By Bus

At Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, from 5:30 am to 11:30pm busses are available at 30 minutes interval or when the bus gets full. Fare is 25 AED to and 15 AED return (I don’t know the reason for the difference) and the trip is around 2 hours.

By Taxi

You can flag down taxi anywhere in Dubai and ask you to bring to Abu Dhabi but of course it would cost a lot more.

Welcome to Fitness First, Diera City Center

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Fitness First DCC finally opens it's doors last January 7, 2012. They started signing in members as early as August 2011, that's around 5 months of promises and waiting for members like me. Is it worth the wait? Let's see.

Different group activities are already scheduled but more are planned for the coming days (another promise!).

Fitness First
Diera City Center
Operating Hours 7am to 12mn

Longest Fireworks set to kick start DSF 2012

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DSF 2012 will officially start with a Fireworks display along Dubai Creek. Said to be the longest so far in the history of DSF with 40,000 fireworks set in the 6 kilometer stretch within 5 minutes. Wow, as if we haven't seen enough of fireworks lately, from the New Year Fireworks at Burj Khalifa and now this one. But the organizers of the event said this is totally different and should not be compared.

picture from newzglobe.com

DSF 2012 Opening Fireworks

Dubai Creek

8:30 pm



Dubai Shopping Festival 2012: Dubai at it's best!

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Dubai Shopping Festival is the most anticipated yearly shopping event not only in UAE but also by nearby countries. Tourist and locals flock to different malls, souqs, hotels, events to find the best bargain and freebies.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place every winter with its mammoth array of discounts, competitions, prizes, fireworks and entertainment. DSF offers amazing shopping discounts, attracting holiday makers from around the globe keen on grabbing a bargain. The festival began in 1996 as an initiative of the Dubai government to promote trade, and it gets bigger and better every year. DSF is not only a retail festival, but also a family festival with a large focus on mall-based entertainment and early evening shows. http://www.dubaicalendar.ae/

This is a month long shopping bonanza from Jan 5 to Feb 5, 2012.

Dubai at it's Best! A real shopper's haven. Let's go!

Burj Khalifa Welcomes 2012

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With a big bang!

If you missed the fireworks display like me, don't fret because we can still watch it here

We decided to have a laid back dinner at La Mesa Restaurant, Asiana Hotel instead.

Happy New Year! May everyone be blessed this 2012!