Tuesday, January 24, 2012

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi

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.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Welcome to Fitness First, Diera City Center

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

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Longest Fireworks set to kick start DSF 2012

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.

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picture from newzglobe.com

DSF 2012 Opening Fireworks
Dubai Creek
8:30 pm


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

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

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.

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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!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Burj Khalifa Welcomes 2012

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!