DAY ONE IN DUBAI

While we felt like Zombies the previous night because of the time difference, we took our own sweet time in the morning despite an early 7AM call time.  This is because it was already 11AM in Manila by that time.

Sweet.
It felt like we gain extra four hours to spend!

We had time to cook breakfast and actually eat it too! 

We had a full schedule ahead of us including an out of town trip to a nearby emirate that is why we really needed to have a full stomach and a high dose of energy.

Before we left, our special tour guide for the day came - ROMMEL!
He was Mom's Dialysis Nurse here in ATC before he migrated to Dubai.
He helped us in arranging for Mom's treatment there.

Together again!

Our first stop was the Jumeirah Open Beach Park for some morning sun.

The lovely place was bustling with Joggers and Volleyball players as we were
there on a Friday - Dubai's official day of rest.  Pretty much like our Sunday.

Meet the rest of the party.  Not in this picture is Jon, Ate Lyn and yours truly. 

After we had our dose of  Vitamin D, off we went to a place that's enjoying much publicity since Kris Aquino featured it in her morning program -

The place, which is open only during the "cool months" is such a sight to behold.
It has lots and lots of flowers which I so love.

The following pictures have no need for captions as the images say it all.

After visiting the fabulous garden, we were all set to go to Al Ain - it is an emirate of United Arab Emirate (UAE) just like Dubai.

But before hitting the road for almost two hours, we asked our driver to bring us to a fast food restaurant along the highway.

He brought us here where a vast desert could be seen in the background.
Amazing!

One does not need an English translator to know that we were in Burger King!

And remember when I made mention of the many Filipinos in Dubai?
Jon even found a friend from his Badminton circle.  Small world indeed huh?

Meet Christian!  He is the Manager of that BK Branch.  Astig ang Pinoy!

At mabuti na lang at ibinaon namin ang left over rice nung breakfast.
Parang nasa Jollibee lang ang asawa ko.
Busog!

After that hearty lunch, we continued our long trip to Al Ain.
An hour of driving after, the view has become more and more picturesque.

Huge rock formations such as this makes you wan'na pinch yourself.
We are indeed in the middle of a desert!

After a few minutes, our driver announced that we were already in Mubazzara Park.

Apparently, this is a famous spot for Picnics.  It also has hotsprings where it is said to be "therapeutic" to tired legs and feet.

Syempre pa, hindi nagpahuli ang tropa.

Especially my Mom who, days before the trip, had difficulty in walking.
Go go go agad siya!

At, habang feel na feel namin ang kanal na para bagang kadugtong ito ng River Jordan, aba eh nagpakalayo layo naman ang asawa ko.

Eh di ano pa nga ba?  Walang pakialamanan ng trip.  Kanya kanya lang yan.

Aba eh kung di pa namin pinigilan eh balak pa yatang tawirin ang kabilang
bundok.  Jonnnaaaaaattthhhhaaaannnn!

 Then it was time to go to  on top of a mountain named Jebel Hafeet.
Click this link if you want to know more of this famous tourist attraction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebel_Hafeet

While the mountain itself is spectacular, the road going there is more interesting.
Ito siya:

Just recently, this road has been included in the 10 roads you need to drive on
before you die list (or something to that effect, hehe).

Well, bukod sa nakakahilo paakyat at pababa, awesome naman talagang maituturing ang view while going up.  Medyo na afraidy aguilar lang kami ng kaunti dahil nangamoy ng bonggang bongga ang clutch ng sinasakyan namin.

The only structure on top of the mountain is an Accor Hotel - Mercure!

At habang ang lahat ay namamangha sa ganda ng tanawin, naloka naman ang
asawa ko sa magandang view na nasumpungan niya. Hayyyy.

After spending a considerable amount of time at the top of the mountain, it was time to descend and visit the nearby Zoo if only to fulfill our promise to the little boy.

And it did not disappoint!
The animals were lively and the variety is amazing.

After seeing some of the animals, Mom and I broke away from the group to go back to the main entrance for some serious shopping while the rest of the gang continued their tour of the zoo.

And, after satisfying our need for retail therapy, napagtripan naman namin  and dalawang arabong ito.

Parang Jollibee Mascot lang ang peg.  After that, other Tourists followed suit.
Kami na ang dakilang tagapag pa uso. Hehe.

On the way home, we dropped by the much raved about outlet mall.

And, true to its claim, MURA nga ang mga items.
Jon found his favorite brand of shoes at half the price here in Manila.

Sayag lang at hindi ko masyado nakarir ang pagsa shopping because I went around with Mom the whole time and let her do the purchasing.

The little boy was so happy too because while there, we left him inside a ig play pen where he had the time of his life playing.

That ends our hectic Day One.
Hindi na kami makausap nyan when we reached our Apartment.
Aba eh halos alas dos na ng umaga kami nakakauwi Manila time.

Care to join us for Day Two?
Oh please do. :)