Back to back with the majestic Burj Al-Arab

I was in hibernation.

I was too lazy to update my blog. Then I realized that it would be better to consistently update my activities, than to regret not remembering all the things I did. I know my memory will fail me later.

While I was away, I went visit the majestic Burj Al-Arab.

At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure whose shape mimics the sail of a ship (Wikipedia).

Nope, we didn’t get to see the inside of the hotel. We heard that it is very expensive to book a hotel tour for non-guests. Rates would not come cheap for this seven-star hotel. The room rates start from AED 6000- AED 14000 (USD1600- USD 3800).

We were content to take our photos outside the Burj, along the Jumeirah shoreline. We went to the Burj on two separate times- one in the evening and one in the early morning. The Teflon- coated hotel is brilliant white during a sunny day, but takes on an entirely different look at night. Computer programmed spotlights create a changing tableau of colors on the white façade. We could not miss these two sides of the Burj.

I was amazed at this architectural marvel towering Dubai. But did you know that there is a Cross story about this hotel. It seems that if you see the hotel from the seaward side, you would see the world’s largest Christian cross. Urban legend says that the designer Mr. Tom Wright, intentionally designed the cross after he had a dream about Christianity influencing a Muslim country. On 2001, Dubai introduced a vehicle plate with the Burj Al-arab symbol. But later on, the symbol was removed from the plates without any explanations. Conspiracy theory huh? This remained to be unanswered. However, notice that 99% of the images of the Burj are from the mainland looking toward the sea. I'm so much fascinated with these schemes.

The Burj Al-Arab is certainly one of the symbols of Dubai. This masterpiece monument is just one of the things why Dubai is often referred to as the land of superlatives.

For more info of the Burj Al-Arab:

https://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Burj-Al-Arab/

My first desert safari

Definition: Dune bashing, also known as desert safari, is a form of off-roading, using an off-road vehicle to explore sand dunes.

I promised myself that even if I could not find a suitable job for me here in Dubai, I would definitely try the famous desert safari. And yes, the desert safari came first before any other activities. A couple of weeks after I arrived, we scheduled one Friday afternoon for this.

Earl was very kind to make the arrangements. He got us a superb deal - just AED150 (group of 8), inclusive of all the desert safari activities. But the biggest bonus of it all: our off-road vehicle is a red, shiny HUMMER. How cool is that!

Along the way to the desert, we stopped by a camel farm. We pet a camel and rode an ATV. Before the dune bashing began, the driver deflated all four wheels of the vehicle. And did I mention that our vehicle was a red HUMMER?

Desert safari = rollercoaster ride in the dunes! The experience was absolutely mind-blowing. We were screaming the whole time. The vehicle would suddenly take a very steep dip, or crazily swerve to different sides. Our Lebanese driver was a master. He easily maneuvered the Hummer while treating us to a wild ride of unexpected twists, turns and tilts against the soft sands.

We were able to experience the desert in all its glory. Upon stepping down from the Hummer, I ran, rolled and hugged the sands. It was surreal. I used to read about this desert in the Bible. Now, I am actually standing on the path the Israelites took in their Egypt to Canaan journey. A shower of manna from heaven would complete the almost perfect moment.

The fun did not stop here. At the camp, together with all other desert safari groups, we ate a sumptuous buffet of barbeque. We were entertained by dances from various cultures in the Middle East. We tried the henna tattoo and took pictures of us in Arabic costumes.

It was a crazy and happy evening. In the coolness of the night, I was in a company of great friends in the middle of the desert. We were laughing, running around the camp and eating to our hearts' and stomachs' content. Hep, hep, hooray!!!

You want this desert safari experience,too?.... plus the red, shiny Hummer? Below are the contact details of the tour agency:

Sandy Ligan

info@ohtraveldubai.com

042896700

0506541134

My first international tourist visa

Last January 22, 2010 was my scheduled flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (do not ask why I left the Philippines, the reason would require another blog entry). My family was ever so generous. My parents and brother took time off from their busy work schedules to see me off Manila airport. My brother was coming in from Cebu City, so we would all meet at NAIA Airport.

Everything was set. After ensuring that I would not exceed the 30kgs baggage limit.I was all packed and ready to go. My parents and I left on January 21 from Cagayan de Oro to Manila. We arrived at around 12noon. My brother was already in the airport waiting for us. We settled in the hotel in Quezon City. We planned to go around Manila for some last-minute family bonding and pasalubong shopping.

I was looking for my UAE tourist visa among my things, but alas! I could not find it! I had with me my school records and airline tickets but no tourist visa in sight. I left the most important thing in Cagayan de Oro. A deafening silence filled the room. I could feel my dad's rage building up, I could hear my mom's muted cries, and I could see my brother's anxious look. We sprang into action. We asked my cousin to send the document through the last CDO-Manila flight that day. My MNL-Dubai flight schedule was 12noon the next day.

When it rains, it pours. And it pours HARD. Literally. The succeeding outgoing flights from CDO that day were cancelled because of the bad weather. We had no choice. We asked our cousin to book the first flight to MNL the next day. We would meet him at the airport.

The anxiety of waiting and looking at my parents' worried expressions drove me and my brother to go out of the hotel room to explore the nearest mall. Our walking led us to ABS-CBN studio and the PBB house. We took pictures and smiled despite this huge problem that loomed over us.

We had a quiet and short family bonding that night at Trinoma. In our sleep, we prayed for good weather and for the safe trip of my cousin.

I am in Dubai now - this would mean that my cousin arrived safely in Manila, I got my tourist visa and I caught my 12noon flight that day. The anxiety and thrill for those two days frayed my not-so-stable nerves. Truly, He makes all things beautiful and perfect, in His time.

My first entry

Okay. I don't know what got into me to try blogging. I was never great at writing and web lay-outing. I must be really bored to try this. No, I am not bored. In fact, I have lots of things to do, so many places to go and more people to meet. However, what they say is true, that no matter how crowded a place is, one could still feel lonely. The sad truth is- I am homesick. I miss home terribly.

So there, I'm trying this new thing to distract me and to clear my head of sad thoughts.. and it's working.. for the moment. I was very excited setting up this page. It took me two minutes to think of a title for this blog. I didn't bother much on the layout settings. I did not understand a thing about it anyway. I can always ask my ever reliable brother to assist me on this. After ensuring that my page would look acceptable, I immediately began writing.

I am so proud of me! I just created my blog and wrote my first post!

I can't wait to write my second entry! Till then! :-)