UAE Invasion Part 3

It’s now time for the 3^rd and last leg of our UAE trip. To read my earlier posts on this, click here.

Part 1

Part 2

Day 5

At 7:00am, we checked-out at Al Diar Mina Hotel and headed to the Abu Dhabi Bus station. How did we get there? We took a bus just outside the hotel. Because it was still early, we were able to board the 8am bus to Dubai.

After around 2 hours, we alighted at Al Jafiliya metro station bus stop (hope I remembered it right). Actually, we got the wrong bus this time. Instead of taking the E101 bus which has a bus stop at Ibn Battuata, we took again the E100 bus to Al Ghubaibah.

Our first agenda for today was Ski Dubai, located inside the Mall of the Emirates. From Al Jafiliya metro station, we took the metro to Mall of the Emirates. Ski Dubai is located at the far end of the mall, so it had been quite a walk. But do not worry because there are signs almost at every corner leading to Ski Dubai.

In Ski Dubai, we only paid 320AED for two persons (entrance fee: 150 buy 1 take 1 c/o Entertainer Dubai, plus 50AED for pax for upgrade from regular pass and 70AED for big locker rental). Since coming straight from Abu Dhabi, we needed a big locker to keep our bags. Regular-sized lockers are included in the entrance fee.

Here’s some pictures while inside the Ski Dubai.

 

 

By 3pm we already started walking back towards the metro station. The temperature inside Ski Dubai reached as low as 3 degrees, so honestly we did go out a couple of times to warm up.

At 5pm, we reached Ramee Guestline Hotel. The hotel is just few walks from Al Rigga metro station. The hotels in this area can be quite pricey because of its accessibility. But still I choose to stay here for our last 3 nights in Dubai.

Our day was far from over as we still have our reservation for the Dhow Cruise. Ate Mayet picked us up from our hotel at around 7pm and we headed to Dubai Creek. The Dhow Cruise costs 200AED per head but because of Entertainer Dubai, we only paid 100AED per person. This time, we were joined by another friend, Clarisse, who works at Dubai airport. (I did not have any picture while on the cruise LL

The cruise is for two hours so at past 10pm, we already headed back to our hotel. After the cruise, we are still scheduled to meet Tita Melinda and some of my Tita’s friends (former officemates at The Landmark) at Juice World. Ate Mayet dropped us off just in front of it.

Juice World is known in Dubai for its fresh fruit arrangement that is changed daily. To know what I am talking about, see these pictures.

 

 

Mind you, one can freely move around and take pictures anywhere. They are not strict and no one is manning to guard whether sometime touch or pick up fruits.

Finally we got home at around 2am already. I was so tired yet I still felt excited on what’s in store for us in the last three days of our stay in Dubai.

Day 6  

Today was scheduled at Tita Melinda’s day. It was Thursday and luckily, it was her off from work. I honestly don’t have any idea where she would tour us because I did not dare ask (hahahahaha!) I somewhat like the idea of surprise.

At 9am, she picked us up in front of our hotel and our first stop was Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR) Walk. You can find a wide variety of restaurants along the Walk, and many high end and well-known shops. It’s very good location for walking and sight-seeing specially because of the cool February weather.

Dubai Marina was our second stop.

Third stop was at Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

Next stop is Dubai Mall. We choose to explore the Dubai Aquarium since we have Entertainer Dubai vouchers, we paid only 70AED (buy 1 take 1). The aquarium is situated inside Dubai Mall. I must say, many attractions are located inside Malls and enclosed areas to still encourage people to visit even during summertime. If not because of the voucher, we wouldn’t go inside the aquarium. I was not really impressed. This is not a must.

Here at Dubai Mall I met and had dinner with my long lost friend from highschool, Doris. She has been working in Dubai for almost 9 year and in fact, her husband, two kids plus her mom are living with her. We met shortly for dinner because of her work schedule. And to my surprise, we ate at Shake Shack. Honestly, before going to Dubai I already wanted to go there. I am curious because I saw in one of Toni and Alex Gonzaga’s IG posts that they have a picture taken in front of Shake Shack. I was really happy and made my trip complete. I wish it would open in Manila soon.

And the finale of the night, the dancing fountain show at Dubai Mall. After dinner, I went outside and there I met Tita Melinda and some of their friends from The Landmark Makati. We also had a chance to see Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. But I did not have a good shot of it because it was already dark. This has been, again, a very long but fruitful day.

Day 7

Today, we are scheduled to visit Miracle Garden in the morning, and do the sand dunes bashing in the evening. It was Friday today so Ate Mayet will be coming with us. At 9am, we picked us up and drove towards Dubailand. At first we got lost along the way because that was also the first time to go there.

I felt so happy to see beautiful flowers in the desert. It was a very welcome sight for me.

 

For lunch, Ate Mayet treated us for a Japanese lunch at Sumo Sushi & Bento Restaurant (I don’t know exactly where it is located).

If there is one thing I was most excited with to do while in Dubai, it is the Desert Sand Dunes bashing. Honestly, I was very looking forward to this. Though I must admit it was a mix feeling of excitement and nervousness. I really don’t know what to expect. I have heard quite a few stories of some throwing up right after the sand dunes, some would really feel uneasy, etc. But really, it was a superb experience for me. Given a chance, I would do it over and over again.

And again, because we have Entertainer Dubai voucher, we only paid 200AED for two persons already.

 

The evening desert sand dunes bashing is inclusive of roundtrip transpo, sand dunes bashing, camel ride, get a henna tattoo, some sand boarding, pipe smoking (though we did not try this) and buffet barbeque dinner. Softdrinks, water, and coffee were included in the price, but you had to pay extra for alcoholic drink. The belly dancing was very entertaining. It was the highlight of the evening.

 

For the finale of tonight’s agenda, we went to Deira City Center. I wanted to buy something for myself in addition to the bag I bought last night at Dubai Mall. Lucky me and this is my priced purchase to date, I bought a Rayban sunnies for myself!!! Indeed, I am one lucky and happy girl.

Day 8

Today was our last day in Dubai. We did not schedule any major activity for today. We just planned to wrap up and enjoy the city. We checked out at our hotel and brought our bags already, so we’ll save time. We just loaded them up to Ate Mayet’s car.

By 10am, we were headed to JBR again. We had our quick but heavy early lunch at El Chico, Mexican Restaurant.

After lunch, we went Atlantis Hotel and rode the Jumeirah Monorial. I had a better appreciation of the Palm Jumeirah seeing it from the Monorial. On the ground, you would know nor notice its unique shape.

Next we went to Souk Al Bajar to get another sight of Burj Khalifa. I requested Ate Mayet if we can go back so I’ll have a photo at day light. It was a success.

For our last itinerary, I wanted to do a last minute shopping so we went to Festival City Mall. True enough, we were able to do some shopping (hahaha!) Good thing, they still have some stores on sale.

 

  

At around 5:30pm, we had our last meal in Dubai at Royal Oasis Chinese and Japanese Restaurant. We had our table overlooking the fountain show and this amazing sunset.

At 7pm, we were already heading to the Airport. Our flight back to Manila is at 11pm (Dubai time).

There you go. That’s our 8days stay in UAE. I can say this is my most tiring yet enjoyed and meaningful trip. Looking back, I never thought I can go to Dubai at this very moment. Yet, I did. And I am so thankful for this experience.