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2013 December. Miracle Garden

It’s my second time visiting this floraltastic place. The garden is closed during the summer months when temperatures are high, and opens back in October. 

We opted to go in the afternoon to appreciate the scenery better - less heat & more light.

The garden has a lot of additions and changes every year, which makes it a place to look forward to. 

Lilium flower lamps.

Re-purposed cars zone.

Heart arches.

Pathway with hanging flower pots.

Some cute animal sculptures.

Floral gazebos.

More arches.

Floral Clock.

Every visit is a brand new experience. So make sure to include this place when visiting Dubai.

Dubai Miracle Garden Open from October-May

Location:  Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand Area, Dubai

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Omiyage.

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Melon Pan from Kumori.

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Kumori Japanese Bakery & Cafe, U.P. Town Center

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2016 October. Insectlandia

Last month, I had a chance to visit some attractions at Clark, Pampanga. One of them is Insectlandia which features gigantic versions of insects.

Follow the insect trail, strike a pose, & take pictures with the diversity of insect animatronics & models around the park.

Locust

Ant

Stick insect

Spider

Fly

Ladybug

Bee

Dragonfly

Praying Mantis

Mosquito

Centipede

Ant VS. Scorpion

A butterfly garden with real live butterflies. 

Towards the end of the tour, you’ll be able to watch A Bug’s Life characters performing some antics. After their mini-show, the audience are allowed to take pictures with them.

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“He had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once.”

-Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere

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2013 December. Dubai Festival City

On the way to Festival City.

Festival City’s Canal Walk.  

It features both indoor & Al fresco dining.

Try Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe for an authentic Emirati cuisine.

Festival Marina.

Burj Khalifa from afar.

Festival City Mall’s atrium.

A very interesting water feature.

So in love with the skylights!

Awesome details.

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique. I want those tea tins!!!

The fast food area’s grandiose ceiling & lighting fixtures.

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL

Timings:

Sun – Wed: 10.00am – 10.00pm Thursday – Sat: 10.00am – 12.00am

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Ginza Bairin, UP Town Center

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2013 December. Ferrari World

My brother flew to AUH to spend his holidays with us. One of the places we took him to is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Christmas decors were present during that festive season.

We let my bro experience how fast Formula Rossa is. 

We’ve missed RED last time so we made sure to watch it that day.

It’s a must see theatrical show with variety of performances such as acrobatic stunts.

Watched Coppa di Sicilia at Cinema Maranello.

Collection of Ferrari cars at Galleria Ferrari.

Dad & bro did the Tyre Change Challenge.

I tried driving this remote control cars but failed haha.

Scale models at  Bell’Italia.

I’ve read that there’s a new attraction called Flying Aces. I hope I would be brave enough to try that roller coaster soon.

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American Fuji by Sara Backer

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Hankook Korean Restaurant, Abu Dhabi

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2013 September. Night of Fire

Planetshakers, a Christian worship band from Australia, visited Dubai for their Night of Fire Tour. 

I have attended a couple of Hillsong’s worship night back in my home country, but this was my first time joining Planetshakers’. They’ve visited Manila many times already, but still I’ve never got a chance to go to theirs. 

The night started with opening acts by Arlene Tressler with Dilip Kurien, and James Basnet.

Now for the main act, Planetshakers!

Some inspiring message from Pastor Rudy.

They led the worship with their songs such as Let Praise Awaken, Limitless, Nothing is Impossible, The Anthem,  You are  Good,  Put Your Hands Up, Your Name Brings Healing to Me, & Great is Your Love

They ended the night with this pose. :)

I'm really blessed that finally, even in a foreign country, I was able to attend Planetshakers’ worship night. I hope that I could join them again in worshiping the Lord someday.

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Books from my dear sister. :)

The Devotion of Suspect X- Keigo Higashino

Murder on the Orient Express- Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None-  Agatha Christie

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2013 May. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

One of the must-see places in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque(SZGM). The majestic mosque is named after the country’s founding father & beloved former leader, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.

SZGM is a structure that “Unites the World”-using materials & artisans from all over the world.

Its architecture represents different Islamic styles - a fusion of Moorish, Mughal, Persian, & Arabic styles.

It is renowned by its pure white colour(a symbol of purity & piety), as Sivec marbles were used for the exterior walls.

Main Entrance. 

The mosque is open not just for worshipers, but for tourists as well.

Relief carvings of verses from the Holy Quran in calligraphy(Naskhi,Thuluth & Kufic styles) & other geometric Islamic ornamentation can be seen throughout the mosque.

Reflective pools surround the exterior grounds.

Mosque’s scale model  near the entrance.

Ming green marble drinking fountain, & Iznik ceramic tiles(Turkish hand painted tiles).

Sahan(courtyard) with its very intricate floral mosaic flooring.

There are 4 minarets standing at 107 meters each.

A total of 82 onion-shaped domes of different sizes composed the mosque’s structure. The finials are clad in gold-glass mosaic.

Columns with gold aluminum palm capitals(maybe date palms?), & inlaid with semi-precious stones(lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell, mother of pearl).

Glass mosaic sliding door entrance to the main prayer hall.

Floral relief wall.

There are 7 chandeliers with Swarovski crystals by Faustig. 4 of them are the blue coloured chandeliers located in the foyers of the main prayer hall.

The Main Prayer Hall.

The third largest chandelier in the world at the central dome. 

Interiors of the domes feature traditional Moroccan artwork & verses from the Holy Quran.

Marble columns inlaid with mother of pearl.

The Qibla wall features the 99 names(attributes) of Allah in Kufic calligraphy and it is illuminated by fiber optics.

Main prayer hall walls in white Lasa marble, coloured marble, & glass mosaics.

Smaller version of the central dome’s chandelier

The word’s largest hand-knotted carpet designed by the Iranian artist, Ali Khaliqi.(70% wool & 30% cotton)

Be sure to visit the ablution & restroom areas as well.

Ablution room with central fountain of Ming green marble & Makrana marble.

More Iznik tiles at the restrooms entrance.

SZGM is really an awe-inspiring structure-from its concept to the intricate details. I’d say that anyone who visits this place will not be disappointed. So if you are in UAE don’t forget to stop by this architectural marvel. Anyone is welcome to visit for free(yes it’s free!). Just keep in mind that this is a place of worship, so please be respectful & follow the mosque manners when visiting.

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

Timings:

Sat - Thurs 9am to 10pm, Fri 4:30pm-10pm

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Mamma Rossella, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

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2013 May. Ferrari World

Another Yas Island attraction is the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi- an indoor theme park. We have the two-park pass (yas waterworld + ferrari world) so we got the chance to go & see both of them. 

Welcome Pavilion.

Ferrari World, though boasting as the largest indoor theme park in the world, is not as big as the Disney parks. You can actually finish trying all the attractions they offer within a day.

Ferrari Store.

Fiorano GT Challenge coaster entrance.

Made in Maranello queuing area. Hanging on the walls are examples of swatches for clients to choose from for customizing their own Ferraris.

Have a leisure ride in a mini Ferrari 250 California & explore a miniature Italy in Bell’Italia.

Sooo in love with the steel structures!

Try to be a pit stop mechanic by changing the tires as fast as you can.

Paddock. Garage for F1 cars.

Junior GP. F1 racing school for kiddos.

Mimbo the mime came in to entertain us while queuing for Viaggio in Italia.

Mimbo made fun of my mom who is unaware of what is happening. XD

Galleria Ferrari. A gallery showcasing Ferrari cars from the past to the present.  

F50! I know this one because my brother has a model car of this that we played together with our happy meal toys.

G-Force-a 62m drop ride in the funnel structure which gives you a glimpse of Yas Island from above.

Formula Rossa - the fastest roller coaster in the world at 240km/h. It is so fast that it requires you to wear a protective glasses to protect your eyes from impact of any particulates.

We survived the world’s fastest coaster! Yey!

Ferrari World is like an interactive museum- you could learn more about the history & craftsmanship of the celebrated car brand while being entertained by the variety of attractions.  It is not as fun & colorful as other theme parks are, but it is still worth a visit especially for car enthusiasts.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Timings:

7 days a week: 11am - 8pm

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Yas Island Rotana