It took me a full year at Dubai Silicon Oasis to re-learn that the sun rises and sets at and from different locations during the year.

2011 Entry fee : AED 10/ person. 

Duration:  1^st Nov 2011 to 3^rd Mar 2012 (website)

Timings: 4pm to 12mn , Monday is family day (website)

How to get there:

It is located along Emirates Road (E311).  I suggest aiming to immediately enter Emirates Road rather than aiming to drive in parallel along Ras Khail, a newbie on this road runs the risk of missing the right exit. Once we wasted 75 kilometers and an hour finding our way out. From Sharjah and Mirdiff City Center, keep driving past pineapple building at Silicon Oasis (on your left) and before you reach the interchange at Motor City (that’s kilometers apart). It’s signposted so it’s easy to find.

Parking:

It’s great to arrive at 4pm to get a space near the entrance. There’s a sea of cars in the evening so note where you park. Once, our friend took an hour locating his car at 12 midnight.

What to see and do:

Shopping, dining, cultural shows, boat rides, other fun rides

Personally, our annual visit always include the following: (1) check the Philippine pavilion’s theme for the year; (2) indulge in a food trip at Thailand Pavilion and exit with a bagful of dried fruits; (3) move at fast pace to take photos of the pavilions before sunset; (4) catch cultural shows.

More updates and info is available at their website: http://globalvillage.ae/

Do check my other photos here AT FACEBOOK.

Big Gremlin's typical plate

 My husband and I love sushi and we mostly satisfy our cravings during Sumo Sushi's Friday AED88 buffets either at Al Qasba or their Garhoud branches. I wouldn't let him suffer (naks!) at the expense of my pregnancy knowing that the weekly buffets include non-raw servings of tempura, teriyaki, katsu, yakisoba and fried rice plus miso soup and a little of fresh cucumbers, lettuce and tomato slices.

A ten-stars compliment to Sumo for this voluntary complement for a preggy patron.

 What's more was a pleasant surprise when a staff brought over our table a non-raw-fish maki prepared ala-katsu sushi (don't know its name, sorry :-) ) just because I was over the sushi table asking which ones are preggy-friendly. I did not request yet they made a 'customised' sushi for me :-)

My husband rarely do window shopping, and when he does, he rarely (can) spend.

We were too early for the Global Village's opening last weekend hence we detoured by Jeep's showroom along Festival Center to check an item on his wishlist - a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, one for his dream drive - to climb the high desert dunes.  Of course, we're far off able to affording one.

Interested how much it costs now (as of 2nd week of Nov11) here in the Sandpit?

Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited - AED 134,900 / USD 36,700

Jeep Wrangler Sport Limited - AED 89,900 / USD 24,500

Jeep Wrangler Sahara Limited - AED 107,900 / USD 29,400

Tags: How much does a Jeep cost in Dubai?

Buying a new Jeep, anyone? Or shall I say, wishing for a Jeep?

Sumo Sushi's Friday Buffets (served between 12 noon to 4pm at AED 88 per adult) always prompt us to frequent Al Qasba in Sharjah. But a few Fridays back, we lounged cozily with the  perfectly pleasant weather and unknowingly we had stayed until sunset. We had to transfer from Sumo to Dunkin' Donuts on the other side.

As the Gremlin delighted running around and his dad giving him company once in awhile, I savoured the sunset and night views to practice night photography. See my tries below, isn't it inviting  trying your lens there too?

The Gremlins in the boat that went along the corniche (beach) and the canal.

From our seat in front of Dunkin Donuts.

WHERE TO GO IN SHARJAH

Al Qasba is one of Sharjah's landmarks. It's not much of a space, but there are a number of activities apart from dining, including the boat ride, Eye of the Emirates ride and for kids the play area and the small water fountain.

From Al Qasba, the Sharjah Aquarium  is a nearby  drive.  It is located near a beach and a marina where jetskiiing and fishing by rods and boats are a sight. A 'heritage village' of sort, composed of ancient/ historical houses is undergoing restoration.

I did not note the dish but it sure has wine.

The white sugar served in unsealed small plastic made me smile

The interiors give a mixed impressions of sorts. An Igorot deerhunter accent is added to the cowboy-cum western fisherman's haven feel.

"Ate, may delivery ka" came the other end of the line, the Reception. I was not expecting any delivery but as I advance out, I  felt a wee nervous realizing it must be the husband bringing me flowers at work! And I was not wrong!


Last week's occasion was something we had always overlooked in recent years with the coming of our son and with putting our Church wedding anniversary a greater importance. It was a celebration of thanksgiving especially of having a blessed relationship and union since then.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for blessing me with the love of a man who despite my imperfections, remains steadfast in letting me hold You. Please bless him as You bless me.
Please guide us as we share these blessings to others too.

Yours lovingly,
His Wife

The Gremlin attends a Filipino school here in Dubai, hence the daily singing of the Philippine Anthem (I suppose).

Once in a while, he would browse youtube listening to Lupang Hinirang versions. He loves singing along, even when his lyrics are still lost somewhere. We took a video of his progress yesterday, which I uploaded on youtube today with the note:

Nah, this is not to make the Gremlin a laughing stock, in fact, we are glad that our patriotic five-year old has a bit improved in singing the Philippine Anthem, despite that he doesnt speak Tagalog/ Filipino to date. 
Yes, we hide our giggles as he sings, but behind us is our gladness in his progress. :-)

Rains are un-usually heard of in the desert, and if it rains people rejoice -- unless it starts to become disastrous to the sandpit whose systems are not prepared to flooding and whatever brought by raining.

Dubai is yet to get its share of drizzles this time of the year, but near or along the Hajar mountain ranges (Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Oman), rains started pouring in October.

On Wednesday (first week of November), the Big Gremlin waded in Muscat's afternoon rains. He reached their villa drenched and with shoes on hand as puddles covered the streets. The amount of rains that day was like a typical subtropical afternoon rain in Baguio (Philippines). Tuesday was bearable just with 'strong' drizzles.

Rains in Muscat

Tunnels that are on lower elevation are prone to 'flooding', such as this in Muscat

With the Big Gremlin working in Muscat now, I pray that the most he'd witness be limited to his light experiences so far, and not a repeat of Cylone Gonu (in 2007, the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the Arabian Sea) that brought forth substantial damage as below: