Photo Challenge: H2O in the Middle East

via Photo Challenge: H2O

This is in response to the Photo Challenge: H2O

I thought it would be nice to showcase some beautiful places I been to with water background.  I have read it somewhere that if you dream about water it can symbolize obstacles or deep depths of whatever you are going through right now.  But it is matter of you overcoming it and a fight to win!

I would like to show you some beautiful places around the Middle East with a body of water “H2O” around them.  Let me know what you know about these Cities by commenting.  Cheers!

Al Ain Zoo, Abu Dhabi UAE. vinneve photo

Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi fronting Yas Viceroy, vinneve photo

DUBAI, Marina Bay, vinneve photo  

DOHA, Qatar. vinneve photo

Would you believe this is the DEAD Sea? It’s in Jordan. vinneve photo 

Unfortunately… I didn’t get any sea view photo from my previous travel to other Middle East destination.  Sometimes the weather (humidity or sandstorms) doesn’t permit you to take some nice photos!  So I leave you a nice quote below …

pinterest.com

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The Door’s Castle

This is in response to The Daily Post:  The Story Behind a Door.

 

Larnach Castle, Dunedin New Zealand

We were here in June 2014.  Just me and my small buddy which is my son.  Had a great tour around the grounds and the castle but yes in every castle there is a story behind a closed door.  So much history and it’s up to you which version of the story you prefer.

If you like Paranormal then click this LINK to know about what is happening in this beautiful small Castle in  a breathtaking surrounding.

If you just want a normal/ regular tour and history then click this LINK.  Surely you will not be disappointed and perhaps if New Zealand is on your bucket list then you would not want to miss this chance to go to Dunedin and  see for yourself the famous castle.  The more the merrier so you can also enjoy strolling around the grounds with your friends or loved ones. I tell you, there are so many photo ops in this location. Ehem! Peter Jackson? 

If you just want information or other FACTS then click this LINK.  What else? but my favorite Wikipedia.

At the end of the tour… stroll around the garden (top hill) and appreciate the simple beauty outside.

At the hill, garden, Larnach Castle Dunedin, NZ

 

Thanks for your time!  Until next time 🙂

 

 

Arts at the (Emirates) Palace

PORTRAIT OF A NATION was on display when we decided to visit the Palace finally!  I was excited as the last time I tried to visit we didn’t get in without any prior booking to a hotel or one of their many restaurants.  I guess there was an event going on that time and/or fully booked and cannot accommodate an additional guest without permission. So here we go and see how luxurious it can be to visit and admire the Palace from top to bottom and how nice it will be to dine here, though I warn you to bring a bigger wallet if you get my drift?  Anyway… why not splurge once in a while since you are here in the luxurious Abu Dhabi emirates!

FYI for Abu Dhabians or visitors … there will be a new photography exhibition about retracing the footsteps of the Bedouin women and the journey is retold through the arts.  Please visit: womenheritagewalk.com  Or just go and visit the Palace from May 31st to June 14th.  

There are some great details that my poor old camera cannot capture so bear with me.

The Ceiling!

Different soil from the 7 Emirates

We saw a lot of interesting artworks on display but I cannot post it all here.  It is better to see to believe and you will appreciate it yourself.

THE GROUNDS OF EMIRATES PALACE

Beautiful landscape & fountains surrounded with high rise buildings!

 

Comfy seating outside

So many lights!

 

 

Enjoy walking with your loved ones beneath the lamp posts!

Thanks for viewing and see YOU again next time!  🙂

 

Destination: Dubailand

It was sunny but amazingly cooler weather (than now it is getting warmer!) when we went to these places a month ago just 30 minutes away to Dubai City Centre and only less than 2 hours away from Abu Dhabi.  So yes it is not too traffic going there even though lots of cars are heading the same way like us.  The roads can accommodate us easily, but be warned better to use a GPS as so many exits that you can get confused and missed the exit to both.  We went to Miracle Garden in the afternoon then Global Village at night as this particular themed park is a must at night to see the glorious lights of each villages.

I wonder what had happened to these places now since the recent BIG storm that hit both Cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  It is rare to even have a rain in this desert country, what more have a storm!  but alas, it happened and lots of people were shocked.  I just hope both themed parks are still ok so other tourists and local residents can still enjoy while we can still walk under the sun!  Please click the images to enlarge.  Enjoy!

MIRACLE GARDEN

GLOBAL VILLAGE

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So many choices of foods but the one I take fancy is the Turkish sweets.  I like it so much if it’s not expensive I can eat a whole box of it by myself! 🙂

So what are you waiting for?  Go now and enjoy!

Philippines: The Countryside

TAGAYTAY CITY

Picnic Grove, Tagaytay vinneve fotos

One of my favorite place to go out of Manila is Tagaytay City.  Cool but warm people welcoming you as they are used to so many tourists both foreign nationals and locals flocking to their beautiful City which is also one of the many provinces of the Country.

“Allow NATURE’s peace to flow into you as Sunshine flows into trees”  by John Muir

I always go to provinces and enjoy LIFE and SERENITY it brings.

Taal Volcano, vinnevefotos

Taal Volcano, Tagaytay

zip line @picnic grove

abovethehill, vinnevefoto

sunset @picnic grove

PICNIC GROVE – Park, Picnic & Adventure.

Zip line, vinnevefoto

rides @skyranch, vinnevefoto

Sky ranch,vinnevefoto

scenery @skyranch, vinneve

SkyEye, vinnevefoto

SKY RANCH – Fun and adventure for the whole family

Chapel near our hotel

Road to Picnic grove,vinnevefoto

Ayala mall @Tagaytay

Grounds @Ayala

Posh Subd @Tagaytay,vinnevefoto

Places nearby.

BATANGAS CITY

This is my province on my mother side.  I am much closer to my relatives here so I am always visiting whenever I am in the Country.  Batangas is famous for beautiful beaches and rugged forest.  Here a glimpse of where I spent some of my childhood memories with my cousins and many relatives.  It changed though as nowadays the same road that I walked through when the road is made of lava stones are now a busy concrete road to a famous resort and to other “Barrio” district/suburb.  I found out that a big Corporation is buying out some big lands here and I knew having a land here is like having a goldmine so it pays to keep it for the next generation to enjoy than have this Commercial giant owned some pieces of it, nature will not be the same again.  As the younger generation leaves for Manila or abroad it is sad but it is inevitable this might happen.

aunt’s place

And here where I spent some of our days with my favorite aunt who also takes care of me while I was a child.  Lots of foods to go nearby… pomelo, papaya, kamias for sour soup and I consider this as a fruit as I ate this so much when I was a child. So many fruits and vegetables here not to mention that Batangas is known for it’s coffee beans.

Kamias, also called bilimbi, cucumber tree or tree sorrel  photocredit: Wikipedia

Pomelo tree

Suha/Pomelo

aunt’s place

Suha in Tagalog language

my aunt’s plants

aunt’s plants

my aunt’s place

And yes this is TRUE… for me at least.

photocredit: M.Robles/quoteslife143.com

I hope you like this post and please do comment, much appreciated. 🙂

Also please do not copy the photos without crediting me or mentioning my blog.  Thanks!

This LINK (Byahe/Journey of/ ni Drew) you will see some insights and beautiful places in my beloved province of my birth Country.  I will always love this place!

Philippines: Manila Activities

 

Photo credit: Wikipedia click this link for more info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Bay

To get some words from Lonely Planet, Manila sums up  “ As well as outstanding sightseeing, visitors who put in the effort will discover its creative soul – from edgy galleries to a lively indie music scene. Combine this with a penchant for speakeasy bars, artisan markets, and single-origin coffees, it’s clear to see Manila’s not only one of Asia‘s most underrated cities but one of its coolest.”

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/manila#ixzz3ydNqf8BX

So many things to see & do just in Manila what more if you get out of town?  Manila has a lot of options for all types of traveler.  For me, I have to think about my 7yr old son so you cannot find here anything about nightlife etc. those are for singles. The only nightlife I can do is eating out, malling and yes festivals & theme parks. Here are some of the photos I can share with you but please do not copy them without crediting me and this post.  Thank you!

SM Moa.vinneve

Festival of lights.vinneve

festival of lights.vinneve

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS @MOA (Mall of Asia) – Lots of free entertainment from all the malls and one of the famous are to be found in SM MOA, Bay City near Manila Bay.

AyalaMuseum, vinneve

vinneve photo

@Ayala Museum.vinneve

@Greenbelt.vinneve

@Greenbelt2.vinneve

@Greenbelt3.vinneve

MAKATI CITY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS – Aside from being the business district and has 3 huge interconnecting malls, with lots of bars and restaurants nearby, they also have the Ayala Museum for the whole family, a Park and lots of X’mas decor you can take a photo ops. We don’t have a lot of time so we only have these to show.  Being there for 3days is not enough but for my budget’s sake, it will do.  I find these two items below interesting. Most of the Filipiniana dress is made of Pineapple fiber and this makes it more expensive but beautiful isn’t it? And the nice wall frame I would love to buy but I don’t have enough space in my bag, pity they are very affordable compared to overseas.

nice souvenir.vinneve

 

CITY OF DREAMS MANILA / DREAMPLAY – This is for the whole family especially for kids who love to interact while playing.  You can buy a minimum of 2hrs pass and yes no foods allowed inside which is standard in any theme park though this one is inside this magnificent building which also housed three resort-style 5star hotels (Novu, Crown & Hyatt), a “boulevard” of branded products for the moms and of course, a Casino for dads. Please see this link on Youtube.

City of Dreams.vinneve photo

 

Museo Pambata – This means Museum for the Kids.  Unfortunately, it was closed when we arrived.  We can only take a few photo outside.  This will be a must for next time as my son and I love museums wherever in the World we may be.

Museo Pambata.vinneve

Museo Pambata.vinneve

Art In An Island – They have a mini booth inside the Megamall and we gladly take some free shots though it is not as good as the real one in their location in Cubao please check this link from AmusingPlanet.com so you may see what I mean.

Artinanisland.vinneve

artinanisland.vinneve

 

Manila Bay view from my hotel

At the end of the day, we go back to our hotel to where we are staying at that time as these activities are located in 3 different locations so I have booked 3 hotels as I have mentioned in my previous post.  Please click this link to read my reviews.  Just in case, you will visit the Country and it’s your first time then, at least, you have an idea where and what to book.  

UPDATE:  I recommend this blog for people who are curious about PHILIPPINES.  She is an expat from the USA and now living in Manila and I find her travel journeys wonderful especially for a mom like me as she is too.  Nevertheless, you will find out some fascinating places in the Philippines so please check her blog thru this LINK.

In my next post, it will be about “The Countryside”.

Also, please check out my page under category RED PLANET (hotel ) for a good budget hotel for all types of travelers especially going to some Asian Countries.  You may find it helpful and I do recommend it as I have experienced them myself (even before they have contacted me to do a page for them).  🙂

Thanks for your time reading this, much appreciated.  🙂

 

The Daily Post – Photo Challenge: Ornate

This is in response to The Daily Post – Photo Challenge.

“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves”       by Julia Morgan

 vinneve photo

Capital Gate, considers to be the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi              Owned and developed by ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company).  It is one of the tallest building in the City and inclines 18 degrees to the west (source: Wikipedia).  

Hyatt Capital Gate which is a 5-star hotel is connected to this Iconic building. Mostly tourists enjoy the luxury of this hotel and the building itself especially when there is an event not to be missed.

The first time I saw this building I cannot help myself to look and crane my neck to see how magnificent it is. I actually nicknamed this as “The boot” as from a distance it seems to look like one (as the photo shown for comparison. Sourced: Google images) My photo cannot do justice but you can see on Google some other good photos (like the one below).  I wonder if the architect was getting the idea from a shoe. This is just one of the many unique architectures here in the Capital of UAE.

   

Photo credit to Hyatt Capital Gate at their entrance

A few months ago we attended a Hunting Expedition Exhibits inside this beautiful building and it is huge and sparkling clean.  They often have many events so Families and Friends surely can find something to see and do.

vinneve photos

Saluki (Arabian Dog) Beauty Contest

And last month it is one of the many iconic landmarks that turns #UNblue to celebrate UN 70th birthday.  Photo credits to Instagram UN.

Note:  Please feel free to click the link in red for further information and it’s sources.  Thank you for reading. 🙂

Camera Lucida – Reflections

This is in response to the Week #13 of Camera Lucida Photo Challenge.

“The decisions you make are a choice of values that reflect your life in every way..”  by Alice Waters

Every expat somehow missing their old home and this is just normal.  Old photographs served good memories and the reflections of your past actions of leaving your comfort zone but will be back for sure… someday!

Beach NZ, vinneve photo

” YOU find yourself through the reflection you discover.”  from pinterest

Holiday Photos “City Style”

I see it approaching… the much awaited deeply desired… LONG WEEKEND!!  Yipeeee!!     (sourced: quoteshunger.com)

See the FULL blog, transferred to this link Life & Wonders

Camera Lucida – Journey

This is in response to the Week #6 Photo Challenge.

Roads in and around “misty” Dubai & “windy” Abu Dhabi when I first arrived last July and so on.  Perhaps not a very picturesque as others but this is the natural way I can show the roads and some Icon buildings that I passed through from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. To be fair, they are all amazing to look at when near but when you are on the roads traveling by car it is harder to get a close up unless you have a professional camera to boost.  I only have a camera phone with me while traveling.  This is just to show my journey.

 

SheikZayedRoadDubai, vinneve

 

 

BurjKhalifaDubai, vinneve

 

BURJ KHALIFA in the middle is the tallest building in the World

BurjAlArabDubai, vinneve

BURJ AL ARAB means Tower of the Arabs is a luxury 7-star hotel and the 4th tallest hotel in the World

Riding a Dhow boat on Dubai Creek going to the Gold & Spice Souk at the other end of the City

Dubaiwaters, vinneve

AdnecAD, vinneve

Coinshapedbldg. vinneve

A boots style building (on the way to the City) and a Coin shape (near Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi.  Really unique and amazing to see at night.

Emirates Palace Gate outside is the only way we can do some photo opportunity.  The security guards say “No more public viewing inside the Palace Hotel”  but if you have a hotel or restaurant booking then you are most welcome!  But please make sure you have enough money to dare.

EmiratesPalaceGate,vinneve

GrandMosqueAD@background, vinneve

A view of the Mosque from Souk Qaryat Al Beri a posh market that locals and tourists go to.

AND finally… a journey going to our temporary “home” in Abu Dhabi

SO TRUE…