I say YES to life!!

In response to the Word of the Day Challenge YES as per this LINK.

As per the quote above… why not?  Life is too short anyway not to say yes to life!  There’s more about the world we live in that we must see and discover.  IF I didn’t say yes to a new adventure in the Middle East 5 years ago (particularly Abu Dhabi) I wouldn’t even know how beautiful this City is and other UAE cities too! Do not prejudge things, places, religions, culture, and people unless you already experienced it yourself and be open-minded. Saying yes open my eyes to these.  I will miss this place now that I have a new adventure ahead.  FOLLOW me while back living in our home country New Zealand.

expatslifeinAbuDhabi, vinneve

Yes, I believe we will get to the new normal way of life but it doesn’t discourage me to travel step by step (don’t worry even to your nearest suburbs or cities it’s ok!) and see how lucky we are and besides didn’t we get to learn new tricks and passion while on lockdown?  C’mon, don’t be gloomy! Say YES and you will feel life will say yes to you.  Cheer up!

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A dream… a premonition.

This is for the Daily Post: PREMONITION

Everybody dreams.  

I have a dream a long time ago, in fact, a decade ago perhaps… even before my son came into our lives.  It was a feeling of happiness, wonder and then all of a sudden a feeling of losing something.  In my dream… it was a greyish cloudiest day or night. Hubby and I were checking out some beautiful houses and the road was not easy to navigate as it has a steep hill… up and downslope just like in some Auckland roads and streets.  Found “the one” and I believed I told hubby to stop looking for others as I have found the one I want us to live.  Unfortunately, he didn’t share the idea and told me we better check out other houses though the one that I liked was really “the one” for me.  It was a very vivid dream as if it’s real and up to this day I can still remember it and strange but true… I can still feel what I was feeling at that time.  A feeling of disappointment and wonder.

And yes, it was a PREMONITION, alright of what was to come in the future!

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Ferry, vinneve

From our beautiful Auckland City, in the WEST particularly we headed to a BIG adventure of a lifetime in the …

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Abu Dhabi – as an ex-pat.

Abu Dhabi Skyline, vinneve

To live temporarily in my birth Country THE PHILIPPINES, Manila – to try to see the other side of the World and talking about my old childhood to my son which was great but unfortunately, it’s not the same as I thought it would be. Lots of things changed.

MOA bridge, vinneve

And now going back again to Abu Dhabi and God knows where we going to stay for good this time!  Had talks about living in Switzerland and Australia.  Both, we have the right to live and be happy.  But it seems the premonition lingers up till now.  I guess you better stay tuned and follow me what part of the world we’re going to end up!  Besides, wherever we will be … there will always be some TRAVELLING and ADVENTURE.

There is always a reason to travel. 

 

 

Destination: Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi

In response to the Weekly Photo Challenge:  HERITAGE

We attended a free Science show for kids and their families in Abu Dhabi Theater earlier this year.  I was glad to see that the HERITAGE VILLAGE is just nearby!

I have been here for almost 2 yrs and unfortunately, I haven’t visited this site yet so I didn’t waste the chance to finally visit the place and it didn’t disappoint us. 

Here are some photos and in case you are around visiting the Capital of UAE which is Abu Dhabi and not Dubai, mind you 🙂  I have other posts that you can also browse or read if you are keen and see for yourself how beautiful it is here too!

Tall flag poleAD, vinneve

Door Heritage Vill., vinneve

Inside Heritage Vill AD, vinneve

HeritageVillAD, vinneve

Boat shedHVAD, vinneve

Archi.HVAD, vinneve

Sword HVAD, vinneve

Fort HVAD, vinneve

Heritage Village1, vinneve foto

I would like to think the liquid pouring in this clay pot is the “black gold” meaning Oil from the desert as Abu Dhabi is an oil-rich City. 

The view of seashore inside HVAD, vinneve foto

The boat HVAD, vinneve

Showing the Corniche HVAD, vinneve

Abu Dhabi City Skyline, vinneve foto

And some resident inside the Heritage Village as below photos.

HVAD resident1, vinneve

HVAD resident2, vinneve

HVAD resident3, vinneve

Restaurant inside HVAD picnic rugs, vinneve foto

As you can see, you can have a nice time with your friends and family here.  A quiet time to be by yourself too if you like and some local foods to savor while waiting for the sunsets.  It is a beautiful sight to see, better than the photos here.  I have so many photos but I cannot share it all here otherwise I will run out of space.  So come and visit our beloved Abu Dhabi City now!  🙂  

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy some more post here by checking the links below or browse and like as per categories.  Shukran!  

Was it luck or fate? You choose.

In response to the Daily Post: LUCK

In response to the Daily Post: VIVID

In response to the Daily Post: WISH 

WOTD Challenge – GUESS

Related link to this post if you have time to check: COINCIDENCE OR FATE?

January 2015 – My hubby just resigned from his job in Australia about to go back home to New Zealand and in about 2 days before the landline being deactivated… an important surprise call came that changed our lives. An offer. A once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed, however, changes we need to rearrange our plans.

February 2015 – Back in NZ and celebrating the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival in Auckland.  A wish came true (after throwing a piece of paper with wishes on it on top of the tree) or was it just LUCK or fate destined to happen?.  

Wishing tree, AKL NZ CNY 2015

Showing some VIVID images from Auckland Chinese NY Lantern Festival.  The last one we have attended in New Zealand.  It was fun and a good memory to cherish.

CNY Happy pig, vinneve

Animal lanterns, vinneve

Lantern Fest., AKLNZ

Cheers! 🙂  

My Desire and the Road Taken… however Against the Odds & it’s Shadow etc.

This is in response/s to the Daily Post/Prompts & Weekly Photo Challenges:  Desire, The Road Taken,  Arid, Against the Odds, Superpower, and Shadow.  The last but NOT the least… WOTD Desire from a Word Challenge group.

Please allow me this opportunity to express myself and my thoughts thru these challenges and yes it is literally a challenge about LIFE... our life, besides CHANGE is the only constant in life. Please click the highlighted in red above & below to go to another window for my previous post.

Last year I had to choose 3 options where to live for the sake of my happiness and my son’s future.  You may say I am fortunate but yes perhaps having some options are better than none, however, confusing and complicated it may be in the long run.

MY DESIRE, THE ROAD TAKEN, AGAINST THE ODDS and SUPERPOWER

The road we took is different to what my heart desires beautiful as it may seem like the ever famous and colourful beauty of both Switzerland and New Zealand. Poles apart. One my son’s half identity plus the other half and our “home” that we left behind for the meantime, so the family can be whole in UAE.  You see, how can I decide so easily if being happy is not also complete without the other half and against all odds? And so…the latter mentioned, the road taken and the decision is made because… FAMILY THAT STICKS TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER! 😉

IF I have a superpower… I will definitely be flying and live each week or month in each place so I will not feel homesick, feel deprived of my own opportunity or feel guilty about one way or another.  But alas!  I am only human.  In reality, it is impossible as it is not normal and I want some normality in my son’s life as possible.

Switzerland

Near Zurich, vinneve

New Zealand

somewhere in Hawkes Bay NZ, vinneve photo

UAE, Abu Dhabi

Between the bridges, AD UAE, vinneve

You are probably surprised that there are some similarities with these 3 Countries but yes different lifestyles (Switzerland – Sophisticated; NZ – laidback; UAE – luxurious) and definitely different cultures and values… but one thing is again common it’s FAMILY. 

For people who have never been to the Middle East… who would have thought that an ARID land can turn out to be a mysterious beauty and more?  I appreciated what is life offered us here and are grateful for the new experiences.  It’s definitely different but nevertheless, it’s an adventure of a lifetime!

My Family, vinneve

Glitters in Black Gold

This is in response to the Daily Post: GLITTER

True.  Be careful what you wish for, for it may come true… it depends on who you are or who you will become to be when you get what you want in life.  Some become greedy and want more.  Some are just practical and just taking the opportunity as it comes and some just think that their life will never change be it good or “best” here in the land of opportunities.  Come to think of it… this is not permanent.

Queen’s carriage,vinneve

Life as an expat here in the desert with full of black gold (Oil) can come as a fairy tale to many.  From having lavish brunches, villas that look like a mansion, fast cars & so many benefits that included in salary package that you never had before back home.

f.wheel global village,vinneve

RAK Al Hamra,vinneve

Fame and fortune never stays for long. Beware… life is like a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel that goes up and down.  Not all that glitters are gold as what the old saying goes.

Global village, Dubai. vinneve photo

Perhaps it is best to save some for rainy days.

 

Aesthetic beauty near Taal Volcano

This is in response to the Daily Post Challenge via Daily Prompt: Aesthetic.

“Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.”  by Alfred North Whitehead.

Before going up north as per my earlier post under this LINK, we head down to the South of Luzon.  TAGAYTAY is one of my favorite destination in the Philippines.  The second summer capital of the Country.  The beauty of nature speaks for itself.  

Can you see that?  It is the 2nd active volcano in the Philippines see Wikipedia. So many stories about this volcano that killed thousands of people as early as 1572.  Even my late mother told me a gruesome story of what she knows from the story passed from generation to generations.  A volcano inside the lake within a lake. Interesting.

Taal Volcano, Tagaytay

We visited Museo Orlina as I always love museums and have been to many Countries that are famous for their museums so finally I saw what this can offer.  It is a simple one but it is enough for the family even with kids to explore the grounds and it’s art inside and out. 

Museo Orlina exterior facing the volcano, vinneve photo

woman1, vinneve photo

woman2, vinneve photo

Museo Orlina garden, vinneve photo

man with horn, vinneve photo

man&flower, vinneve photo

These are just a few to show you.  You better go and see it for yourself to really enjoy the beauty of  Mr. Ramon Orlina art, it is better to see to appreciate it. There’s also some vintage cars in the garage and perhaps not many people know about it as it is hidden underground.  Here you go!

Aesthetic and natural beauty indeed.

My Daily & Photo Challenges thru our holidays in Baguio, Philippines.

“ANTICIPATION of pleasure is a pleasure in itself” by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

This is true.  Just a few days before we go to our holiday back to my birth Country I was dreaming of going here and there. Somehow by day dreaming about it I can almost feel the pleasure of what I hope to expect.  Hoping that it will be better than before. Well, sort of.

I was seeing myself RELAXING and just overlooking this beautiful surrounding, eating warm freshly made strawberry taho, (silken tofu with syrup either with strawberries or the original vanilla caramelized brown sugar plus a sago. Taho is rich in protein that you can find a vendor where there’s a gym nearby and of course around residential areas mostly in the morning) see this LINK for a photo, sweet purple yam (Ube), and other fruits, smelling some fresh air… 

Then suddenly I have to wake up to the realization that, hey! it’s a holiday and so more people abound everywhere and we cannot do anything about it unless we go to a secluded spot where few people can go but alas! we chose to be in a famous place for tourists and families so yes, here it is folks.. people everywhere!!

crowds @Mines View Park, vinneve photo

Going up north to BAGUIO after X’mas I thought will be a good idea but no, people are still in holiday mood and tourists go to the same place that I want to go too!  It’s been a long time since I have been in these places and while the bus was CROSSING the bridge I found some interesting view.  Happy children playing, swimming, FLOATING in the little hole that’s left of the lake or river I am not sure of as it is now being reclaimed.  Nevertheless, it is always nice to watch outside the window and see the landscape that I already forgot and some interesting people along the way as our bus trek up the winding road to the mountains.

kids swimming, vinneve photo

While walking to go to Mines View Park, I have noticed this tree that was UNSEEN by many.  An art delicately carved into it seems to express its freedom. I guess not many people are looking up to see it but I did and took the opportunity to capture it though may not be in the best light to show it.

Art tree, vinneve photo

Lot’s of interesting photos of old houses tucked behind some bushes and even an eerily looking abandoned house that INVITING you to look what’s inside if you dare!

vinneve photo1

vinneve photo2

abandoned house?..vinneve photo

Anyway… at least something that is worth my time and effort to finally come to these places though it’s crowded, it eased away from the uneasiness when the family is around enjoying the AMBIANCE and seeing them happy, cherishing the moment together till the next holiday to come.

On top of Mines View Park, vinneve photo

Thanks for viewing!

Daily Prompt: Giant Bird

via Daily Prompt: Giant

This is in response to the Daily Prompt: GIANT.

This “giant bird” helps me to go to a place, whether for business or pleasure it continue to amaze and give a constant feeling of adventure!

 

over the top of Swiss Mountains, vinneve photo1

 

 

vinneve photo 2, Swiss Mountains

 

 

Horizon, vinneve photo

UAE, AD. vinneve photo

Going back to UAE, Abu Dhabi.

For more posts about Switzerland please see the LINK 1 & LINK 2 and some decisions to be made as per this LINK 3.  More posts to come but please be patient as I always don’t have the Golden time to do so.  It is worth the wait, though!  Cheers!

 

 

Daily Prompt: Trees Abundant @Al Ain Oasis

via Daily Prompt: Tree

We had a family weekend trip recently to Al Ain just an hour and 45 mins. away from Abu Dhabi City and visited a friend to complete it along with a quick visit to Al Ain Museum (will post about this next time) and see this link Al Ain Oasis where trees are abundant and you will wonder if you are in the desert at all.

Al Ain Oasis, vinneve photo

It is estimated that 98% of fruit trees here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are date palms. The Country is also one of the World’s Top 10 producers of dates.  It is part of their culture and traditions (gift giving etc.) and you can find this tree everywhere so it is not just a desert sand you see, for those people who think desert Countries are just full of sands.

Unfortunately, the water dried up (perhaps because it’s summer) and going to these plantations make it so hot walking along the pathways with walls throughout the walkways.  So it doesn’t look like an Oasis at all that day.  We didn’t finish the walk and call it a day!  Went to a cooler place which is the mall. 🙂

Now I leave you with an Inspirational quote from pinterest.com

pinterest.com