Heydar Aliyev Museum, Azerbaijan

Finally!! I know some fellow bloggers have been waiting for this. Sorry, it took me longer to have time to write as some of you know… I have my own business now to take care of. If you be kind to browse LIKE and share my website I will truly appreciate your support. www.evemerchstore.com

Alright, back to blogging 😂.  For some of you know where we’ve been last July school holiday, Azerbaijan was a nice surprise for us and I have 2 posts before this so please check them out if you haven’t done yet.

Heydar Aliyev Museum is a beautiful, very clean and spacious museum with full of things to discover and yes lot’s of photo ops so be ready always with selfies or two-fies with your loved ones. The architect of this building was the famous woman ZAHA HADID who also built the Abu Dhabi famous bridge – Sheikh Zayed Bridge, among other things and places around the World.  As per The Guardian of London, she was the “Queen of the Curve”.  Her biography is also a great thing to read about. Just click the link on these names and it will bring you to another tab to read for later because you have to finish my blog first haha!

You perhaps can now sense why she’s the “Queen of the Curve” isn’t it obvious as shown in the photos above? 

The Museum is fascinating! I guarantee that you will learn a lot! things that you never heard before or known things before this. For example like they have so many dolls there as below.  Some are weird and some are really interesting!  I remember I did recognize a few dolls there that perhaps I have seen either in books or a movie?

Below are the places that we didn’t get the chance to visit in Azerbaijan.  This is just a miniature what more if you see the real-life size of these buildings?!  I cannot put it all here so there are some more in my album that I cannot share here, sorry.

If you are going as per the hop on hop off tour bus better make sure you ask the driver for the arrival schedule at the museum.  Have 2-time options as it can take more than an hour to see it all plus they have a nice garden coffee shop on the ground floor but I don’t recommend if you are really hungry.  Only little snacks and coffee.

It’s best you see this for yourself one day.  They are really worth the trip when you are in Baku, Azerbaijan.  I hope you like this post for all those who love museums like me.  Thanks for your time, like and the comment will be much appreciated. Cheers!

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Another home away from home!

Going back to Abu Dhabi after being away for more than 3 months makes me realized that I am actually missing my good life here as a mom and as a person. It took me awhile to adjust (not that easy) but I did and I started to be happy! I was busy with lot’s of things going on around me. School events, volunteering, watching my son doing his sports, meet ups with 3 groups of friends, family time, even errands I find it good as it’s my me time to be alone and do some houseworks and I do love cooking, little luxuries in life  (that we cannot do in NZ) like some brunching (in 5*hotels) with friends and family, theme parks, fine dining and more travels.

The lifestyle here that I became adjusted to really makes me wonder why life keeps giving us a crack after I finally settled in.  So yes, we’re back to New Zealand and so many things had happened while we were away for 4 years!! Life is not the same anymore or perhaps I am not the same anymore. (Sigh!)

Coming back here in AD for a quick visit so our family can be together again.  Life sometimes sucks being an expats but it also gives you a lot of opportunities and new perspective in life that we didn’t know before.

So shall we go back for longer period in the land of the desert and opportunity?  I don’t know.  Guess I just leave it for the fate to pick us up and go with the flow. It happened before so I won’t be surprised if it happened again.  So far all I know is… this is another home away from home!

Hotel review: Sheraton Creekside Dubai

 

 

It’s been awhile since I did a hotel review because we usually go to the same hotel and did a review before so it’s a redundant to do again.

Sheraton is under SPG but it happens that Marriott group merge with this group as well as the Ritz Carlton so yes 3 in 1 big group program are better than one. More diversity and our membership can go a long way.

This hotel has a nice view considering it’s along the Creekside and it’s actually a tourist spot and nice to walk along the promenade and enjoy the multicolored lights around from the walkway to the ferries plying the waters. You can easily spot some touristy places to go just nearby hotel by looking at the view from hotel windows. They have a very small opening for smokers but I guess it’s part of balcony in the old days but now renovated to make the room bigger.

One tip though, try to avoid congested area around Deira if you could as though Sheraton location is good for tourists, unfortunately for drivers it’s a nightmare as you can get stuck in heavy traffic so better to have a GPS with you to navigate you out of the situation otherwise you may end up stress before you even begin enjoying your day or night out.  If you are not familiar with Dubai roads & motorways you may end up getting lost without a map.

When it comes to accommodations the hotel may be established in the 70’s but it has been refurbished as it looks modern now and clean with good polite staffs everywhere. The foods for breakfast varies and cater from Western, Asian and Arabs. I am very satisfied so to say except for the swimming pool which is a bit ordinary and small but it’s ok since we don’t stay just for that.

Fortunately hubby’s platinum membership get us some perks by having free upgrades so our room is located on the Club lounge on 11th floor, along with free fruit basket and can enjoy free access to the Lounge at level L with free drinks & nibbles but happy hour evening to 8:30pm children are not allowed because of alcoholic drinks.

I recommend this hotel for people who want to discover the past and for people who loves to walk around day or night. Experiencing Dhow cruises and Arabic foods. It’s one of the safest Cities compared to other famous Countries. Of course, having a wit with you is a must anywhere in the World you go!

There’s a lot to discover so try and come to UAE and visit all 7 Emirates you will return home with full of insights about this desert Country.  I bid you goodbye and till next post! Happy Holidays!!  A like and a comment will be appreciated. Thanks 💗

 

Wondering & keep wandering!

It’s been a very long time since I post about what’s going on in my brain haha!  Every one of us are wondering what the future brings and what to do in life that will make us a better person or be successful and get what we want in life.

Being an expat is not that easy.  I keep on missing the old life and my home Country but come to think of it, I may not have this chances if we stay in our comfort zone.  Sure, it’s not an easy road but hey, I came back to where I belong I guess.  I will keep on wondering and wandering as both keeps my brain going.

So much for my riddles.  Allow me this time to show you some but not all, of the places that I have seen and experienced in my life and how beautiful our World can be.  I can never experience this if I don’t come and follow my heart.  Life for sure will be more different. More important is, I am with people who matters most and that is my FAMILY.

Fronalpstock, Switzerland

Venice, Italy

Paris, France

Frankfurt, Germany

Miracle Garden, DUBAI, UAE

Dead Sea, JORDAN

Rotorua, New Zealand

Bali, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

St.Mary’s Church, Sydney, Australia

Piha, West Auckland, New Zealand

Milan, Italy

Stilts in Calatagan, Batangas Philippines

Las Casas @Bataan, Philippines

EID Holidays on top!

A celebration after Ramadan… it is known as EID (Eid al-Fitr).

 

JWMM lobby, vinneve

 

We went for a staycation holidays away from home.  This is not the first time though.  JW Marriott Marquis (tallest hotel in the World) is one of our favorite 5-star hotels and it doesn’t disappoint.  Here I will show you why and aside from the lavish foods and many restaurants choices inside it is also very near other attractions and tourist spots.  No wonder when we arrived lots of foreign tourists, not just UAE residents come flocking the reception.  My tip is, it is better you have a membership for this hotel so wherever Marriott hotels you go, you can have a priority service and of course an upgrade if available (mostly they have).

 

JWMM floor lobby, vinneve foto

 

In and around JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai

 

JWMM groundflr.,vinneve foto

JWMM lobby, vinneve

JWMM, vinneve

JWMM tallest hotel, vinneve

 

on the way to JWMM, vinneve

Burj Khalifa behind of another bldg. ,vinneve

JWMM street view, vinneve

The room 

 

JWMM twinbed, vinneve

Office desk and living room, vinneve

JWMM Huge bathroom, vinneve

JWMM bathroom, vinneve

The view outside the room on the balcony

JWMM room view, vinneve

Executive Lounge – Tip: Better to include this to your room booking if you can’t have an upgrade as you can also save money by coming here to eat for breakfast, snacks and pre-dinner which is good enough for dinner and lots of drinks to choose from. They also have business lounge beside it for people who don’t want to be disturbed by some guests with children.  

 

2nd part of the lounge, vinneve

lounge2, vinneve

JWMM snacks, vinneve

 

JWMM Exec.lounge view, vinneve foto

As you can see there are still some spaces to be filled up.  Never ending developments in Dubai.  More coming bigger and better as years go by.

 

The pool and the view

 

Pool with a view of Burj Khalifa, vinneve

Elevator view up to 70thflr., vinneve

 

JWMM one of the many lounges upstairs, vinneve

JWMM coffee and liquior on the ground flr, vinneve

Had a great family bonding this Eid. Whether you wanted to relax or escape away from the comfort of your home, there is a place like this to consider.  This is my personal review of this hotel and I hope you like it.  Try it for yourself… soon!

To all my followers and new readers… I will have my BIG Europe Holidays soon and will surely post it.  Please watch this space!  Let’s live and have fun 🙂 Thank You!

 

 

Discover Challenge: Finding Your Place

via Discover Challenge: Finding Your Place

I always see a quote “FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE” somewhere, anywhere.  But what if the place you thought was a happy place is not within your reach at the moment though you can choose to be in that happy place but would it be really a happy place without someone to share it with?

THIS WAS MY HAPPY PLACE.  Sometimes it is not that easy to stay if you are alone and your obligations place somewhere else.

PIHA, AKLNZ, vinneve

Current Place: A place for an adventure, Luxuries in life, Opportunities & feeling ambivalent at the same time.  A mixture of everything.  Still finding my place…

pinterest.com

 

The colours of Ramadan

RAMADAN KAREEM

Entrance @Yas mall

 

 

Thanks for viewing!  

 

 

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!  🙂

 

Daily Prompt: Whisper

This is in response to The Daily Post: Whisper.

“Difficulties come when you don’t pay attention to life’s whisper.  Life’s always whispers to you first, but if you ignore the whisper, sooner or later you’ll get a SCREAM…”  by Oprah Whinfrey

Missing you a lot…. wish it is easy.

This is TRUE.

So I better end this with….

 

The Festival: Qasr Al Hosn

 

seen from Ch.1 

 

February is full of events and actions and it is up to people in Abu Dhabi if they want to participate or not. As an expat, we want to know more of the culture we are currently living in.  Besides this is as good as any other festival and you don’t want to miss that especially if you have kids of your own.  The more activities and events the better.

We didn’t attend on the first day as most of the roads were closed hence we went to another alternative place to wander.  See this LINK about it.

As you can see the old mixes with the new.  According to Wikipedia… this is called the White Fort constructed in 1761 as a conical watchtower to defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi.  This festival is a reminder of the Bedouin life of a bygone era.

It is up to you how you want to experience it but we went to kids activities first before seeing them dancing and lots of photo opportunities that shows their way of life in the old days. It is truly interesting and yes we did enjoy it all.

lifebefore@Qasr,vinneve

The men and women that are part of this festival are reenacting their way of life as they walk throughout the place.  So you can follow them  or choose to go in a different direction only to see them again as they do their “chores” of the day.

Camel everywhere

QasrAlHosnAD,vinneve

The surroundings.

Arabic sweets,vinneve

And yes, of course! the foods.  This is a dessert and like a sweet bread with molasses or honey.  Surprisingly I like it and can eat some more.  Good thing one of the activity pass we can swap for some foods and if it’s not for the business call (it’s must be!) that suddenly interrupted me (as I supposed to go to another woman requesting for that “pancake” while balancing the plates and getting my phone) and at the same time my son is already eyeing which one he will taste first.  With that, I didn’t get the chance to take a photo of what they are cooking.  I would like to come back for more but we are about to go to my son’s activity  and a documentary the next as the person on the speaker phone reminding everyone about it.  So yes in the last hour of our time there it was pretty hectic but fun!

 

The lights on the building dancing the night away!

Thank you for your time reading this.  More to come!  🙂