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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Colorful Motiongate (Dubai)

“There is nothing more fun than entertaining kids!”  by Jerry Seinfeld

This is also in response to the Word of the Day: OPPORTUNITY .  This may be our last time to get this opportunity to be in this place as we finally went back home for good.  But who knows what will happen in the future?…

CNY2020@motiongate, vinneve

Motiongate1, vinneve

Motiongate2, vinneve

We were there last January this year and had a blast of fun! (related link HERE).  My son enjoyed it so much and asked me when we could be back. Unfortunately, we won’t be for a very long time.  As we cannot predict the future, especially now we have this covid-19 to worry about among other things in life.

Dubai is nice for some fun and will always recommend for people who will do some transit to both UAE Cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  Try to have a stop over of at least 2-3 days to fully enjoy the country and what each city has to offer.

For now we will only reminisce our times in both cities.  And yes… wait for the new normal to push through once we all can safely travel again.  It depends in each country.  Stay safe everyone!!  Cheers 🙂

 

Different FUN challenges to inspire you

This is in response to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge as per the below words. Please click each word per photo to go to the link, BUT first finish this read, like or comment that would be great! 😉 Sorry, some word challenges are a bit late but it’s better to be late than never right? This also highlights my past travel and those photos that I am wanting to visit again in person if possible.  If not at least I have them in the archives of my past experiences and will remember always in my heart.

Vibrant Colours 

 

BaguioPH, vinneve

Visited this place two years ago in Baguio, Philippines.  I was captivated at their simple way of living and the vibrant colour of their houses.

Upwards

View to the top

AklZOO.sky, vinneve

Nice warm weather with a cool breeze surrounded us with lots of tall trees in Auckland Zoo (will post about this next time).  My son wants to come back here once we can go back to normal life or half of it as some say life will never be the same again… (sigh!) very sad indeed.

Tea time in Abu Dhabi

teatimeAD, vinneve

Those were the happy go lucky days. A time to indulge your sweet tooth and meet your happy friends making your life happier!

WestAKLSky, vinneve

And finally a view of the sky outside my house.  It somehow tells me that Life is still beautiful and more to look forward to the next day.  Do not be gloomy as what’s happening in the world right now.  Have faith and there’s hope!  See below (better late than never!) 🙂

CovideasterEggs, vinneve

I hope you like these photos.  You may also join the word or photo challenge as per those links to Cee’s blogsite.  The more the merrier!  Cheers!!

 

 

 

 

More than words

In response to the “Word of the Day Challenge” as per the words below. It summarizes the feelings we’ve felt while back in Switzerland last December to January 2020.

Updated:  I thought I better add some of these Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge:  Sense of Seeing and Sense of Touching.

“The words printed here are concepts.  You must go through the experiences.” by Saint Augustine

WISH 

Oberigberg1, vinneve

SURPRISE

IlluminariumZurich, vinneve

ADMIRE

Oberiberg2, vinneve

DELIGHT

MaroniDessert, vinneve

EXPLORING Unique places

Wettswil, vinneve

FOG

RickenbackSZ, vinneve

I am having a hard time publishing this and I wonder why, as this is now my 3rd attempt to publish this.  It will show as published but then the next day I cannot find it and so the viewers cannot see it too.  So I stop linking the words above as pingback.  I hope this will work this time so other readers can see this post.  If you are having a similar issue with WP please let me know by the comments below.  Thanks for checking, much appreciated.

Tschuss!!

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

Where to congregate when in/near Manila?

While we are still here… we might as well enjoy and bank on the memories with the family and friends that we left here when I migrated in New Zealand and now as ex-pats in Abu Dhabi and at the moment staying in the Philippines. I say I am lucky to experience different “World”  for a longer period.

Come with me and enjoy the sites here around Manila and I hope you will appreciate it the way we do.  Please click the photos to enlarge.

THE FAMOUS VGC @ BGC – This is where most ex-pats and tourists stay for a longer period.  VGC stands for Venice Grand Canal @ BGC means Bonifacio Global City and someone told me that this is the 2nd place in the world who is allowed to copy the famous Venice Canal in Italy which we also visited last year August and hope to post about Italy after completing some backlogs.  Update: Click the link Venice to go there.

Park nearbyBGC, vinneve

VGC@BGC1, vinneve

VGC@BGC2, vinneve

VGC entrance, vinneve

AYALA MUSEUM in Makati – I always passed this place every time we go shop or explore Makati by foot, and this time we really plan to come here and spent half of the day here.  Actually, we didn’t finish checking about history unfortunately and it’s near 7pm when we departed this place and we go hunt for some food to eat.

WWI Spanish era,vinneve

RiceTerraces, vinneve

Spanish era, vinneve

SOFITEL HOTEL & RESORTS, MANILA – We spent our wedding anniversary and Christmas here.  It’s a relaxing place and looked luxuriously homey when you sit with those many comfort sofas around the bar and the piano.  It’s also a resort so the whole family can enjoy.  Just check the photos!

Sofitel Manila, vinneve

NUVALI PARK @ Nuvali Sta.Rosa, Laguna – It’s only 1 hour and a half away from Makati or Manila and depends on the traffic and highways or shortcut you’re in you can make it within an hour if you are lucky by car otherwise going here by public transport it’s best to get to Alabang and just 30-45mins you are already there using a white van at the side terminal before you reach the South Station. Just ask around no worries! It only cost P50 pesos per person.  Very affordable.

Nuvali, vinneve foto

NuvaliLake, vinneve

NuvaliLake1, vinneve

There are some more places to go to around Manila for sure and some I already covered in my previous posts aside from added photos that I shared here.  If you are looking for some nightlife… yes Manila has it all but sorry I don’t cover it.  If you are looking for some shopping destinations, Manila has hundreds of big malls everywhere you go and lot’s of restaurants that are affordable too and some pop-ups food stalls.

Thanks for reading and hope you could check my older post in other parts of the World.

Safe travels!

The Daily Post: CONGREGATE 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Basel, Switzerland

Here’s my continuation of our traveling around Switzerland with or without relatives. For my long-time followers, you can say this can be my last trip before going back to Zurich then eventually back to the land of the desert where we stay as expats.  For the new readers, welcome to my blog and I hope you will be interested browsing, reading the rest of my adventures around the Globe and some events too!

Basel is just an hour away to/from Zurich and so we had a day out for a change since our going to Frankfurt was canceled because of the unfortunate incident of my friend’s. So what better way to make it up is to plan and book train tickets to Basel. 

Basel train station, vinneve photo

Basel around 1, vinneve

Basel 2, vinneve foto

Basel 3, vinneve foto

I just show you around (by foot) through my photos and it is easy to get around just make sure you don’t forget the landmarks going back to the train station.  Tip: Make a photo of some landmark that you will be passing so you will remember the streets, buildings or statues etc. that’s how I do it in unfamiliar places.  😉

Going around Basel, vinneve

Church Basel, vinneve

Basel near train sta.,vinneve

Basel church, vinneve

Basel church1, vinneve

Baselchurch2, vinneve

This church reminds me of Paris Louvre pyramid.

Red & Gold bldg around marketplatz, vinneve

Basel bldg1, vinneve foto

Basel bldg2, vinneve foto

The Beautiful bridge over the river Rhine that connects to 6 Countries in Europe.  This is the same river (Rhinefalls) that we are trying to locate when we got lost in the German border.  See this LINK to read my previous post about it and ending into another town in Switzerland you probably never heard of.

Famous River Rhine, Basel Switzerland, vinneve foto

Basel girl statue, vinneve

Basel bridge lookout, vinneve

Basel bridge lookout, vinneve

Basel river rhine, vinneve5

Basel river rhine, vinneve photo1

Basel river rhine, vinneve3

Basel river rhine, vinneve 2

Basel river rhine, vinneve4

Do not underestimate this river as it moves very fast! The current is very strong that can power up the little cruise ship above!  If you think you are a good swimmer and wants to experienced how a strong current feels like, then you can rent a floater beneath the bridge.  Swimmers lining up to dry under the sun after the swim.

Below photos near the river, went to a Park for our son enjoyment and going back we have seen some religious sect dancing and inviting people to join or to donate and a mini Toy Museum and another Museum (History) that unfortunately, we are too late.

Park nearby after the river, vinneve

A religious sect dancing, vinneve

Crowd around Basel, vinneve

Basel History Museum, vinneve

Old toys@Museum Basel, vinneve

All Blacks Flag NZ, vinneve

Then by accident, as we looked up we saw the NZ All Blacks flag (rugby sport) in one of the apartments in the City Centre going back to the train station. For sure some Kiwis are living there! KIA ORA mate! 🙂

It was a very good family day out!!!

I hope you enjoy reading or browsing as some may do haha!  Thanks and come back for more!  Tschuss!!

via: The Weekly Photo Challenge:  WANDERLUST

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! 🙂  

Dubailand – Center of attractions

This is in response to the Daily Post/ Prompt: CENTER.

Where is Dubailand you said?  It is in Dubai, UAE as per the name suggest but it is 20-30 minutes away from the main City of Dubai and just about an hour or so from Abu Dhabi which is the capital of UAE.  For more info here is the LINK.  The works continue and more theme parks are coming.  It is amazing to know that this was once an ARID land.

DUBAILAND TAKE TWO.  Both attractions are much better than last year as per my view.  It is so worth it to travel and have fun for the whole day with your loved ones.

MIRACLE GARDENS

vinneve foto

There are so many photos to share (click the photos to enlarge it) but it is better that you see it yourself if you are currently in Dubai or nearby Emirates.  I tell you it is worth it.  It’s better to do it now as the weather is still a bit cooler.  Ticket cost in dirhams 40 adult 30 child.

GLOBAL VILLAGE

Entrance Global Village, vinneve foto

It is funny to see America and Russia side by side from each other.

I have never been to Egypt yet but at least here in Global Village, I can say I have seen the replicas and it looks amazing!

Indian Village, vinneve foto

Japan & South Korea, beside each other, vinneve foto

China Village, vinneve foto

Some Asian Countries that are not there last year is now a participant and they are bigger and brighter.  Inside the villages are stores and introducing their products and every Village has their scheduled (cultural dancing) shows up to 9pm, or so. 

Thailand Village, vinneve

Now we go to Europe… some I have been and it sure show some great replicas so it’s good for people who don’t have the opportunity yet to go to Europe, though UAE is in great location in the “middle” and near both Europe and Asia (from 3hrs flying time to some parts of Asia & Europe).  Here is the LINK for you to find out the reason some people opt to transit or stay over here both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

France Village, vinneve foto

Italy Village, vinneve foto

We passed by the African Village and they are currently doing their cultural show but we didn’t stay to watch as we are in a hurry to get my son another “sword balloon” so he can play with his Dad, to one of the yellow tents that are assigned for face painting, balloons, magic shows and mini circus and other kiddie things.  So yes it is really for everyone!

Turkey Village, vinneve

There are more Middle Eastern Countries who participate to show their beauty and even Syria is one of them.  Unfortunately with the current events… how I wish people can really see the beauty of it before the destructions and the war.

I hope I inspired you to come and visit.  It is never too late to plan so come and follow me!

Thanks for your time reading and viewing all the photos.  A like and a comment will be appreciated.  I still have some previous travel backlog from Switzerland to post so I hope you can come back next time or better to FOLLOW ME.  Cheers! 

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.