My Birthday Breakfast in Burj Al Arab

Smoked salmon with crème Fraiche and caviar. Fine cheeses with date chutney. Assorted homemade viennoiseries. These are only some of the food that made up the not-so-ordinary breakfast I devoured in Burj Al Arab's Sahn Eddar. It was a morning meal that I truly wouldn't deserve if not for my birthday!

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Junsui: Pure Asian Restaurant in Burj Al Arab

"If I were to dine at Burj Al Arab, I'd dine in Junsui." That's the thought I've been keeping to myself for several years just in case the husband would ask me out on a date to the 7-star hotel. :) 

Although the Afternoon Tea at the Skyview Bar is well-recommended and Al Mahara is the most popular for date nights, I'd still go with the Far-East Asian buffet that Junsui caters. With the staggering prices, I honestly think buffet-dining offers the best value for money!

So, when Jumeirah Restaurant Week 2015 came, my husband and I agreed to book a weekend dinner in Junsui; an Asian restaurant studded with thousands of Swarovski crystals at the Ground Mezzanine level of the world's most luxurious hotel!  

Date Night at Junsui in Burj Al Arab

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Burj Al Arab: The World's Most Luxurious Hotel Inside and Out

2008, I came to Dubai with three things in mind: to work, to grow and to see Burj Al Arab.

According to my guide book, Burj Al Arab is only for the rich and famous. Hence, my only intention was to gaze at the sail-shaped hotel from the shore, on the same angle that I have seen in magazines, in a Filipino film and in refrigerator doors. But a few months after my arrival, a friend excitedly called to tell me she has special passes to Burj Al Arab and I can tag along for free! Of course, I did. I wouldn't miss it for the world! 

Burj Al Arab is exclusive for the hotel guests; people who can spend thousands of dirhams for a hotel stay or a lavish meal. It would be so unreasonable for Ed and I to spend our hard-earned money for a single night, so it was clear to me that it was my first and last opportunity. Unless, a kind soul would offer us special permits again.

And then, Jumeirah Restaurant Week was launched. It is an annual 10-day culinary event in restaurants of Jumeirah Group, restaurants in Burj Al Arab included. Ultimate dining experiences are offered at almost 40% lesser than regular! Still expensive, yet already reasonable! JRW started on 2012, but it was only this year that I felt I rightfully deserve the special treat! :)                 

the world-famous Burj Al Arab

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Christmas Spectacle at the Souk Festive Market

With the winter solstice on the news over the weekend, I had my thoughts on what to do and where to go on the "longest and coldest night of the year" in the UAE. Though it was written on the news that it may rain, I chose not to bury myself under the warm fuzzy blanket at home. This sun-drenched girl officially said goodbye to the hot and humid summer days and welcomed the winter chill in an Arabian Winter Wonderland!  

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Dubai 101: The Frequently Asked Questions

Blogging is fun!!! Okay, in all honesty, I never felt it was on first month as a blogger. Those were the lonely days when I felt like my only reader was my dear husband, the dreary days when the comment box was empty, the crazy days when it seemed like I was just talking to myself online! 

The Blog World became amazing when I started to interact with fellow bloggers. It was when I realized that I was never alone! There are people who are walking with me in the same path with the same goal. One of them is Brennan, the blogger behind www.baktincorporation.com. He has been blogging since 2006 about his travels, food trips, favorite books and perspectives. He is an inspiration to the newbies, like me, in the Blogosphere. In fact, he is nominated for Best Cebu Blogs Awards 2013 (vote for him here). 

Every now and then, Brennan collaborates with a blogger for his 7-Questions series. They would casually answer seven frequently asked questions about a certain place! So, when Brennan asked me to work with him on his "Dubai in 7 Questions" post, I was really thrilled since this would be of great help to future travelers. 

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Where in the world is CEB?

CEB is Cebu Pacific's official mascot. The lovable, well-travelled mascot has visited almost every tourist spot in the Philippines and in some Asian countries. Recently, CEB was sighted in the "City of Dreams" or the "City of Gold" or shall we call it "my second home". CEB was here in Dubai!

I'm pretty sure CEB had fun, I can tell it through through these photos:   

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