Free Attractions and Cheap Thrills in Dubai

When a budget airline announced their daily direct flights from Manila to Dubai, I wasn't the only one who's overjoyed. My family and friends in the Philippines were so excited about it as well. In fact, most of them are already planning to visit Dubai soon. Since travelling to Dubai is already cheaper, their only concern is how to enjoy the city even on a budget!

Dubai may be a city of glitz and glamour, but it is definitely possible to have fun without spending a fortune!  

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The Dubai Fountain

There are a lot of musical fountains in the UAE, yet the Dubai Fountain at Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai remains to be the most astonishing of them all. California-based WET, the creators of the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, designed the Dubai Fountain. It is the world's largest dancing fountain with a length of 900 ft and has nozzles capable to shoot water sprays up to 500 ft high

When my husband and I were newbies in Dubai, we wanted to go to Dubai Mall every weekend just to watch the fountain show. It somehow eased the homesickness and helped us chase the blues away. Worries were forgotten as the water started to dance in graceful and whimsical ways. We have watched the show in every angle; from Dubai Mall, from Souk Al Bahar, from Burj Park, from Burj Khalifa and we even had an aerial view from a restaurant's terrace. 

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Superman-Wannabe at iFLY Dubai

I am not the storyteller for today because I have a guest who wants to share an awesome experience! :) He is a dare devil, a big fan of everything extreme. He is my travel buddy, my tech support and my partner-in-whatever. He has written a post before and I'm so glad he agreed to write for my blog again. I think you know who he is! I, now, present to you my guest blogger for today... drum roll... my husband, Ed! :)  -Lady

I think most of us have dreamed of being able to fly, to be like Superman, soaring from one place to another. In iFLY Dubai, I was able to be like Superman, minus the cape! iFLY Dubai at Mirdif City Centre is an indoor Skydiving simulator which allows a person to fly inside a tunnel, a first of its kind in the UAE. As they say, it is a preparation to Skydiving (which I’m planning to cross out on my bucket list someday)!  

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Festival Parade at Al Seef

I always look forward to the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival, not just for cheap, sale items but for the celebration at Al Seef Street along Dubai Creek. At 8:00 pm, every weekend, people gather in the sidewalk of Al Seef to witness a grand festival parade. It's my 4th year in Dubai and I have noticed how the parade gets more colorful and magnificent each year.  

Have a look at the vibrant Dubai Shopping Festival Parade I witnessed this year.

colorful mascots and parade bands

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Chillout: The Coolest Lounge in Town

There is a lounge in Dubai where you can chill and feel the chills! Chillout, pronounced as 'chill out', is a bar/cafe where everything is made of ice; from tables and chairs to decorations. We have been to Chillout 2 years ago, I didn't had a blog back then. Their promotional deal was back at Cobone late last year, that reminded me of our unique afternoon date. Since today is Thursday, I'm taking a break on my usual Insta-pic  of the Week post, here's a Throwback Thursday post on Chillout instead. :) 

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Insta-Pic of the Week: Sale Season!

I see RED and my favorite four-letter word (apart from l-o-v-e.). 

My featured Instagram photo for this week is all about the season I love the most, it's shop-til-i-drop season! It's the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival. DSF runs from January 3 to February 3, 2013. Time to shop for new wardrobe pieces and for homecoming gifts! Yay for my closet, Yikes for my pocket! :) See ya at the malls!

For more Insta-Pics, follow me on Instagram: click here or search for ladyandhersweetescapes

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Weekend Brunch at Texas Roadhouse

Who doesn't love tender beef ribs and steaks, fresh-off-the-grill? Very few, two out of 10, or probably, nobody! So, the long queue at Texas Roadhouse was never a surprise for me. Whenever I'm at Dubai Mall on a weekend, I often notice a large crowd at the reservation desk and people at the couches or at boutiques with the restaurant's pager on hand. Texas Roadhouse has a lively atmosphere and delicious grilled items on the menu. A restaurant where diners can have a fun-dining, rather than fine-dining, experience.  

 My weekend buddies and I were back at Texas Roadhouse, weeks ago, for brunch.

We intentionally skipped breakfast to have more room for a protein-loaded meal!  

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Desert Safari: A Must-Do in Dubai

Tourists and expatriates are having the time of their lives in Dubai, a city which offers a fusion of adventure and relaxation. The city can give a never ending list of things to do, but what should not be missed? Desert Safari! A trip to the Middle East can never be complete without spending an afternoon in the desert! This part of the globe can offer an exciting adventure, a one-of-a kind experience! 

Here are the reasons why Desert Safari deserves to be in your travel list:

Reason #1: Dune Bashing

Dune bashing is a thrilling ride on a 4x4 vehicle, driven by a professional driver. It is not for the faint-hearted as the ride can be fast  and bumpy on the desert's fragile sand. 

photo from http://www.dubaisafari.org

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South East Asian Night at The Californian

Ed and I declared the first week of October as No Diet Week. We both love to eat, and that week was the peak of our gastronomic escapade. We had four buffet meals in five days!!! If there's an expertise badge on Buffet Dining, I'd probably have one now! =) It all happened because my Birthday and our Anniversary fall on the same week. We had Seafood buffet on my Birthday, International buffet for breakfast and dinner on our advanced Anniversary getaway, and Asian buffet on our Anniversary night. 

We celebrated the 1st year of our blissful married life at Dusit Thani. Out of the many restaurants in the hotel, we chose to dine at The Californian because of the South East Asian theme on Monday nights.  

I used my phone's camera to take the photos. Sorry for the low quality! 

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Seafood Night at Rose Rayhaan by Rotana

Thirty! Oh my, I just turned Thirty! 

Some said I don't look like one. Actually, I barely feel like one. I guess I'm still trapped in a body and mind of a girl in her early twenties. I'm still waiting for the feeling of being 30 to sink in, but I am ready to make more mature decisions now. I am ready to accept whatever life brings, including the wrinkled skin and body fat that comes with ageing. 

On the day I turned 30, my husband took me to Petals Restaurant at Rose Rayhaan for a dinner buffet. Though I'm trying to lose few inches in my belly, special occasions have been my  excuse to eat more and forget about dieting (for a moment). That night, I didn't care about the calories. All that matter was I am celebrating my special day with my special someone, with delicious seafood waiting for me at the buffet table! 

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5 Reasons Why I Love Jumeirah Open Beach

After several months of coping up with the 40-45 degrees C scorching hot weather, the temperature is  finally dropping down! A great time to go to the beach and enjoy Dubai's sunny weather. 

Our fave "beachscapade", as of the moment, is an early morning getaway to Jumeirah Open Beach. Here are 5 reasons why:

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Insta-pic of the Week: Sunset

There is one iPhone app I totally rave. It is fun and easy. It can quickly turn a picture from nothing into something. And, take note, it is for free! Any guesses??

Yah, it's Instagram!

Every Thursday, I am going to share a photo from my Instagram account. As stated on my IG, each picture has a story. It can be about my sweet life, my cravings, my getaways, or my thoughts. It can be anything random, but surely, with the wonders of Instagram, it will be beautiful!

Here's my first Insta-pic of the Week:

Sunset at Dubai Creek

For updates, follow me on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Instagram!

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Cheap Thrill: Abra Ride at Dubai Creek

What can you do with a dirham? You buy a can of soda or a bottle of water to quench your thirst. If your stomach grumbles, you can have 3 pieces of pan de sal (filipino bread) at Pan De Manila. You can also have some comfort food, treat yourself with a vanilla ice cream at McDonald's. But if you seek for adventure, then your 1 dirham can let you take an Abra (wooden boat) ride in Dubai Creek.  

The saltwater creek is known as the heart of Dubai. It served as a gateway for traders years ago, and now became a tourist spot. It divides the city into to two main areas, Deira and Bur Dubai. There are buses and trains that can take people to the other side, but the best and fun way to cross it is to ride the wooden boat.

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Breakfast at Tim Hortons

Our cruise trip was cancelled a day before Eid Al Fitr (a Muslim holiday). At 7:30am, I was already wide awake and on a holiday-mode. Wondering what else to do on a non-working day, I remembered having Tim Hortons' gift vouchers from my cousin. FYI, Tim Hortons has been our latest favorite cafe and bake shop for afternoon coffee breaks. I have been dying to try their breakfast sandwiches. That once-in-a-blue-moon moment, a holiday without any plans, turned out to be the right time for us to check what Tim's can offer for breakfast.

Ed and I headed to the train station and rode a train to Financial Center, where the nearest Tim Hortons cafe is located from our place.

Financial Center Metro station and Sheikh Zayed Road's skyscrapers

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The Big Escape to Dubai

This blog is not just a travel blog, or a food blog. My life is not just about dressing up, dining out and exploring places. I am a wife, a full-time Medical Laboratory Technologist and an Overseas Filipino Worker in Dubai. So, aside from posting tips on the places I visited, I want to share my thoughts on serious stuff as well.

Over the past years, I received messages from friends who were also interested on working in United Arab Emirates. Since it has always been a trend for Filipinos to come to the UAE on a visit visa and look for a job, I hope this post can help.

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