International Iftar Buffet at Millennium Plaza Hotel

Since the work hours are reduced to six and I'm having more morning shifts this Ramadan, I had the pleasure of attending the Media Iftar at Millennium Plaza Hotel last Thursday. Honestly, the word 'media' send shivers down my spine. Though I've been blogging for almost two years now, I still get a little shy around the real media people, but I just couldn't let the invitation pass. I love Iftars! I love dining at restaurants I haven't been to! And once and for all, I'd love to overcome timidity! :)

At sunset, Ed and I approached the concierge at the lavish lobby of Millennium Plaza Hotel at Sheikh Zayed Road. A staff then guided us to Metro! restaurant at the 5th floor where we were warmly greeted by the hosts. There was a very welcoming table of dates, nuts and dried fruits at the entrance; a wonderful sight for both fasting and non-fasting guests!    

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Traditional Iftar at Na3Na3 at The Address Dubai Mall

Ramadan Kareem! 

As an non-Muslim expatriate in the UAE, Ramadan is the season when I have to be more modest and extra careful with my actions. The holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting and reflection for the Muslim community. While for me and most expats, it is a time of cultural immersion. At first, the prohibitions are quite hard to grasp, but with full respect, I eventually learned to appreciate and see the beauty of this season. 

One of the Ramadan traditions that I look forward to is the Iftar, an evening meal taken after a day of fasting. It is a traditional feast shared with family and friends. Early this week, I was invited to experience an amazing Arabic Iftar at Na3Na3 at The Address Dubai Mall.    

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Weekend Staycation at Centro Capital Centre

Now that our annual vacation is over and my passport is still the terribly damaged passport, I couldn't see myself flying out the desert anytime soon. I had too much of the travel drama, so I'm not leaving until I get my hands on my new passport. But how about the itchy feet and the constant longing for sweet escapes? Well, I'll rely to my trusted and proven alternative to a pricey trip abroad: staycation!     

Staycation is a relaxing break from the daily routine. It can be done in the comforts of home or in a hotel or resort nearby. I found it the best way to unwind without the long travel time and most importantly without depleting the funds! We actually had a good one at Centro Capital Centre recently. 

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Hair and Nail Care at Orange Beauty Center

"I feel pretty na!" That's the first ever Whatsapp message I sent to my husband the moment I stepped out Orange Beauty Center last Saturday! Forgive the vanity, but I was feeling really low the past week. My weight gain, my eye bags, my dry hair and all those girly dilemmas were haunting me. So, off I went to the salon! Every lady needs a day of rejuvenation to recharge not mainly the physical strength but the self-esteem! :) 

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KaLui: A Must-Try Native Restaurant in Palawan

A vacation in Puerto Princesa is never complete without dining in KaLui! This I have learned after a series of travel-related conversations with my friends and after reading several blog posts on Puerto Princesa. KaLui seems to be the most popular and the most recommended local restaurant in the province. I heard it is a native restaurant just like the others, but I was curious on what makes it different from the rest. 

So, on our first day in Puerto Princesa, just as soon as we dropped our bags at Marianne Home Inn, I immediately asked the receptionist about KaLui. She gladly made a call and reserved a table for four at 6:30pm. Having an early dinner wasn't really our choice, but KaLui was fully booked at 7:30pm that night and 8:30pm would be so late for us.    

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Puerto Princesa City Tour: Sightseeing at The City in a Forest

Excitement and goosebumps ran over my body when I stumbled across a grand seat sale on flights to Puerto Princesa a couple of months before our homecoming. Puerto Princesa in Palawan is on the top of my Dream Destinations in the Philippines list, but it was never on my vacation plan this year, not until the Piso Fare promotion! It came as a surprise, a chance that I immediately had to take. 

So, a spontaneous budget vacation in Puerto Princesa happened. We got our plane tickets at half the price and stayed in the most affordable accommodation, yet still had a full load of fun! Puerto Princesa, fondly called by many as the City in a Forest, did not disappoint. Our half day City Tour on Day 1 doubled as an amazing nature trip.

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