Welcoming 2008 Along Jumeirah Beach

For the past years, Jumeirah Beach, has been one of the sites in Dubai known for New Year's Eve revelry and of course, grand fireworks, most specially the Burj Al Arab surroundings. So, for our third new year in this country, we have decided to stay in Dubai and get close to where the action is, so to speak. Naturally, most hotels along Jumeirah Beach are fully booked and offered exorbitant prices. We opted to stay in Regent Beach Hotel which is located right smack at the open beach a bit far but within sight of the Burj Al Arab.

Surprisingly, even if it's a relatively old hotel, our suite was nicely furnished, spacious and clean. The buffet dinner which was compulsary for all guests consisted of Arabic, Indian and European foods. We have indulged to them in complete abandon including my two sons who seem to have developed "international" palates. The service by mostly Pinoy staff was good considering the very busy activity that night.

Before the clock stroke midnight we went out to the open beach park to witness the fireworks. My two sons enjoyed the sight ( and sounds, he he he ) while us, adults sipped vodka tonic.



The next day, Diego's Ninong Ariel dropped by the hotel to kiss his inaanak and handed his gifts. We also dropped by the workplace of Diego's Ninang Malou, the Emirates Hospital which is located opposite Jumeirah Beach Park. When we reached home, we all got some rest as the following day would be another regular busy working day...

25/12/07 in Dubai

I t was not a public holiday. As far as the Arabic calendar is concerned, 25th December is just another regular day!

Fortunately, having Europeans for bosses ( in my case), the day was declared a holiday and for an Atheist boss like my wife's ( don't be surprised, because he is Pinoy and Ilonggo as well... ), it was not. So the most logical thing for her to do to celebrate the day with us and the kids was to file for a vacation leave for that day...

We woke up a bit late because the night before we had noche buena at a friend's place and went home late. The two official kids of the house, Diego and Derico, ( guess who the unofficial ones are, he he he ) opened Santa Claus' gifts for them which they, of course liked, because those were the ones they have wished ( some close people must have ordered Santa which ones to buy, he he he ).
Then we headed to Marriot Hotel and after having lunch at Cucina's, went to their garden square for Deric and Diego to enjoy the playground along with other kids of mixed nationalities. The square and other areas of the hotel were decorated for the yuletide season with Christmas Trees and some winter inspired installations.

Before heading home, we heard mass at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bur Dubai to thank God for the past year's blessings and greet Him on his birthday, too. The following day was another working day...

Christmas Party at Plantation Site

Started at dusk of December 23rd, our Christmas Party was held at the temporary club house fronting the Polo Field 1 of Plantation Equestrian Community. Our chef, Indian Portuguese meztiso, Francis, prepared the dinner of European cuisine which everybody enjoyed even the mostly Filipino site office staff. The roasted turkey was a hit which kept Sway, our Thai colleague busy carving the meat for the diners. Wines, beer and other liquor overflowed which gave us enough body heat to counteract the cold and windy night.

Later that evening, we passed by the party for the Filipino construction site workers at chef Anton's ( of course, Pinoy ) kitchenette and had a taste of his Filipino cuisine. Beers, whisky and brandy also overflowed and the air was filled with the videoke singers' voices (including mine, he he he ). My wife joined me there straight from her overtime work at her office. Although, it wasn't comparable to the Christmas parties we had back home, it gave us a nice break from our usual daily routine.