Each day, I never fail to thank God for gifting me with a beautiful and loving wife and two amazing sons. I just couldn't ask for more and could not figure out how I deserved all these wonderful blessings...

31 March 2008

Last Weekend



Last weekend was a specially busy one. On Friday morning, we went to the nearby Al Mamzar Beach knowing that the water might be warm enough for a nice swim. It was still a bit cold, though, but did not prevent us from soaking, after all. Even if it was low tide...


After lunch, we headed to Qamardeen Hotel in Old Dubai and checked in. It was a promise to my son, Derico, to stay there one time and also a birthday gift to my wife. I left my family there and sped to my project management class in Ramada Hotel, Bur Dubai. At near dusk, met Jacq and Tracy for them to join us for my wife's birthday dinner at Esca Resto in Qamardeen. We have indulged heartily to an Italian food buffet while downing 2 bottles of cabernet red wine. Derico feasted on ice cream and chocolate mousse ( which I also sinfully devoured ). We were waited and served with lots of gusto by kabayan, Jonathan, and gave us lots of delightful and intoxicating concessions ( read free bottle of red wine, margarita, sweets...etc. ). The food and drinks were just too much that we were not able to taste the birthday cake which was just a complimentary treat from the hotel. We brought it home the next day , anyway.











After dinner, we went to our room by the garden. It was just a little standard room but with a simple and sensual arrangement ( we should not have taken the kids with us, he he he ) of within sight and reach bath tub enclaved by clear glass. I soaked in the tub, drank some more red wine and realized that I was lying strategically within good perspective of the plasma tv on the wall. Clever idea indeed!


The next morning, after having taken the breakfast at Esca again, we went for a nice swim at the swimming pool next to the outdoor sitting. The water was warm due to the electronically operated temperature control ( so called intelligent building electronic systems which are a common facility in the "now" buildings of Dubai.).



After checking out of the hotel, we rushed to the birthday party of Eunice, the daughter of my high school classmate Evaline. We were late but were still able to partake in the authentic filipino food lunch she has prepared. The party was held in the amusement center of Reef Mall, which coincidentally will also be Derico's party venue this coming April 3rd. And you thought, this was the last stop of our weekend lakwatsa? No, because after this, we went to Dubai Festival City for some groceries and party favors for Derico. We reached home before ten in the evening, or I thought so...




22 March 2008

Dubai Marine Resort






Last night, Tracy, treated us for a dinner at Cappana, an Italian restaurant by the Jumeirah Beach. Her beau, Albert, was with us, too.


We discovered the place just last night. It is within the Dubai Marine Resort along Jumeirah Road and the first resort hotel at the start of the road from the Mina Drydocks Port. We went there at dusk and although it was a bit hazy, some orange sky hue can still be enjoyed. The water is also a bit playful and creates some lovely sound. We enjoyed our mostly seafood dinner with some chardonnay white wine. As we left the place , we strolled around the complex and found some more exciting features like children's playground, swimming pools, fitness center, spa among others. We vowed to come back some other night or day to have some more gourmet trip in the other seaside restaurants ( japanese, arabic, thai and cuban, among others ) within the resort which look as interesting and their fares as mouth watering.














21 March 2008

Jumeirah Beach

The most prominent beach and coastline of Dubai is Jumeirah beach. It is the beach closest to the city and enjoys the prestige of having five star resort hotels along it. It is also the address of 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel and the "root" of Palm Jumeirah, a group of man made islands shaped like a palm tree. Expectedly, I won't let my mother leave Dubai without a photo with Burj Al Arab, and she had it the day before leaving for Manila.

Jumeirah Beach Road, that road running parallel to the beach boasts of a string of dining places and night spots which mostly cater to European clientele. Just like Al Mamzar Beach, it has an open beach area but without the rubber floored jogging lane. It also has a municipality managed park but lesser in area and facilities compared to Al Mamzar. The greenery is also not as lush. Despite these, it is more popular because apart from closeness to the city, the neighborhood itself is mostly comprised of beach loving Europeans. These "beautiful" people make the beach more interesting and of course beautiful. Also, the shower facilities and the canteen are more "resort like" as compared to Al Mamzar.