Dinner Buffet in Kaleidoscope at Atlantis The Palm

After our Atlantean Adventure at The Lost Chambers, Ed and I had a gastronomic escapade around the world in Kaleidoscope. It was during my birthday, so I had a valid excuse to dive into a massive buffet with International flair! Hahah! Since it was a weekend, we settled our dinner reservation a night before and received a booking code to show at the lobby. The restaurant is located at the Ambassador Lagoon of Atlantis The Palm, an area which is only accessible to hotel guests and to visitors with dining reservations. 

Kaleidoscope is one of the twenty outstanding restaurants and bars at Atlantis The Palm. It is the perfect restaurant for us who wanted a casual dining experience, a lively atmosphere and a splendid buffet with live cooking stations. 

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The Ambassador Lagoon at Atlantis The Palm

Out of all the attractions at Atlantis The Palm, The Ambassador Lagoon has the cheapest entrance fee. It is a part of the Lost Chambers, but visitors have an option to skip the chambers and head to the lagoon directly for a cheaper fee. For only 30 AED, it is actually reasonable for those who can't devote much time at the 5-star resort! With the 70 AED difference on the the entrance fee, it seems like a good deal. My stingy self have even skipped the Lost Chambers several times. I have always thought that both attractions are basically similar, why pay more? Little did I know, I've been missing a lot! 

On our recent trip to Atlantis, I was finally able to visit the Lost Chambers for the first time and the Ambassador Lagoon for the third time! I didn't think twice on paying the more expensive entrance fee as I got a Buy1 Get1 voucher in hand! Yay! 

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Random Ramblings: 15 Days after Yolanda

It's been fifteen days since the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. My heart still bleeds for the typhoon victims, but as they say, life must go on! I have also been coping up with a recurrent flu for the past two weeks. I really thought that taking a break from blogging could help me, but it actually made me more sick and depressed. That's why I came up with this post. I want to share what I've been through while I was on a blogging hiatus. I still have loads of unfinished posts in my draft folder, so I will try to settle everything and will be posting regularly next week. 

* On Strength 

There's a trending comment on CNN's website about the Filipinos' strength and resilience. It is a fact and I have seen it surfaced amidst the tragic situation. Days after the typhoon, my Facebook news feed was filled with inspiring words from the typhoon victims themselves. While I was dazed and depressed, they remained strong and hopeful. Instead of me encouraging them, it's actually the other way around! I am blessed to know people like them. They are the ones who inspire me to be what a Filipino should be: a true survivor! 

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Dine for a Cause

It has been a tough, but very inspiring week. Behind the tragic tale caused by the super Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda in the Philippines are stories of love, courage, hope and faith. I am amazed by the overwhelming support that my country has received from other nations. I am also very grateful that the concept of 'bayanihan' is still alive in this modern age and time. 

Here in the UAE, there are so many people willing to help. Fund-raising activities happened last weekend and a lot more in the coming weeks. One of the activities is the Fiesta for a Cause organized by Noemi, a kind-hearted Filipina expatriate in Dubai, the blogger behind one of my favorite travel blogs www.pinayflyinghigh.com. The lunch/dinner for a cause will be held at Rosso Amore restaurant and proceeds will go to World Vision. Please check the flyer for more details.     

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Ways To Help Typhoon Yolanda Victims

I'm sorry, I wasn't able to update this blog for a week. I couldn't barely type a paragraph on Facebook and Instagram since Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda wrecked my husband's hometown, Tacloban. Now that I have finally kept myself calm, I want to use this precious time to do what's best. 

Since Ed and I are away from home and couldn't help physically, we found love and strength, and have been sharing hope on social media. We have lost contact with our family for four long days! It was only yesterday that we have confirmed that all of them are safe. We are very thankful, but due to the reports of violence and food scarcity, the agony and sleepless nights are not over until they can make their way out of Leyte.

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Atlantean Adventure at The Lost Chambers

Legends are brought to life in the UAE! I have journeyed like Juha in Wild Wadi, searched for the lost pearl like Dana in Yas Waterworld, and recently, I went on an Atlantean adventure in Atlantis The Palm! The Lost Chambers Aquarium was conceptualized based on Plato's dialogues about the legendary island of Atlantis, particularly on its remains after it sank into the ocean. It is a maze-like structure composed of 10 chambers and 20 marine life exhibits with 65,000 marine animals! 

The adventure happened last month, during my birthday. It was a special day, but I wanted to do something nice and affordable. Since I have been eyeing The Lost Chambers' coupon on our Entertainer Dubai (a book of over 1,500 Buy1 Get1 vouchers) for the longest time, I thought it was the best time to use it! 

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Lunch at Bacolod Chk-n-BBQ House

A lot of Filipino restaurants in Dubai have chicken inasal on their menu, but nothing comes close to the authentic. I can honestly say that my expectations are very high when it comes to this native dish, most probably because I grew up having inasal on my plate almost every other weekend! For us Negrenses living abroad, chicken inasal is a comfort food. It reminds us of home. That is the reason why I was extremely happy when I discovered that Bacolod Chk-n-BBQ House has recently opened their doors in Karama. Since it carries 'Bacolod' in its name, this newly-opened restaurant brings so much hope and joy to everyone who seek for the "real thing" miles away from home.

While I was patiently waiting for the weekend (and the payday), I followed the restaurant's Facebook and Instagram accounts; drooled on every food photo and shared the craving to my friends. I never thought that the sincere LIKES on Instagram and the simple SHARE on Facebook could make me Bacolod Chk-n-BBQ House's Fan of the Week, and that entitled me to have a dish for free! :) 

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