A Quick Stop at Al Badiyah Archeological Mosque

On our way to Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa, a lookout tower on top of a rock mountain along the road caught my attention. If I was behind the steering wheel, I'd immediately pull over! Oh the  major disadvantage of not being able to drive! So, there I was, restless on the passenger seat while trying to snap a perfect photo on board a fast-moving vehicle. Our cab driver perhaps saw me sighing over the blurry photos. He immediately offered to fetch us at the resort on our check out time and granted our request to have a quick stop at the historical site! 

After a very relaxing stay at Fujairah Rotana in Al Aqah, my most awaited stop over happened. I was there mainly for the lookout tower, but it turned out that there's another landmark worth-seeing: The Al Badiyah Mosque.

Al Badiyah Mosque

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Getting to Know Tenerife

If you're considering a holiday in Tenerife, here are a few facts to help you get acquainted with this wonderful holiday island.

Airports

Tenerife has two airports, aptly named Tenerife South and Tenerife North. Visitors travelling to the areas of Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and other southern regions will normally fly to Tenerife South, while those staying in Puerto de la Cruz and the surrounding locations will use Tenerife North.

Resorts

Undoubtedly the liveliest holiday resort is Playa de las Americas, which buzzes with activity and nightlife during the summer. Although things wind down outside of the summer season, you can still expect a lively atmosphere and plenty of bars and pubs to keep you entertained. Guia de Isora is a quieter resort on the beautiful west coast, while Puerto de la Cruz is a popular spot on the picturesque northern shores.

source

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Dining Options at Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa

A romantic retreat should always be paired with sumptuous food! For a foodie couple, quality time is at its best while sharing a hearty breakfast, a good lunch and a fancy dinner. We were lucky to have all those three during our anniversary getaway at Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa. 

Late Lunch by the Sea at Sharkeys

We arrived at Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa a little past 2pm. After a smooth check-in, we left our bags in our garden-view room and decided to have our late lunch by the sea. We went to Sharkeys, a beach bar that offers breathtaking view and delicious light meals.   

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A Romantic Retreat at Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa

Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa in Fujairah Al Aqah is a hideaway situated in the middle of the Hajar mountains and the Indian Ocean; an ideal location for romantic getaways! It is perfect when you just want to leave the world behind and run into a place where you can just stare at the sea, the mountains, the stars and your lover's eyes! That is the exact reason why we chose the resort for our Anniversary Escapade last October.

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The Journey to Fujairah-Al Aqah

Back when the weather was still warm and too perfect for a beach getaway, Ed and I went on a road trip to one of the most beautiful resorts in this side of the gulf. This actually happened last October, for our 2nd Wedding Anniversary. It is only now that I got the time to write a series about our sweet escape due to a major backlog, followed by the commotion caused by Yolanda and the eventful month of December! 

Ed and I spent a night in Fujairah-Al Aqah. Finally, it's time to tick off wish #1 on my 20 before 2020 list!  Before we booked the hotel stay, we actually had doubts on our plan since Al Aqah is too far from the city center. We searched for Fujairah-Al Aqah travel experiences via public transportation online, but couldn't find a detailed one. So, off we went to an adventure, with high hopes that we could bring useful travel information back home.  

The Inter-City Bus

Bus E700 runs between Dubai (Union Bus Station) and Fujairah every hour. Bus fare to Fujairah's town center is at 25 AED/ person. The big red bus has reclining leather seats which gave us the utmost comfort on our 2-hour trip.   

Dubai-Fujairah E700 bus

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Sports Events You Shouldn't Miss This 2014

Sports fans in the UAE have a host of incredible events to look forward to in 2014, and we've picked just four that you won’t want to miss. Check them out below and start making your travel plans!

1. Ryder Cup

This year’s Ryder Cup takes place from September 23^rd to 28^th at Gleneagles, Scotland. This is a fantastic time to visit the country, as it is also hosting Homecoming Scotland. Around these dates, KLM is offering indirect flights from Abu Dhabi to Glasgow International, from where a one hour’s drive or short train ride will be required to reach your destination. Organize your transport and accommodation now to secure your spot and get the best prices, and remember to exchange your AED to GBP ahead of time. Travelex UAE offers great rates and allows you to collect currency from Abu Dhabi International Airport.  

Image Source: www.rydercup2014.com

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On Going Out Solo and On Eataly's Piadina To-go

If you have stumbled upon this post while searching for a good review of Eataly at The Dubai Mall, I'm sorry you're not on the right page! But, I do promise that I'd be back with a better blog post solely for the new Italian market place soon. For now, here's more of a personal post with a bit of Eataly on the side.

Last Monday, I gladly gave in to Cosmopolitan Philippines' dare for all the Cosmo Chicks to "hoof it solo once in awhile". It's such a shame, but I have to admit that I somehow became clingy and not as independent as before. Though I do have my me-time, it's usually within my zone and around friends. I haven't really been alone for the longest time in this big tough world. So, I challenged myself and went to the mall just across our home for a quick solo lunch. It wasn't as excruciating as I thought it would be, in fact I was loving the state of solitude I was in.

I took the liberating feeling a notch higher and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at one of the largest shopping malls in the world, all by myself for the very first time! At The Dubai Mall, I went to the shops that I love without being worried that someone might get bored waiting for me. It was finally a day for me, myself and I. Then I noticed Eataly, a new Italian store at the lower ground level and immediately remembered my husband who greatly loves authentic Italian cuisine.

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Romano's Macaroni Grill: A Hidden Gem at The Dubai Mall

I love to discover hidden restaurants in a crowded shopping mall! It's always nice to have a quiet dining spot to run to whenever I don't feel like joining the clamor at popular food chains. You know, I get so impatient when I'm hungry. It's hard to wait for the reservation beeper to buzz when all I hear is the buzz in my stomach! 

Romano's Macaroni Grill at The Dubai Mall is one of my favorite hidden gems! It is an Italian restaurant located at the first floor behind Dubai Aquarium, holder of the the Guinness World Record's largest acrylic panel. I bet a lot of people never noticed Romano's because they have kept their eyes on the marine animals at the aquarium or probably at the famous southwestern restaurant with a catchy 'spicy' name beside it. 

photo source: Zomato

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A Bucket of Joy at Seafood in a Bucket

The last time I had a plastic bib on and devoured delicious crab in a shallow metal bucket, our date night bill went up to a whopping 200 AED... and even more if we didn't use a buy1get1 voucher! Then, a couple of weeks ago, I discovered a new seafood restaurant with almost the same unique concept, but with more affordable items on the menu! Imagine, a deep bucket full of sweet chili crabs for just 21 AED! 

Seafood in a Bucket is a new concept brought by ASAP in House Restaurant in Karama. Though the restaurant is not visible along the main road, it is the power of social media that has made every seafood-lover searching for this latest dine-out spot. 

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Cheers to 2014: The World's Largest Fireworks Display

On the last day of 2013, I forced myself inside a jam-packed Dubai Metro cabin, walked for an hour and squeezed my way through the crowd at the beach beside Burj Al Arab. This city that has been crazy over breaking world records has made me do what I think I'm not capable of. I've pushed myself to the limits, knowing in the end it will all be worth it! :) 

My 2014 began with a bang, under a night sky lighted with 400,000 fireworks that is now known to be Guinness World Record's largest pyrotechnic display!!! 

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