Cairo Travel Vlog #2: Coptic and Islamic Cairo Tour

Here is the second part of our Cairo travel vlog trilogy. Ed and I booked a Coptic and Islamic Cairo Tour for our second day in Cairo. We were planning to have a do-it-yourself trip, but since we've been hearing lots of negative news lately, we searched for a well-recommended tour online.  Emo Tours is one of the trusted travel agencies we stumbled upon. We booked...

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Cairo Travel Vlog #1: The Pyramids! Finally!

So, we finally made it happen!   After several years of dreaming and planning, Ed and I decided that it's about time to fulfill our long time travel wish! We traveled to Cairo during the recent 3-day holiday. And yes, I was able to tick off #15 in my 20 before 2020 list. ...

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Santorini on a Budget: Is it Possible?

Santorini. How do I even begin to describe Santorini? I still get lost for words whenever I think about this beautiful Greek island and the days we spent in it.  I know my words won't give justice to this piece of paradise no matter how I try. So, this article will not focus on the reasons why Santorini is one of my dream destinations and why it should be yours...

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Beach Day in La Mer Dubai

I was one of the many people who got sad and shocked when Jumeirah Open Beach was closed to the public. Remember my 5 Reasons Why I Love Jumeirah Open Beach blog post five years ago? It was my favorite beach way back then. Little did I know, my fave beach was not taken away from me and the rest of the beach-lovin population for good. It was closed for sometime to make...

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Turkish Breakfast in Gunaydin Dubai

It's no secret that of all the places we have been to, Turkey is our favorite. Although we only spent 12 days in the country, we felt so at home that we suffered from severe sepanx when it was time to leave. We love the vibrant Turkish culture, the hospitality, and most especially the food! And until now, there always comes a day when we miss waking up to a classic Turkish...

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Date Night in Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant and Lounge

Over 10 years of "dating", Ed and I unconsciously created a Date Night Bucket list. We don't talk about it, but this list of dining venues seem to pop up whenever we decide where to celebrate a special occasion. One very unique restaurant on our list is Al Dawaar - a revolving restaurant and lounge perched in the 25th floor of Hyatt Regency Dubai. ...

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Bungy Jumping in Corinth Canal

This post was written by my husband, Ed. Are you a thrill-seeker like him? Read on to learn more about his extreme adventure in Greece! - Lady As Lady mentioned in her previous blog post, our trip to Greece was mainly for rest and relaxation in the Greek islands. An extreme adventure was not in the plan. Not until I saw a challenge in Amazing Race wherein the participants...

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Our Top 10 Recommendations for Athens

Not long ago, Ed and I flew to Greece for a big fat Greek holiday! It was an 8-day vacation which commenced in the country's capital - one of the oldest cities in the world - Athens! To be honest, I was not excited for the city stopover. My thoughts were pretty much focused on spending lazy days under the blue sky and having an endless view of the Aegean sea over the...

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Filipino Food Fiesta Brunch at Jumeira Rotana

A fiesta in the Philippines is a colorful celebration of culture and food. There is dancing in the streets and family gathering in homes. A long table of dishes welcomes guests to the household. A series of chitchats or catching up typically follows! This is one of the unique traditions in the Philippines that Ed and I miss the most. We don't celebrate fiestas here in...

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Legoland Dubai: Is it also for adults?

Is Legoland only for the little ones? Uhhm, I hope not! Well, the theme park is known as the ultimate year-round destination in the Middle East for families with kids from 2-12, but that doesn't mean it is not for adults without kids. Ed and I visited Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park during our staycation in Lapita Hotel early this month. That day, we were...

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Brunch Nation at The Croft: A Foodie Journey across the Commonwealth

Ed and I have adapted the infamous Dubai Friday Brunch habit. Living in Dubai for almost a decade, yet started the weekend brunch tradition only two years ago, we are quite late-bloomers on this aspect. So, whenever we hear a new brunch, an interesting concept, or an excellent promotion, we are always too excited to check it out.  Another brunch experience went down...

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Travel Video: Memories of Paris

Almost a year ago, Ed and I had the sweetest escape in the City of Love - PARIS! I have shared all the kwento in a blog series last year, but totally forgot about the video clips we took. So, today, I'm sharing our fondest memories of Paris in less than 3 minutes through a video diary!   ...

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Ella's Creamery: Instagram-worthy Sweet Treats in Dubai

While we were in Dubai Parks and Resorts last weekend, I made sure that we could drop by the ice cream shop I have been eyeing on my Insta feed. Does Ella's Creamery sounds familiar? If you're into fancy sugary confections and you've come across one of their IG posts, you have probably been lured into the uber charming ice cream parlor as well. ...

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2 Days in Kuala Lumpur: Travel Itinerary and Expenses

Kuala Lumpur was not our primary destination during our trip last April. It was simply a layover city because I couldn't find affordable flights from Dubai to Hanoi or Siem Reap that time. I haven't been to KL before, and Ed's visit a decade ago was a work trip. So I said... why not make the most out of our two layovers?  We had nearly 24 hours to explore the city...

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Where to get the Best View of Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur

Booked a ticket to Kuala Lumpur? One way or another, you'd probably wonder where the best spots to view the city's famous twin skyscrapers. I mean, it's a travel cliche, but a visit to Malaysia's capital would be incomplete without seeing the majestic and world-famous Petronas Towers!  When we had quick stop in KL during our Indochina trip, Ed and I wanted to view...

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A Day in IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai

One year after its grand opening, Ed and I were finally able to visit IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai! It is currently known as the world's largest indoor theme park; breaking the record of Ferrari World which is also located in the UAE.  Ed, being a fan of roller coasters, and I, being a sucker for theme parks, we felt it was just right to devote an entire day...

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Staycation in Abu Dhabi: Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana

Last weekend, I found myself once again inside a bus en route to Abu Dhabi. The capital has been our go-to-destination for short city breaks. This summer alone, we already visited twice! Although the almost 2-hour bus ride became a norm for us, Abu Dhabi never became a mundane destination. The huge emirate has a lot to offer! Our staycation spot, this time, is in the...

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5th Blogversary Giveaway: Win Friday Brunch at Dusit Thani Dubai

Our little pink blog is now 5 years old! :) It's been half a decade of blogging in between my full time job, sweet escapes, foodie adventures and whatnots! Half a decade! Can you believe that? I never thought this blogging stint could even last for a year, so this milestone certainly calls for a celebration. As a way of saying thank you for the support that you...

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A Quick Guide to Siem Reap: Itinerary, Expenses and Travel Tips

Being the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap is a quaint little town in Cambodia that has become a major tourist destination. Travelers set their home base in Siem Reap when exploring the world-renowned Angkot Wat and other famous Khmer temples. Ed and I spent three days in Siem Reap during our #SweetEscapesinIndochina trip last April 2017. I could...

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How to avoid Temple Fatigue in Siem Reap: Things To Do beyond Angkor Wat

While planning for our trip to Siem Reap, I noticed something... all the places I wrote down on our itinerary are all TEMPLES! Uh-oh! This is bad, I thought. Don't get me wrong. Ed and I are excited to see the famed temples of Cambodia. In fact, the temples, especially the Angkor Wat, are the very reason why Siem Reap is on our 20 before 2020 list. But, we all know...

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Wakeboarding in Abu Dhabi Al Forsan Sports Resort

He has rode the fastest roller coaster, sky dived over The Palm, and bungy jumped at the world's highest commercial bungy! My husband obviously loves to feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins!  Although I'm scared every time Ed decides to go on an extreme adventure, I love seeing him smiling from ear to ear with fulfillment. I'm not an thrill-seeker like him,...

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Things To Do in Manila NAIA Terminal 3 during a Long Layover

A long layover can be exciting, but it can also be dreadful. Ed and I have experienced being stuck for 16 hours inside an airport terminal because of my carelessness. We were just lucky that the "nightmare" happened in Singapore Changi Airport - the best airport in the world - which to me is a destination of its own. But what if it happened in Manila? I could have...

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Summer Stay at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan

Every summer, I vow to endure the hellish heat and make the most out of the sunny days! The soaring temperature can be punishing sometimes. Well, yeah, cross that out. It is punishing most of the time. But I couldn't just stay in our room all summer long, especially when there's so much going on outside!  So, to kick off summer this year, Ed and I headed to Khalifa...

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How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight on a Budget Airline

Last week, I flew to the Philippines (and back) via a budget airline for the 3rd time. Some of my friends couldn't help but ask why. Well, I say, why not? I don't really mind traveling on low-cost carriers, especially when I have to stretch our travel fund a little bit farther! But human as I am, I also have the tendency to compare. Having experienced flying with some...

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A Stylish and Affordable Staycation at Centro Barsha

Dubai can sometimes be overwhelming for budget-savvy travelers. With world-famous attractions and lavish hotels scattered all over the city, one can easily label Dubai as an expensive place to visit. But living here for nearly a decade, I have learned that this melting pot is not just for those who have money to burn. Beyond the fancy lifestyle, Dubai has a string of...

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How to Explore the Wonders of Siem Reap with a 3-day Angkor Pass

When you hear the word Cambodia, what do you think of? If I'm not mistaken, your mind will instantly drift to the country's most iconic temple - The Angkor Wat! The impressive world heritage site is the symbol of Cambodia; it is even depicted in the national flag! I get flashes of the beautiful Angkor Wat whenever somebody mentions Cambodia too! It has been in my travel...

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Meet Mikel: The Greek Coffee Company

There is this new cafe in town that is giving me some serious wanderlust. Have you heard about Mikel? Their menu tells me to "enjoy your coffee romantically as in Paris, enjoy your coffee cosmopolitan as in New York, and enjoy your coffee traditionally as in Greece!"  Oh well, Mikel has hit me the travel bug in me spot on! ...

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Hanoi: Itinerary, Expenses and Things to Know Before You Go

Whether you love to travel on a budget, go into a culinary journey, or discover dynamic cities, I highly recommend visiting Hanoi! The bustling capital of Vietnam is guaranteed to impress you.  Spending three to four days in Hanoi will allow you to visit the top attractions, go on a food hunt, and take a short trip to Halong Bay. But mind you, this quick visit will...

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7 Foodie Spots to Love in Hanoi

If you can still remember my 20 before 2020 list, you'll know that food is the very reason why I wanted to travel to Hanoi. Yes, FOOD, particularly the savory Vietnamese noodle dish called Pho! I have eaten pho many times in Manila, in Bacolod and in Dubai, and I always thought: if this tastes good, then how much more in its birthplace - Hanoi! So, during our short trip...

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10 Places You Can't Miss in Hanoi

Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam -  easily became one of my favorite cities. It has a fascinating balance of old world charm and breathtaking natural scenery. I wouldn't deny, the frenzy in the streets can be overwhelming to the senses, but ironically, it is an organized chaos that adds up to the city's distinct character. Ed and I only spent three days in Hanoi....

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Where to Stay in Hanoi: Old Quarter or French Quarter

Do you agree that your hotel location can make or break your entire trip? I do! Hence, when we were planning for the trip to Hanoi, I contemplated long and hard before I made a decision. Vietnam's capital is compact, yet it is divided into areas which are quite far from being alike.  There are several districts in Hanoi, but I was particularly torn between staying...

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Highlights of Halong Bay: What to Expect on an Overnight Cruise

I'm into mystical and magical destinations! You know, those places that seem to come straight off the pages of fiction novels and fairytale books. So, when I saw photos of Halong Bay in Vietnam more than a decade ago, I had to jot it down in my seemingly unrealistic travel bucket list.  I thought seeing the mystic of Halong Bay before my very eyes will be nothing...

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Coming Up: A 9-day Sweet Escape in Indochina!

Selamat Datang! Xin Chao! Jumreap Soa! I will be using those words frequently over the next few days! Ed and I will embark on a sweet escape tonight. We are traveling to 3 countries in Indochina (3 cities, actually) in 9 days. We will start and end the trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We will spend 3 days in Hanoi, Vietnam and another 3 days in Siem Reap,...

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Black Tap Dubai: Crazy Shakes and Craft Burgers

You know me, I can never say never to insanely outlandish beverages! I even wrote a full blog post about the ones I have tried last year. So, when I heard that Black Tap is heading out from NYC to DXB, I was beyond thrilled! Black Tap is a popular joint for creative craft burgers, gravity-defying milkshakes and draft beers in New York. The brainchild of Michelin-starred...

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Overnight Stay at Royal Continental Hotel Dubai

Traveling to Dubai sometime soon? If you're searching for a good place to stay, I have a recommendation. Ed and I recently had an overnight stay at the newly-opened Royal Continental Hotel in Deira. My first impression was that it is perfect for stylish yet budget-savvy travelers. And that impression lasted throughout our stay.      ...

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Dear Dubai Newbie: A Letter from a Filipina Expat who is celebrating her 9th Year in Dubai

Dear Dubai Newbie, Marhaba! You might be surprised with this letter. You don't know me, and I am not in the position to welcome you in this mega-city. But today is special; hence, I'm writing this letter down whether you'll read it or not. I hope you'll read though.  Today, exactly 9 years ago, I was like you. I got off an Emirates airplane and step foot in...

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Enab Beirut Dubai: A Picture-Perfect Lebanese Restaurant in City Walk

Have you ever fell madly in love with a restaurant? Like it knocked you off your feet the moment you stepped in. You found yourself swooning over every little detail. You gushed over how perfect the concept is time and again. And you were already looking forward to coming back while you're halfway through your starters. I did! It happened to me with Enab Beirut Dubai...

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