It's been a while since I made a travel blog. I've been busy for these past months that I forget one of the most exciting travels I had in my life last year. Yup it was last year, January 14, 2013. It was my second time to go to Abu Dhabi for another so called "business trip". I was accompanied by a colleague, Bely. It was her first time to go there and she was so excited. She even slept in our apartment so someone will wake her up because the flight was early. She was already at the gate waiting for me because the driver was already there to pick us up to go to the airport. A less than an hour flight from Qatar and we were already in Abu Dhabi. Same scenario happened to us the first time I set foot in the country. A company driver picked us up and we proceeded to the office. We were told that the office is near our apartment, so we just put our belongings in the apartment, and then went to the office. Night-time came and I told Bely that we need to find a nearby grocery store to buy some stuff. We just roamed around the nearby area to be familiarized with the surroundings. The next day, after office hours, a former colleague from Manila who is now working in Abu Dhabi (AD) took us for a tour in the city. We went to the Emirates Palace, an astonishing Hotel where-in you can be mesmerized by the Architecture of the Area. We took some photos and wandered inside the hotel.

Tuesday after office hours, we decide to go to the Souq Market. It was my first time to ride a jam packed bus. Here in Doha, not all people are fond of riding the busses so the women can sit and it is not crowded. But in AD a 30 seater bus can be packed with 60 passengers. Luckily we had an opportunity to seat after a few minutes. We went to the souk, took photos, and walk in the city streets. After an hour of photowalk, we ate at a popular restaurant in AD. A Filipino restaurant that is famous in our county - Max's. After eating, we bought some souvenirs at thrift shop.

Before planning our trip to AD, we discussed it with a friend and he wanted to join us. Dave flew from Qatar to Dubai and stayed with his family there. Thursday came and we were excited once again. It was Bely's first time to see Dubai. We left the apartment early to catch the bus that will take us to the bus station going to Dubai; unfortunately we took the taxi instead because it's a rush hour already. We arrived in Ibn Batuta Mall before 10am; we agreed to meet Dave inside. Our journey started in Ibn Batuta Mall, a commercial Mall whose interior depicts some of the countries that Ibn Batuta visited. Ibn Batuta or ʾAbū ʿAbd al-Lāh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Lāh l-Lawātī ṭ-Ṭanǧī ibn Baṭūṭah was great Moroccan Berber explorer. The interior of the mall was extravagant. Six different characteristics from six different countries (Persia, Andalusía, India, China, Egypt & Tunisia).

After marveling in the famous mall, we proceed to take the train going to Jebel Ali. After MRT, taxi and Monorail, we reached our destination, The Atlantis the Palm. We didn't stay long in this establishment because we need to see some other attractions that Dubai can offer. Next stop was the Madinat Jumeirah Souq. We saw the Burj Dubai from afar. Bought some souvenirs and sipped some good old commercialized coffee.

Our adventure didn't stop there. Bely wanted to see some penguins, so we decided to go to the Emirates Mall. Traffic was so heavy that afternoon, so it took us a while before we reached our destination. The Mall is famous because of Ski Dubai. It is an indoor amusement area where-in you can Ski, play with the snow, see penguins and many more. We went inside the Ski Dubai wearing the necessary skiing clothes, but it was still cold because we don't have hand gloves. It was an experience of a lifetime because it was the first time I played with snow. The entrance ticket was a bit high but still we managed to enjoyed our short but happy encounter.

The night was still young and we still have some places that we need to see. After the mall, we proceeded to the another big mall in Dubai - Dubai Mall. I purchased a ticked going to Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We managed to go to The Top. After a whole day of walking, we just sat there looking 100+ feet above the ground, enjoying the view in the tallest structure on earth.

It was already late and we didn't have time to eat dinner because of our busy itinerary. We only had one good meal and a cup of coffee for the whole day. We went to the bus station to go back to AD, but unfortunately we missed the last bus. The next bus is 2:30 am and we need to wait for 2 hours for it. Luckily a fellow Filipino approached us asking if we want to share a ride with him going back to AD for a hefty price of 50AED. The 3 of us (Bely, Dave & me) agreed eventually because we are already tired. We talked to the Indian driver and paid 150 for the 3 of us. Bus ticket is 25AED, double the price for the car lift but its okay as long as we can go home.

We arrived safety in AD at around 2am. We let Dave took the other room so he can sleep. We woke up at around 8am and proceed to Yas Island. Ferrari World was still closed so we when to Ikea to eat our breakfast. We returned to Ferrari World after an hour. We bought tickets and we enjoyed the rides even if we need to fall in line for so long because it was Friday, family day and it was so full of visitors. After 5 hours of rambling inside the amusement center, we took a cab and proceed to Grand Mosque, the biggest Mosque I've ever seen. It was an epitome of beauty and grandeur. For the ladies you need to cover your body with a black abaya which they will lend you upon entering. The establishment was so big that it took us some time to see the entire structure. Unlucky for us, we need to go back to Doha at around 7pm so at 5pm we took the cab going back to our apartment because the company driver was already there to bring us to the airport.

My 2nd tour in AD & Dubai was the best experienced ever, because I was with friends whom I dearly love. Even if we are so tired, we keep on laughing and telling stories so that we won't feel any tiredness in our selves. We raveled so many places, been to some of the most fascinating establishment in the Arabian Peninsula for only 2 days. I knew it was not enough but as my friend says I do love the amazing race kind of adventures.

Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. - Benjamin Disraeli