Mark and I went on a special food tour around the world in celebration of the Dubai Food Festival at the all-new and revamped Global Village. Will do a separate post about the new Global Village, watch out for that. :)

Together with other foodies, we sampled unique and delicious offerings from participating food kiosks. We started off our gastronomic tour with fresh fruits at Thai Fruits. Having been born and raised in another South East Asian country, the Philippines, I grew up having almost all the fruits that Thai Fruits offer.

While everyone else was busy starting the work week, I spent the first two days of it last week just as how I like it, with pure rest and relaxation. Special thanks to Arjaan by Rotana in Dubai Media City! :D

It was also very timely that my girl friend, Cat, and I haven't seen each other for almost half a year, so I tagged her along for our  much needed catching  up. And we all did this at the comfort of a luxury suite!

Living in Dubai for over a year now, I've noticed how almost everything seems to be fast-paced here. People also seem to be too preoccupied with work. New structures, new attractions, and innovations seem to sprout day by day, all in an instant. Even weekends seem to just go by in a snap and I would always have that where-did-the-weekend-go-conversations with myself in my head.

I must admit that I miss having weekends at home, my HOME. I miss having laid back weekends with my family, if not having weekend getaways with Mark. Weekends where I could just sit back, be lazy, relax, eat and enjoy life's beauty. But of course, I know that I cannot always have that here anymore, because we have our priorities now. And just planning about a getaway is already a struggle mainly because of the lack of time. Going beyond the city is also not really an option for us. So when an invitation for a weekend escape at Burjuman Arjaan came my way, I gladly accepted it with open arms.

After having some food and refreshments at the media preview of the Halloween at Wild Wadi, we went to the changing rooms and left our things at the lockers. And then our Wild Wadi adventure began! :D

Wild Wadi offers 30 rides and attractions for all the family. It is themed around the tale of Juha, a known character from the Arabian folklore, and his adventure in an island with rivers and rapids.

JUMEIRAH SCEIRAH

This was what Mark chose to ride first. But before we got to the two tandem slides, we first had to climb the 32-meter tower!

Mark with Jumeirah Sceirah at the far end :D

Climbing up the tower already made my knees wobbly, so I wasn't really up to try the ride. But my fear of heights were somehow eased when I saw this spectacular view of the entire waterpark...

...and got a closer view of the majestic Burj Al Arab.

Burj Al Arab

Mark and I, together with Cherry, were privileged to be part of an exclusive media preview of Halloween in Wild Wadi Waterpark last weekend. We got our watches and wrist bands at the ticketing booth at the entrance the moment we arrived at Wild Wadi.

They say that first love never dies. They also say that love is lovelier the second time around. Wait, what? Where did that come from? Oh sorry! Kindly pardon the hopeless romantic in me. :p

It's just that I can't help but feel all giddy when I got another invite for a dinner cruise on board Radisson Blu, Dubai Deira Creek's Old Lady, the Al Mansour Dhow. I had fun during our first time, so Mark and I felt privileged trying it out the second time and gracing the launch of the newly-renovated Al Mansour Dhow a couple of weekends back.

Just like before, we immediately experience the Arabic hospitality and warmth as we mounted the vessel. We were served with welcome drinks and canapés as we were ushered to our seats.

Today marks my 365th day in Dubai. Wait, what?! It's been a year already? Oh how time flies!

People may see me as someone who can do almost anything, most of the time even without someone having to teach me--cook, bake, sing, dance, blog, paint, draw, name it, and for sure I'll excel in all of it. But only the closest to me knows how big of a coward I am when it comes to being all on my own.

Dubai Miracle Garden - February 2015

I was undeniably in awe when I first got to see the Dubai Aquarium when I first set foot on The Dubai Mall on my first weekend in Dubai. A lot of firsts eh? But I don't think that will top Dubai when it comes to firsts and world records. :p


Another one of Dubai's world record title-holders, the 10-million-liter Dubai Aquarium tank is one of the largest indoor aquariums and is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. I was very excited when Mark brought me here again for a close encounter with the aquatic life.

Date of visit: September 19, 2014

Read full story HERE :)

After going to burger heaven at Shake Shack, Mark and I went on to our snow adventure in Ski Dubai. :D Another world record for Dubai, Ski Dubai is the world's largest indoor snow park!


We availed of the Super Pass and got one locker for our things.

Super Pass - 220.00 AED/person, Locker - 25.00 AED

Date of visit: September 12, 2014

Read full story HERE :)

Once there were two soulmates who vowed to travel and explore the world. On their quest for a new adventure, they were lost in an unknown city and were led by their curious minds and feet to an enchanted train which brought them to an experience like no other. They came by to visit the pyramids in Egypt, conquered the mountain ranges in Andalusia, explored the vast lands of Tunisia, had a quick stop at India, then flew to Persia, diverted to India, and finally decided to watch a movie in China....all in just one day!

Alright. Fine. Nope, I'm not crazy. Homesickness has not taken over my sanity, just yet. Haha! But seriously, it's just that there's this mall in Dubai which is so grand and awesome that I can't even find words to describe it.

Chinese Junk in China Court, Ibn Battuta Mall

I've always dreamed of travelling the world, and although I know that it won't be very soon that I'll get to live that dream, Ibn Battuta Mall has somehow made me cross a few destinations out from my list. Haha! :p

Ibn Battuta Mall, the world’s largest themed shopping mall (yet another world record for Dubai), has six different themes based on the travels of the 14th Century Arabic Explorer, Ibn Battuta. Every section was carefully crafted which makes guests feel and relive the travels of the great explorer.

After my first dining experience in Dubai, I was very much excited to explore what else Dubai has to offer. But because Mark had to go back to Abu Dhabi for work, I was basically all alone on my first week in Dubai. Mark got back to Dubai on the weekend and made sure that I get to enjoy my first weekend in Dubai. :)


I've been in Dubai for just more than two months, and more than anything else, there's one thing that I've observed. It seems that being ordinary is just not the Emiratis' cup of tea. Everything here seems to be so grand!

Just like the Dubai Metro, which is hailed as the world's longest fully automated metro network.

ADCB Metro Station (Red Line), formerly known as Al Karama Metro Station

Living away from home has got to be the most heart-breaking and life-changing decision that I ever made. But please don't get me wrong. I've been living in Dubai a little over two months now, and so far, I'm very much okay with my life here.

Finally! Thank You, Lord, for making this happen! Thank you very much to everyone who also helped to make this happen. Thank God for such loving, supportive, and generous family and friends! 😊🙏 #ldrnomore #goodmorning #dubai

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 9:12pm PDT

I have a nice house, I still get to buy things that I want, I eat good food, and Mark has been taking very good care of me here.

Our home away from HOME. Posting this for everyone who's asking (well more like worried :p). Don't worry, aside from the little homesickness, I'm okay. Mark is doing a good job in taking care of me here. :) #dontworry #imokay #homeawayfromhome #dubai

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 8:23pm PDT

And this, my friends, is what he really built those muscles for. Haha! I love you @markeugenesantos! 💪✌️😘❤️ #happy27th #happy10years #10yearstoday #10yearsoflove #10yearsandalifetime

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 7:58pm PDT

Love is...the little things he does for you. 😊❤️ #helovesme #labandero #boyfriendduties

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 6:58pm PDT

I also have nice neighbors, it's safe everywhere, there's no traffic, and I get to visit different places.

Went out for a quick walk. The 10-minute walk to and from our house and the grocery seemed endless because of the scorching heat! 😂🙆🔥☀️ #anginit #dubailiving #dubai

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 11:29pm PDT

Wow. Just, WOW! 👏👍 #DubaiMetro #Dubai #fullyautomated #driverless #GuinnessWorldRecords #longestfullyautomatedmetronetwork

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Sep 9, 2014 at 9:52pm PDT

Surely life here may be easier, but as I've said before, it's actually my first time in 28 years to be away from my family, and that for me is the hardest part. Although I'm not the very sociable type, I'm also not used to being alone. Yes, I have Mark with me, I have neighbors around, I've already made friends here, but I'm sure you'll agree with me that nothing really compares to the bond that a close-knit family has.

I get by with a little help from Skype. Hehe...Skype session with my loves. 😘 #missinghome #skype #dubai #dubailiving

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Aug 8, 2014 at 10:11pm PDT

If there's one consolation, I just love how I can still communicate with my family and get updated with them through the internet. And because of having been away from them, I now appreciate and miss even the littlest things.

Sunday is family day. 😊 #fambam #skypesessions #missinghome

A photo posted by kriska marie (@kriskamarie) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:09pm PDT

I miss how my dad would enthusiastically greet me whenever he comes home. I miss how he always checks on me when I'm out. I miss morning chikahans about Zumba stuff over breakfast during weekdays with my mom.