Summer Vibes | Dubai, UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

First of all, this city is out of this world. Secondly, the heat literally melts your skin off. 

Dubai has always been a transit route whenever I fly home from the UK. This time instead of a short transit, with the approval of the rents I decided to make a 3 days trip to Dubai and experience first hand what an incredible modern developing city it was.

As an aspiring Civil and Structural Engineer my eyes definitely lit up as we passed by looming skyscrapers spilling out of every corner and street. 

I was accompanied by my friend @nakedhamburger. After completing our final exams and several frantic packing sessions the day finally came where we made our way from Leeds to Manchester  Airport and after a 7 hour flight with Emirates we arrived at the Dubai International Airport. 

We first checked in to our new hotel Rove Downtown located conveniently next to the Dubai Mall and with an incredible view of the Burj Khalifa. With an extra cost we had a room with a view that literally makes my heart skip a beat every time I look out the window. The hotel being new was clean and had a great ambience that leaves you feeling at home the moment you walk into the main lobby and lounge area. 

Some features of the hotel includes a 24hr convenience store, a restaurant, pool, gym, laundry and luggage storage spaces.  

This hotel has some of the best interior designs and decorations I've ever seen.

A spacious laptop work friendly zone and Starbucks conveniently in the lounge area.

The pool area is spacious and offers an incredible view of the Burj. It's also a great way to cool off from the summer heat. 

As mentioned Dubai Mall is just a short walk from the hotel. We spent the evening walking around the Dubai Mall and watch the Musical Fountain show (largest in the World) 

I booked a tour package with Fun Tours Dubai that includes a dinner night cruise at the Deira Creek, City Tour and 4x4 Desert Safari. An amazing deal for the price of less than 60£!

The Desert Safari was definitely an amazing experience and the highlight of the trip. Our guide/ driver has over 20 years of experience and I definitely felt safe and very impressed with his driving skills as he navigated up and down the sand dunes with ease. The safari ended with a beautiful sunset , camel ride, performance and BBQ dinner.

On our final day in Dubai, we travelled to an area known as the Jumeirah where one of the Worlds most expensive hotel Burj Al Arab is located. Its amazing structure was designed to mimic the shape of a sail. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in Souk Madinat Jumeirah a bazaar type re-creation of the ancient marketplaces with traditional Middle Eastern inspired architecture. Inside this market was little stall and shops selling arts, crafts and local souvenirs. There are some restaurants and bars around as well. 

It was definitely an unforgettable experience and opportunity to visit this incredible human boundary defying city. It's a place rich in culture, diversity and creativity.
I'd definitely recommend Dubai as one of the must see cities at least once in your lifetime.

Links to check out for further information:

Hotel:

Rove Downtown Dubai

Tour Company:

Fun Tours Dubai 

Features countless tour package; almost consistent instant replies by email and quality tour guides who speak good English.

Dubai Mall:

Fountain Show 

Afternoon Shows  

Daily except Friday: 1:00pm & 1:30pm  

Friday: 1:30pm & 2:00pm 

Evening Shows 

Daily: 6:00pm to 11:00pm 

(Every 30 Minutes) 

Market Place:

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

General Information:

Visit Dubai

Check out my Dubai Video Log:

Summer Vibes | Dubai, UAE

Spring Break Vibes

Travelling- one would dream of visiting the most beautiful, historically rich and diverse countries. To be able to say, I've been there! I've seen that!
But with every travel plans comes extensive amount of research, planning, more research and finally emptying the bank for an unforgettable trip.

So here's the tale of two sisters in 4 cities

It all began in Salzburg, Austria

A quaint little town just by the border of Germany. Known as the birthplace of Mozart and 'The Sound of Music' it is a picturesque sight to take in. With the amalgamation of ancient medieval and modern architecture.
We stayed at the Yoho International youth hostel. Located within walking distance from the train station and city centre.

Taking a stroll through the city crossing from the old city to the new; the weather was perfect giving off a very chilled atmosphere.

Next stop Munich, Deutschland

We took a train from Salzburg to Munich central station and spent an afternoon wondering about before heading off to our next destination Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy The Magical City

A mixture of quaint alley ways and beaten down buildings on the verge of collapse. This contrast itself tells a story of the rich culture and the livelihood people used to have as well as the change it is experiencing.
It was a unique experience to stroll down the nooks and crannies of the city and end up in a completely different corner whilst listening to the echoes of children laughing and playing in the school yards nearby.

We stayed outside of the main city of Venice in a town called Mestre just by the train and bus station for a cheaper option and commuted by bus to Venice.

I think visiting such a beautiful and often spoken of country like Venice brings about many high expectations of what to expect out of the city. Looking back at the pictures I've only come to grasp the fact that I've been to Venice, walked it's streets and ate it's food as well as experience a short but memorable adventure there.

The final stop of our travels brought us to Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona was one city which I immediately fell in love with. Not only because the sunshine city had the perfect weather; it was filled with beautiful people, great food and the ease of access to most attraction sites; and as a beach lover it was a welcome sight being able to feel the sand beneath my feet and hear the crashing of waves as it approached the shorelines.
Our accommodation Soul Backpackers Barcelona was located close to the train station and in the centre and walking distance from most tourist attractions.

   

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

Here's a link to my travel video:

2015 Year in review

It's 01/01/2016 ! 

The New Year has arrived and all the anticipation and celebration of a new year and a new season will soon fade away. Life continues on and eventually some of us/ most of us will be too caught up in the busyness of our daily lives that we forget the little events/ memories and people we've come across that inevitably shaped us to be who we are.

I try to make it a point to reflect back on the past as a reminder of what I've experienced. It doesn't necessarily have to be life changing but I guess it's always good to just appreciate what I've got and to be grateful of the many opportunities that have come my way, Big or Small. 
* Or maybe I'm just procrastinating from studying for mid- terms 

Here's a review of my 2015~

1. Road Trip_Norway, Oslo- Bergen

Norway, words can't describe how beautiful this country is and how amazing it felt to be able to make a trip to this land full of richness and breathtaking landscapes.
The trip was made even special with the company that I had! A road trip from Oslo to Bergen where we drove through sketchy roads, sunny spells and mini blizzards.

Visit my blog post Norwegian Vibes for a more detailed entry of my experience
My travel video Norwegian Vibes | Road Trip

Ft. behind the scenes

The Crew

Our Trusty Companion Mr Polo

Travelling to Norway for 5 days was just a taster of what it has to offer and I can't wait for more adventures to this beautiful part of the world!
To be in the midst of nature and the elements of the surrounding makes it feel so surreal but somehow I feel more alive than ever before!

2. Building the mini Gherkin

As part of my 3rd year Civil Engineering module, we were given the option of choosing this 7 day construction field course after the end of term. Without any hesitation I jumped on the opportunity albeit daunting with the task ahead.
Few weeks before the field course were to commence, we went through the initial nitty gritty of pre-work that included choosing roles, work planning, team member meetings with supervisors etc. etc.

Then came the week of our field course with all our documents and permits approved/ signed off. The construction was underway. We had groups and sub-groups working on different tasks simultaneously. We were also blessed with sunny weather throughout the week which is rare in this country called E-N-G-L-A-N-D.
Each day we were up by 7am and worked all the way into evening or until our scheduled work was done. I think being out in the open and working as a team you just learn to SUCK IT UP and get on with work because given the time limit of just 5 and 1/2 days of completing our structure, it was nearly impossible.
Day by day we saw our structure taking form and finally the last day came when the crane lifted up our final piece (The Dome) in place and we were able to go into our Mini Gherkin and enjoy the view from up top.
Even though by the end of the week I was left with cuts( now scars still evident) and bruises as well as a bad cold as I look at what we've accomplished as a team in that short few days, I can't help but feel a sense of pride! Ultimately this experience gave me a whole new understanding and perspective of the industry i'm about to delve into.

It all started with a bare piece of land

The final hour before hand in of our project.

Lifting of the last structure Dome

3. LLLeeds club team

Throughout Spring - Summer I had the opportunity of playing Ultimate Frisbee with a local Leeds woman's club team! This was an amazing experience to play with so many amazing and talented Frisbee players. I was able to join and play in several Tours with the team. 

London Calling

4. Summer in South Korea 

As a university student, one of the best privilege I had was to represent the University of Leeds as an exchange student to Korea University, South Korea.I found myself flying 5000 miles from the UK to one of my must visit country South Korea. Long story short, I had the best time of my life there and wished I could've stayed longer!Highlights of people I met, places and my favorite cuisine- Korean Food

Summary of my trip and my picture blog  #KoreaVibes | Summer Highlights |Video Highlights #KoreaVibes | Summer in South Korea | 

These beautiful souls 

First Frisbee pickup in Seoul  with an amazing view

First Ultimate Frisbee Hat - Soongsil Hat (Team Kimchi) 

Photo credits: Oliver

Getting lost but treated with an amazing sunset

Graduating from the prestigious Korea University 

Arriving at Busan

Beautiful Sunset at Haeundae Beach

Lovely Seoul Frisbee People

Seafood goodness

BBQ Buffet

First time trying Cold Noodles 냉면 after Frisbee under the scorching sun 

My last meal: 육회비빔밥 Raw beef Bibimbap

I vowed to live and experience as much as I can

Lastly, my hopes for 2016.

'Less of What If's, More of Just Do It, Less of Maybe, More of Yes/ No'