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Review: A great family experience at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat

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View from our balcony

It was 45°C. Oh man! Rugged yet majestic rocky mountains and a sparkling sea view welcomed us as we look out from our room in Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.

We reached the hotel around 12:30 midday, after a 40-minute smooth cab ride from Muscat International Airport in addition to an hour flight from Dubai via Oman Air.

Shangri-La is a luxurious three-hotel village in the sultanate capital of Muscat. The hotels are Al Bandar, Al Husn and Al Waha.

We stayed at Al Waha.  It is Oman’s first family-dedicated hotel and the largest of the 3.

The name Al Waha means “The Oasis”, and has been designed such that the hotel’s several swimming pools form an oasis incorporating many date palm trees.  The architecture of Al Waha is traditional Dhofari, from the southern region of Oman. Nestled at the foot of a mountain range, vehicular access has been made possible by a man-made tunnel.

We have access to Al Bandar area, but the hotel was closed due to preventive maintenance. Some restaurants were also closed because of Ramadan.

Al Husn is an exclusive private hotel situated on top of a cliff.

The check-in was fast and easy despite of quite a handful guests at that time.  The wifi access was given instantly with the room key cards. We knew there’s a pleasurable experience waiting for us, since we were greeted with smiles and courtesy.

We had an interconnecting family room at the 4th floor (the highest floor level), which is pretty too much for our family size. There’s a king-sized bed on one room, and twin bed on the other – each with its own bathroom. After 5 minutes of settling in, our little girl had already jumped and bounced herself on all three beds.

Then she noticed the platter of fresh apples on the side table and immediately munched on one of them.

We have a small balcony overlooking a garden of date palms, the main pool, the lazy river and breathtaking views of the beach and the mystical mountain range backdrop.

The rooms are well-groomed. The bathroom complete of all necessary kits and supplies. The carpets and curtains dust-free and clean.

There’s a smart TV which we can use for social media – if in case the mobile phone’s not enough. There’s a DVD, a playstation 3 and a game CD as well. Too bad my daughter, at her age, isn’t into gaming yet.

We opted for in-room dining service upon arrival for quick lunch as we can’t wait to go out and discover what fun the resort has in store for us.

Swimming and water fun facilities

 We spent our second day swimming, mostly. Well, if you have a 3 year-old this is what would fill your itineraries.

We liked it in the big pool just beneath our balcony because the water is not too cold.  It is about 5.5-foot deep. Little Aya has her floaters anyway. We tried to put her in the kiddie pool but the water was purposely cooler (because it’s summer?), but it was too cold for her.

We were instantly given our towels and a complimentary cooler box with 4 icy chilled mineral water bottles.  It’s unlimited – superlike in this kind of weather!  They also serve complimentary watermelon slices in small plates.

One not-so-good thing though, that morning, there seems to be an ongoing kids summer camp, that hundreds of students splashed into the pool and literally has taken over our ‘moments.’

Not bad at all, as we just moved to the lazy river next to the pool area.  It is a half-kilometer water strip that gently flows from Al Waha to Al Bandar side.  It’s a calm yet very enjoyable ride on the waterway with palm trees and other plants on the surroundings. We We didn’t just float around, we also used it as a great way to roam from one spot in the resort to another.

The design of the lazy river is inspired by the centuries-old falaj system that brought fresh water to remote Omani villages.

A splash pad is not too far away.  Water sprouts and kiddie fountains and water pails splash over us – a sure thrill for the little one.  It was sunny but too windy at the same time we were chilling as we move to the next activity.

And we’re off to the shores. The main private beach is a kilometer stretch of pure and soft grayish sand along the breezy waves of turquoise water.  There are beach loungers, showers and bar service for light snacks as well. Aya had a great time building sandcastles.

There are water thrills to do but are very limited.  Jetskis are not allowed, and so are paragliding and similar sports. The reason – the site is one of many conservation areas in Oman. So all water activities are planned and conducted with sensitivity to preserve the unique ecosystem.

More facilities for kids

As what the hotel promised, there’s quite a lot of activities for the kids.  Taking a break from swimming, we brought Aya to Cool Zone Kids Club. It’s a small room with nannies and caretakers that look after the kids. Aya played with soft toys and bikes with the other kids. They can also watch TV, paint and create artworks of sorts.

On our last few hours, we brought her to Adventure Zone in Al Mazaar souk.  It’s a huge indoor play area enclosed in vibrant and colorful murals. It is adjacent to the Omani Heritage Village and just a 3-minute coaster ride from Al Waha.

Children (and parents) must wear socks. Aya wasn’t wearing hers so she was given by the attendant. A mandatory long-sleeved shirt was also given free to her.

There are obstacle courses like ‘Over Under Hurdles,’ ‘Swing Over Net’ and wall climbing.  The main attraction here is the three 6.5 meter high drop slides where kids and parents sit in a mat to slide down.

GameZ, also in Al Mazaar, is for billiards, air hockey, electronic darts and video games.

There’s also a mini golf and a camel and pony ride.

 Food

We had fried chicken wings and grilled salmon for lunch, in-room. And as much as we wanted to go and try the buffet for dinner, the little one slept too early we had another in-room dining. Our choices were limited though as some restaurants are closed (Ramadan remember?).

We ordered Asian style fried noodles with prawns and Nasi Goreng with Chicken Satay.  The service came in a classy, elegant table setting. But we had to wait more than half hour to have them delivered.

Samba was the only restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. The breakfast has a wide range of options and was really good. We enjoyed it. Ham, bacon, sausages, baked beans and a live cooking station for our preferred omelette.

There’s also a section for cold cuts which includes smoked salmon, my favorite among others. Pancakes, waffles, yogurt, cereals, breads and pastries and the fresh fruit juices were all delectable. They also serve rich aromatic coffee.

Lunch has a similar wide range of choices with more cuisine to choose from. The grilled beef, chicken and fish were all good.

On all buffets, there’s always a section for kids (because they eat free), where the serving trays are placed in a lower table for their easy reach.

In general, food is okay. But to be honest, I expected more. Probably the unavailability of some restaurants because of Ramadan has limited our options and we had to content ourselves with the available ones.  We did not have maki and sushi, in contrast to what I was expecting.

Aya’s 3rd Birthday

We prepared a little surprise party for the little one sans the grand decoration. We knew that there’s a complimentary cake from the hotel and we requested them to serve it on our last night. Knowing that these cakes are usually small, we prepared some decors to put in it. We also brought birthday candles.

And yes, another in-room dining.  We ordered kiddie meals, her favorite pasta, fish fingers and chicken nuggets.  We were not informed by the telephone attendant though that the sauce has to be ordered separately.

It was a light yet happy celebration. The glitter in her eyes when she’s on the pool was more than enough to say how fulfilled she was.

Overall, I’d give it 4 out of 5. Because despite the closure of many facilities, there’s still quite a lot things to do.

Too bad, we were not able to see the turtles on the other side of the beach, which is one of the most popular activities to do at the resort.  According to the turtle ranger, the hawksbill and green turtle species are not usually hatching during this extreme weather condition and so we cannot see them.

We were also offered to go dolphin watching but the schedule was full. 🙁

You know, in as much as we want to roam the popular attractions in the small city of Muscat, we decided not to. When you have a toddler, the least you wanna do is to max her energy. So we managed her activities and assured that she’d have more to enjoy in her playground (resort).  And as parents, we won’t have fun at the souks and museums if what’s in our daughter’s mind are bouncy castles and swimming pool.

We checked-out 2:00 pm. Our flight back to Dubai was 5:30 PM.

Next time you plan on a getaway but don’t want to go too far from UAE, consider Muscat. The hotel stay in Shangri-La alone is an enchanting experience already.

The staff are so polite and friendly I can see their kind hearts every time they smile at us.

Here are more selecte snaps (out of thousands) from our weekend stay:

Yeah, we needed a map – as the resort is so huge to explore
A panoramic shot from the middle of the resort
The cooler box they give when you’re at the pool
A giant chess board by the shore

Regarding Oman visa, check your job title on your UAE visa. In my case, because I’m a software engineer, I am entitled to a visa on arrival in Muscat airport, and so my wife and daughter. Check this Oman Consulate in Dubai website for more info.

One of those footbridges to cross the waters
Mini golf course
A shot taken from Al Husn side – more than half kilometer from Al Waha
Going to the end-most part of the resort
Mommy and baby at the Al Waha pool
The arrival shot
Photo taken using Supernight mode of Huawei P8
a mini shower pad
Preppin up for the Adventure Zone
Play time at Cool Zone – “no parents allowed”
Opening her birthday presents
Our birthday tees
Chillaxin by the pool
The hotel has a strong resort-wide wifi signal – so P8’s with us all the time

Additional notes

Costs in dirhams:
Return air fare for 2 adults 1 child, Dubai-Muscat-Dubai via Oman Air (with travel insurance) – 1200
Cab from airport to hotel and vice versa- 300
Food for 3 days 2 nights – 1200 (inclusive of tax and service charge)

You may check the rooms and the hotel rates here. For entry visa costs, click here.

We were guests of Shangri-La Muscat, but this review and opinion are 100% my own.

Iftar at Liwan Restaurant, Al Ghurair Rayhaan

Ion
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I’ve been to Liwan restaurant for many times already and so far, it maintains an impression of providing good Arabic cuisine.

This restaurant in Al Ghurair Rayhaan Rotana has one of the best ambiance among all iftar dining I’ve been to. The camel figures, the counter with traditional dates, dried fruits and nuts, the colorful lanterns and Arabic table mats, and the lively instrumental band taking care of the background welcome guests to the buffet.

It was a very busy night.  It was a feast.

One of those ‘Dressed Appetizers’

The buffet features a wide range of Arabic, few international choices and traditional Ramadan specialties and juices, in addition to dressed appetizers, mezzes and dessert.  Food is okay – almost the exact similar taste as last year’s.

The maki rolls are great –  can’t remember how many times I returned to this counter

The Indian Bazaar and the Maki and Sushi Bar are the obvious international flavors added to the Arabian indulgence.

I should’ve more room for dessert – but I checked the sweets corner too late I guess

A good selection of fruits, cakes bite slices, mousse and wide range of traditional Arabic sweets and dates were available.

Very berry yogurts – a a yogurt fan, I tried and liked all 5 flavors of them

Although iftar is over now, you can always go to Liwan for any day dining. For more info and reservation, you may call +971.4.2933000 or email fb.alghurair@rotana.com.

And as they say, Ramadan is a month of giving, the management had some cool surprises for diners that night. Prizes from dinner vouchers to hotel stays were drawn and given away.

Here are more snaps from the night:

10 simple things that ignite positive energy in Dubai

Ion
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“Everything around us is made up of energy. To attract positive things in your life, start by giving off positive energy and not doing the negative.“

For so many years now, and as many years more, Dubai has been sending positive signals to the world, reflected by its fast growth, futuristic thinking and the city’s positive impact to the people.

And so it is just right that the people also absorb that positivity and live by it as well.

Let go of the petty things, or popularly known as #FirstWorldProblems that annoys us. Allow love, respect, and care to prevail instead.

But just take these 10 simple pointers by heart and you’ll be like a battery that ignites positive energy:

1. Respect everyone’s time
Come on or before the agreed time. You don’t know what other important things are lined-up to the schedule of the other people in your appointment.  No one’s happy seeing their mates late. If you want your time to be valued, do the same.

2. Avoid rumor mills
Rumor is a slow killer of friendship and other relationships. Do not allow yourselves to be an instrument of rumor. This is hard to bear especially at the workplace. Hear the stories of all concerned parties before jumping into conclusions.

3. Observe traffic etiquette by heart 
We are regulated by traffic rules, but no one penalize improper road etiquettes; and road ethics seems optional to some. Please, let’s diligently observe them. Use our indicators accordingly, drive at the proper speed, do not be trigger-happy with your beam lights, avoid tailgaiting and do not cut on narrow spaces.

Never bully anyone. No one is the king of the road. There are thousands of precious lives out there that might get ruined should you keep driving recklessly and unattentively. Care and be considerate to your fellow motorists and pedestrians.

4. Block parking with respect
If totally unavoidable, and you are forced to block someone else’s parking (because you have no choice), please leave your mobile number on the dashboard. With the lack of parking spaces, this is somehow an accepted act in the society, but please make sure you can be contacted at all times.

5. Do not cut lines
Be patient enough when in lines. Know your place on queues and do not cut anyone. Again, value the time of the people ahead of you. You are not a superstar.

6. Do not leave your mess at food court tables
Especially during busy hours, so the next customers could occupy your table without having the need to wait for the cleaner to do so. Courtesy.

7. Be polite to our servers / customer service agents
If you are served politely, return the favor. Nobody has right to be rude to them, even in instances of ill-mannered servers. No one knows what’s going on in their minds or in their lives at that moment. It could happen to us also.

Telephone agents are just given instructions of what and what not to say. It’s not their fault if at times, (sorry to say) they’re not helpful.

8. Do not litter massage cards
Yeah, you’re annoyed at the cards with sultry pictures of women on your windshield, but don’t let the enovironment suffer from your annoyance.  Dispose them off properly. We do not want to contribute to litter in the community. After all, a clean environment always attracts positive energy.

9. Don’t let the sun go into your head
Be warm at heart but be cool in the head. Some people have the tendencies to quickly loose their tempers during hot days. Keep your cool so you don’t transmit negative vibes to others.

10. Smile at all times, its contagious
🙂 -=(“,)=- 😛 😉 <<<(-:)

These are just spur of the moment thoughts in the last hour. There are definitely more to add to this list.

Let’s always charge our mind and hearts with positive energy so we could always keep going on and on and on.

Tanabata Festival at Toko Dubai

Ion
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After ushering us to our table, she handed us 2 thin purple strips of paper called tanzaku and a pen. Apparently, we have to write our heartfelt wishes and hang it at the bonsai tree anytime during our dinner.

Tanabata festival is happening at Toko – the hip and posh restaurant at the heart of the premier dining precinct at the luxurious Vida Downtown. Its picturesque Japanese-style garden, complete with flamboyant water falls and fountains, floating umbrellas and bonsai trees, and stylish lighting accents create a vibrant atmosphere that sets a mood for an extravagant dining experience.

Tanabata, which means “evening of the seventh”, also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.– Wikipedia

The restaurant prepared a special set menu called Tsuchi to commemorate the festival. It consists of 3 starters, 8 other assortment of Japanese mains and delicacies plus a chef’s selection of desserts. That set costs AED 420 per person.

The dishes quickly came one after the other as they finish preparation in Izakaya – the contemporary Japanese-styled bar counter where food and beverages are delicately prepared.

Izakaya originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises to drink – a type of informal Japanese drinking establishment that serves food to accompany the drinks.

Let’s roll with more tongue-twisting gastronomic vocabulary now, shall we?

Edamame

A bowl of Edamame is ahead of the pack. These soy beans are so tasty and perfect with just the Maldon sea salt in it. I could munch ’em longer but the next serving came in no time.

Okaki Maguro

Okaki Maguro, a tuna portion with truffle oil in a crispy rice served in a swish Japanese small plate. The soft tuna nigiri pairs well with the crunchy glazed bite-sized rice piece.

Sake No Miso Tarutaru

Sake No Miso Tarutaru is salmon tartare in wasabi miso and sweet potato chips.  It comes with a tobiko (flying fish roe) on top. A heavenly teaspoon portion of the tartare is a very good match to the crackers.

Omakase Osashimi and Toko Signature Maki

Omakase Osashimi and Toko Signature Maki are the chef’s selection of maki rolls and sashimi. The selection for the day includes Red Snapper, Yellow Fin Tuna and Salmon. California Maki and Spicy Maguro Maki complete the rolls. Look at the very elegant presentation where the fresh sashimi slices sit in the bed of ice, with a sea shell mounted in it giving it the shimmer.

Hone Nashi Tebasaki No Miso Butter Zoe

Hone Nashi Tebasaki No Miso Butter Zoe is not the typical boneless chicken wings I was expecting. It comes in 2 bite-size portions dipped in smoked miso butter and has a slice of red radish on top.  It’s not easy to feel the chicken taste at the first bite but you’ll know it when it’s gone.

Hotate No Jalapeno Amazu Zoe

Hotate No Jalapeno Amazu Zoe, pan-fried scallops with sweet pickled apple and jalapeno garlic on top.  We like it. The pickled sauce complements the tender seafood taste of a clam.

Ebi No Chii Sai Tempura

Ebi No Chii Sai Tempura is a rock shrimp tempura with a not-so-spicy mayonnaise dip. Almost all Asian restaurants have versions of this dish but this one is exceptional. The prawns are mildly breaded yet remains tender inside and crisp outside. One of my favorites.

At this point, we almost got no room in the tummy.

Avocado No Am Jyouju Lime Zoe

Avocado No Am Jyouju Lime Zoe is a grilled avocado with a subtle teriyaki sauce (sweet soy lime). It comes with rock salt and lime. The thought of teriyaki over a fruit is weird, and it was served in the middle of main courses too. But surprisingly, it’s so good I almost finished it ’til its peel. They have perfectly selected good avocados, not stringy and not too hard to scrape. As an avocado lover, this one’s a winner.

Sake No Aburi Yaki

Sake No Aburi Yaki is a medium-rare smoked miso salmon with house pickled ginger. I like that it wasn’t dried from being grilled. I’m a sucker for salmon especially this one where its skin remains a little crispy even if it’s the last part I eat of it.

Angus Grainge Rib-Eye

Last on the mains comes the stocky Angus Grainge Rib-Eye, a 180 grams serving of a 150-day grain-fed beef. It comes with a parsley vinaigrette dip and a salad with wasabi.

At this point we’re really full. I had to call for a tea, green tea, while waiting for the dessert.

It takes about 10 minutes to prepare the Toko Dessert Bento Box chef’s selection. Yes. Desserts on 3-layered bento boxes. I had the luck of seeing how they serve this in another table. So “a note to self” I must take a video when it gets to our table. (Video below)

The dry ice effect makes it more dramatic.

First box has assorted fruits – dragon fruit, pomegranate, pineapple, grapes and variety of berries, and 3 scoops of sorbet in coconut, mango and raspberry flavors.

The second box has a familiar lava cake with a warm fudge choco filling and a vanilla ice cream scoop by the side – proven a perfect match at all times.

Yuzu Cheesecake and Strawberry Coconut Panna Cotta made up the third bento box. Yuzi resembles lemon or lime. You know we’re already full so these were really too heavy to take in, but the flavorful cheesecake was just so hard to resist. Panna Cotta was foamy on top but very berry deep into it.

Here’s the video. Warning, this is really tempting:

No doubt, the dining experience is at the top. In addition to the excellent food and ambiance, the service is remarkable.

Our polite  servers, Alex and Zyra, know by heart every item they bring to our table. They also keep us informed the whole night about Toko – that it is indeed a frequented spot by international celebrities, with special mention of Kim Kardashian.

Oh, and to cap the night, we hanged our wishes at the bonsai trees as we leave the room. They say they’ll pick one on the 7th (tonight) and reward the person with a dinner for four. How about that?

Great place. Amazing food. Very engaging experience.

“It is the first time we are hosting Star Festival at Toko and we are excited to give guests the opportunity to partake in the festival by hanging up their wishes while enjoying their favourite Toko dishes,” Tony Lina, General Manager

Thank you for inviting us to your first sumptuous Tanabata festival.

Delightful iftar at the royal Dusit Thani Dubai

Ion
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An elegant convergence of 3 award-winning restaurants in Dusit Thani Dubai has transformed its amply-spaced 24th floor lobby into a festive banquet.

Specialties from Benjarong, PAX Ristorante and The Californian has added flair to a usually traditional Arabic iftar buffet. As we’re just making our way up, the thought of having dishes from these 3 restaurants tells me that I’ll have Pad Thai, Pasta and (maybe) Yakisoba on my plate.

An inviting ambiance of shiny linens, colorful lamps and the noticeably earthenware glazed pots welcomed us and delicately guided our senses to what seems to be a celebration of dining and tradition. Add the smiles and hospitality of the staff we already had a warm start.

We were guided to sit at The Californian – the perfect spot for a breathtaking view of Burj Khalifa and The Downtown.

We got settled on the table 15 minutes before Maghrib – a prayer after sunset that signals the breaking of the fast.  Most of the guests already took turns on the buffet and prepared their choices on their own table – and so we did the same. We were all just patiently staring at our plates until we hear the Maghrib signal on TV.

The traditional Arabic cuisine on the buffet includes hot and cold mezzeh, variety of dates, dried fruits and nuts, deliciously marinated meats, the very tasty lamb ouzi, and of course, Ramadan orange and rose juices and Kawha (black Arabic coffee).

There’s a shawarma stand – which had me one of the best I’ve tasted in Dubai. Next to it is the live cooking station for pasta selections – where my little girl enjoyed a creamy mac Penne and Cheese.

As expected (read: I’m really craving for it) I indulged so much in Pad Thai.  Since it is served in a clay pot, I had to mix the sauce and noodles very well before taking a serving. Very satisfying. I’m biased, but sorry it’s my favorite.

There’s a few other Thai curry dishes available as well.
Dusit has one of the vastly spread dessert counters I’ve been to. Different flavored cakes, tarts, puddings, mousse and tiramisu in shot glasses, creams, and Arabic sweets. Umm, Ali can I have more Umm Ali? I seriously took more time here than in the mains.

There’s a whole lot more on the spread. Imagine yourself in a rigodon of savoury delights, that’s how the circular setup of buffet feels for me.
Below are more photos from the evening which will tell the story.
Iftars will be running ’til 17th July more or less. 
If you’re still searching for a great dining experience, stop here. I highly recommend this feast. For AED 149 per person, your only problem will be, how to make more room in your tummy.
Reservation is recommended, so call +971 (4) 317 4515 or e-mail dine.dtdu@dusit.com.
(Thank you ate Danelle for the invitation, allowing us to experience a royal iftar of sorts.)

 Here are more photos:

Centro Sharjah Introduces Sumptuous Iftar

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Fellow blogger JiveWithDeepti, hosted us at Centro Sharjah for a pre-tasting of the hotel’s iftar offering. Not only that, we had a rare opportunity to prepare 2 of the most popular items in Arabic mezzes – Fatoush and Tabouleh, in a cook-off.

We were divided into 2 groups and given a table each with the necessary ingredients already prepared.  We got insights from the chefs but it’s up to us how much of which ingredients to mix up. Thankfully we had great foodies and creative people in the team, we won!

A crowd of cold mezzes welcomed us at the tasting proper. Prawn salads, eggplant, potato, spinach “cake”, hummus and moutabal among others were at the table.

Lentil soup which is one of the famous starters on iftar was good and smooth.

The mains came in mouthwatering serving. There’s a mixed grill of chicken, beef and lamb kebabs, the saucy Kofta Bil Foren in tomato dressing, roast chicken with oriental rice (which is usually lamb), and fried fish with tahina sauce. All of them leaves a good taste in the mouth seriously, especially the chicken kebabs.

Another thing I like about c.Taste is their wide range of desserts. Having a sweet tooth, I always appreciate the options on the table – they have variety of cake flavors, pudding, tiramisu, Arabic sweets and the traditional Umm Ali.

They have an array of Middle Eastern cuisine for iftar and suhoor including hot and cold mezzes, slow roasted lamb Ouzi in oriental rice, house made Arabic sweets and traditional Ramadan drinks available for AED 109 and AED 75 respectively

There will be lots of fun for diners during this auspicious month too as c.Taste offers meal discounts and contests to win free iftars and weekend holidays to Salalah Rotana Resort in Oman and Art Rotana Hotel and Resort in Bahrain.

“We are altogether committed towards giving our guests an experience that embodies a fine synergy of contemporary and cultural affinity towards the Emirate of Sharjah, the epitome of Arab Tourism.  Ramadan is that time of the year for us to reflect and give back to the society we operate in. This year we shall be hosting Iftar Gatherings for the old people’s home and Manzil, the centre for people with special needs.”– Michael Kasch, General Manager, Centro Sharjah

Location: Centro is located adjacent to Sharjah International Airport and a good 15 minutes away from the central business districts and city centre of the emirate.

For bookings, call +971 6 508 8000 or email centro.sharjah@rotana.com
Here are more photos from the night:

Iftar at Monte Carlo Stars in Dubai Marina Waterfront

Ion
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It was the first day of Ramadan, our first iftar invite and the destination is the sports-themed Monte Carlo Stars Restaurant in the stunning Dubai Marina Waterfront.

As we make our way down the long stairway from the valet, my eyes were glued at the interiors inspired by Monaco Grand Prix and other motor sports. A huge red, blue and white star with more tiny stars and diamonds welcomes guests at the entrance.

There’s a real race car hanging at the ceiling. Frames of sports celebrities are on the hallways. Special seating areas have long glass tables with the actual motocross suits of retired racers underneath the glass, and the chairs are real reclinable car seats. That’s where we were asked to be seated.

An ample soft play area for kids, and video games arcade are also available for diners.

Smoking and non-smoking areas are properly designated. There’s also an air-conditioned sheesha lounge since the humidity outside is unbearable these days.

Talking too much about the place now. Let’s talk food.

The iftar buffet was mainly traditional Arabic cuisines ranging from hot and cold mezzes, few main courses and desserts selection.

Lentil soup, Fattoush, Tabouleh, Hummus, vine leaves, marinated baked potatoes and a mix of other green and Arabic salads are on the starters table.

Mains weren’t bad. It’s an assortment of traditional Arabic dishes, save for pasta. Mansaf Kharouf, roasted lamb with savoury rice is the star.

Fruits, pudding, Lebanese sweets and Umm Ali make up the desserts serving.

The iftar platter costs AED 95 per person and AED 55 for kids under ten. Kids under 5 years eat for free.

Here are more photos from the restaurant:

The little one allowed us to eat well because she’s enjoying her time in the play pen

Stars and diamonds
One of those tables with real sporting uniforms
Choose your color. About 5 semi-private tables come in different vibrant colors with little stars illuminating the arch.

The arcade area
Each dining area also shows streaming of motor racing or other sports

Where we were seated. The car seats are reclinable. The foot space though could’ve been more comfy for my size
If not photo frames, there are huge decals like this on the walls.
Photos of celebrities who have been to the restaurant are on display in the hallways

You’re the boss with TFC IPTV Video on Demand device | How to win one

Ion
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It’s been 3 years of not having any Filipino channels at home, and here we are using the latest gadget from TFC for almost a month now. We like it. I must say it really is as good as advertised and true to its promise, “Boss ka, dahil may choice ka.” It redefines the viewing experience – a level up to what we get from the major service providers in the country.

The IPTV VOD device offers live viewing of TFC as per its UAE schedule and on-demand viewing of 7 other ABS-CBN channels in HD.

As a busy couple, we cannot always catch up with the live programming on TV. Sometimes I have meetings at night so I don’t get to watch the day’s news. At times we go out and return home late and the wife misses the episodes of her new favorite soap, #PSY.

 In the family, we do not allow TV viewing to compromise family time, nor interfere with our priorities.  That’s why I’m happy to have known this device.

The TV do not control our time anymore. We set our own programming. I can watch the news at a time I am settled and free. She can catch up with her ‘teleseryes‘ and reality shows like The Voice Kids and Your Face Sounds Familiar – in HD. The news and other programs are archived up to 2 weeks. The VCR/DVD capability allows us to pause, rewind and fast-forward the programs.

Popular Star Cinema films are also in the package. What brings much happiness to the wife though is the availability of selected classic teleseryes from the last decade or so. Full episodes. Since we’re off the loop for 3 years, she has a lot of catching up to do  – in her free time that is. In fact she’s already planning a late-night marathon. Ehem!

 Award-winning children programs like Sineskwela, Hiraya Manawari, Epol Apple, and more are also available – good materials for the kids to learn more of Tagalog and our culture. My childhood’s flashing back.

 The other 7 channels on the device are BRO, ANC, Cinema One Global, DZMM Teleradyo, My Only Radio For Life (MOR), Karaoke and TFC Pay-per-view – where viewers get to subscribe to watch selected newly-released hit movies and / or big sporting events.

Hit movies become available on PPV around 3 weeks after its showing in the Philippines.  Karaoke songs are not exclusively Star Records hits only.

 Portable
The IPTV comes handy, literally. All you need is an internet connection of at least 2MBPS. No satellite dish required, just a compact device that fits the size of a palm.

If plans push through and we move to another place in Dubai, we don’t have a huge satellite dish to carry. Very ideal for many Filipino households in UAE. We all know we do not stay permanently in one place.

Easy setup
You don’t need a technician to set it up. The box comes with a user manual, a LAN cable and HDMI among others. Just connect the cables to the device and plug the power cord. Switch the TV on, select the appropriate input method (HDMI) and an easy step-by-step instructions will guide you through the installation.

I installed the device in 5 minutes.

Though it is wifi-enabled as well, it is advisable to use the LAN cable for better internet connectivity.

Just activate your account and that’s it. Call 800-TFC for assistance.

Special Extra
The box also comes with a TFC Everywhere plan where, in addition to TV, subscribers can access TFC via tablets and smartphones anywhere in the country. Every subscriber’s account can register up to 2 devices.

Activating my account

Cost
The device costs AED499* and is available in Carrefour Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi and Al Saqr Mall Abu Dhabi. Soon it will also be available in Carrefour Al Ghurair, Mirdiff City Centre and Burjuman.

It comes with one year warranty.

Subscription Packages
Premium package costs AED99 per month. There are flexible subscription options of 3-month, 6-month and 12-month packages too. Please refer to the table below:

Top-ups can be made using credit card or through prepaid cards that can be purchased at select Zoom outlets. Prepaid cards come in 50, 100 and 300 dirhams denominations.

These areas and the other device settings are password protected so no one can mess up with your details and configuration.

Room for upgrade
I was told by ABSCBN Middle East officials that subscribers will be able to download updates via the ‘App’ menu item when they become available. There will be additional functions and features to be rolled out in the future. I hope MYX music channel will be included in the next upgrade.

One thing I suggested when I met the IPTV team is to add a ‘Favorites’ function so we can mark and store our most-liked and frequently watched programs in one location for quicker access. Because at the current setup, we had to navigate with multiple clicks before accessing some of the programs.

Hopefully, too, they could provide a remote control with better ergonomics. Or better, to allow us to use our mobile phones as a bluetooth remote – like what we can do with Smart TVs these days.

Other than that, TFC IPTV VOD is definitely a game changer!

For more information and support, you may call TFC UAE hotlline at 800-832.

* price might change

 Win! Win! Win!

In collaboration with ABS-CBN Middle East, we are giving away one TFC IPTV VOD device to one lucky follower of Boy Dubai. The unit comes with one month free premium subscription.

To qualify, you must publicly share this article on Facebook (via Boy Dubai page) and leave a comment on this post OR on the Facebook post.

Contest ends 16th July 2015 5:59pm. A winner will be drawn on the evening of 16th July and will be announced on Boy Dubai Facebook page.

Please note of the following terms and conditions:

1. The device comes with 1 month free subscription only
2. The winner must pick up the device in ABS-CBN Dubai Media City office
3. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash
4. The winner needs to sign a waiver that he/she will subscribe for at least 2 more months (because it just makes no sense of keeping the device without subscription.)
5. The winner may be asked to share his/her experience in social media about using the device

Good luck!

Follow ABC-CBN Middle East on Facebook to receive updates.

First ever 8K resolution 360 degree video on YouTube

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There’s a new way to see Dubai on video – a unique perspective to this dynamic city.

Dubai360.com uploaded the first ever 8K resolution interactive 360 degree video in its Youtube channel.

8K resolution or Full Ultra HD (FUHD) is the highest ultra high definition television (UHDTV) resolution to exist in digital television and digital cinematography
Combining the interactivity of 360 video and 8K resolution – 16 times the number of pixels in regular HD video – the group created a 24 hour timelapse of Dubai Airport – the world’s busiest airport.

Watch the astonishing video below:

“8K video makes perfect sense now for interactive 360 degree video. When viewing 360 degree video, the available resolution is spread across the entire sphere, regardless of the field of view that the viewer is looking at. This means that for a typical field of view of 90 degrees, even with 4K resolution, there are only 1000 pixels available. With 8K 360 video, that resolution is doubled to 2000 pixels – equivalent to what you see when viewing regular full HD video, and you’re only looking at a quarter of the field of view.”
– Ismaeil Al Hashmi, Project Director of Dubai 360

Dubai360.com was launched in January 2015, showcasing over 1200 pieces of panoramic content – videos, timelapses and still panoramas – from around Dubai.

As of June 2015, there are now over 2000 pieces of integrated panoramic content linked by close to 20,000 hotspots – including a huge tour of Dubai Mall – the world’s largest shopping mall by retail area; multi-gigapixel panoramas and 24 hour timelapses from the very pinnacle of the Burj Khalifa – and Burj al Arab, over 150 aerial panoramas shot from a helicopter, and a tour of “Old Dubai” showcasing the older areas of the city and its many Cultural and Heritage sites.

Juiceworld, the 8th wonder of Dubai

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Unlike other fruit shake stands in almost every corner of Dubai, this one in Deira really stands out. I learned about it through Facebook – lots and lots of Facebook photos that really pulled my curiosity plug. The photos tell me it’s a huge playground of fruits.

Juiceworld was founded in Saudi Arabia and is operating for more than 2 decades now. According to its website, it is an international company known for making the freshest juices, falaudas, fruit salads and fruit bouquets. They claim to prepare more than 150 kinds of juices and fruit bouquets.

What else to do but go see for myself right? So I brought the gang down to Al Rigga Road, just a block away from Rigga metro station, to experience both the juice and the “world.”

It was a jam packed day, in and out. Interestingly, there’s a longer queue at the hanging fruit decorations than at the counter.

The fruit display only occupies a small room – thanks to the mirror reflection making it look more spacious. With everyone snapping here and there, it’s quite not easy to find the right time to click (so you know, there’s not much other people in the frame).

Having the fruits arranged into decors is a very brilliant idea. I mean, instead of just storing them in the fridge or stock room – like what other traditional fruit shake kiosks does – they found a way to make these reserve fruits work for them, to lure visitors and eventually convert the visits into sales. Innovative.

We love it. The natural smell of fruit swings and rings are really inviting.  There are avocados, apples, oranges, pineapples and pomegranates to name a few.

No wonder, residents and tourists alike troop this place for photo shoot. You haven’t been to Dubai if you have no picture at Juiceworld.

Because it was really crowded at the time we visit, we had to take away. I ordered my favorite Avocado smoothie. One 1.5 liter costs AED25. Better than frap hmm.

I like it not too sweet that I had ordered the same several times already.

Here are few other fun photos we had:

I finally got time to post about this.

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