The land where architects' wildest dreams come true

On my way back from Europe during my last holiday, I had 2-day stopover at United Arab Emirates (UAE). For most people, UAE is Dubai. Actually UAE consists of 7 emirates, namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain.
Burj al- Arab

It was quite fortunate that one of my former colleagues, David, is now working in Ras al-Khaimah (RAK); and I was invited to stay the night with his family. It was very nice of him too to pick me up at Dubai International Airport.

The car journey to RAK was about an hour. After the drive past by rocks, deserts and sands, we finally arrived at his home. The windows of the houses in the area are designed in such away that you will not be able to look into the houses of your neighbours. In Brunei, we tend to know what is going on next door hahaha

There are lots of great stories about the trip to UAE, but I don't want to bore readers by giving full description.

My visit to UAE this time is very different from my last trip there in 2003. Dubai is almost 10 times more developed than 5 years ago with lots of high rise buildings and they are still building. Resorts are being built along the coast in most emirates. The Dubai bus-stop is air-conditioned. Dubai is ever so crowded.

Air-conditioned bus-stop

The high rise buildings in Dubai

Burj Dubai, the tallest man-made structure on Earth

"Dubai Creek" inside a hotelShopping Bazaar inside a hotel

Skiing inside a mall

This time, I managed to get out of Dubai and saw where the locals lived and shopped. The pace is much slower and a stone throw away from mountains and the sea. Many thanks to David and his family for showing me around. And it was great to meet them again after they left Brunei last December.

Road to the mountains

Spending my not-so festive seasons

Halloween today! I have cooked (experimenting) some dishes and invited some former students to come to my place for dinner last night. The menu was: Devilled Eggs, Crispy Chricken with Tomotoes and Basil, Baked carrots, Strawberry Chesscake and Toffee Apples. I tried to make the dishes more Halloween themed.

Raya this year is almost over. It started on Thursday 2 October 2008 this year.

I have only gone to fewer than 8 open houses this year - 6 exactly (Cg Hamidah, Cg Noriana, Cg Mashiti, Cg Taufik, Cg Masdiana and Erwin). I nowadays feel less inclined of visiting open houses.

I have the same 'problem' when it comes to Chinese New Year. I should be even more joyful during the Chinese New Year. Again, I take it as a holiday to rest and homebound, rather than outbound.

As for Christmas, I am always away travelling. This Christmas, guess where I am gonna spend it. I will be sitting on a plane on Christmas Eve flying from London to Dubai on Emirates Airlines.

New Year - Last year I was on the RBA plane from London to Dubai. And we didnt know where the time zone was when the clock striked 12...which clock? Which time zone?

Come to think of it, it is rather sad (lol) the way I spend the festive seasons.

Bibliophilia - hobby or illness?

I love books. I have a whole cupboard full of books.

I don't just buy any books. I love novels written by Anne Rice, travel guides and cookbooks. I was watching an episode from Hell Kitchen and the lady was telling Gordon Ramsay that people buy cookbooks as if they are buying porns.

Anyway, I just bought the following books from Amazon UK. With our favourable exchange rates with teh British pounds, things are cheaper than it used to be.

Lonely Planet: Eastern Europe

Since I am travelling to Czech Republic and Bulgaria this December, I will travel with one of my favourite lonely planet guides

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food

I have all Jamie (JMe) Oliver's books. Hahaha, what a name - Ministry of Food! This book has a step-by-step pictures for the recipes. It is not difficult to follow his recipes. Excellent for beginners to cooking :) Healthy yet delish!

Nigella Christmas

Christmas is near and I am thinking of cooking a Christmas feast sometime (this year or in future). Again I have all her books, so this one is not to be missed, especially for people who are cooking for Christmas or any parties.

The Man in Seat 61

Mark Smith has an excellent website on http://www.seat61.com/ which gives excellent information on train travel in different countries. One let down of this book is that it focuses on European travel and very UK-based. So it is not that suitable for travellers planning to travel from other countries.

One thing for sure, I am NOT a bookworm.