Inside the Emirates Palace Hotel

Emirates Palace Hotel is considered to be the most expensive hotel so far.It was amazing to see the rest of the place where only a few people can take a tour around.Most of the time many parts of it are exclusive for guests and V.I.P's. Luckily,my cousin who is currently working there got a chance to show us around with another guide...of course she had to ask permission first to one of the managers since the security there is very strict that nobody is allowed to take a tour on some of its restricted areas of the palace.

Well,I couldn't believe at first when our guide,Didier, told us that what we are going to see that are gold and silver are real gold and silver and every material used are of the best quality...like the floor with colored marbles from Italy with the white ones from India...all the heavy chandeliers hanged are filled with Swarovski crystals and the soft carpets are mostly handwoven from Iran....I don't remember anymore what else are there that the guide mentioned...oh yeah,the cogniac thing and the caviar, etc...many stories that could make any non-VIP like me to make that "amazed and shocked expression" with my eyes marvelled by all the material things that can spoil their guests.

As we take a look at one of their suites,I keep on thinking, I couldn't afford to spoil myself with an expensive accomodation like this for just one or few nights of splendor.It's a lot of fortune to spend (for someone like me).And anyway,I am already contented to have that chance to see all these luxuries they can offer...and that contentment is already enough to fill my simple pleasure of appreciating beautiful and fancy things like these...a priceless experience that taught me a lesson about life...that happiness and contentment in a person is not about how much he has and how many things he posseses....
Happiness is about finding the things that really matter most in life and no matter how poor you are,just knowing how you can be happy even in the simplest of things,you'll see that it's the greatest possession in the universe...because the more you have,the more you worry about losing them and the more greedy you can become...and that surely will not make you find satisfaction and contentment and you will never know how to be REALLY happy...So,what's the worth of these material things if it's always accompanied by worries,greed and unsatisfaction?And so,my amazement was replaced by the view of my son who was enjoying playing on the floor...now that's the happiness I'm talking about!

Al Jazira Club Hotel: Inside a Stadium

Yes,their hotel is located inside this building(Stadium).When we arrived at the place,we saw 2 buildings and seeing the one on the right that looks similar to the one posted on the internet we entered only to be surprised it's the wrong building!Then someone (a kababayan)approached us asking if we are looking for the hotel.Well, that's one surprising thing we laughed about.
Marc has to get back the car (Toyota Yaris)which was parked near the other building.Luckily he never had any problem to find a place to park since it is indeed a very spacious parking.And Marc's GPS keep on telling the destination has a restricted access.
Nobody has really gone to the place to check the room since it is nowhere to be found on the internet.The room looks very nice and newly renovated with modern style.We got a complimentary tea and cofee maker and the next day we were surprised to see another complimentary...a basketful of fruits! We also got breakfast incuded in the price we paid.The food was ok and there are lots of other pinoys working there.
Now the father and son are competing which one gets to install their devices first. I went to check the bathroom and surprise!There's no bathtub for Matyu...but anyway we learned after a few days of stay that they got a huge swimming pool at the other building...really spacious!It's made for swimming competitions.Since we are guests from the hotel we have free access to these facilities.
It's a good thing they give us 2 beds so in case I cant sleep when my husband snores or move too much,I can get to sleep on the other bed with Matyu.Well, we got this place for 1 week and my husband is happy to have a free internet access in the room.All in all,we love our stay here!

Staying at Hilton Baynunah

We arrived around 10 pm at Hilton Baynunah.Though the 3 of us were tired we were still able to get out and go to Golden Fork to eat our late dinner....not really late for our stomach to complain since it's only 7 pm on Belgian time.At last we're back to the same Golden Fork we've been last year in Khalidiya near the Sheraton.The next morning Matyu was already too excited to go back to the swimming pool located at the 29th floor.He still remembers we've been there already.
From the 29th floor I got a glimpse of the surrounding views once again.It was pretty nice to see the progress they have made after almost one year.We were here May of last year and the temperature was hotter that month(36-43 C).In the afternoon we waited for our rented car to be delivered to the hotel at no additional charge rather than picking it up ourself.We didn't know it was possible until Pradeep told us.

This photo with Matyu taken inside the bathroom was during our last 2 days of stay in Abu Dhabi.We stayed again in Baynunah since it's the hotel nearest to my sister's accomodation.Our room in 9th floor is a little bit modern than the one we got at the 10th floor during our first chek-in....just newly renovated.

And again,Matyu did not forget to ask to go to the swimming pool.After all the trips we had he stil does not get bored of swimming.

Holiday Destination: U.A.E.

Everybody waited with excitement at the airport's waiting area.We're glad to escape for a while from the
cold weather of Belgium.Because we were seated near the vending machines(one behind him with the mannekin pis), Matyu was tempted to keep on pushing the buttons and demanding us for coins.


At last the Etihad airplane arrived.Matyu was too happy to see it from the glass window.It took us few more minutes to be able to embark...good thing they give priorities to passengers with kids so we were able to pass ahead of the rest of the 100+ other passengers.

After 6 hours direct flight we arrived at the Abu Dhabi airport. I took a photo of Matyu at the exit of the gate that leads to this very magnificent work of mosaic art from the floor to the ceiling located at the main waiting area for all outbound passengers....truly amazing for those who love artworks.

And so after a few photos,we went to the immigration passport control and again we were happy to be given a priority pass through the lane for nationals (foreigners with kids are given this advantage).