8 months have gone by and Spring Break is here! Most of my colleagues and friends have planned to travel for Spring Break. Mike and I have gone back and forth about what to do and where to go. We decided since the weather was nice and there is SO much to do here we decided to do a Staycation. Yep, that's right we are going to relax and enjoy some of the things that the UAE has to offer.
One place we decided to go to was IMG World.
IMG World is the world's largest indoor theme park.
That's right all of the rides are inside and it was great. They had an offer where you buy admission tickets and with each ticket you get a meal voucher and a gift certificate to the Marvel Movie that comes out in April. After reading the fine print I realized that we can use it for any movie but we are going to use it for the Marvel movie.
IMG World had many different themed areas. There was Marvel, The Lost World, Cartoon Network, and IMG Boulevard. Each area had roller coasters, restaurants, and souvenir shops. My favorite ride was in The Lost World and it was called the Velociraptor. The path to get to the ride is all inside. The ride itself starts inside. It comes to a full and complete stop, while you're waiting you see that the ride itself is actually outside, and then it shoots up a huge hill which you can see upon arrival to IMG World. This ride had hills, loops, and speed; my kind of ride. You can experience the ride for yourself thanks to a youtube video I found.
IMG World is in Dubai so we stayed the night in Dubai and just relaxed. We had earned a free night with a Marriott property so we decided to use it. If you're wondering about how we got a free night wonder no more I'll tell you, rewards points. Before we were dating or married Mike was a part of every rewards program known to man. I suggested we focus on a few so we'll be able to get points and attain all of the benefits. As far as hotel chains are concerned we mainly stay at Marriotts and IHG properties. IHG properties are Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Crowne Plaza and that's just a few. Marriott also offers rewards if you book excursions with them too. That program is called Marriott Moments. If you read the blog about our first visitor the trip to the desert she and I took was booked through Marriott Moments. Read that blog by clicking here.
If you want to join Marriott or IHG you can click either picture below. We don't get anything if you join. I'm just trying to help you save money.
During Spring Break we ventured to a Fruits and Vegetable Market. I've been doing smoothies regularly and during a regular week I go through about 8-10 packs of spinach. 1 pack of spinach in the store can be between 9-13 dirhams. So, you do the math. When someone mentioned to Mike how cheap it was at this market we put it on our list of things to do. It is located right by Port Zayed so we were able to see yachts and cruise ships which made us look into taking a cruise that leaves from Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The market was crowded with many vendors. I was able to get enough spinach for Mike and I both to do smoothies for a week. That's right Mike is going to join me on my next cleanse which actually starts tomorrow, April 1. Anywho the spinach only cost me 8 dirhams. 8 dirhams is like 2.18USD. Color me happy! I wish I would have taken pictures but I was so happy I forgot. I will definitely be going back so look for pictures in a future blog. Below is a picture I found on google.
Other than just hang out at the house and have dinner with friends my Spring Break was relaxing. During this week we did plan out an epic summer that I'm so ready for!
Be Kind to one another and Be Uniquely You! Until next time...
This post is going to be a compilation of videos and pictures! We just had our first visitor from back home! The entire week was so fun and exciting! Which one of you will be next?
You may be saying I don't recognize your visitor. Or I don't know who your visitor is. Well, let me tell you a little story.
When I was in 7th grade my English teacher had to be out for surgery which meant we would be getting a long term substitute. This substitute and I clicked and I knew I was her favorite even though she didn't say it out loud. 😀After 7th grade she and I kept in touch and I eventually asked her to be my mentor and she accepted. She brought me to her house. I met her family. She took me to a nice restaurant on the lake and at that moment I said to myself I want to be like her! Even though she didn't make it to my college graduation she sent me a card. She did however make it to my wedding and even until this day we keep in touch. Mrs. Jernberg, I call her Ms. Cook, thank you so much for believing and encouraging me. Because of you, I too am a mentor to a bright young lady!
As a teacher, we have favorite students. There will be some teachers who will swear/promise up and down that they have never had or do not have a favorite student. That teacher would be telling a lie. My 2nd year teaching there was a smart, young, girl in my honors English class. She would ask questions and she tried so very hard to do well and she did! She and I clicked instantly. I have watched this girl grow into an independent and beautiful young lady inside and out. I took her on her first plane ride, we have had so many intriguing and silly conversations, and her birthday is the day after mine. To say I love this young lady would be an understatement. Since I don't want to have kids I know that when I get old I'll be able to count on her to come see about me. When she asked me if she could spend her Spring Break with me here in Abu Dhabi I told her she didn't even have to ask! So, Tamara, my mentee is our first visitor from home.
Day 1:
Our first adventure was to Global Village. I went to Global Village before with Mike. Feel free to check that post out by clicking on the picture of Global Village below.
We walked in many of the countries just looking. We caught the stunt car show too. It was cool to see.
Day 2:
We started this day off by going to The Dubai Mall, the tallest building IN THE WORLD, and seeing all of the must see sights in the mall. This mall is so big which makes it very overwhelming!
After being overwhelmed by the Mall, The biggest Mall IN THE WORLD that is, we got ready for our next adventure! We headed into the desert! In the desert we drove over sand dunes, rode camels, rode ATVs, got henna, played Arabic dress up, held falcons, and watched a Tanoura and Belly Dancer. This was a really fun time. Don't worry, I'd definitely do this again so when you come to visit we'll be going to the desert. (wink, wink) See all of our pictures below!
Our desert safari guide, Khan
Getting Henna
Day 3:
We drove back to Abu Dhabi. On the way we stopped at YAS Mall and went to Carrefour so I could do my grocery shopping for the week Yes, I'm still doing my smoothies daily. Click here for more information.
Day 4:
Tamara was on Spring Break but I wasn't. I went to work and Mike and Tamara hung out. Mike dropped me off at work so as soon as I got off we could go to our next excursion. We went to a nice spot to take photos with the Etihad Towers in the background and we went up to Observation Deck 300 in the Etihad Towers. The deck was on the 74th floor. We were able to see a most magnificent sunset while enjoying tea and cake with gold flakes!
Day 5:
We took on Ferrari World. Ferrari World is 1 of the many amusement parks in the UAE. Ferrari World is home to the fastest rollercoaster, IN THE WORLD! It's top speed is 250 kilometers per hour. That is like 155 miles per hour! See our VLOG below.
Day 6:
Tamara came to school with me today. My boys were trying to show their manhood so for lack of better words, let's say it was a very interesting and eventful day. After school we visited the Emirates Palace and had our own photo shoot. After Emirates Palace we hopped on the Big Bus which took us around the city and showed us all of the major sights in Abu Dhabi AND it told us information about each place. I would recommend riding the Big Bus to anyone. I would also do it again in any city that I visit.
Day 7:
Tamara had not seen Black Panther so she and I went to see it in 4DX. 4DX is 3D+the seats move, water shoots out, smells that are in the movie are real, and the lights flash. Just think of an indoor amusement park with extra added perks for all senses. It was great!
Tamara had never been in a taxi so we hopped in a taxi and went to Al Wahda Mall and had our favorite Red Lobster Lava Cookies. I remember taking her to Red Lobster for cookies 1 day after school. It was great just spending time and laughing together. After we ate we hopped in another taxi and headed back to my place. I bet you're wondering why we were riding in taxis when I have a car. Well, if you must know...😁😁😁 Mike wanted to go to a lecture at NYU Abu Dhabi and I'm all for self education so he drove there and Tamara and I were chauffeured. Once we got to my place we got ready for Ladies Night. Mike met us there and we went to Galleria Mall where Loca is located. Ladies Night in Abu Dhabi is amazing. Most restaurants offer free drinks for ladies on Ladies Night! Yep, FREE! So, we took full advantage since this was her last night with us! We had a great time!
After we ate, drank, and laughed it was time for us to get Tamara to the airport so she could catch her flight home.
I was so happy she came and so proud she took the journey alone! She is becoming such a wonderful young woman and I am totally honored she chose me to be her mentor. I look forward to us traveling together in the very near future!
And to all of you who want to come to Abu Dhabi, Come On and we'll have so much fun!
