A Quick Tour at Masdar Insitute *Plus* Sumo – Sushi & Bento Experience! :)
It was a a normal Thursday evening. After work I invited my good folks – Chris & Alex to join me for a dinner at Sumo – Sushi & Bento Japanese Restaurant located inside the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology @ Masdar City. For the record, this is already our second attempt to go there. It was me and Chris only who went there first time after attending Sunday mass in order to satisfy my cravings for Japanese foods because I really love it! Unfortunately, we were lost towards Masdar and my GPS device headed us to Masdar City office located in Musaffah. However, I did not give up and yes, finally we did it last October 10, 2013.
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) is a graduate level, research-oriented university which is focused on alternative energy, sustainability, and the environment. It is located in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Wikipedia, et.al).
Masdar Institute is an integral part of the non-profit side of the Masdar Initiative and will be the first institution to occupy Masdar City. The Technology and Development Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is providing scholarly assessment and advice to Masdar Institute. (Wikipedia, et.al).
Heading towards inside in the institute is through riding the PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). I would say that it is truly a once in a life time experience too since it is the only facility here in Abu Dhabi where such type of transit is available and can be experienced. PRT is an on-demand transportation system that combines the adventure of a private car and public transportation.
The PRT runs on lithium batteries which are powered by solar energy produced at Masdar City. It carbon-free and environmentally friendly. Manufactured and it is designed by the legendary Italian designer Zagato which has designed cars for Ferrari and Aston Martin among others.
The PRT uses a virtual software to guide its journey, using magnets within the floor surface. Designed to the highest international safety standards, it uses advance collision avoidance sensors. The network is constantly monitored to ensure a safe and an uninterrupted journey.
Our last stop is at the SUMO – SUSHI & BENTO Japanese Restaurant where we enjoyed sumptuous Japanese delight cuisines! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Would you like to visit also Masdar Institute and try riding the PRT? Are you also fond of Japanese foods like us?
Top 3 U.A.E. Destinations: “A-Must-Do when you visited United Arab Emirates!!! Definitely where U-Achieve-Everything (U.A.E.)”
Hey, guys! For those who’ve been planning to come and indulge in one of the most extravagant and enticing place on Earth, I’ve prepared my top 3 destinations and must be included in your bucket list! (Drum rolling…!!!) Here are my Top 3 (In No Particular Order) :
1- Enjoy Desert Safari in Dubai with BFF’s (best friends forever) during the Winter Season! After all, it’s more fun if your with everyone! Haha lol! 🙂 Winter Season starts from December till the Month of March-April. (Rate = 150-200Dhs/Pax)
A must for everyone who is visiting UAE. A memory to share with your family and friends back home, This is one safari you cant do back home. I highly recommend this adventure and it will be worth every penny spent! 🙂
*** At the Dubai Desert – Dune Bashing ***
*** At the Middle of Desert (Camp Site) – Dinner, Camel Riding, Henna Tattooing ***
*** Amazing Belly Dancer ***
The tour departs in the afternoon across the desert of Dubai with several photo-stops during an exciting dune drive to the first destination a camel farm. The drive continues across the desert. We stop to watch the beautiful sunset before reaching our campsite where you have the opportunity to do a camel ride, sand boarding and try out a henna design on hand or feet. After working up an appetite enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe). Before returning to Dubai/Sharjah we watch a belly dancer performing her show around the campfire by starlight.
The following activities are included:
– Pick up by 4×4 wheel Drive from any point in Dubai and Sharjah between 3.15pm to 4.00 p.m.
– Drive through the desert along Al Awir Road – Dune Bashing.
– 20-30 minutes Dune Driving
– Sun Set Photography
– Camel Rides
– Belly Dancing
– Bar
– Henna Painting
– Hubbllee Bubblee (shisha)
– Arabic Coffee (gahwa) and Fresh Dates
– Traditional costumes
– Unlimited soft drinks, tea coffee and mineral water
– Buffet Dinner and B.B.Q.(vegetarian food also available on request)
– Departure at 9.30 pm
– Sand Skiing (not included supplementry of AED 100)
*** Waiting for the Bus going back to Abu Dhabi (Tired… ***
*** but Veryyyyyy Happy!!!) ***
2- Climb at the Top – Burj Khalifa in the Dubai Mall (Just kiddin’, you can use the lift all the way to the 124th floor! Haha lol! 🙂
*** Feeling really Excited to Experience being at the Top of Burj Khalifa ***
Be a part of histroy in the rising. High atop one of the world’s most dynamic cities, is one of the world’s most extraordinary experience. On the 124th floor of the tallest tower in the world, nothing else matters but You. At The Top Burj Khalifa, only at The Dubai Mall.
Get ready to enter the record books and experience a journey through Dubai’s exotic Arabian heritage, the extraordinary story behing Burj Khalifa as the new icon for the Middle East, and view the spectacular panorama from the observatory At the Top, Burj Khalifa.
Experience 360 degree sweeping views from level 124 of the world’s tallest tower, At the Top. Burj Khalifa offers unparalled vistas from the Gulf to the Arabian Desert and beyond.
*** On the way to the Top Photos ***
Admission Dated & Time based on 30-minutes intervals.
Introductory Admission – AED:
Dated & Timed Adult (12 years +)……………..125
Dated & Timed Child (3 – 12 years)…………….95
Immediate Entry Adult/Child…………………….400
Infants (0-3)……………………………………………Free of Charge
*** Views from the Top ***
*** I’m the King of the World Moment @ 124th Floor!!! Haha lol! 🙂 ***
3- Indulge yourself to Wadi Adventure in Al Ain – ride on to the water sports challenge (i.e. white water rafting, kayaking and surfing) and head on to their Air park where you can really test your survival skill and courage!!! (Rate = 225Dhs/Pax)
Wadi Adventure, the Middle East’s first man made whitewater rafting, kayaking and surfing facility.
Known for its extensive natural cave system and hot water springs, Jebel Hafeet has long been a tourist attraction for the region. Wadi Adventure has now added another reason for you to visit this spectacular part of the U.A.E.
Wadi Adventure is an ideal day out for the family, friends or just by yourself. With everything to offer at the state-of-the-art facility, all you need to bring is a sense of adventure and we will make sure you head home with an experience of a lifetime.
What you’ll find inside:
- Three world class whitewater rafting and kayaking runs with a combined length of 1,133m
- A surf pool capable of making 3.3 meter high waves every 90 seconds
- A rope course, climbing wall and zip line
- An adult and toddlers swimming pool
- Retail and merchandise outlets providing all you may need for the day
- Plenty of food and beverage outlets to cater to everyone’s needs throughout the day
- The most unique corporate and event space to be found in the Middle East
- Space and infrastructure for world class white water and surfing events
W-A-R-N-I-N-G! White Water Rafting is No Joke! One must follow the instructions well and you must all work paddling as a team! Otherwise, your boat would tripped and end up like us… 😦 😦 😦
*** Wounded but become Stronger and Braver, Up-Beat for the Next Challenges!!! 🙂 ***
So…, would you also like to see these amazing tourist spots and try any of the above challenges when you come and visit U.A.E.?!? Which one you’ll gonna see first and try to experience? 🙂 🙂 🙂
One night of Comfort @ “Comfort Inn Emirates Hotel…”
It was on a friday sunny afternoon (20.09.13) and since I’ve really wanted to spend some “me” time that weekend which I really needed (for some freaky reasons 🙂 ) , I’ve decided to use the Groupon Voucher I purchased online for a One-night stay at Comfort Inn Emirates Hotel located at Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi.
The Comfort Inn Emirates Hotel offers 3-star accommodation in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ittihad district. Al Wahda Mall and Al Nahyan Stadium are within a 10-minute drive away, and the property provides free parking. All the modern and elegant rooms at the Comfort Inn Emirates Hotel include a flat-screen TV, cable / satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities. Each has amenities such as a mini bar, a hair dryer and a refrigerator. Bathrobes and slippers are also included for extra comfort.
What to do and see:
– Rent a bicycle and enjoy the scenery at the Corniche
– Get your adrenaline pumping with a drive along the Yas Marina Circuit
– Admire natural beauty as you go kayaking through the mangroves
While marveling the beauty of living/relaxing on this haven, I happened to find some time to read the book I purchased online last month via amazon.com… 🙂 You might want to try it and see how the law of attraction works on you and finally meet your soulmate.
*** The Soulmate Secret by Arielle Ford ***
So excited to wake-up in the morning and for your information, my stomach is designed to digest a big breakfast now a days because of my changed lifestyle when I started going to the gym 2 months ago and my metabolism is really improved a lot… 🙂 As early as 7 A.M., I went down to the dining area where buffet breakfast is served.
*** My Own Version of Breakfast Starter ***
*** The Main Course (Yum! Yum!) ***
*** Lastly, My Healthy Dessert (Priceless!) ***
I check out around 1 P.M. (a day after) and head on to my folks accommodation. Jesse cooked “Ginisang Munggo” (Sauteed Mung Beans) and really loved it! Since Chris, Jesse, Cris Vincent and Jenica (new acquaintance) has this strike-anywhere attitude like me, especially if its our first time – I’d invited them to come with me and have some beer while singing our hearts-out @ “The Buzz” – A Video Karaoke Bar located at Al Diar Regency Hotel, beside corniche hospital along corniche-salam road. We grab a few buckets of Heineken and some french fries and fried chicken wings! Boom!!! We really had a great time! Everyone went home with a smile! Truly an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Weekend we’ve all had… 🙂 🙂 🙂
How do you usually spend your “Me” time, your weekend after a stressful week from work?
Reblogged from Thought Catalog:
“I want a love that will breathe life back into my sleeping viscera. I want a love that crushes my past half-lives into a fine dust, a love that obliterates the crumpled strung out papery cutouts, a love that scribbles the last word and seals the letter. I want a love that will change me, alter me, add to me; spin new neural networks in my brain matter like shiny silver webs.”
Ski Dubai – “A Once in a Lifetime Brain Freezing Experience”
Our experience with the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East is a whole bunch of fun yet scary but full of excitement! Ski Dubai is located at the Mall of Emirates – an amazing 22,500 square meters covered with real snow all year round. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I bumped in one day in my email the Cobone deal for the Ski Dubai Experience @ the Mall of Emirates. I immediately bbm’ed my bestmates – darwin and kris to try it this weekend. Voila! They both answered with a big YES! So, I immediately bought the deal for the three of us.
We started driving from Abu Dhabi around 11:00 o’clock on a sunny quirky friday morning – 6th September, 2013. It took us an hour and a half to reach Mall of the Emirates (MOE) in Dubai. For those who are planning to try it, it is a must that you make your reservation by calling 800-386 (Ski-Dubai helpdesk) a day before so that you would have a reserved class for your group. For first timers like us, we were booked for the “Discovery” class. It was also reminded to us that we must be at Ski-Dubai an hour before our reserved time. Good for us and we arrived 30-mins before our reserved time. We were at the parking area around 12:30 P.M. and headed towards the inside area of MOE. While on our way, we spotted nice sceneries and we can’t help it but to take some photos, taking turns, among us to take each other’s angle. Please spare a few minutes… Hahaha! LOL 😀 😀 😀
*** Darwin (photographer); Kris (posing) ***
Darwin (photographer); Me (posing…lol :-D)
*** Me (photographer) ; Kris & Darwin (posing) ***
*** Assorted Photos ***
*** More Photos @ Mall of Emirates ***
Before I forgot to share our experience at Ski-Dubai, let me now proceed with my blog… Haha! LOL 🙂
Around past 1:00 P.M., we headed towards Ski Dubai located and at once I have presented our Cobone vouchers and proceed with the registration. It took us 15 minutes only to confirm our booking and fortunately, a fellow filipino assisted me and the procedure went smoothly. Aside from the voucher, we also paid an additional of 20Dhs (per person) for the access card which is reimbursible at the machine once you finished the ski dubai experience. 🙂 Also, an additional charge of 20Dhs for each locker you are going to rent for your belongings. In our case, we needed only one (1) for all our things coz most of it are left in the car. 🙂
Hey, remember that ski jackets and pants are provided at the resort and included in your ticket price so you don’t have to worry about clothing. Gloves and headwear are available at the ski shop facing the entrance of the indoors snow zone.
*** Photos during our Effortful Outfit Changing 😀 ***
It tooks us 60 minutes for the Discovery Class. We were taught about the basic safety procedures and techniques on how you should do skiing. It was really an informative yet enjoying experience. Photos are not really prohibited to be taken while inside the skiing area but the thing is that, we decided to focus on the lesson so that it will be definitely a worthwhile and learning experience. After our class, we returned all the accessories + outfits to the designated booths/docks.
Earlier, I have mentioned about the reimbursible 20Dhs from the access card. Excitedly, we quickly lined up at the atm look-alike machine and inserted our access cards. Boom! Our instant 20Dhs… Hahaha! LMAO 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
*** Yipeeeeee!!! Got back my 20Dhs!!! Hahaha! LOL 😛 ***
From now on, I shall be rating my experience between 1 to 5, being 5 as the highest, using the symbol of “weighing scale” (as my Libran symbol… 🙂 )
For this Ski-Dubai experience, my rating is 
(3-Scales); this is because I would like to come back again and try more classes and I find the discovery class a bit short. They should have offered an additional 30-mins. more so that the one hour is for the class only and the last 30-mins is just by ourselves.
Feel free please to give your comments below and if there’s some queries, please don’t hesitate. 😉
I am going to share soon my weekend escapade @ Comfort Inn Emirates Hotel and Karaoke Videoke Bar Early Saturday Night-Out w/ Abu Dhabi Friends @ the Buzz, Al Diar Regency Hotel.
Don’t forget to follow me via email. 😀 😀 😀
#stayhappy #goodvibes #skidubaiexperience #dubaiweekend #mallofemirates #discovery #firstimers
How I’ve Spent Unusually My Usual Saturday-Off :-)
Hi guys, it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog for my site. To tell you honestly, nothing really spectacular is happening with me now a days. My normal routine everyday are going to work – spending a minimum of 9 hours during weekdays in the office, then going to the gym three times a week (t-th-s) and every Sunday is my church day as a roman catholic, fulfilling my weekly obligation to God. But yesterday is not just an ordinary Saturday, I’ve spent it not the normal way, just I wanted to share here guys how it went ahead.
1st Stop: Al Habtoor Motors, Musaffah – Abu Dhabi, UAE
It is time for my baby to undergo his 30,000Kms service maintenance. By the way, I bought my car last May, 2012 from Al Habtoor Motors (2012 Model: Mitsubishi Lancer GLX 1.6L). I call my car as my baby coz like any babies, he is somebody I considered a precious property and someone I really takes care of most of the time. I make it a point to feed him by petrol regularly and do bathing at least one or twice a week to maintain his glossiness and clarity since he is white in color.
I woke-up very early in the morning, around 5:45 A.M. – this is kind a unusual coz normally every Saturday offs, I am still lying in my bed snoring soundly like a drunk man. Hahaha! 🙂 Normally, you have to be at Habtoor before the business time starts at 8 A.M. I left home at 6:40 A.M. after preparing all the things I need (food, water, wallet, fully-charged cellphone and ipad) because I am going to stay there and wait till they finished their thing for my baby as part of their maintenance service. The moment I arrived, the security guard gave me no. 3 which will be my turn once they open the customer acceptance. Luckily, the person assisted me was Jerome, a fellow Kabayan who have been assisting me for a couple of times eversince whenever my baby needs the mandatory service maintenance (every 5,000Kms). I had this bad experience before being handled by other nationalities in the reception whereas I wasn’t fully satisfied with the outcome of my baby (i.e. messy car wash, unfinished vacuum) and I do not know for some reason why the heck it happened! I am the type of person who doesn’t want to complain and just let things pass through. I normally want to avoid be in a stressful situation outside my workplace in order to vent-off. Well, thanks to Jerome although the service did not finished as expected but in totality, I am so happy to see again my reborn baby. I was scheduled for my next stop at 11:00 A.M. but unfortunately, I’ve started driving from the Musaffah at 11:30 A.M. Since I never anticipated that this was going to happened and to avoid further inconvenience, I called around 10:30 A.M. the receptionist at my next stop to reschedule me on a later time, still within the day. He booked me at 3:45 P.M. Perfect! But before I start driving, I took first some photos of my newly serviced and washed baby!!! Voila!
2nd Stop: Harley Street Medical Center, Marina Village – Abu Dhabi, UAE
I purchased a 1 session of microdermabrasion facial from Groupon at Harley Street Medical Center, Marina Village. The whole session lasted for an hour. It was a relaxing yet freaking experience because for it was such a long time since I’ve had a facial treatment and it’s actually my first time in my 6 years in abu dhabi to undergo a facial treatment here. I had experienced facial only in the Philippines. On the lighter side, the treatment is not annoying at all. I’ve never experienced before microdermabrasion so it was really scary a bit but during the treatment, the frightness turned into calmness and relaxation. Thanks to the lovely facial expert, Ms. Desireen. She told me that you can visibly see the result of the treatment after 10 days. She recommends to have a least 3 sessions, depends on your skin condition, to achieve radiant and noticeable results.
For everyone’s information, microdermabrasion, sometimes called the “lunchtime peel” is a non-invasive, gentle process of using crystals accelerated onto the skin’s surface to abrade and mechanically exfoliate layers of dead and damaged skin cells. On completion of the abrasive process, a vacuum suction whisks away the crystals and the abraded skin particles leaving your skin smoother, brighter, firmer and with a course of procedures, blemish free.
That’s all for now friends!
Stay tuned for more sharing moments of the Lifestyle of the Simple yet Smart, Bubbly & Small but Terrible Me… 😉
Thanks a lot for visiting! 🙂
P.S. Don’t forget to write your comments and follow me, please! (for first time visitors)
Meet my Gym Buddy for the Week, Kris!
Image Posted on Updated on
Kris is a good friend and a physical therapist by profession. He works in VLCC as a masseur therapist. Yesterday while we were chatting in bbm, he informed me that he’s currently on local leave. Immediately, I invited him to accompany me at Gold’s Gym, Alwahda Mall – Extension. I gave him a one-week free pass. Last night was a blissful experience, it was our first time both to attend the body pump class. We did not realized actually the weights we are going to carry all throughout the class. Hahaha!!! In totality, the experience is truly a remarkable one! Yet, we are still not done and now more excited to attend the body pump class today for the second time… Hehehe! #gymaddict
My First Blog
Today, I have officially made my first ever blogging website.
It happened automatically and unexpectedly. I just felt now the burning desire to sign up today at wordpress and so here I am now, writing my first ever blog in my 33 years of existence.
Firstly, let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Alexander Jr. Conda Sioson and was born and raised in the Philippines. My friends call me simply Alex but my family and a few close friends call me by my nick name – Awen. I am a Chemical Engineer by profession and has been a resident in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for more than 5 years. Currently, I work as a Senior Water & Wastewater Process Engineer for Corodex Industries Co. LLC – A Water Purification and Wastewater Treatment Solution Provider. Basically, we are an Electromechanical / Technology Provider Company.
What else I want to say about myself? Hmm, sooner or later you’ll find out more interesting things about me. But let me tell you now that aside from my career, I am into financial advising on the side, particularly on stocks investment both in the Philippines and International Accounts. For those of you who are interested about Philippine Stock Market Investing but don’t know how to start, please do email me at alexander.sioson@gmail.com or add me to your Facebook account, Fb name: Alex Sioson. I promise you that no jargon words or terms I’m gonna use to talk about stock market, purely easy to understand and follow instructions on how to start you stock market investments. Regarding dollar stocks investment, recently I joined Nexus Company (checkout their website: http://www.nexusadvice.com), they are a stock broker and insurance provider. They handle stocks of google, microsoft, apple, ferrari, samsung, nike, mcdonalds, etc – basically huge companies around the world. They have fund managers that take care of our portfolios. All you have to do is to be faithful with your monthly investment by setting aside at least 20 – 30% of your salary for stocks investment. Those who are in the UAE, please do contact me via email that I have written above if you are interested to know more about Nexus and how to start your dollar account stocks investment with them.
That’s it for today.
Cheers! And looking forward for my blog followers soon… 🙂
Enjoy the rest of the tuesday night!
My next stop is Gold’s Gym, Al Wahda Mall! ( By the way, I recently signed-up for a 12-month membership, now I become also a health & fitness adviser to my friends! Hahaha! LOL )
The Libran Globetrotter 