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Year-End Trip 2014

Our holiday celebration wouldn't be complete without a year-end trip.  I suppose the FIL got tired of our previous destinations so he decided to take us to Dubai.  It was a good thing because the kids were getting tired of those destinations too.  I was afraid that there'll be nothing to do but shop and I am trying to veer them away from consumerism.  

Luckily, PAL came out with promo fares last February to introduce the new destination.  I couldn't believe that adult promo fares were cheaper than full-price child fare.  Because we got promo tickets, we had to leave and arrive in Manila on a weekday.  

It was also a coincidence that one of SEPI's clients owns a travel agency.  He was the one who took care of our day trips.  We also had a van and a driver at our disposal during our whole stay.  To give you an idea, this was our working itinerary:

Day 1:  Arrival in Dubai.  The flight took 9 hours and it ate up our whole day.  We arrived at the hotel in the evening.  We stayed at Cassels al Barsha, a hotel near Mall of the Emirates.

Day 2:  AM City Tour - Jumeirah Beach, The King's official Palace, Gold Souk and other famous landmarks
             PM Tour - Desert Safari (Dune bashing, camel rides and BBQ at the desert)

Day 3:   Shopping at Dubai Outlet Mall, Evening River Cruise, Mall of the Emirates

Day 4: Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and Ferrari World

Day 5:  Aquaventure at Atlantis

Day 6:  Shopping at Dubai Mall 

Day 7:  Departure for Manila


Dubai is a nice destination to learn about the Muslims and their culture.  It is an open city that is quite progressive despite the strong hold on customs and traditions.   It has a nice mix of the old and the new.  It is perfect for retail therapy too, specially if you visit during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

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