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8 Fantastic Photos of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most important mosques in the United Arab Emirates. It is located on Airport Road in the capital city of Abu Dhabi. It is a beautiful structure that is lit up after sunset to reflect the changing moon phases.

I highly recommend that you take a free guided tour in English. The tour will give you a better understanding of the architectural details of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and some basic knowledge of Islam.

It is also important to remember that Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a religious place and that you must be modest at all times. Please feel free to visit the official website for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before you visit.

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5 Amazing Facts About Yas Beach

Abu Dhabi and its surrounding islands are jewels in the Arabian Gulf. Relaxing crystal clear water that is so warm you’ll feel as though you’re chilling in a jacuzzi.

One of the most tranquil beaches in Abu Dhabi is Yas Beach and here are 5 amazing facts about this majestic spot.

1. YAS BEACH IS ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN ABU DHABI

Drive along E10 (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Road) and follow the signs to Yas Island.

2. YAS BEACH IS A BEACH CLUB

So that means there’s an entrance fee that includes a towel, beach access (obviously), beach chair, bar (serves alcohol and soft drinks) and an outdoor fitness area.

3. YAS BEACH IS OPEN DURING RAMADAN

It’s currently the Holy Month of Ramadan. During the long, hot days in the desert it’s nice to know that there is a beach that caters to people who are not fasting and want a tranquil spot to catch some sun. Just remember that alcohol is not served during Ramadan and you can only eat inside the beach bar area.

4. YAS BEACH HAS WATER SPORTS FACILITIES

Noukhada – Yas Beach’s water sports provider – offers sailing, dragon boat and paddle board for the adventurous souls 🙂

5. YAS BEACH HAS DISCOUNTS

Are you an Etihad employee? Well, lucky you! You can receive a 50% discount on admission to ‪#‎YasBeach‬ during the week and 30% off at weekends. Be sure to bring your Etihad ID.

For more information visit Yas Beach on Facebook and Instagram.

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10 Amazing Photos from Trinidad Carnival 2015

Photographs by Jason Bodden for Carifrique.com

Photographs by Jason Bodden for Carifrique.com

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10 Things to Do in Bahrain

Here are the top ten things to see and do while you are visiting Bahrain. It’s a small island country off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. Bahrain is home to the Dilmun (Telmun) civilization which is one of the oldest in the region. You will find lots of historical and archaeological ruins scattered around the country.

10. Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq – This is the largest souq or traditional market in Bahrain. You can bargain hunt for spices, traditional clothes, pottery, arts and crafts and electronics here.

9. Tree Of Life – It’s a huge old soul in the middle of the desert.

8. Bahrain National Museum – Learn about the wonderful traditions of Bahrain and its ancient Dilmun past.

7. World Trade Centre – Shop, eat and sleep in one of Manama City’s most iconic buildings.

6. Al Fateh Grand Mosque – This is the largest mosque in Bahrain and is open to non-Muslims for daily visits. Learn about Islam and how the magnificent mosque was built.

5. Royal Camel Farm – The farm is also a stable to His Excellency’s prized camels.

4. Saar Archaeological Site – Visit the ruins of one of the Dilmun civilization’s cities.

3. Qal’at Al Bahrain – Bahrain Fort is a vast ancient fortified city that overlooks the Gulf. Meander through the court yards and enter the deep traditional homes where you’ll find modern artistic tributes to culture.

2. Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre – Meet local artisans and buy their crafts directly. The centre is located in a restored traditional Bahraini house.

1. Al Areen Wildlife Park – Visit the conservation park to see the regions most amazing animals in a natural setting.

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Tree Of Life Bahrain

Hello beautiful people! It’s been quite a while since I last travelled. The United Arab Emirates celebrated National Day on December 2nd and my employer gave us 3 days off during the week. I wasn’t planning on leaving the country but then the itch started one evening as I was dreamily gazing out my apartment window.

I opened Google Maps and Skyscanner and did a quick check of short-haul flights in the Middle East. BAHRAIN came up. Safe – yes. Warm – yes. Historical and culturally aware – yes. Cheap flights – YES!

So, I booked my 45-minute flight (!) and 5-star hotel room (I like to spend more on hotels when I travel alone because it makes me feel safer) and I was off to a similar-yet-different Middle Eastern Gulf country.

Bahrain had a drier climate than the UAE’s but it was about the same sub-tropical temperature. Clear blue skies and warm breezes would make the daytime highs enviable to anyone whose experienced a Canadian winter.

I spent 3 full days in Manama City, Bahrain and tried to do as many touristy things as possible. Through the hotel’s front desk I was able to hire an unlicensed taxi (driven by Indians and Pakistanis) to take me around for much cheaper than the metered cabs (driven by Bahrainis).

He took me to Manama Souq (market) where I could haggle a decent price for a SIM card. I needed one for emergencies and to get in touch with my driver when I would be ready to be picked up. I didn’t stay at the souq for very long because I wanted to get to the Tree Of Life.

I’d read about this mysterious wonder-flora and its claim to fame as being the only tree in the area and as an ancient Dilmun civilization ritual site. So once we got there I was awed and disappointed at the same time. It was a big, big tree in the middle of a desert and oil pipelines and makeshift local camping sites. It’s a beautiful tree but it’s just a tree. The driver said they light it up at night and people camp around it.

Unfortunately, Tree Of Life has been damaged by people’s scribbles on its branches. It also felt extremely remote and desolate. I felt as though my driver, the 2 random men (caretakers??) and I were the last people on Earth.

The best part about the journey to see Tree Of Life was the anticipation.

 

[map width=”200″ height=”200″ lat=”26.0572″ long=”50.6164″ zoom=”8″]

Hello beautiful people! It's been quite a while since I last travelled. The United Arab Emirates celebrated National Day on December 2nd and my employer gave us 3 days off during the week. I wasn't planning on leaving the country but then the itch started one evening as I was dreamily gazing out my apartment window. I opened Google Maps and Skyscanner and did a quick check of short-haul flights in the Middle East. BAHRAIN came up. Safe - yes. Warm - yes. Historical and culturally aware - yes. Cheap flights - YES! So, I booked my 45-minute flight (!) and 5-star hotel room (I like to spend more on hotels when I travel alone because it makes me feel safer) and I was off to a similar-yet-different Middle Eastern Gulf country. Bahrain had a drier climate than the UAE's but it was about the same sub-tropical temperature. Clear blue skies and warm breezes would make the daytime highs enviable to anyone whose experienced a Canadian winter. I spent 3 full days in Manama City, Bahrain and tried to do as many touristy things as possible. Through the hotel's front desk I was able to hire an unlicensed taxi (driven by Indians and Pakistanis) to take me around for much cheaper than the metered cabs (driven by Bahrainis). He took me to Manama Souq (market) where I could haggle a decent price for a SIM card. I needed one for emergencies and to get in touch with my driver when I would be ready to be picked up. I didn't stay at the souq for very long because I wanted to get to the Tree Of Life. I'd read about this mysterious wonder-flora and its claim to fame as being the only tree in the area and as an ancient Dilmun civilization ritual site. So once we got there I was awed and disappointed at the same time. It was a big, big tree in the middle of a desert and oil pipelines and makeshift local camping sites. It's a beautiful tree but it's just a tree. The driver said they light it up at night and people camp around it. Unfortunately, Tree Of Life has been damaged by people's scribbles on its branches. It also felt extremely remote and desolate. I felt as though my driver, the 2 random men (caretakers??) and I were the last people on Earth. The best part about the journey to see Tree Of Life was the anticipation.   [map width="200" height="200" lat="26.0572" long="50.6164" zoom="8"]

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Jamaica Dream Weekend 2015

One of my dreams is to play mas (participate) in EVERY SINGLE Caribbean Carnival in a year. Besides that, I’d like to go to Jamaica’s (in)famous Dream Weekend and party in other non-Carnival Caribbean events. Back in the day it was known as ATI Dream Weekend but Appleton Rum pulled out of it. So now Smirnoff keeps the feters fetein’ for almost a week of non-stop fetes! It’s like a huge rave but with Dancehall Reggae tunes. 
 
Here’s the schedule for next year. To book tickets (wristbands) and package tours feel free to visit our favourite Caribbean entertainment and tour guide CARIFRIQUE.
 

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Naptural Woman in London

[quote]Just a number one champion sound, yeah Estelle we bout to get down. Who the hottest in the world right now? Just touched down in London Town…[/quote]

Estelle and Kanye’s collab was playing nonstop in my head as our Etihad Airways jet glided over City of London and landed at Heathrow Airport. I was ready and happy to be dragged around by my sister-friend Duddy for my 22-hour layover. I really wish I could tell you that her and I went to fetes that sell off and tun up…alas no. How much could one see after only having abdominal surgery 2 weeks prior??

Was I in pain? Definitely! But I was being gently towed by Duddy with a humungus smile on my face. I was in LONDON gaddammit!

We managed to model in Piccadilly Circus, eat digusting Vietnamese pho ga in Chinatown, drink grassy healthy stuff in SoHo, ride the #8 double decker bus to East London, catch up on gossip until the early hours of the morning, take selfies by Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, see a marathon, eat an English Breakfast, save a Russian tourist from almost getting 50 pounds Sterling stolen, ride the tube to LHR and have Duddy urge me to take advantage of getting pushed in Heathrow’s fancy purple wheelchairs.

Whoohoo!!!

 

 

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Al Maryah Island

Al Maryah Island – formerly Sowwah Island – is poised to become Abu Dhabi’s answer to bustling Wall Street. Walking over the short bridge that connects Maryah Island to Reem Island gives one the impression that they may be the only person on Earth. It is a wonderfully peaceful place that buzzes with the anticipation of something great.

The action on Maryah Island lies at Galleria Mall – a luxurious shopping haven dedicated to feeding your appetite for the world’s exclusive fashion and dining. It was nice to stroll along the boardwalk outside the mall where the view of Abu Dhabi city is breathtaking.

Next to Galleria Mall is the largest steel structure in the United Arab Emirates known as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. It’s a huge, modern building which has recently opened to the public.

Al Maryah Island provides joggers and walkers a great place to stretch and sweat without the crowds. And I do look forward to seeing the completed phases of the master plan.

[map width=”200″ height=”300″ lat=”24.499265000000000000″ long=”54.389769000000000000″ zoom=”12″]

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A Sunday In Abu Dhabi

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I’m slowly getting accustomed to living in the United Arab Emirates’ capital of Abu Dhabi. Just yesterday, my newest friend, an Emirates-based Sudanese-Ethiopian woman, taught me how to speak like a local.

“It’s bu DAABI. Not a BU DAA bi“, she said.

And yallah can mean ‘come’, ‘go’, ‘let’s get out of here’ or ‘move away from me’ depending on the context. Good to know. Last week some of my Grade 11 students taught me how to say the numbers, body parts and colours in Arabic. They are supposed to test me this week.

Yesterday was Saturday – the last day of the weekend. It’s going to be tough getting used to having Fridays and Saturdays off. I still think Saturday is a ‘proper’ Sunday.

My friend and guide took me and another new expat to get inked. It’s not as permanent as a regular tattoo but you can get a wide choice of designs drawn on any part of your body.

It took about 2 hours for the entire process of choosing a design, getting it painted on and drying. Most salons in the city are banned from doing it because this particular type of henna has carcinogens. I was happy with the design and it shows up beautifully on my chocolate skin but…let’s just say that this may be the first and last time I get it done.

I’m usually one to research new things I place in and on my body. Because I thought it was simply an indigo dye like the one I colour my hair with I thought everything would be just fine. Until the other expat (she got her legs inked in a gorgeous lace-like pattern) started to complain of itching. I can be a hypochondriac when I put my mind to it. My hand started itching too. Not much but is it all in my head?? It might be but I bought some hydrogen peroxide to wipe off some of it – just in case!

After the henna salon, we drove to Madinat Zayed Gold Souq. I love silver but I think I’m in super love with gold now. You can customize any piece you want and the prices are all very reasonable. The merchants expect you to haggle for the best price. You can also try on as much as you want.

That necklace set in the pic above will be mine for $12,000 CAD. I swear I’ll dream about it every day and my prince will deliver it to me.

Last but not least is another discovery – almost as pleasant as the Gold Souq – but less painful on the wallet. Mangosteen is my new mango. I mean I LOVE mango. Mangosteen is not a mango at all. But it gives me the same sweet and tangy satisfaction. Protect your clothes, get a sharp knife, cut the thick skin and voila – yummy white soft seeds that melt in your mouth!!! Try eating the bitter purple skin for more antioxidant benefits too.

Halas (another great Arabic word meaning finished, enough or stop)! Yesterday started sweetly and ended real sweet! Stay tuned for more adventures from the Naptural Born Traveller!

 

[map width=”200″ height=”200″ lat=”23.6131590″ long=”53.7216610″ zoom=”12″]

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